“I don’t understand.” Greta brushed away a tear on her cheek, which seemed to break Mark’s cool, unflappable resolve.
“Come here, Greta girl.” He opened his arms.
She flew to him and hugged him tight. “Are you leaving because of me?” Trey heard her ask in a quiet voice.
“No, don’t think that.” Mark ran his hand over her hair. “I need to go off and have a few adventures of my own. Take care of my boy.” He said the words to Greta, but his gaze burned into Trey’s. “Don’t let him get too soft. And if he falls out of line, kick his ass.”
She tried to smile but failed. “Okay.” She brushed the hair off his forehead. “Be safe. And don’t leave without saying good-bye. I’ll pack you a sandwich.”
“I won’t,” he said. Trey knew he would be gone long before the sun came up. “Well, I better get to packing.”
Trey held out his hand. When Mark took it, Trey pulled him into a hug. They exchanged a few well-placed slaps on the back that said more than any words could’ve expressed. “Take it easy, Little Joe.”
Mark’s lips twitched slightly, but his eyes glowed with unspoken emotion. “Thanks, Hoss.”
Trey hugged Greta tight after Mark left with one last bittersweet smile. “He’s in love with you. He told me.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I never meant for that to happen.”
He placed a finger on her lips when she would have continued. “I know that. And Mark knows that. I guess he needs to step back and figure out what it is that he needs to move on with his life. It couldn’t have been easy on him. Especially with the way I’ve been acting. If it was me, I would have taken me out a long time ago.”
“We’re never going to see him again, are we?” She stared at the empty doorway, and Trey realized she had just lost her closest friend. Mark had been there for here when he was not. The separation was going to be tough on everyone, and Trey was prepared to make it as painless for her as possible.
“He’ll be back.” He placed a kiss to the top of her head. “This land is as much his as it is mine. It’ll call him back.”
“I hope so. I just want him to be happy. Wherever he is. Like us.”
Trey curled her tighter into his embrace and buried his face in her neck. It felt so good to finally be on solid ground with her. “Are you really happy, Greta?”
A touch of wickedness edged her giggle. “Oh yeah. As long as you don’t go and do something stupid.”
A pinch to the backside made her yelp. “I make no promises about not doing stupid shit, but I promise no more hiding.”
“Me too.” She kissed him on the lips to seal her promise.
“Would it be stupid if we went out for a little ride right now?” he coaxed, using his most persuasive tone.
“That sounds nice, but I have to get dinner ready.”
“Magpie, these are grown men who all have their own kitchens in their quarters. Come on.” If he had to get on his knees and beg, he would. “I’ve been wanting to get you in the back of my truck something fierce.”
She worried her lip, making it puffy and kissable. While he was distracted, she plucked the keys from his belt with lightning-quick reflexes and ran down the hall. “I drive!” she shouted.
“Like hell,” he roared.
Greta was halfway across the driveway before he caught her around the waist and tossed her over his shoulder. The little she-devil worked her hand between his skin and his jeans to pinch him in delicate places.
“Stop it, woman, or I’ll drop you on your head.” He punctuated the threat with a tap on the butt that made her giggle.
He dumped her in the cab with a scowl that quickly melted in the face of the pure love and joy that radiated on her face as she smiled up at him. He couldn’t wait to show her again just how much he loved her.
After jumping in on his side, he pressed a firm kiss to her willing lips, thanking his lucky stars to be given a second chance.
“Buckle in, baby doll. I’m about to give you the ride of your life,” he warned before tearing off down the road, leaving nothing but laughter and dust behind them.
* * *
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Men of the Sprawling A Ranch Series
The Cowboy Way
The Marlboro Man
To Have Faith
Heroes of Saturn Series
Hero Revealed
Hero Unleashed
Hero Unmasked
Hero Rising
Cavern Series
A Night at The Cavern
Only at The Cavern
Elite Metal
Bound by Steele
Adamantium’s Roar
Elite Ghosts
Thallium’s Submission
About the Author
Anna Alexander is the award winning author of the Heroes of Saturn and the Sprawling A Ranch series. With Hugh Jackman’s abs and Christopher Reeve’s blue eyes as inspiration, she loves spinning tales of superheroes finding love. Anna also loves to give back and has served on the board for the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America as chapter president and on the committee for the Emerald City Writers Conference.
Anna welcomes comments from readers.
@AnnaWriter
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www.annaalexander.net/
Hearts on Fire: Romance Multi-Author Box Set Anthology Page 128