Soldier's Choice (6 page)

“Probably.” He gave a slight shrug. “There just isn’t much in town, you know? And I… need the money.”

She could see how much it cost him to say that, and her heart wrenched. This wasn’t right. Whether he’d actually wanted to or not, he’d spent five years serving the country—and the best he could expect was a lousy job at a grocery store? “Wait a minute. You said you were fixing up the old Ward place, right?”

His brow furrowed. “Yes.”

“So you know construction.”

“More or less.”

She smiled. “Gage!” she called over her shoulder. “Come here a minute.”

“What are you doing?” Reese whispered urgently.

“Getting you a job.”

Gage came back in, the drill in his hand and a question on his face. “Whatever it was, I didn’t do it,” he said.

“I’ll blame you for something later. Mark said you guys were running behind on this project, right?”

“Hell yeah, we are. Why do you think we’re there on Saturday?” He shook his head. “We need another guy, like yesterday. The three of us are never going to finish it.”

“Mark said that, too.” She smiled and tilted her head. “Reese here’s looking for a job.”

“Yeah?” Gage sent him a speculative look. “Well, you’re solid as hell. I’m guessing you wouldn’t have a problem with manual labor. Got any construction experience?”

Reese’s mouth opened, and closed abruptly. He cleared his throat. “Some.”

“Doesn’t matter, really. If you can swing a hammer and start today, you’re hired.” Gage grinned. “How about it?”

“Um.” He looked from Gage to Luka, and a tiny smile played on his lips. “Okay,” he said. “Thanks.”

“Great. Come on, you can follow me over to the site.” Gage walked to the front door and opened it. “And don’t kiss my sister,” he called just before ducking out.

“Now I’m blaming you!” Luka shouted as the door slammed. With an exasperated smirk, she turned to Reese. “I hope you don’t mind,” she said. “It’s just…I can’t stand the idea of you working at the S&S. That’s not fair. My brothers might be jerks, but they’ll pay you a lot better.”

She couldn’t read his expression. But a heartbeat later, he pulled her into a warm embrace. “I don’t mind,” he murmured. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She hugged him back—and wished Gage could’ve waited another fifteen minutes or so before he came for the drill, because she still ached with wanting Reese. Work was really going to suck today.

“This is about the best thing that’s happened since I came back.” He eased back a little and reached out to stroke her hair. “Well, the second best.”

“So what’s the best?”

In response, he gave her a long, gentle kiss that melted her insides.

“Don’t tell your brother.” He winked, squeezed her hand and stepped away. “I’d better go,” he said. “Wouldn’t want to get fired before I start.”

“Okay. See you later.”

She watched him walk out, and stood there for a long moment staring at the door. It was probably better that they’d been interrupted. She would’ve only been hurt more when he reminded her they were just friends. From now on, she was sticking to the plan—no more intimate, mind-blowing encounters with Reese Mathers.

Okay, maybe just one more to make up for today. If he started, she wouldn’t stop him the next time. But that was it.

* * * *

Gage Dawson had a really big truck.

Reese followed the jacked-up, bright red monstrosity with tires that were probably taller than him to the nicer side of town, and pulled in behind the truck when they reached a half-finished house. He got out just as Gage jumped the five or six feet to the ground. “Beauty, ain’t she?” the youngest Dawson boy said. “This is the Beast. Gets about ten gallons to the mile, but she could crush your ride like a beer can.”

“I bet she could,” Reese said.

“Come on. Let’s go talk to the boss.”

He nodded and expected to be brought to Jonah—the oldest, biggest, and meanest of the bunch. Instead, Gage led him inside the small trailer settled on the front yard, where the middle brother sat behind a desk working on a laptop.

Mark Dawson looked up when they came in, a sardonic smile starting to form on his lips. But it froze there when his gaze found Reese. For just an instant, pure anger flashed in the green eyes that looked so much like his sister’s.

If Reese had to guess, he’d say Mark had the closest relationship with Luka. And he was the boss. This might not be the best news—because it looked like whatever they’d shared about him, it wasn’t good.

“Guess what? I found us a new guy.” Gage smiled and clapped Reese on the shoulder. “Well, Luka did,” he said. “Does that mean we have to pay her a finder’s fee or something?”

