Mending Hearts (The American Soldier Collection 11)

“Sorry again. Enjoy the fair.” She turned to go, but he reached out and gripped her wrist.

She gasped and debated about slugging him, making a counter move, or just yelling and making a scene. But he must have realized what he had done because he quickly released her wrist.

“The clothing boutique in Tranquility. That’s where we met.”

She shook her head.

“I don’t think so,” she replied and held his gaze.

“Yes, a little over two weeks ago, your first day on the job, and I couldn’t find the right size shirt. You helped me.” As he spoke, his eyes sparkled, and again she felt this creepy sensation.

“Well, I’m sorry that I don’t remember you. I’m glad that I was able to help you.”

“Do you like working there, or do you like working at Casper’s better?”

Instantly, she went on alert. How did this man know she worked at Casper’s? Was he following her or something?

“How did you—”

“Oh, I go there with friends and saw you working yesterday. You’re a hard worker. That’s impressive.”

He looked at her arms, her shoulders, and body. She needed to walk away. How many times over the years had weird men hit on her or tried flirting and she got a funny sensation? It was a gut instinct that she needed to respect and listen to.

“Well, I’m sorry, but I need to go. I’m meeting friends.”

His expression changed to an angry one as he looked over his shoulder and back toward the tables where the men sat. Again, she couldn’t help but wonder if the man was watching her. How strange.

“I’ll see you around then.” She nodded, turned, and hurried toward the building. But before she entered, she looked over her shoulder and saw the man watching her. But then he nodded and smiled before he started walking away.

That guy was definitely a little weird. She headed inside, hoping to waste more time and gather the strength she needed to face Gabe and his roommates.

* * * *

“Are you kidding me? Wha

t is Gunner going to do? What about Deputy Peters?” Gabe asked Jaxon as he told them about what happened at Alana’s house when Gunner and the guys got there earlier to pick her up.

Gabe was instantly upset and angry. Alana was gorgeous. It was taking so much will and fight to not hold her, touch her, hell, kiss her and feel her in his arms. But he couldn’t do that to her. She shouldn’t have to settle for a man like him. Maybe letting his friends care for her would at least allow him to know she was safe and secure.

“Well, the thing is, Peters said he would personally take care of driving by her place and checking on things,” Jaxon told them.

“Vincent and those guys hit on Alana the other night at Casper’s. Now his cousin, the deputy, wants to watch over her? I think fucking not,” Gator stated firmly, his fists clenched.

Gabe looked at him and then at Jeb, Geno, and Jaxon. They all already cared a lot about Alana. She would be safest with them.

“What are you going to do about this?” Gabe asked Jaxon.

Jaxon raised one eyebrow up at him.

“Me? How about us, as a team, Gabe? You know you care about her. Hell, you haven’t been able to take your eyes off of her,” Jaxon told him.

“She’s a beautiful woman,” Gabe whispered, his heart aching.

“She was yours, and could still be yours and ours, if you would get your head out of your ass about not being good enough for her,” Geno told Gabe.

“Fuck you.”

“No, fuck you,” Geno said, and Gabe stood up.