“I think it’s really heroic what you did over there. I really respect our military.”
“I didn’t do it to be a hero.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to imply—”
“I’m no hero, blue eyes.” Had I just called her blue eyes? “In fact, I’m about as far from a hero as you’d get.”
I didn’t know what I expected her to say to that, but I sure as hell didn’t expect what she said.
“It really doesn’t matter what you think, does it? I think anyone who serves our country is a hero. That’s my personal definition, and I’m sticking with it.”
I shook my head. Such naïveté. Had I ever been that naïve in my life? Not since my first decade on this earth, and even then I don’t think I was quite as innocent she was now.
She’d learn eventually. I hoped it would be a while. I wouldn’t mind seeing the innocence in those soft blue eyes a little longer.
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“You could say ‘thank you.’ Isn’t that customary when someone gives you a compliment?”
“You didn’t give me a compliment.”
“Sure I did. I said you were hero. It’s a great compliment. I wish someone would call me a hero. I’m no one’s hero, and I never will be.”
“And I told you, I’m no hero.”
“I suppose heroism, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, then.”
I looked straight ahead, resisting the urge to turn toward her. I was driving, after all. The road into Snow Creek was never busy. We had to drive through the small town to get to Steel Acres.
“So where can I get a good deal on a used car? I need something to get around in.”
“You’d be better off going into Grand Junction for something like that. But there’s no hurry. We have about five cars on the ranch that aren’t being used right now. You’re welcome to use one of them.”
“Oh, no. I can’t impose.”
“You’re already imposing, staying with us.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. She didn’t deserve to be treated this way. I just wasn’t used to mincing words.
“I…I’m sorry. You just said…you had plenty of room.” Her voice cracked a little.
Shit, now I had upset her. Truth was, I didn’t know how to deal with people. Five years in Iraq didn’t teach me that, and God knew my life before then hadn’t taught me jack shit.
But something about her raised my hackles. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. All I knew was that I had to keep her at arm’s length. Couldn’t let her in. Couldn’t let anyone in. Only problem was, up until now, I had never wanted to let anybody in. After less than an hour with this woman, my whole philosophy seemed to be shattering.
Those damned blue eyes…
“All I meant was that we have extra cars, and you’re welcome to use one.”
“That’s not what you said.”
I let out a heavy sigh and slowed the car down, stopping on the shoulder. I turned and looked into those amazing eyes, the color of tanzanite. My heart skipped. “Look, you’re Marjorie’s best friend in the world, and you are very welcome at our home. I didn’t mean to allude otherwise. I’m…” Why did I have such a hard time saying that one damned word? I breathed in and let the air out slowly. “Sorry.”
Her smile lit up face. Those cherry-red full lips, looking so kissable, gave way to big dimples on each side of her cheeks. Her blue-gray eyes sparkled. “There, was that so hard?”
Brown hair fell across her shoulders in waves. I itched to touch the hair, the silkiness of her cheek, the moist scarlet of her lips.
Damn it. I wanted her.
And I had never wanted anything before in my life.