He drifts off for a bit. I suppose he’s remembering. He clears his throat. “When I could handle it, they took me to the base. They didn’t want to go without me in fear they’d mistake their intent.”
“The Marines took one look at me and called in a chopper to fly me to the nearest airstrip. The same day, I landed in Germany. Then the healing began. I was finally able to get a message to your Uncle Will, but it had to be just that I was alive and not much more. I was under orders.”
“Then I learned you had a funeral. Christ, Jillie girl, I’m so damn sorry.”
I nod, tears streaming. “I was wrecked, Daddy, but I did what you taught me.”
He nods back, wiping his surprisingly wet eyes as well. “You did good.”
“How do you…”
He looks at Aunt Ruthie who shrugs, then wipes her tears. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”
I rush over to her and hug her tightly. “Thank you. Thank you for taking care of me and letting me stay.”
“Of course, I’d let you stay.”
“I love you, Aunt Ruthie,” I whisper, still hugging her.
“Oh,” she murmurs then lets out a watery laugh. “I love you too, Jillian. You’re a treasure.”
I turn to my dad. He nods at me. “You Aunt Ruthie said I can stay in the guest house. We’re staying.”
I look to Leo who’s got one side of his mouth kicked up in that sexy grin of his. I want to kiss it off his face. He must see it in my stare, and he just shakes his head.
I sigh.
Dad laughs. “I’m going to enjoy cramping your style, Jillie Girl.”
Cockblocking is more like it, but he doesn’t need to know that.
“I’m just glad you’re finally home.” Then a thought hits me. “Are you able to go back? Stay in the Corps I mean?”
He settles back. “I could, but I’m not going to. I’ve done enough.”
“You’re retiring?” I ask, shocked.
“From the Corps, yes. But I’ve been offered a job for a security company one of my buddies started a couple years back. I can do a lot from home. What I can’t, it’s not that long of a drive to San Francisco.”
“That’s so great, Dad.” I’m so relieved. No more war. No more worrying about dying senselessly.
“It’s still a risky job, Jillie. We’ll go on ops, only it won’t be for the US military, and I’ll be making a hell of a lot more money,” he laughs.
I groan, “Oh man!”
“What is it?”
“Does this mean I have to give you all the money back?” I tease, then burst out laughing.
“It’s not like you spend it anyway,” he replies.
I narrow my gaze. “How would you know that?”
He grins that mischievous grin I know so well. “You didn’t think I wouldn’t keep track, did you?”
“Daddy!”
“Jillie!”
