“So you’re my daughter and always will be, and Helen will always be my granddaughter. Understood, mija?”

Leah raised her gaze to this woman she had no right to claim as family. But something stretched between them, a mutual love for Clay and for Helen.

That was the right. That was the claim. That was family.

Leah breathed it in deeply. “Yes, Mama.”

32

SWANAGE, DORSET, ENGLAND
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1944

The only sound in Clay’s ears was the scratching of pens on paper. Occasionally, Rangers murmured to each other, but overall a hushed reverence filled the quarters in the old school.

After Exercise Fabius, Clay’s company had returned to Swanage on the southern coast, along with the rest of the 2nd Ranger Battalion. More cliff climbing, with extra training on using the rocket-propelled grapnels, now mounted on the LCA landing craft. They were also experimenting with extension ladders from the London Fire Department mounted on DUKW amphibious vehicles.

Dozens of Rangers lounged on cots writing letters. They were strong, smart, well trained, unified, and confident bordering on arrogant. They were ready.

Down the length of the room, Frank Lyons met Clay’s gaze without smiling, and a chill ran through Clay. Something about that man. Nothing definitive to report to Rudder, just a needling suspicion.

Clay returned his attention to his stationery boxes. Enough dillydallying. All around England, vehicles transported troops to marshaling areas close to the southern ports. Rudder had told the men to write any letters they wanted mailed before the invasion. After the men were briefed on their mission, the mail would be impounded so no classified details could be leaked.

Clay’s time was running out. He’d continue to write, but today’s letters were the last he could guarantee to be mailed before he died. They’d be the most difficult five letters of his life.

The first would be easiest, and the only one short enough for a V-mail. He filled the one-page form responding to Leah’s latest letter, which reported on Helen’s cuteness and how Leah enjoyed the time with his mother. Clay kept the letter light, praised the baby, thanked Leah for her advice, and told her he was writing his brothers.

Now for the long and difficult letters. They would all go in one thick envelope to Kerrville.

Dear Daddy and Mama,

Things are getting busy over here, and I wanted to tie up all loose ends. I’ve enclosed letters to Wyatt and Adler—please forward the letters immediately, as I don’t have their addresses. There’s also a letter for Leah—please mail it to her only in case of my death.