Back in the Soldier's Arms Read Online Free PDF Page A

touching him, to be missing out on the casual contact they’d always enjoyed.
    Because this child, the daughter they’d made together, was like the glue holding the tender pieces of their life together.
    She was the most precious gift in the world. One they’d always share, no matter what.
    And she was precisely the reason Penny wished she could forget what Daniel had done and make everything go back to normal.
    But she couldn’t forget, and Daniel couldn’t take back what he’d done.
    Which meant that Penny had no idea what the hell they were going to do with the mess they’d made of their lives. And their marriage. “Champagne, Penny?”
    She held her hand out, forcing a smile as Vicki produced a full glass for her.
    “And one for the little lady,” Vicki announced, passing Gabby a glass of something fizzy.
    Penny leaned into her mother-in-law’s embrace and held back tears.
    This was what she’d missed. Being part of a family. Being loved.
    Because Daniel’s infidelity had made her feel so unloved she could hardly catch her breath.
    Once, she’d lost her mother, her only family, and wondered how she could survive it. But then Daniel’s family had made her feel like one of their own. Without them, it would be like losing her mother all over again.
    Back in the Soldier’s Arms/Here Comes the Groom

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CHAPTER THREE
    PENNY sat at the table with her mother-in-law. She let her elbows rest on it and slumped forward slightly. Finally able to relax.
    Gabby was in bed, the boys were in the kitchen doing the dishes, and it was just her and Vicki.
    She looked up as Vicki gave her a small smile.
    “Is it weird that I want to say sorry to you?” she asked Vicki.
    The older woman nodded, scooting over in the chair closer to Penny.
    “It’s weird because it’s wrong,” Vicki said firmly. “You have nothing to apologize for and I have everything to be sorry for.”
    Penny pursed her lips, but she didn’t say anything. Couldn’t. Because for once in her life she didn’t know what the hell to say. She was sorry that her marriage to Vicki’s son was over, even though it wasn’t technically her fault.
    Or maybe she did know what to say.
    It was simply that the words were struggling to form in her throat.
    “Did Daniel …” She paused, glancing over her shoulder to make sure the guys were still in the kitchen. “Did he tell you why? I mean, did he tell you what he did?”
    Vicki nodded sadly, reaching a shaking hand for her wineglass and taking a long, slow sip.
    “I’m so sorry, Penny. I can’t believe that after what his father put me through, that he’s turned around and done the same thing to you.”
    Penny didn’t know what to say. Had Daniel really turned into his father? She doubted it. He’d made a serious mistake, but she’d never lump him into the same category as his cheating, lying father.
    ;“At least he told me,” Penny whispered, scared of her own voice. Of her own thoughts. “That counts for something, right?”
    Vicki reached for her hand and squeezed it. “It might count, but it doesn’t excuse what he did. All I can say is sorry, and I hope you know that I’m here for you. No matter what you decide.”
    She looked up.
    A tremor ran through her. Did Vicki not know that she’d told Daniel it was over? Did she expect her to take him back?
    “Vicki, I—I can’t just forgive him.” The words were flat, almost impossible to say. “It’s not that simple.”
    “I know more than anyone how hard your decision is, all I’m asking is that you hear him out. Take your time in making a decision that will last the rest of your life.”
    Penny sucked back a big, shaky breath.
    “Every time I shut my eyes, I see his betrayal. I can picture him with another woman. I want to know every detail and yet I know I’m not strong enough to ask.” She shuddered at the thought. “But I love him so much, even though I hate him, too, and I don’t know how to make sense