Her Wilde Marines (Wilde, Nevada 4)

“Guys, I know I’ve said it several times, but I am so grateful for all you’re doing for me. I’m not sure how I would’ve been able to make this move on my own.”

Adam leaned over and kissed her. She could taste a hint of the syrup on his lips. “Baby, you aren’t alone. We are here for you.”

“I know. It means the world to me.”

“Em, you can trust us.” Bane squeezed her hand. “You know that,

right?”

“Of course.” She squeezed his hand back. “I trust you both completely.”

“Good. Tell us why you reacted so strongly to that phone call back in Wilde. Honey, you looked so frightened when your cell rang. Whatever it is that you’re dealing with, we’re here for you.”

She held her breath. This wasn’t how she wanted things to go.

“Did it have something to do with your girls?” Adam touched her cheek. “Are you worried about someone hurting them?”

She looked into their eyes, which were filled with concern. “Guys, you’re right. There is something going on with me, but I’m not worried about anyone hurting my girls.” Except me if I go completely off the rails. “I promise I will tell you. I just need a little more time. Please understand.”

They both nodded.

Bane kissed her on the cheek. “Sweetheart, you are not alone in whatever you are dealing with. Know that.”

“I do.” God, everything Bane and Adam did melted her heart. They were so perfect. She loved how caring and kind they were, but she was also drawn to their strength and intensity. God, I want to tell them. I do. I just need the right time and place.

“We better get going,” Bane said. “We don’t want you to be late for Autumn’s concert.”

Autumn’s concert. That’s tonight. Should I ask them to go with me?

She hadn’t expected to start dating again for some time. In fact, she’d thought about waiting until both her girls were out of high school, which would be in five years.

“Guys, you seem anxious to meet my girls, but I must tell you, in the past I have never allowed Autumn and Andrea to meet anyone I was dating. Their father, my ex, hasn’t been in their lives much until recently. They don’t really have a relationship with him. It’s hard on girls to be without a dad to look up to. I don’t want them to get attached to other men in my life and get their hearts broken. I want you to meet them, but I want them to see you as my friends only for now. Will you agree to that?”

Adam nodded. “Of course, sweetheart.”

Bane put his arm around her shoulders. “It’s clear that Autumn and Andrea have a wonderful mom.”

* * * *

“Would you like something to drink?” the flight attendant asked sweetly.

Larry had bedded his share of “air mattresses” over the past several years, but he wasn’t about to lower his standards ever, though the airlines had certainly lowered theirs these days. He liked the woman’s size but her face was downright ugly. “Scotch, straight up, baby.”

She smiled. “That will be six dollars, sir.”

He handed her his credit card, which was reaching his spending limit fast. He wasn’t worried, knowing the windfall he’d been working on for the past several months was about to pay off.

She handed him his cocktail.

“Thank you. When will we be landing in North Dakota, honey?”

“In a little over an hour.” The woman moved down the aisle taking other passengers’ drink orders.

His plan was going off without a hitch. He would be back in time to make Autumn’s concert and none would be the wiser he’d been away.

He brought the plastic cup up to his lips and swallowed half its contents. The burn it sent down his throat felt good. Leaning back in the uncomfortable coach seat, he smiled.

From now on, first class all the way.