“Fair enough.” In the background a sharp dog bark could be heard, followed by the muffled sound of voices as Kade must have placed his hand over the phone. “Listen. Sorry to call and run, but we got a situation here. Take care of yourself and let me know what the doc says.”
“Will do.” The call disconnected and staring out into the dark distance, he asked himself the same question that Kade had. Today, after everything, he knew he could go back in the military if he wanted to. The question at hand now though wasn’t if he could, but did he want to?
Lightly tapping her nails on the tabletop, Katie kept one eye on Josh outside while recapping for the umpteenth time about finding the mine, the cave in, and the happy ending for little Luke. When the conversation shifted to the smell of fresh baked bread that Alice had taken from freezer to oven, noticing that Josh had placed his phone back into his pocket with no sign of coming back inside, she opted to join him outside. “Hey, there.”
His back to her, Josh turned at the sound of her voice. A sweet smile on his face. “Hi there.” He extended his arm to her.
Accepting his hand, she was almost surprised when he tugged her in close, nestling her against him.
Looping his arms around her waist, the smile slipped and heat seemed to fuel the intensity of his gaze. “I hope you don’t mind.”
She shook her head.
“Good.” Pulling her even closer, his lips touched hers. Softly at first, then harder and sweeter until she was pretty sure her toes had curled in her shoes.
Was it crazy for her to wish she could stay here just like this, on the back porch, in his arms, with a blanket of stars shining down on them forever? A scratching noise followed by the squeaking hinges of the screen door had her easing away.
Instead of one of the family, Raider had pushed his way onto the porch with them.
“You trying to cut into my action?” Josh teased the dog now seated between them.
“Seems more like a chaperone to me.”
The fingers of Josh’s hand once again entwined with hers, he tugged her around the dog and over to his side so they were both leaning against the railing. “This is nice.”
“Having a chaperone?” She smiled.
“Us. Here. Together. If I didn’t make myself clear earlier, I love you. And not like a sister or my best friend’s little sister, I am card carrying in love with you, Katie Lawford.”
These words from any other man might have scared her half to death. An only child raised by a single mom, she didn’t do relationships well. Not long term ones. But now, here, with this man, the guy who had gotten under her skin from almost day one. She didn’t have a doubt in the world how she felt for him. “I can assure you, I do not love you like a brother.”
That had them both laughing.
Lifting her hand so they were in both of his, he softly caressed her hand with his thumb. “I’ve been thinking.”
Her heart sputtered to a stop, unsure if the next words were going to be gloriously good, or devastatingly dismal.
“I could stay in the army, but I’ve already done my twenty. I don’t have to stay. Not anymore.”
Now her heart had kick-started itself and was pounding rapidly against her ribs. “I thought you loved your life in the military?”
“I do. Did. But nothing I do for Uncle Sam compares to being with you. I don’t want to lose you. Us.”
She shook her head. “Neither do I.”
His gaze dropped down to Raider. “Though I think we’re a package deal.”
“Absolutely.” She smiled down at the dog. “I’m not sure if we’re going to adopt him, or if he’s already adopted us.”
“Us.” Josh leaned in and kissed her temple. “I really really like the sound of that.”
“You know,” she tried not to be lost in the sensation of tender lips against her skin, “I could leave my job if you’d rather stay in the army.”
“But you like your job.”
“I do. But it’s a job. Not my life.”
“You’d do that for me?” Now he kissed the tip of her nose.
