The answer came without thought, bald and true. “Shooting range.”
Her lips parted, then curved into a wry smile. “Figures.”
The air stretched between them, weighted with everything he didn’t know how to say. He shoved his hands into his pockets, because if he didn’t leave right now, he might start believing that look in her eyes meant something more than Willow being Willow.
And down that path lay madness.
Chapter Three
As Willow pushed through the big double doors of the dining hall, sound rushed over her—the vets trading jokes, the clang of silverware. The air was thick with the mouthwatering scent of chocolate cake fresh from the oven, rich and sweet enough to make her stomach grumble.
She’d missed blueberry cobbler day, and this morning Zayne told her with regret that he wasn’t able to snag her a slice before it was gone. Every guy she bumped into this morning hadn’t let her live it down either, since they all knew it was her favorite.
She would have to slip into the kitchen and give chef her compliments about how good the chocolate cake smelled.
“Willow!” Several greetings rang out from the tables. More than one hand shot up to wave hello. Heads lifted and grins spread over the vets’ faces. Each one of the men she’d come to think of as family.
She waved at them and smiled. Her other hand was weighed with the gifted jar of honey.
It made her skin crawl as she set it on the buffet among bottles of ketchup and hot sauce. A tall, lanky veteran balanced on a crutch a few feet away.
“Looks like good honey, Miss Willow.”
“It comes from a good farm. I thought I’d share with everyone.” She offered him a smile and took a moment to ask about his physical therapy for his knee replacement. “Do you need any help getting your tray, Matt? I’ll gladly fill it for you and carry it to your table.”
“Thank you for your kindness, but I can manage.”
She patted his arm and grabbed her own tray, immediately nabbing the slice of cake with the thickest frosting. When she swung to the tables, she spotted Rhae and Honor waving at her to join them.
Slipping into a seat, she smiled at her sisters-in-law. “Hey, girls. How’s your day going?”
Honor’s fingers were stained with ink from whatever art project took place in the group. “Had a messy session this morning, but the project was a hit with the guys.”
“I’m sorry I missed it. I didn’t get a chance to break away.”
“Next time.” Honor gave her a sweet smile and picked up her sandwich.
Willow studied Rhae for a moment. Gray half-moons shadowed each undereye. “How is Navy?”
“You were right—she has a cold, and it’s here in full force. She kept me and Denver up half the night.”
“Poor little lamb. Can I do anything to help?”
“You’re a gem, but I don’t think so.”
Honor looked past Willow at the buffet. “I don’t suppose a baby can drink hot tea with honey for a cold.”
At the mention of honey, Willow’s spine went stiff.
“What’s up with the honey you brought?” Rhae asked her.
“The feed store delivered it yesterday. I thought it was an accident, but supposedly it was a gift for me.”
Rhae cocked her head. “From?”
“I guess it’s from one of my many friends in town.” She shook her head and picked up her fork, going straight for her dessert before her main course.
“The gift didn’t have a card?” Honor pressed.
