“I can help you.” His mesmerizing eyes searched mine. “I think you could use someone right now.”
“But w-why would you do that?” I asked, my voice still shaky.
He tilted his head, a lock of his pitch-black hair falling across his forehead. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”
As I was about to question his motives further, pain like I’ve never experienced before sliced through me as liquid rushed between my thighs. I shouldn’t have ignored the cramping that had plagued me all day, but I thought I had more time. More time to convince Chaz to do the right thing.
“Grahh.”
Was that me that just made that noise? The one that sounded like a wounded animal?
“Oh, God,” I cried, getting actual words to form.
I looked at the guy in front of me, my gaze pleading with him to make the agony go away, but I knew he couldn’t do that.
“What’s happening?” His voice was rough, a smidge of worry lacing his tone.
Panting a couple times to try and ease not only the discomfort but also the fear, I took a few seconds to respond.
Then, blowing out a breath, I said, “I’m going to have a baby.”
Eyes going wide, sheer panic on full display in their depths, I thought he was going to run. But he surprised the hell out of me when he blew out a breath of his own and said, “Okay, I'll take care of you.”
“You’ll what?” I screeched, half due to his offer and the other half because another contraction took hold.
“You need me,” he said, as if that made all the sense in the world.
I didn’t know him. Didn’t even know his name. It was like he read my mind once again.
“My name is Jett.” Again, that soothing, tender voice washed over me.
“Jett,” I whispered.I like that name.
“Let’s get you to the hospital, okay?”
What other choice did I have? I nodded and was graced with a smile—adorable dimples included—that sent a flutter though my belly, one I was sure had nothing to do with my baby.
Jett had swooped in, becoming my savior in the nick of time.
And just maybe…
Maybe just for a little while, I could pretend I wasn’t alone.
Chapter One
PATIENCE
Blood rushed to my ears as the stranger’s words sank in.
“My name is Gunnery Sergeant Rick Hughes, and I am here on behalf of the United States Marine Corps. I regret to inform you that your brother, Corporal Jett Adams, has been listed as Missing in Action. We are doing everything in our power to locate him, and we will keep you informed with any updates during this difficult time.”
Unable to remain upright, I crashed to my knees as a gut-wrenching cry bubbled up my throat and broke free. “H-He c-can’t be missing. He’s my best f-friend, and I-I thought…”
I’d felt like this five years ago—fear, anguish, and despair crushing me almost beyond repair. But this time Jett wasn’t there with his beautiful blue eyes, tender smile, and soothing voice to make everything better.
More words were exchanged between the man and Ruby, but I couldn’t comprehend anything else as the sound of my sobs echoed in my head. It was my sweet boy's words that penetrated through the haze, sending a soul-crushing realization straight to my heart.
“Mommy, what happened to Daddy?”
