“Your brother was very lucky to have you,” I said.
Jacob lifted my chin and brushed his lips back and forth across mine. It was a feather caress…almost imperceptible. I sighed when he pressed down harder.
“Ahem!” Jerking back, I looked over and saw the attendant grinning at us. “Don’t mean to disturb you, but the ride is over.”
“Oh.” Embarrassed, I yanked the belt off. Jacob stepped off, then turned and offered to help me down.
“You kids have a great night.” The attendant winked at us then moseyed over to the controls to bring down the next rider.
We hurried over to a stand selling cotton candy, and my mouth watered as the smell of funnel cake, cotton candy, and popcorn assaulted me.
“Want to get this to go?” Jacob asked.
“Yeah. It’s been a long night.”
He winked. “But a good one.”
“But a good one,” I agreed. “Where is your brother now?”
Jacob placed our order and turned back to me. “He’s still in. He’s a Seal.”
My eyes widened. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
He grabbed the cotton candy and wrapped an arm around my shoulder as we slowly walked back to his truck. “None of us were surprised.”
“Any sisters?” I asked.
“Nope. Just my brother.”
He opened the passenger door for me and helped me inside before handing me my cotton candy. Even encased in the plastic bag I could smell the sugary goodness.
I waited until he was buckled in before continuing with my questions. “How did your parents take the news they’d have two sons in the military?”
He shrugged. “Dad was okay with it. Mom…not so much.” He winced. “I’m sure you can understand. She cried a lot. Begged Ryan not to join. She said one son in harm’s way was more than she could take.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. “I do know how she feels.”
I thought of Travis and how he died doing what he loved—fighting fires and helping the community. Then I thought about Brody. How would I react if he suddenly told me he wanted to enlist?
Proud…scared.
“But in the end she let Ryan go without too much hassle,” Jacob said. “She knew it was what we both felt called to do.”
I turned and really looked at the man next to me. Not the boy I kept wanting to see him as…but the man. Strong, smart, patriotic, compassionate.
“I think you’re an amazing man, Jacob Parkerson,” I whispered.
He lifted his eyes from the road to glance over at me. “And I think you’re an amazing woman, Monica Swanson.”
Chapter 13
“This was by far the best date night I’ve had all week,” Jacob said as we walked through the backyard fence.
I snorted. “Me, too.”
“Want to sit out here by the pool for a while?” He looked at his watch. “It’s only ten.”
Yes.
