Mending Hearts (The American Soldier Collection 11)

“You seem like you are looking for something specific. Perhaps I could direct you to where you might find it?” she asked.

“Is Alana here? She helped me the last time and knew exactly what I needed.”

The older woman gave him a peculiar expression, and he widened one eye at the old bitch who finally seemed to get the hint that he meant business. Yeah, once a soldier of power, always a soldier of power.

“Let me see if she’s available. I think she’s going on her lunch break,” Mrs. Hamlet said, and as she turned, Alana was heading toward them.

“Mrs. Hamlet, I’m going to go out to grab some lunch with some friends for my break. Can I get you anything while I’m out?”

“That’s okay. My husband will be bringing along some things shortly. Allison and Monique are still sorting the new shipment, right?”

“Oh yes, they are. If you need me to stay a little longer I can tell my friends to go ahead without me.”

“No, don’t be silly. I’ll get Monique to come out front.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in thirty minutes.” Alana said then walked out.

He watched Alana, looking so lovely and sweet in her knee-length black skirt that hugged her sexy figure and the pale green blouse that matched her eyes. It wasn’t low cut either from what he could see from this distance, but he could still tell that she was well endowed. His mouth watered at thoughts of how he would strip her from those clothes when the time was right. She wore low heels, and her legs were sexy too, just like the rest of her. His attention went to the chiming of the bells against the main door as Mrs. Hamlet asked him if she could help him again, but he ignored her. His eyes locked onto the two big men who entered the store and greeted Alana with kisses to her cheek.

Neil gripped the hanger, hearing the crack as Alana walked out with two men.

She?

??s mine, you fuckers. You can’t have her.

Mrs. Hamlet gasped as the hanger snapped. He dropped it to the floor and walked away, cursing under his breath.

* * * *

“Damn, woman, you are a sight,” Jaxon told Alana when he and Jeb met her at the clothing store. She shyly looked down, and Jaxon placed his finger under her chin, tilted it up toward him, and kissed her.

It was a short kiss, but he hoped tonight they would all have some deeper, longer kisses with her.

“Hey, beautiful. What are you in the mood for?” Jeb asked as he gently pushed a stray hair from her cheek then leaned down and kissed her next.

She fanned herself and started walking.

“My God, the two of you are lethal. I don’t care. You guys choose. I only have thirty minutes.”

“Well then, let’s hurry, but tonight, you’re coming to our place, and we’re cooking for you.”

“Really?” she asked as if she didn’t believe they would, or perhaps she didn’t believe they were capable.

“We’re all really good at cooking, and tonight, Gabe, Geno, and Gator are in charge of dinner.”

Alana stared at him but then looked away. He realized that every time they mentioned Gabe she reacted. Sadness showed in her eyes, but he was hoping the more they did it, the more accustomed she would get to thinking of them as one team, one group of men interested in making her their woman.

Jeb took her hand, and Jaxon placed his at her lower back as they headed around the corner to a small little deli and café. Tranquility was small and slowly growing as more people moved there. He remembered when they’d arrived. Five lost souls, soldiers in search of putting the past behind them and moving on to a calmer, safer lifestyle. They had given so much of themselves to the Marine Corps, though some had given the ultimate sacrifice.

That thought made him think about Gabe. He was a mess when they arrived, and the locals, the ones in charge of running this town and allowing people to move in, had their concerns. He was violent, filled to the gills with anger and hatred for everyone. He wanted to die, yet he wouldn’t take his own life. That would be a disgrace to the Corps and to his team, his brothers in arms.

Jaxon swallowed the small lump of emotion in his throat. This woman, this petite, sweet, gorgeous, young woman, could make a difference in all their lives, and especially in Gabe’s.

“Let’s take that small table over there in the corner by the window,” Jeb suggested as they headed that way.

They waved or smiled at a few patrons in the place. Locals who worked in town and were on lunch break just like Alana. The men looked at her, their eyes gazing over her figure and her long, tan legs. As Jeb released her to sit, Jaxon gripped her hips and pressed against her back, holding her in place before she sat. He leaned forward and kissed her neck, making her gasp softly then turn slightly toward him.

“Have I told you how much I like your outfit, especially this skirt?” he asked.