Chapter 10 - The True Home
The sun began to set behind the gap, casting a long, magnificent violet and gold light over the three hundred acres my father had protected for us. The valley was silent, the old gravel road peaceful under the evening sky.
Lily came running up from the pasture, her face flushed from the wind, and jumped into my arms. I lifted her high against the sunset, her small hands locking around my neck, her heart beating steady and safe against my chest.
"Mommy," she whispered, looking at the new sign standing proud at the entrance of the driveway. "Are we going to stay here forever?"
"Forever and always, baby," I said, kissing her forehead as I carried her up the gold wooden steps of the porch.
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Inside the kitchen, the light was warm, the flour tin sat clean on the shelf, and the silver dog tags my father had worn in the jungle hung securely above the mantlepiece, a permanent reminder that the walls he built were thick enough to withstand any storm.
The wolves were gone, the empire of greed had turned to dust, and the soldier had finally finished the long march home. The Vance lineage was secure, the valley was quiet, and for Rachel and Lily, the sky was completely clear at last.
