The Marine's Red Hot Homecoming Read Online Free PDF Page B

commands.”
    A tiny shiver traveled into the base of her neck. She couldn’t stand the idea of Caleb risking his life again. If only he’d comprehend that all he fought for and the reward of his service existed here. But no way would she ever ask him to choose her over the military again.
    Saying goodbye would be painful. After all, her family and Caleb’s had grown up side by side in this small town. Plus, Michael made no secret of the fact that he’d always wanted to get them together.
    A fact he almost spilled during their FaceTime chat.
    Heck, Michael had even managed to get her best friend Kennedy to fall in love all over again with Zach. Kennedy’s little girl Chelsea Anne had been born shortly afterward. Now a second miracle was on the way. Seeing Kennedy’s happiness had garnered wishes for the same happily-ever-afters in Hannah. But though she’d encouraged Jason to kiss Caleb’s picture goodnight before tucking him into sleep for the night, she realized her dreams had been delusions born out of loneliness.
    And rejection.
    As the sun warmed her back, she gave herself a minute to watch father and son play. Anyone looking their way would see a young family enjoying the first days of spring. But one glance at the file she’d brought with her, which contained the legal document that outlined their custody agreement painted the stark truth.
    She raised her hand to her brow and rubbed it. “All right boys. Time to eat.” And time to sign the contract that bound Jason to his father. Which was for the best.
    Jason scrambled to climb onto the table’s bench seat, his stocky legs unable to bridge the distance. “Here,” she said, lifting him up onto her lap and passing him a sippy cup filled with apple juice. She loved the feel of his warm body snuggled against hers, and the scent of baby shampoo mingling with earth and sun and fresh spring air.
    She’d expected Caleb to sit opposite them. And had half counted on the barrier the table would provide. Instead he shrugged off his suit coat, draped it on the stroller’s handles, then slipped onto the bench beside her and Jason.
    “You want Italian with the works or turkey on rye?” he asked, whipping his tie over his shoulder and rolling up his shirt sleeves to his elbows.
    The fine blond hairs on his muscular forearms shimmered in the sunlight. A zip of awareness skimmed beneath the surface of her skin. Oh, how she remembered the power, the sheer strength of them as he framed her body with his and made love to her two years ago. Stop thinking about that night. It’s not happening again. Ever. Focus on establishing ground rules for our so-called family.
    “Neither.” She opened the plastic container she’d filled with grapes, strawberries, and blueberries. “I’m a vegetarian.”
    His blue eyes widened. “How can you live without meat?”
    “I’ve managed to survive so far.” She added a cheese sandwich, cut into four pieces, onto Jason’s plate. “So has our son.”
    “Not for long. A kid needs meat.” Caleb grabbed his sandwich, opened the crusty bread, then pulled a pepper shaker out of his pant pocket and liberally sprinkled the meat.
    “You do realize how disgusting that is, don’t you?” Her stomach roiled. “Processed food is filled with preservatives and additives. There’s no way I’d let him eat that crap.”
    “Hey, compared to an MRE, this stuff is ambrosia.” He took a big bite, then chewed. “Mmmm. Best Italian special I’ve ever had.”
    She didn’t like thinking about him in a desert eating a Meal Ready to Eat while all kinds of danger surrounded him. Nor did she enjoy the ongoing tingles of attraction that refused to go away no matter how hard she tried to push them out.
    “I don’t know how you can tell with all the pepper you put on it.” She picked at her fruit and ate a corner of Jason’s sandwich. “Regardless, when it comes to what he can or can’t eat, you need to check with me first. I have him on a special