The young soldier’s jaw set. “Beg pardon, ma’am, but I figure we do. I talked to Ben. He told me what you’ve been doing for him. For us. That’s why I’m here, to thank you.”
“I don’t need thanks. I want to help.”
“No more,” Joel said. “That’s the other reason I came, to tell you face-to-face. My family is my responsibility now. We don’t need your money anymore.”
Which sounded good to Jack, but he was watching Lauren’s face. She looked like his sister-in-law Tricia watching his nephew get on the school bus the first time, like Ma the day Jack left for Basic, and for one bad moment he was afraid she was going to talk to this kid, this soldier, like he was five years old.
But she didn’t.
Her mouth wobbled briefly before she bent it into a smile. “I always felt... I told Ben it’s only fair that some of the money from the book goes to your family.”
“I appreciate that, ma’am. I know you made him a promise to look out for us. But I figure that’s my job now.”
Silence fell.
The kid had said his say. And Lauren, who always knew the right words to smooth an awkward situation, looked lost.
Shit.
Jack cleared his throat. “Where are you staying tonight?”
“We’re heading out after dinner. I report tomorrow.”
“Don’t you get time off to be with your mother?” Lauren asked.
“Thirty-six hours.” Joel met Jack’s eyes. “We wouldn’t even have that if I took the Army bus.”
And in return for her son’s company, Jack guessed, his mother was willing to give at least her partial blessing to his mission. “Semper fi, soldier.”
Joel grinned. “I’ll take that in the spirit it was offered, sir.”
“Will you... You’ll at least let me buy you dinner,” Lauren said.
Joel hesitated.
Jack remembered what it was like making ends meet on an E-1’s pay. But having steeled himself to make the big gesture, to take responsibility for his family and himself, the new soldier’s dignity would make it hard for him to accept charity.
“Hop in,” Jack said easily. “I’ll run you back to the Fish House. Unless you need the exercise.”
Joel smiled. “No, sir. I mean, yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
Jack stood back while the two of them said good-bye, Lauren’s face wavering between smiles and tears.
He met her gaze, thinking,I’ve got this, don’t worry, and maybe she read his eyes or his mind because the smiles seemed to win.
“I’ll be back,” he said.
She nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”
The moment seemed to call for something more, but he didn’t know what. Even if he’d been able to think of something, Joel was watching them.
He brushed his lips over hers. “Pack a toothbrush,” he said and left her.
***
AFTER DINNER,LAURENsat with Jack on his boat, leaning against him as the sun went down. “Thank you for taking care of Joel and his mother.”
Jack shrugged, making her head rock against his shoulder. “No big deal. I bought them dinner. You took care of them.”
