by Linda Palmer
Everyone cursed a lot, particularly Wilson, which earned them some glares from Zander, who was quietly removing mics and cameras from my walls instead of joining the guys. He hadn't exactly warmed up to my father. I hoped he'd feel better about him after I relayed our conversation.
Around ten, Dad ordered pizza--make that pizzas, plural--a dozen of them. He also gave someone cash for a beer run. Thank goodness Dom didn't drink. I really wasn't up for a mass sleepover. In fact, though I knew I should offer my father my couch at some point, I didn't even do that. I wanted to sleep with Zander in my bed, something he probably wouldn't do if Steve McConnell were anywhere around.
After setting up a breakfast date for the next day, Dad finally left, but the guys just settled in deeper, which flattered me even though I wanted them all to go. Zander and I really needed to talk about what had happened when we kissed in his truck. If he thought I'd settle for less than his love, he was in for a big surprise.
But first I had to talk to Leslie and Clint. Although I knew I'd scare them, I retreated to my bedroom again so I could call home.
"Riley? It's so late! Is something wrong?" Leslie, sounding panicked as I'd known she would.
"Actually something is right," I said. "But it hasn't been. Is Clint around?"
"He's right here."
"Turn the phone on speaker. I don't want to tell this story twice."
"I'm here." Clint.
"Okay, here goes. Some weird stuff has been going on. I haven't called before because I didn't realize just how weird it was. So before I explain, I want you both to know that I'm fine except for a couple of broken bones."
"What!" said Leslie.
I began telling them everything that had happened, starting with Halloween and only leaving out random things like Zander and I sleeping together and the fact that I adored him. Leslie's first comment when I finished?
"This is all Steve McConnell's fault!"
"Now Leslie--"
She interrupted Clint. "Well, it is."
Oh boy. "Aunt Leslie, I love you, and I forgive you for keeping secrets from me. You and Clint have earned the right to be my replacement parents, and that's what you'll always be. But I still want to get to know Dad. We all deserve second chances. You. Clint. Steve. Me. So can we please just chill out and see how it goes? Can we?"
A long silence followed my question, and when Leslie did speak, I could barely hear her. "Of course." Sniff. Sniff.
"Thank you. Now I've got to talk to a stubborn vet, so I'm hanging up. But I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"
"Vet?" said Leslie. "Have you bought a pet? You know how much trouble they are."
I couldn't keep from laughing. "Vet as in veteran, Leslie. You know...soldiers. Camouflage. Boots. Guns. I have a houseful of them, and most are a little buzzed."
"Riley Ann McConnell! What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking that I've never been safer."
When I walked back into the living room, I found Zander and Dom on the couch, Simms and Wilson sitting on the floor, and Sparks in the recliner with a girl perched on his knee, all of them glued to the TV. I also saw Rogers in his uber-wheelchair and, sitting on the kitchen stool, Patrick. When the spares had arrived, I had no clue. Patrick offered me a brownie by pointing to plate of them that had miraculously appeared on my table.
A glance at the TV revealed they were glued to a classic football game, which meant they'd probably all seen it before and knew who won.
Or maybe they hadn't. After all, they'd missed a crap load of football games while serving their country. My heart swelled with love for them all--guys who'd shown up when Zander needed them. Brothers by experience, by commonality, by love.
Brothers showing no signs of leaving.
Hmm.
I stared at Dom until he glanced at me, when I slashed my hand across my throat one time, a quick move no one but him saw.
He grinned. "So tell me, Xman. Is Riley your woman or not? Because if she's not, I'm thinking there are some guys here who'd like to ask her out. May I have a show of hands?"
Four shot up in the air. None of them were Zander's. His mouth fell open. I almost lost it. Clamping his lips together again and with his jaw stubbornly set, Zander shook his head, but it wasn't exactly a no kind of shake. It was more of an I don't know.
"What's holding you back, man?" asked Dom, frowning.
Zander's gaze dropped to his leg.
That did it.
"Are you freakin' kidding me?" Fuming, I stomped into the room and straddled his lap, a move that caught him by surprise and made a couple of our witnesses hoot. I framed my guy's face in my hands. "We need to talk."
"Now?" His self-conscious gaze swept our companions, who watched with interest.
"Now. Do you regret enlisting in the Army when you did?"
"Not at all."
"Excellent. That cancels out your guilt for not doing what your parents wanted. I mean, you can't have both, can you?"
