heaping piles of love. I love you with all my heart.
Your son,
Clay
Now for his brothers. He’d hoped they’d receive their letters before D-day. It was ridiculous to mail the letters to Texas first, but what could he do without their addresses?
Dear Wyatt,
I pray this letter will reach you before everything heats up over here.
I need you to know I’ve fully forgiven you. On that day three years ago, you acted out of a legitimate fear for your life. Although I was upset not to go to college and medical school, I’ve found my place in the Rangers. It’s a good fit, and I’m glad to be here. I’ve enjoyed my training, and I know we’ll accomplish great things. Please don’t beat yourself up about the changed course of my life. Much good has come out of it, and I see the Lord’s hand in it all.
I appreciate that you want to pay me back. Part of me wants to forgive your financial debt, but I reckon you wouldn’t rest until it was repaid anyway. And as a husband and father, I’d be foolish to turn the money down. So I thank you in advance.
It’s my deepest desire that our family would be restored. Don’t ever doubt our parents’ forgiveness. At times I’ve resented their easy and generous forgiveness, but it only reflects the forgiveness of our Savior.
Please forgive me for taking so long to forgive you. My resentment was an offense against the Lord’s forgiveness of my own sins.
I’m glad to hear you’ve found such an honorable way to serve. On that day, I’ll feel better knowing my big brother may be at sea, protecting my back.
You always protected me, you know. No one dared pick on me for being half Mexican, because you and Adler wouldn’t stand for it.
I always looked up to you as the voice of reason and restraint, of compassion and good cheer. Your quiet strength showed me a vision of manhood different from what Daddy and Adler showed me—and more in keeping with my personality. You have influenced me for great good, and I thank you. I love you, and I miss you.
Please rest in the knowledge of my total forgiveness and love.
Your brother,
Clay
Clay stretched and scooted back on the cot. He slipped the letter in an envelope and marked it “Wyatt Paxton,” with room for his parents to add the address. Then he pulled out a sheet of stationery for the brother he’d been closest to—and was now furthest from.
Dear Adler,
You’re probably reading this with trepidation, and I don’t blame you. The last time you saw me, I told you I’d kill you if I ever saw you again.
Please forgive me. Forgive me for beating you up, for threatening you, for driving you away from home, and for taking so long to forgive you.
I’m glad you’ve turned to the Lord for forgiveness. Please know I’ve fully forgiven you as well.
If anything, your actions have altered your life far more than mine. Ellen’s lack of love for me would have surfaced at some point, and I’m glad I didn’t marry a woman who loved someone else. This freed me to marry my Leah, who has been a blessing.
I’ve been pondering how difficult it must be for you to hear about what happened in your absence. Rest assured that Ellen’s death had nothing to do with you, only with her reckless driving. And Timmy is Daddy and Mama’s pride and joy. He’s your spitting image. Sometimes God brings great light out of our darkest moments. Timmy is that light.
Three years ago, Daddy ordered you to leave and I ordered you never to return. Both orders have been rescinded. Our parents long to welcome you home, and I want you to return as well. Nothing would make me happier than for our family to be restored.
Just so you know I’m sincere, I saw you on the Queen Elizabeth. Daddy said you saw me too, but it must have been at a different time. I was standing guard, and I had a rifle. And Adler, I didn’t use it. Trust me, you’re safe.
I’m glad to hear you’re a fighter pilot, and I’m sure you’re a good one. Every time I hear airplanes overhead, I look for you, not that I’d recognize your plane. It makes me feel good that when I go into action, you’ll be overhead protecting us boys on the ground. Once again, Adler Paxton will beat up any bullies who pick on his little brother.