Chapter 19 - The New Route
By winter, the business had fully stabilized, and Carter Lane Logistics was stronger than it had ever been. We had expanded our fleet by ten new trucks, hired three returning veterans from my old unit, and implemented a family-first corporate policy that ensured no deployed service member would ever have to worry about their livelihood or their family while serving their country.
One snowy December evening, I stood at the large window of my office, watching the snow flurry settle over the loading docks.
The phone on my desk buzzed.
It was an internal call from dispatch. “Captain Carter? We have a priority transport run heading south toward North Carolina. Driver’s ready on Bay Four.”
“Copy that,” I replied smoothly. “Tell him to take the interstate route; winter weather advisories are up near the mountain pass.”
“Will do, boss.”
I hung up the receiver and smiled. For six months, I had imagined my homecoming as a tragic end to a difficult deployment—a moment stolen by greed, betrayal, and family malice. Instead, it had become the crucible that tested our strength, proved our resilience, and forced us to shed everything that was false in our lives.
The door to my office opened softly, and Maya stepped inside, wearing a thick wool sweater, carrying Liam bundled up in a red winter snowsuit that made him look like a tiny, cozy bear.
May you like
“Ready to head home, captain?” she asked, smiling.
“Always,” I said.
