Back in the Soldier's Bed
Page 34
“Thanks. Ma’am.” He nodded at Shannyn before jogging away.
“He’s had his caffeine this morning,” Shannyn laughed lightly. She was still reeling from all that the young soldier had said. Jonas was a hero. He’d done great things. Things he refused to talk about.
“He’s young, and full of piss and vinegar,” Jonas responded, his face clouding. “Give him a few weeks in combat and that’ll all change.”
“Like it did for you?”
He didn’t answer. They resumed their steps, walking back to the clinic.
“Jonas? Are you really a hero?”
He snorted, a humourless chuckle of irony. “Hardly.”
“Then why would Corporal Benner say it?”
He wouldn’t look at her. “It’s just rumors.”
He was hiding something, but she didn’t know what. She wondered what he might have done that constituted hero status.
“Rumours are usually grounded in some sort of truth. Are you really the best shot in the army?”
He kept walking, his gait even and steady. “There’s an official sniping record in place. It’s not my name on it.”
“Unofficially?”
He angled his head in her direction, a wry smile cracking his stony expression at her tenacity and insight. “Unofficially is another story.”
She couldn’t stop the beam of pride that shot through her at his admission. It was what he’d wanted, when he’d been younger and idealistic like Benner. It made her proud to know he’d accomplished his goal.
“And you really did run the other day?”
“Yeah.”
They were back at the parking lot, and their steps slowed as they reached his truck.
“Thanks for the coffee,” she said.
“You’re welcome. I’m…I’m glad we got things straightened out. I think it’ll be better for everyone if we keep things clear. If we keep things friendly between us. Consistent for Emma.”
He wanted friends.
Shannyn looked up into his eyes, wishing he’d look at her again the way he had once. Free of shutters and caution. Hungry to drink in the sight of her face like she was his. She was more certain than ever that Jonas had done great things, even if he refused to talk about it. Every day, as his recovery progressed, she sensed a greater strength in him. It was hard not to be attracted to that. Even harder to resist a man who was concerned about consistency for her daughter. It was all she’d ever wanted. It was hard to hate him for pushing her aside, when it was clearly to Emma’s benefit.
“We’re still good for Saturday?”
“We’re good.” He smiled. “Tell Emma I’m looking forward to it.”
“I will.”
Their gazes clung for a few seconds and her heart lifted. Because no matter what came out of his mouth, his eyes said there was something more.
He climbed into the truck and started the engine. As she watched him drive away, she wished she weren’t looking forward to it quite so much.
Chapter 9
When Shannyn answered the doorbell, Jonas was surprised to see both she and Emma dressed in red and white.
Shannyn’s hair was plaited in an intricate braid, revealing the pale curve of her neck. For a brief second, he remembered how she’d felt in his arms just a few days ago. Her long legs extended beneath the hem of her shorts and ended with cute white tennis shoes. Legs that had been folded up into his lap as she’d pressed her chest to his. He longed to run his fingers over the smooth length of them.