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

“What is the stream? Make-out point for all the single men in your family?” Lori asked sarcastically as Trevor grabbed her hand then pulled her close to him.

“I have my own place, baby, I don’t need a make-out location,” he told her very seriously and instantly she blushed, getting his meaning.

Jasper and Maggie approached looking a little embarrassed.

“Hey what are you two up to?” Jasper asked and Dante told them about the noise they heard.

“Did you see anyone come this way?” Charlie asked.

“No, we didn’t see or hear anything but we came from the other side. Maybe we should call it a night, bring the ladies back to their place?” Jasper suggested.

“Why don’t you two go ahead of us? That way you have some privacy to end your first date properly. We have something to discuss with Lori,” Charlie told Jasper and Maggie, and before they could respond, he was pulling her toward his parents’ place.

“Where are we going and what is it you have to discuss with me?” Lori asked as Charlie slowed down his pace and casually walked with her.

Dante and Trevor chuckled.

He stopped at the gazebo on his parents’ property. He opened the screen door and inside was a small table for four, a mini refrigerator, and a radio.

“Do you know what was missing from our first date?” Charlie asked Lori as he retrieved a lighter from the built-in cabinet against the wall and lit the assortment of candles that were displayed on the table. Instantly the gazebo was flickering with candlelight, exactly how he planned it would be on the way over.

“Nothing was missing from our date. I enjoyed every part of it. Especially the bracelet.” Lori lifted her wrist, letting the bracelet dangle back and forth.

“It was pretty perfect except we didn’t get to dance.” Charlie found a station he liked. Then the beginning of a slow song came on. Lori didn’t know the artist or the name of the song but she loved it as Charlie took her hand and asked her to dance.

“What about Trevor and Dante?”

“We’re next, but be warned, Trevor likes to dance dirty,” Dante said then winked as he crossed his arms in front of his chest as he sat on the chair.

* * * *

“Honey, you have to see this. Looks like Charlie, Dante, Trevor, and Lori are dancing in our gazebo,” Phil said to Terry and she got out of bed to see for herself.

“Oh my goodness, they’ve got it bad,” Terry told her husband.

“And fast, don’t you think?” Phil replied as he placed his arm around his wife’s waist.

“That young woman is special, as special as our sons. They deserve happiness after all they’ve gone through in their lives.”

“That they do. I can feel the romance in the air, can you?” Phil asked his wife.

“I think it’s stronger over there…in bed.” She smiled wide, grabbed his hand, and they headed back to bed.

* * * *

“So I guess this is good night?” Jasper asked as he stood by the porch steps holding Maggie’s hand.

“I suppose so. I had a wonderful time, Jasper. Thank you.”

“I had a wonderful time, too. Would you like to do it again sometime?”

“I’d love to.”

Jasper pulled Maggie toward him into an embrace. “You’re so lovely, Maggie, until the next time.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek then walked away toward his truck.

Maggie waved good-bye and wondered when Lori would be home. She couldn’t wait to tell her sister about her date with Jasper.

* * * *