Page 9 of Rescuing Mia
It’s beenten years since I’ve been home.
Ten long years of duty, service, sacrifice, and countless missions that took me to the far corners of the world. Now, as my childhood home comes into view, framed by the setting sun, the contrast between my past life and this moment is stark.
Breathtaking.
My truck’s engine purrs beneath me, its low rumble resonating through my chest as I navigate the familiar, winding road to my family’s vineyard in Paso Robles, California. The sun hangs low in the sky, and its golden rays filter through the canopy of leaves to cast dappled shadows across the asphalt.
The air rushing through the open windows carries the sweet aroma of ripening grapes mixed with the earthy scent of freshly turned soil. I drum my fingers against the steering wheel, the leather smooth beneath my fingertips, as excitement and anticipation build in my chest.
The vineyards, the rolling hills, the simple peace of rural California—it’s worlds away from the chaos and camaraderie of my life as a SEAL.
It feels—foreign.
Yet, here I am, crossing this familiar threshold, where the echoes of my former life blend with the whispers of my childhood.
Neither of those hints at what the future might hold.
My gaze drifts to the passenger seat, where my seven-year-old girl sits patiently, her bright eyes fixed on the road ahead. Since she’s meeting my sister for the first time, she got a bath this morning. The faint scent of baby shampoo mingles with the other aromas in the car.
“You ready to meet Aunty Sarah, sweetie?”
Stormy grins the way she always does when she’s excited. A half-eaten biscuit hangs precariously from her mouth. Biscuits are her favorite snack for long rides, and she never seems to tire of them.
“Looks like you’re all set with those snacks,” I chuckle, noting the way she hoards her last biscuit, refusing to eat it, a feat that’s both endearing and slightly comical.
Stormy’s not big on words. Not much of a talker, but her expressions crack me up.
“Aunty Sarah appreciates a tidy car, you know.”
Stormy seems unfazed by the mention of cleanliness, more captivated by the passing scenery and the promise of new adventures. Her bright eyes never stray far from the window, soaking in every detail as if memorizing the route for future reference.
“Your Uncle Mark’s a great guy too. You’re going to have the time of your life.”
Stormy lifts a brow and looks at me. She knows something’s up, that I’m not sharing the whole truth. It’s best to come clean and tell her.
“They really are amazing. Have a huge house and tons of land to explore. Mark makes wine, and you can help him during the harvest. You’re going to love it.”
Her brow furrows as she processes what I say.
“I know you want to come with me, but not this time.”
My heart sinks at leaving her behind. We’ve been best buddies since the day she was born.
Inseparable.
The words feel heavy on my tongue as I explain. “I know. Trust me, I wish you could come with me, but this trip is different. I’m going on a dive adventure from Manila to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. I’ll be living on a liveaboard dive yacht for a while, and it’s not the best place for you.”
Stormy shifts in her seat and pouts.
She gets it.
Disappointment fills her eyes, and a tiny whine escapes her.
“We’re still a team, sweetie. You and me, against the world.”
I reach over and rub her neck, feeling the warmth of her skin under my hand. “But sometimes, even the best teams have to spend time apart. It doesn’t mean we’re not still together. It just means we have different adventures to go on for a little while.”
I take a deep breath, the air filling my lungs, as I try to find the right words to explain.