Mark stood slowly. “Reese,” he said. “It’s been a while.”

“Yes.”

While he debated offering a hand, Mark extended his. He took it—and felt his bones grind together with the strength of the other man’s grip.

So he squeezed back.

Mark smiled and let go. “All right, so you don’t just look strong. That’s good.” The squeeze had been a warning, and Reese knew it. But he wouldn’t mention that now. “Have you done any construction work?” Mark said.

“Already asked him that,” Gage said. “He says
some
. And Luka mentioned he’s fixing up the old Ward place.”

Mark raised an eyebrow. “What kind of experience is ‘some’?”

“Well, my MOS in the Corps was Field 13.”

“And that would be…”

“Engineer, construction, facilities and equipment.”

Gage let out a low whistle. “That’s some experience.”

The lingering anger on Mark’s face melted away. “Well, damn,” he said with a grin. “I guess you’re hired. But…we can only pay you sixteen bucks an hour to start, plus time and a half for overtime. Company’s kind of small right now. That okay?”

“It’s fine.” Hell, it was more than fine. Twice the hourly rate he would’ve made at the grocery store, a lot more hours—and none of the humiliation. “I can start now, if you want. I’m not doing anything.”

“Yeah, right,” Gage said. “Except Luka.”

It took every ounce of control Reese had to keep from plowing his fist through Gage’s face. He turned toward him, drew a deep breath, and spoke slowly and clearly. “I know she’s your sister,” he said. “But don’t talk about her like that around me, because I will not appreciate it.”

Gage held up his hands and backed away. “Wow. Okay, man. Didn’t know it was serious.”

“We’re friends,” he growled.

Behind them, Mark let out a deep laugh. “All right. I like you,” he said. “And you’d better tone it down, Gage. I think he can take you—and I’ll let him.”

“Sheesh. My own brother, turned against me.”

“You’re lucky I don’t punch you myself for that. Luka probably will.” Mark nodded toward the door. “Well, let’s give you the grand tour, and we’ll get started.”

“Sounds good.”

Reese followed them toward the house, breathing an inward sigh of relief. As far as employment in Covendale, this was better than he’d ever hoped for. He could handle his own bills, and his mother’s if needed, and still have something left over.

He owed Luka one hell of a lot for this—and he might have just the thing to pay her back. One of his Marine buddies was from Greenway, the city half an hour’s drive from here, and he was pretty sure the guy’s mother owned an art gallery there. He could arrange a showing for her…at least, he thought that’s what it was called.

In Luka’s case, it was going to be called a huge success. He’d been stunned to see how far she’d come, and she’d already been an amazing artist in high school. The world needed to see her talent.

He could do that for her, at least. And maybe then he wouldn’t feel like he’d failed her completely.

Chapter 6

Luka managed to forget about how Reese had found her house until she walked into work, and Mags gave her the hairy eyeball from behind the counter. “There something you aren’t telling me?” she said. “Because I heard you snagged yourself a soldier.”

“Oh, good Lord.” Luka grabbed an apron and tied it on, then headed for the appointment book. There wasn’t much in there—her first customer wouldn’t be here for another half an hour. “Let me guess,” she said. “Mrs. Carmichael.”

“The very same.” Marjory Nelson, who’d been Mags as long as anyone could remember, dropped a wink. “And to hear her tell it, Reese Mathers came by her place half-naked with flowers in one hand and a box of condoms in the other, hoping you were hiding under her porch so he could bang you right there.”

“You’re kidding.”

Mags shook her head. “You know how she is.”

“Great. Excuse me, I have to go change my name and move to Mexico.” She leaned against the counter with a sigh. “Why do we have to have a town busybody, anyway? Is it a federal law? All small towns must have at least one meddling old lady who knows everybody’s business, and makes up what she doesn’t know.”

“And one beauty shop run by a tough old bat who lives vicariously through her employees,” Mags said, grinning. “So, let’s hear it. Tell me all about you and Reese.”

“There’s nothing to tell. We’re just friends.”

“Half-naked friends?”

No, completely naked friends.
She definitely wasn’t going to share that with Mags. “Just friends,” she said. “Since high school.”

