“I can’t imagine my dad golfing.”
I shake my head. “Me neither.”
She leans into my ear again. “So you’re scared of my dad?”
“Not scared exactly, let’s just say I have a healthy respect for a guy who owns his own arsenal and has a beautiful daughter.”
“I promise to protect you.” She kisses my neck and then slides off the hood of her car. “Shall we go?”
I take her hand. “There are some people I want you to meet first. Do you mind?”
She shakes her head and follows me into the barracks. A couple of guys lounging around stand up when they see Jess. I know they’re impressed.
“Guys,” I say, “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Jess. Jess, these are the guys.”
Harrison steps forward and offers his hand. I immediately don’t like the way he’s looking at her. “PFC Phil Harrison,” he says. “If you ever decide to dump this loser and get with a real man, give me a call.”
Winters shakes her hand next. “That goes for me too, ma’am.”
Jess wraps her arm around my waist. “Thanks, but I’m pretty happy where I am now.”
Watching the way they look at her and remembering the stories they like to tell makes me regret bringing her here. I move so I'm between them and her. “We need to get going.”
“Don’t forget what I said.” Harrison touches Jess’ shoulder.
I resist the urge to hit him for touching her and pull her closer. I didn’t realize how rough these guys are until now. I won't be bringing her back.
sixty-three
Rain
It’s too early again. Jess’ house is quiet. Seven o’clock Saturday morning, and it looks like no one is up. It was close to 2:00 am when I left last night. I didn’t ask, but I get the idea that the days of being a welcome overnight guest at the Roberts' house are over. At least for now.
I’m used to being up early. I couldn’t sleep, anyway. All I could think about was Jess and being with her again. I’m sitting in my car, feeling like an idiot, when Mr. Roberts comes out of the house. He sees me, so I get out.
“Morning, Jake.” He picks up the newspaper from the front steps. “Jess and Ty are both still asleep, but you can come in and have coffee with me.” It’s more like an order than an invitation. The idea of being alone with Mr. Roberts makes me nervous. I’m a grown man. I've been in combat. I deal with grown men all the time, but being around Jess’dad makes me feel like a teenager again. I follow him into the kitchen, and he pours me a cup of coffee.
“Kids take after their mom,” he says. “They like to sleep in. I’ve always been an early riser. I had to get used to that when we got married.” He leaves the paper on the table. “You want some breakfast?”
“No, thanks.” I sip my coffee.
He looks at me across the table. I feel like I’m being appraised. “You and Jessica are dating now?”
“Yes, sir.” I feel myself sitting up straighter.
He clears his throat and smooths the paper. “Dads have this reputation for chasing guys away, for trying to protect their daughters. I guess I’m as guilty of that as anyone. Probably more so.” He takes a drink of his coffee. “Most of the guys who came here after Jessica deserved to be chased off. I guess you know that.” He shakes his head. “Don’t worry, I won’t be chasing you off. At least not yet. This is the happiest I’ve seen her in a long time.”
He stares down into his cup. “Losing Matt was hard on all of us, but maybe hardest on her. For a while I thought we were going to lose her too. All that’s changed now.I think you have something to do with that.” He looks up at me and nods. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sir.”
He picks up the paper and shakes it to unfold it. “It doesn’t mean I won’t have my guns out from time to time. Just as a reminder.”
I look at him to see if he’s serious.
His eyes are twinkling. “You’re a good man, Jacob. You hurt her though—"
“Dad!” Jess is standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Her face is red.