"Nooo." He glanced to the left and then right as if looking for an escape route.
My "Ennk!" vetoed that plan. I made him look me in the eye again. "Do you regret not finishing college?"
"I'm going to finish. I've already enrolled."
"Then that cancels out your guilt for delaying your degree. Do you regret saving Marty and Dom?"
"Hell no."
"Then would you please focus on the 'glass-half-full shit'? You. Saved. Two. Lives. Yes, more were lost, one of them a brother in arms, one an innocent child. Our hearts ache for them. But something good happened, too. You did the very best one man could do. No one can ask more than that."
"She's right, man." Dom nodded, lightly shoving his arm. "You're my hero."
The others murmured solid agreement, some of them nodding.
"I know that." My guy's voice sounded a little husky.
I smiled. "Then we're finally getting somewhere. Now I only have one more question--"
"Thank God."
A couple of chuckles followed that.
"Do you regret not dying in that blast?" Before he could answer, I kissed him, one of those sloppy wet ones that last forever. I also threw in a two second--okay, maybe three and a half--lap dance I hoped no one noticed. "Well, do you?"
"Not right this moment, no."
That raised the roof. Now Dom affectionately ruffled his hero's hair.
"I love you like crazy, Zander Bennett. And if you don't love me back, I'll be sad forever. Is that what you want for me?"
"No."
"Then you'd damn well better give happiness a try. We can work through this stuff if you'll just give us a chance. I'm sure of it." I began to kiss him again, this time planting my lips on his forehead, his poor bruised nose, both flushed cheeks, and, finally, his waiting mouth.
Zander kissed me right back--amazing all-consuming kisses like the ones we'd shared at the cabin. He slipped his hands under my tee in back so he could pull me closer. No guy had ever tasted so amazing. Better than pizza. Better than beer. Better, even, than those chocolate brownies, which was saying a lot.
Someone snorted. Someone else sniggered.
Zander pulled back slightly so he could look me in the eye. "I can't."
I gasped. All frivolity instantly ceased. Every gaze in the room shifted to Zander.
"I know it's wrong, but I can't not love you."
Squealing my joy, I hugged him soooo hard. Chaos erupted again. I heard cheers, shrill whistles, a catcall or two.
"Party's over! Everybody out!" Zander's eyes gazed into mine.
No one moved.
"Cut a choagy, men." Dom stood up and motioning for the others to do the same.
Grumbling, the guys filed and rolled out the front door except for Dom, who gave Zander a high-five and me, a wink. "It's about freakin' time someone saved his life for a change. Hoo-ah!"
Epilogue
Zander
I couldn't drag my eyes from Riley, who sat on her dad's couch, holding her half-sister and singing
a song about bus wheels with the voice of an angel. My angel, thanks to a miracle I'd never understand. I sure didn't deserve her.
Ginny, the cutest little baby I'd ever seen, laughed when Riley took her hands and swished them like windshield wipers. We were in a huge den at her dad's house in Dallas with flames crackling in the fireplace and a colorful garland draped across the mantel. To my left, his wife, Kari, set a tray of holiday food--cookies, candies, some salty stuff--on the coffee table. Steve McConnell sat to my right, his eyes glued to his eldest daughter, whose bright smile rivaled the glow of the Christmas tree's twinkle lights.
Did I feel like I had the right to be there? Not really. But she'd endured the torture of Christmas Eve at the Bennett house, so I owed her. Had I reconciled with my parents? Not exactly. But I had a feeling Riley wasn't going to rest until we did. At the moment she was all about happy endings.
I should've felt like an outsider, but I didn't. From the second we got there, her dad and step-mom had done their best to put us at ease, and it had worked. So well, that I found the nerve to catch Steve's eye and surreptitiously point to the nearest door. He quietly rose and followed me into their enormous kitchen. Riley and Kari, who were both laughing at Ginny, didn't seem to notice us leave.
Facing Steve took some nerve. Not as much as meeting Riley's aunt and uncle at Thanksgiving, but more than I'd ever had to muster back home in the states. "Mr. McConnell, I--"
"Please call me Steve."
"Yes, sir. I--"
"You don't have to 'sir' me, either, Zander. You're family now."
With a nod, I pounced on that convenient segue and blurted what was on my mind and in my heart. "That's exactly what I want to talk about, Mr.-- I mean sir-- I mean Steve, sir."
Shit.
