Now she had an empty house to furnish and her first day off in a week. She’d wanted a completely fresh start, so she came with nothing but her bed, clothes, and books. Every day she’d added to her list of ideas and needs for the house. Even if Rick completely rejected her, she felt like God wanted her living here and working in this hospital.

She decided to go to the chapel service. The first weekend here, she’d gone to the contemporary service. She’d looked for Rick but hadn’t seen him in the crowd. In fact, she hadn’t seen anyone she recognized from his team. In all fairness, though, the Memorial Chapel was full of young families and single soldiers. She could easily have missed someone.

This morning, she would attend the traditional service. As she put on a light-pink dress and tan sandals, she wondered what she’d say to Rick when she saw him.

Hi, Rick. I love you. Please forgive me and love me back.

She groaned out loud. How could she do this?

Determined to go through with it, she grabbed her Bible and walked out of her house into the warm May morning. Honestly, at this point, what choice did she have but to go through with it? She’d moved all the way out here for this purpose. Caving in to insecurity would make all of this for nothing.

Instead of the Memorial Chapel, this service was held in the Liberty Chapel. As she walked up the path, she noticed the older crowd. Inside, the person who handed her a bulletin looked to be in her seventies, and the choir members at the front were all easily grandparents. She did see several younger families in the congregation. But not Rick.

Sighing, she sat in the back so she could examine the people in attendance, watch who came and went. She really enjoyed this service. It reminded her much more of Nathaniel’s church. The chaplain who gave the sermon had a rich, booming voice that carried the message with an almost poetic quality.

After the service, they all joined together for lunch in the annex. Every person she made eye contact with greeted her warmly, and by the time she sat down at a table with a sub sandwich and a bottle of water, she felt completely at home.

“Doctor Myers?”

Hearing her name, she spun around and spied Leanne Waller. She’d met the woman during the awards ceremony in Washington. Her heart started beating furiously. Leanne would know how to get in touch with Rick.

“Mrs. Waller,” she said, standing and holding out her hand. “Please call me Cynthia.”

“Leanne.” The red-haired woman stood several inches taller than Cynthia. She wore a sleeveless dress and had well-defined muscles in her arms. Cynthia remembered that she worked as a search-and-rescue operator.