Falling for Her Soldier Read Online Free PDF

table.
    “I’ve been under enemy fire before,” Hunter said, pushing the dispenser toward her. “I’d take her kind of wrath any day.”
    There he went being charming again. When he looked at her, she couldn’t help smiling, and was rewarded with another of his heartbreaking grins. Damn. She dropped her chin and giggled under her breath.
    “Easy, you two,” Sam said, about to take another bite. “I’m eating.”
    “We can see that.” Hunter placed an elbow on the table and leaned toward Ellie. “Looks like his appetite’s back,” he said in a conspirator’s whisper. “I’ve never seen a bigger pig. And don’t worry, Samwise, there isn’t a ‘you two’ going on here.” He made a point of scooting his chair a few inches away from Ellie.
    “I should hope not,” Sam said. “Of all the guys in the unit, you are the last one I’d let near my sister.”
    “Sam,” Ellie hissed. “You know I can hear you, right?”
    Hunter sat back in his seat and crossed his arms. “I thought you just said we should be friends?” He looked at Sam, not concealing his disappointment. “And not even one date? Ever?”
    “Never.”
    “Hello?” Ellie waved a hand in front of each of the guy’s faces. “Are you two actually sitting here like cavemen discussing who I can date?”
    “Soldiers, not cavemen,” Sam added, running a hand along the side of his head, Travolta-style, slicking down his short red hair. “There’s a slight difference.”
    Hunter held out his fist. Sam bumped it. “Amen, brother.”
    “Lovely.” Ellie rolled her eyes. “And you do know I’m the one who decides who I date”—she glared at Sam—“ not you. If I want to drag this guy into the janitor’s closet and have my way with him, that’s none of your business.”
    “Drag me into a closet?” Hunter asked, his eyebrows up near his hairline. “Offer to buy me dinner first, then I’m all yours.”
    Heat rushed up Ellie’s neck, its accompanying blush probably creeping across her face. She didn’t want to drag any of the guys in their unit into a closet. Well, maybe one guy—but certainly not Hunter.
    “No,” she said, trying to backtrack. “I was making a point… Never mind.”
    Hunter rested his elbows on the table. “That was enlightening.”
    She glanced at him and tried not to return his half smile. “Yeah, glad you enjoyed it.”
    “Anyway, Ellie,” Sam said, reaching between them to grab the salt shaker. “Do you have another class this afternoon?”
    “You’re a teacher?” Hunter asked.
    “Yes, but since I’m done for the day, I’m staying here.” She pointed her chin toward the back office. “Before I saw you guys, I spoke to Chick, the facility administrator; he’s letting me volunteer.”
    “Here?” Sam asked. “At the WS? Why?”
    “Because I…I need to do something—besides work.” She ran a hand through her hair, then dug a fist to her temple. “I think it’ll be good for me to pay it forward, contribute to the community more than I have been. And I need a project to stay busy.” She couldn’t stop herself from shooting a quick glance Hunter’s way, then down at her plate. “Otherwise, I tend to…make unwise choices.”
    “Huh.”
    “What was that, Hunter?” she asked, catching the audible skepticism in his voice.
    “Nothing,” he said. “It’s just funny because I’ve been thinking the same thing. Not the exact same thing, but something to fill my time the few weeks I’m on leave. A good cause.”
    This was surprising. Hunter didn’t strike her as the “good cause” kind of guy. Then again, she didn’t know him at all.
    “You couldn’t find a better cause,” Sam pointed out. “But I’m sure there’re other places you’re more interested in.”
    “I don’t know.” Hunter rubbed his chin and glanced around. “I think I’ll look into what I can do here. You know what they say about acting locally.”
    “Huh.” Ellie couldn’t help copying his earlier