Their Blue-Collar Girl (The American Soldier Collection 4)

“My dad tends to talk too much. I’m fine really. Your wife Michelle is very nice and your children are adorable.”

“Thank you. Michelle said she enjoyed having lunch with you the other day and I wanted to tell you that I received your X-rays from Dr. Marcus in New York. I spoke to him on the phone as well.”

Lori swung her head toward Andrew, knowing that Dr. Marcus probably told him everything. She was silent then looked away as she nervously rubbed her hand against the cast. Andrew moved closer, looked around, and then whispered, “He told me how you really broke your wrist, Lori. It was very brave of you…”

“No, Doc. Please don’t say anything else about it. I don’t want to talk about it or about being heroic. All I want is this damn cast off my wrist and the attention from it to disappear.”

“I think you’re receiving so much attention because you’re such an attractive woman. You’re new in town, in your twenties, single, everything a single man is looking for. It h

as nothing to do with your cast. I also think that your arm and elbow are hurting because it’s your body’s way of dealing with the stress you’ve encountered.”

“You’re not talking about post-traumatic stress are you?”

“Actually, yes, I am and I was wondering if perhaps you are experiencing any other symptoms. Maybe nightmares, anxiety?”

Lori wasn’t sure how to read him. Was he being nosy or did he really care? She didn’t want to take the chance so she dismissed it.

“So this is a party right, when do we eat?”

Andrew reached out and touched Lori’s hand. She didn’t pull away but she wanted to as her whole body tensed up and she froze.

“I want to help you, Lori, and I want you to feel that you can trust me. There are ways of dealing with this if you would like to know. Sometimes all it takes are some relaxation techniques, breathing or stretching and other exercises you could do to release the stress and pressure. Just let me know if you’re interested, okay?”

All Lori did was smile and nod her head yes as Charlie came around the house.

* * * *

Charlie saw his brother sitting on the bench next to Lori and she looked a little upset.

“Hey, Andrew, the food’s ready and Michelle is looking for you.”

“No problem, Lori and I were just talking about the stream that borders our property. I was telling her how we all used to go swimming down there when we were kids. You still go there sometimes, too, don’t you?” Andrew asked his brother then winked at Lori.

“Yeah sometimes but it can be dangerous for someone who’s not familiar with the area.”

“Maybe you could show her after we eat. Tomorrow’s supposed to be eighty-six degrees and no breeze. The perfect temperature for a swim, Lori.”

“That’s all right. He doesn’t have to show me. I think I jogged near it the first couple of days I was here. I can find it on my own. If you’ll excuse me, thanks again, Doc, I enjoyed the conversation,” Lori said as she smiled and walked away. Charlie looked at her as she passed him by.

* * * *

“I like her a lot,” Andrew said, and Charlie stopped watching Lori and looked at his brother.

“You’re married for Christ’s sake. What the hell’s wrong with you sitting here alone with her holding her hand? What if someone else came around and found you two instead of me.”

“Charlie, get real. I love Michelle and I wasn’t sneaking around with Lori. Cut your crap out, brother. You think I don’t know what’s going on here. You’re attracted to her and I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look at another woman that way.”

“Let’s go eat before you say something else stupid.”

Charlie turned around to walk toward the front of the house and Andrew followed.

“Keep lying to yourself, Charlie. She’s a good-looking woman. The first woman I’ve seen get a reaction out of you even if it is filled with piss and vinegar.”

Charlie shot him a dirty look and Andrew laughed as he walked away from him.

* * * *

He just arrived in Houston. Another town, another job, he knew he had to stay steps ahead of the police and small-town law enforcement agencies were the easiest to fool and evade. This job was a simple one and he enjoyed scaring people for a living. Maybe if he was lucky when his job was over, he could take a small treasure with him. Small towns usually had naive, attractive young women, and there was sure to be one he’d like.