Though the guy didn't laugh, I could tell he wanted to as he stuck his hands in his pockets and patiently waited for me to get it together.
I tried again. "I'm going to marry Riley. I, er, just wanted you to know."
He nodded thoughtfully. "When?"
"Well, I'd like to get a couple of semesters at UT under my belt first and make sure I'm a fit for the activities internship at Children's that my OT landed for me. So maybe this time next year?"
Steve nodded. "Christmas weddings are always nice. You can have it here if you want, though that might piss off Leslie. She's not exactly thrilled I got Riley on Christmas Day." He glanced toward his daughter, who now bounced Ginny on her knee while she and Kara sang about a deformed camel named Sally. "I can't believe Riley didn't announce this the moment she walked through the door."
"Actually...she doesn't know yet."
Steve couldn't keep from laughing this time. "You are going to tell her, right?"
"Yeah, sure. When I give her this. My sister helped me pick it out." I dug a tiny black box from my UT hoodie pocket, where it had been stashed for three days, brushed off some lint, and opened the hinged lid. A diamond engagement ring set in black velvet caught the glow of the tree lights or maybe Riley's hundred-watt smile.
"And when will that be?"
I didn't lie. "When I get up the nerve."
"You're among friends here, Zander. Why don't you go for it now?"
"So you're good with a wedding?"
Steve put his hand behind my neck and kissed me on the forehead, much to my surprise and, yes, appreciation. "More than good, son. Welcome to the family."
What could I do but go back to the den? I walked straight to Riley before I chickened out and dropped to my right knee. Clearly startled, she stopped singing and thrust Ginny at Kara.
"Riley." My heart beat harder than it ever had. "I know we've only known each other a couple of months--"
"Fifty-five days, actually."
"Is that all?"
"Yes, but who cares? Go on, please."
"Er, right." Deep breath. "I know we've only known each other fifty-five days, and I still have a lot of rehab ahead of me, plus my job is iffy, and we both have school..." I stopped. Should I really be doing this now, with so much of my future still up in the air?
"Go on."
"Right. I realize that your aunt and uncle weren't exactly thrilled with me..." Actually, that wasn't strictly true. Clint had been nothing but nice. Leslie, however, might take some getting used to and vice versa. I think she'd planned on her niece marrying a doctor or lawyer or something.
"Go. On."
I hesitated. Was this really the smart thing to do in front of Riley's family? What if she felt pressured because they were watching? I didn't want her saying "yes" because she thought she had to.
"Zander! Geez. Talk to me."
"Do-you-want-to-get-married?"
With a gasp, Riley sprang off the couch and threw her arms around neck, which took both of us to the carpet.
"Was that a yes?" I asked, holding her exactly where she'd landed--full on top of me.
"Of course, idiot. I love you so much."
"I love you more. You're the best thing that ever happened to me." I sat us up, which put her astride my lap, and handed over the ring box a little late.
She opened it and actually giggled as she glanced from her father to her stepmother, a little-girl sound I'd never heard from those sweet lips. It went straight to my heart. Was this incredible woman really mine?
"Do you like it?"
Riley hugged that little box to herself. "Roger that, Xman."
I grinned. She let me slip the diamond solitaire on her third finger, left hand. Laughing and crying, she held it up for the four of us to see.
It suddenly struck me that I'd made it--transitioned back to the normalcy every vet craved. Not that I'd never feel another stab of guilt for what had gone down at home or in Kabul. I knew I would; I also knew I'd get through it.
Why? Because my world was right side up again, and the amazing girl who'd made it happen...?
She loved me.
True-ly loved me.
About the Author
Linda Palmer has been writing for pleasure since the third grade and has letters from her teachers predicting she'd be an author. Though becoming a writer was never actually a dream, it was something she did naturally and eventually with intent. Silhouette Books published Linda's first novel in l989 and the next twenty over a ten year period (writing as Linda Varner). In 1999 she took a break to take care of her family. She learned that she couldn't not write, however, and began again, changing her genre to young adult paranormal romance. She has twelve full-length novels out as e- reads and in print and there are always more in the works. She also has many novellas and short stories available.
Linda was a Romance Writers of America finalist twice and won the 2011 and 2012 EPIC eBook awards in the Young Adult category. She married her junior high school sweetheart many years ago and lives in Arkansas, USA with her family. Her website is www.lindavpalmer.com. Facebook her: Linda Varner Palmer. Twitter @ lvarnerpalmer.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue
About the Author
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