Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers Page B

between friends and caught her when she threw herself into his arms. “Joshua!” Arms wrapped around his neck, she pressed herself full against him. He drew in a sharp breath, caught off guard by the shock of sensations coursing through his body. She kissed his cheek. “I missed you so much!” Could she hear how hard his heart pounded against hers or feel the heat radiating through him?
    He set her down firmly and stepped back, forcing a laugh. “I missed you, too.” His voice came out tight and hoarse. He wished they were alone so he could talk to her. Her recent letters had been so cautious and cold. He hadn’t known what to expect when he came home—certainly not a welcome like this, not this heat in his belly, nor the racing blood.
    Abra grabbed his hand, tugging him up the steps, acting more like the girl-child he had left behind. “Come on! Everything’s ready inside!”
    He laughed uneasily. “What everything?”
    “The decorations, the buffet in the backyard, the cake!” When they entered the house, she slipped her arm around his waist and squeezed hard. “I was afraid you’d never come home.”
    He slid his hand under her ponytail and gently gripped the back of her neck. “So was I.” She turned exuberantly and kissed him on the corner of his mouth. When she drew back, he saw something indefinable and intoxicating in her eyes. Did she sense her budding power? He looked away, deliberately breaking the moment. Dad stood off to one side, watching them.
    Joshua didn’t fully relax until people lined up for the buffet. He’d been to a hundred banquets at the church, and he’d lined up for grub in Army mess halls. Everyone insisted he go first. They had all brought something to add to the feast. Joshua hesitated until Mitzi grabbed his plate and his arm. “Come on, boyo. You need more meat on your bones.”

    Penny pulled Abra off to one side. “Cover for me, would you?”
    “Where are you going this time?”
    “Michelle and I are going to Eddie’s.”
    Abra had half expected the sight of Joshua in his Army uniform to resurrect Penny’s old crush. Other than saying he lookedhandsome, she hadn’t been bowled over. Abra looked at him standing at the buffet table, Mitzi snatching his plate and serving him. He had changed. It wasn’t just in the leanness or muscle of his body, the cropped hair, or the tension in his jaw. It wasn’t the uniform. It was something else, something pressed down deep inside him. She’d seen it when he got out of the car. Did everyone? He had suffered, greatly. He carried deeper wounds than the one in his side. He was still Joshua, just not the same Joshua who had left Haven nearly three years ago.
    “Abra!” Penny pressed, impatient. “Will you cover for me or not?”
    “All this drama for a hamburger and milk shake with Michelle?”
    “There’s this guy I want to see.”
    Abra gave her a droll look. “Of course. Who is he?”
    “No one you know. He’s from LA and absolutely gorgeous. I want to meet him. If Mom asks—”
    Abra laughed. “If anyone asks, I’ll say you’re on the telephone. That’ll give you the whole afternoon all to yourself. How’s that?”
    “Perfect!” She kissed Abra’s cheek. “Thanks. I’ll do you a favor someday. And I’ll tell you all about him when I get home.” She took two steps and turned back with a teasing grin. “Then again, maybe I won’t.”
    “As if I care.” Abra rolled her eyes. “Go on. Get out of here.” She shook her head as Penny headed through the gathering and went into the house. Abra picked up a plate and took a piece of fried chicken. She looked over at Joshua. People kept stopping by his table. Joshua seemed uncomfortable, tense. If she’d had her way, she’d have met Joshua alone at the bus station and they’d be at Bessie’s right now, having hamburgers, fries, and shakes—chocolate for her, strawberry for him.
    She glanced at Joshua again. He was looking right at her. She felt an odd