THE WAR BRIDE CLUB by Soraya Lane Page B

you’ve seen the new house. We’ve been…”
          “Dad!” Eddie scolded.
          His father put his hand over his mouth and gave her an apologetic look.  
          “What house?” she asked.
          “It’s a surprise,” said Eddie. “Come on.”
          He took her hand and helped her into the car. She sat beside Patty, the three women all tucked into the back. Eddie took the front passenger’s seat and his father drove.  
          “Hold on to your hats, ladies.”
          They all laughed. June louder than any of them.  
          Life couldn’t get any better than this.  
     
    Or could it.  
          June hated being in the dark, but she dared not peek. The scarf was tied tightly over her eyes. Eddie was leading her, and she held tight on to his arm.  
          The others had mysteriously stayed up at the house, refusing to show her what room she was to call her own. The home had been beautiful, statuesque and elegant. Full of lovely furniture, framed photos, delicate cushions that she was sure were handmade.  
          The entire property had stolen her heart from the moment the car had ascended the drive. Up the slight incline of a hill, and flanked by endless fields full of cows and others full with crops. A real-life ranch if ever she’d seen one.  
          “Almost there.”
          “Eddie, please! Let me take it off,” she begged.
          He stayed silent for a few steps, not offering her any words. Then he stopped.  
          “Okay, if you must.”
          She tugged the knot at the back of her head. The handkerchief slipped away.  
           Oh. It was a house.  
          She looked at him. Why were they here? Who lived here?
          “Eddie, where are we?” she asked.
          “Home.” He said the word simply.  
          “But…”
          His smile couldn’t stretch any wider if he tried. “Let’s have a look, shall we?”
          She was puzzled. Why would they look inside the house? And why had he called it home ? They’d just been at his home.  
          It was large and built from wood – cream weatherboards that had obviously been freshly painted. Two chimneys stood proud on the roof, large windows looked out over fields. It was settled high on the land, looking down to the contours of the fields below.  
          Eddie was almost at the front door. She hurried over to join him.  
          “Stop,” he called out.
            Her foot froze mid-air. He’d opened the door but halted her with his hand before she could walk inside.  
          “Eddie…”
          He scooped her up into his arms and carried her over the threshold, before kissing her softly on the lips.  
          “I’ve been back almost four months,” he told her, placing her down on polished timber floorboards. “I’ve worked with my father and his builder every day on this house to have it ready for us.”
          June gulped. “This is our house?”
          Eddie grinned at her. It was a smile that lit his eyes and made them crinkle in the corners. “All ours.”
          “Oh, Eddie. Oh my goodness!”
          She walked through the lounge and into the kitchen. She touched her palm to the solid timber counter before skimming her fingers across it. She took in the new stove, the appliances, before walking back into the lounge. The fire was set with kindling, despite the warm weather.  
          “Is this really ours?”
          He nodded. “Do you like it?”
          She ran into his arms and squealed like she’d never done before. “I love it! Oh Eddie, I can’t believe it’s ours. Truly ours!”
          “We need to get some more furniture, but it’ll do for now.”
          “Do? Eddie, it’s perfect .” She exhaled the word with a sigh. “I don’t ever want to leave.”
          He