“Ah,” Mags said. “It all makes sense now.”

She frowned. “What does?”

“One day back before you started working here. Your senior year.” Mags smiled and folded her arms on the counter. “You and Sydney always came in together, but that day she was alone. Then you showed up half an hour later, trying to look like you hadn’t been crying your eyes out. You said something about a three-date curse.”

“Oh. That.”

Mags reached out and patted her hand. “I’ve seen a lot of silly teenage crushes in my day,” she said. “Hell, I’ve had my share. But I think you were actually heartbroken, and I remember wondering how you got that way after just three dates.”

“Well…it was three official dates,” she said. “But we hung out a lot, practically all the time. Nobody else I dated ever wanted to do that, before or since.”

And that, she suddenly realized, was why it hurt so much when he broke it off. She just couldn’t understand why he felt it had to be over. Whatever made him decide to enlist, she would’ve waited for him—and he knew it. She’d waited for him anyway. Five years, zero serious relationships. Now he was back and still insisting on
just friends
.

She needed to know why. If he really didn’t care about her, then so be it. At least if she knew that, she could eventually move on with her life. But if he
did
care, and there was some other reason he’d cooled it…

She couldn’t think about that now. Hope was a fragile thing, and she’d felt enough of its jagged edges when it shattered.

The bell over the door jingled, saving her from her own thoughts. She smiled at the petite blonde woman who walked in with a friendly wave. “Hey, Mrs. Banks,” she said. “You’re early today. Making sure you don’t miss anything?”

“Oh, I’d never miss an appointment with you, hon.” Cassie Banks slid her light jacket off and hung it on the rack by the door. “You do such wonderful work. Every time I leave here, I feel like a million dollars.” She headed for the manicure chair and made herself comfortable. “This girl’s an artist, Mags. A real artist.”

Mags smirked. “That’s why I hired her.”

“Well, it was a smart decision,” she said. “Luka dear, I think I’ll treat myself to a pedicure today, too. Do you have time?”

“Of course I do.”

Luka headed for the chair, grateful that at least Mrs. Banks hadn’t mentioned Reese. Maybe the whole town didn’t know yet. Still, the artist comment had caught her by surprise. She wasn’t sure whether it made her happy, or depressed. Being the greatest nail artist in Covendale wasn’t exactly a lifelong dream of hers.

But her real dreams were impossible, so she might as well enjoy this one.

* * * *

The Dawson boys might’ve had a reputation for playing hard, but they worked even harder. Reese had kept up with them for five straight hours—and by the time they’d called it quits, he was just as exhausted as he’d been after any day in the Corps.

At least they’d been satisfied with his performance. Even Jonah grunted something that sounded mostly positive as they headed out.

He’d gone straight home, checked in on his mother to tell her the news about the job, and then went next door and passed out for a few hours. It was dark when he woke, and he knew he wasn’t getting back to sleep any time soon. So he grabbed something to eat and headed out for a walk in no particular direction.

His mind turned to Luka, but he made himself think past the unplanned, interrupted sex. It was probably for the best. He’d already hurt her enough, and giving in to his desire would only make it worse. Instead, he pulled his phone out and sent a text to his buddy in Greenway, the one whose mother ran a gallery. Brett Townsend had gone through Basic the same time as him, and ended up taking the same MOS. They’d been stationed together most of the last five years, including the two deployments.

He didn’t expect to hear back for a while. But two minutes after he pressed send, his phone buzzed with Brett’s reply.

If she’s good, Mom will have a showing whipped up in a few days. Loves launching new talent, esp. local. She’ll want to see work though. Can you take pics & send?

Reese frowned. Of course she’d want to see the pictures first—but he hadn’t thought about how he’d manage all this without telling Luka. He wanted to surprise her. And he also suspected she’d never agree to try if he just came out and asked her. Somehow, she’d convinced herself she was no good.

She was phenomenal. And she needed to hear that from someone who didn’t know her, so she could believe it.

Finally, he shot back a quick reply:
Will try to get them to you tomorrow. Thanks, man.

Brett’s reply of
np
was almost instant. Reese suspected he wasn’t the only inactive Marine having trouble sleeping around here.