Ask Me No Questions (The American Soldier Collection 12)

“She’ll get snagged up in no time.”

Gia chuckled. “Garrett said that Cash Halloway couldn’t take his eyes off of her at Casper’s.”

Deanna raised her eyebrows. “That is very interesting.”

“I know. I wonder if I should talk to Gunner about this,” Gia said.

“And have him do what? Investigate her? If she is in some kind of trouble, then it’s better to not send up a signal to where she is. You know what? We’re probably jumping to conclusions here. Cassidy could just be a quiet person who likes to keep to herself. Maybe she is deciding if her previous profession with the Corps is even what she wants anymore. Who knows? I say let’s see what happens. But it would be great to see Cash and his team fall in love.”

“What about Stryker? The brother who no one ever sees?”

“He may not have any effect on the situation, or he could. If Cassidy is as good as you’ve heard at her profession, perhaps she can have a positive effect on Stryker.”

Gia smirked. “Look at you. You have it all figured out. You think this is a love story in the making, don’t you?”

Deanna chuckled and raised her eyebrows. “Stranger things have happened in Tranquility. Don’t you find it interesting that the two other houses Cassidy looked at renting were no longer available?”

“I heard about that from Garrett. I don’t think Cassidy would have considered them anyway. Red is why she came here. But she is really nice.”

“She seemed really nice. Want to grab a latte before we head home?”

“Why not? I’m going to the dojo this afternoon. I’ll work it off.”

“That’s my girl.” Deanna teased, placing her arm over Gia’s shoulder as they headed toward the café.

Gia really did like this town, and the entire community. She couldn’t help but think about when she’d come here and how much her life had changed for the better. If Cassidy was running from something, Gia hoped that she at least confided in Red so nothing bad would happen.

That gut instinct kicked in, and she felt uneasy. Maybe she should say something to Garrett or Gunner after all.

Chapter 6

Stryker could hear the humming sound from across the way. He wondered what that brunette was up to now. He was shocked as he made his way to the front porch to find her sanding down the back porch of the cottage. Was she planning on re-staining it?

He couldn’t help but stare at her as she worked the machine. She wore a tank top in black and had on a pair of short jean shorts. The bright yellow kneepads stood out from across the way. She sure didn’t seem to be afraid of hard work. But his brothers had said she was in the Marine Corps. Her sanding and painting didn’t impress him. Maybe if she had some combat scars she would be more believable.

He exhaled in annoyance. He would have to change his plan of walking outside today. That tree to the right of her porch about fifty feet was his stopping point. He couldn’t go much farther and really didn’t want to. What was the point? He was never going to get better. He wasn’t even normal.

The sound of the sander going off drew his attention back toward the cottage. He would do what he wanted to do. His brother and the team were bitching about him exercising so he wouldn’t get weaker and stiff. They were all a bunch of pains in the ass. And they were normal, unlike him.

As he stared at the steps leading off his porch then to the grass, he started to get annoyed. Why should he have to change his plans because of some woman? He was filled with attitude as he leaned on his cane and slowly took his time down the steps. Each step hurt like hell. He cringed, and then he wobbled, lost his balance, and went tumbling down.

“Fuck!” he cried out.

He lay there on his back, trying to catch his breath as the pain radiated everywhere.

Suddenly a shadow fell upon him, and the scent, so enticing, had him inhaling then opening his eyes.

“Are you okay?” a woman asked, and he knew it was her. The brunette from the cottage. He felt sick, embarrassed, and angry.

“I’m fine. Just leave me alone,” he barked at her.

She touched his arm.

“It’s okay. I can help you up.”

He tilted his head up toward her. She was fucking gorgeous, with bright hazel eyes, a perfect tan complexion, and a nice set of breasts that were pouring from the tank top she wore.

“I’m fine.”