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

“I know that they’re my brothers, but I’m just telling it the way it is. I hope it works out.”

“How are Michelle and the kids? Maggie said she was getting together with them today, for the kids to play.”

“They’re doing great. Andy loves playing with Ben. Ben’s a good kid. You and Maggie have done a great job.”

Lori smiled wide. She was proud of Ben and the fact that he truly was such a well-behaved kid. There wasn’t a mean streak in him and she hoped he stayed that way.

“So I hear my cousin Jasper has a date with your sister tonight.”

“You heard right. Can I ask you honestly, Doc, what kind of a man is Jasper? He seems kind of quiet. I see him come into the bar on the weekends.” She didn’t want to sound like some overconcerned parent but she worried about her sister. Maggie didn’t need anyone with baggage or the potential to hurt her.

Andrew seemed to have read her mind and immediately attempted to put Lori at ease.

“Your sister will be in good hands, Lori. Jasper is a nice guy, never been married, he’s not a drunk if that’s a concern. As a matter of fact I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smashed,” Andrew said with a smile as they sat down on the bench outside of his office.

Lori released a sigh of relief.

“You know I understand your concern and realize that not everyone knows what happened to you, Ben, and Maggie. I can honestly say don’t worry about Jasper. He’d never hurt her, he likes her a lot and he’s made that clear. You know Maggie already told him about Ben’s father and the way things went down.”

Lori was surprised and concerned that now Jasper would tell Charlie.

“Lori, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You haven’t told my brothers yet, have you?”

“No, I…I guess…I guess I’m just scared to. You’re gonna have a field day with this one, Doc, but if I talk about it, say what I’m feeling out loud, it hurts too much. All the fear, the secrecy, the pain reemerges.”

“I can understand that, Lori. You’ve had to take care of Ben and Maggie for so long, and focus on only them, that you don’

t know how to think about yourself and what you might need. You can trust Charlie, Trevor, and Dante. They’re in love with you.”

Lori was shocked by Andrew’s words. Was that what she was feeling? Love? She knew she had to tell Dante, Trevor, and Charlie everything that happened in order for their relationship to continue but she didn’t want the drama. She didn’t want them to feel sorry for her.

“Isn’t love amazing? It can lift your spirits higher than anything in the whole world. Confide in them, Lori. You can trust my brothers. Believe me they won’t hurt you. They know what it feels like. They can understand what you’re going through and you may be able to help them as much as they can help you.”

“I know they do. Michelle told me about how much they changed after returning from the service. I saw a picture of them before they left and then when they first returned. I could see the pain, the sadness, and the dullness in their eyes. I want to help them to feel happy.”

Andrew smiled at her.

“They probably want to do the same for you, too.”

“You know, Doc, besides offering your basic, general family physician stuff you should also offer some private counseling on the side. You’re good at it, easy to talk to, and don’t sound condescending, or like a know-it-all. You sincerely want to help and I appreciate that. Sometimes doctors get all caught up in being busy, showing little empathy for their patients and so on. You don’t do that, and you need not change a single thing. Thanks.”

Lori gave him a kiss on the cheek and rose from the bench. They said good-bye and Andrew watched as Lori walked away.

He took out his cell phone and called his wife Michelle. She was outside on the porch with Maggie having some iced teas as the kids played on the jungle gym.

“Oh hi, Andrew, how was lunch?” Michelle asked.

“Great, I just wanted to call you and tell you I love you.”

“I love you, too, sweetheart. What brought this on?”

“Lori Shay, that’s who. She’s an amazing person, Michelle, and I hope things work out between her and my brothers.” He then told her a little bit about their conversation.

“Here I was trying to encourage her, and she encouraged me, lifted my spirits, made me see how lucky and how blessed I am. Tell Maggie her sister is amazing, will you?”

“I will, I love you, good-bye,” Michelle said.

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