Millie's Second Chance (The Town of Pearl 4)

“Wow. That is impressive.” Millie moved closer and looked around the gym. It was pretty big and looked like they had multiple rooms. There appeared to be military pictures on the walls, from what little she could see from outside, and then she saw the parents come out from a side room and gather their children.

“I’m going next door to the boutique,” Stacy stated.

“Oh, I’ll come, too, and see what new clothes Melissa and Diana got into the boutique. Why don’t you check out the programs they offer, Millie? Getting back into something you love would be a step in the right direction,” Anna offered. Millie looked away from the window and at her friends.

“I’m not sure. It’s been a few months since I worked out and did the moves. I’m not even sure they’ll have the same programs.”

“Check it out. The blond with the green eyes is Dalton and the other blond with the blue eyes is Hank.” Anna began to walk away toward the boutique.

Millie waited as the children filed out.

* * * *

Hank watched from the mats as the parents and children left the building. He immediately noticed a young woman looking through the front window along with Anna and Stacy. He wondered who she might be.

“Okay, next time you take the lead with that class. I’ve been heading up the last few weeks and I’m not sure what to do with Jacob and Thomas.” Dalton undid his jacket and tossed it onto the chair.

The bell above the door jingled and the young woman Hank had noticed entered.

When she did, she bowed her head in respect, clearly familiar with the ritual of honoring the dojo, then smiled as she approached.

She reached her hand out to them.

“Hi, I’m Millie, friend of Stacy and Anna. I was just reacquainting myself with the town when I noticed your place. What kinds of programs do you offer?” she asked, and Hank shook her hand first.

“Hi, Millie. I’m Hank Lewis and this is my brother, Dalton. Welcome to Pearl.”

“Thank you. Well, to be honest with you, I grew up in Pearl on Marie Lamorte’s place, but then my mom moved us to Connecticut. I’ve been living in New York for a few years and just moved back here for a bit.”

Dalton shook her hand next and he held her gaze. Hank wondered if he felt what he was feeling right now. Millie was gorgeous and had a beautiful smile. He actually felt a funny sensation in his gut.

Caught staring at her, he cleared his throat and tried to gather his thoughts. That had never happened to him before.

“Well, come on in, Millie, let’s show you around and tell you about our programs,” Hank began as he motioned with his hand for her to enter the main area.

Dalton’s deep voice made her immediately stop and look up toward his face.

“Do you have any martial arts training?”

She nodded her head but seemed to be caught off guard by his authoritative tone and height. Or maybe it was the large scar from shoulder to ear. The crazy bastard was nearly killed by insurgents in Fallujah and the scar was noticeable.

“Well, what kind?” he asked.

“Self-defense,” she replied rather abruptly then turned away from his brother. Hank wondered if Dalton had scared her. She seemed real friendly when she entered, but Dalton seemed to put her on the defensive.

Without meaning to, both he and Dalton blocked her only exit from the main dojo and she suddenly appeared concerned. They both towered over her, so Hank took a step back, but Dalton crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at Millie.

“Do you have a flier or something? Maybe times and types of classes that you offer?” she asked as if she were in a hurry. But she did look at Dalton and her cheeks appeared pinker. Was she attracted to his brother?

She had a great body. She looked solid, muscular, and sexy. Her hourglass figure was perfection, but her eyes, deep, dark, and blue, looked like a deer caught in headlights right now. Sometimes he forgot how intimidating he and his brothers could appear.

“Sure, let me grab you our latest flier. It contains our upcoming schedule and payment plans.” Hank walked back toward the front desk.

* * * *

Dalton cleared his throat and eyed her from head to toe. She was stunning, but he didn’t like the way his body instantly reacted to her. His heart actually felt as if the beat increased, and damn it, she smelled really good, too. He wondered if she was just like some of the other single women who came in to the dojo claiming to need self-defense training or wanting to get stronger and learn to fight, but really, they were after one of the brothers. The Lewis brothers were pretty well-known around Pearl and Turbank. They had each established good businesses and came from large families, wealthy from striking oil. Though he and his brothers chose different paths, their cousins continued in the oil business and were doing very well.

“So what specifically did your sensei teach you?” He pushed for more information even though he really didn’t care. She was just like the other women. She was probably single and looking to land a husband or two. Well, he wasn’t going to fall for it. Then she stared right back up at him with such annoyance he nearly faltered a moment. But like most women, she was probably turned off by his scar and wouldn’t like to see the other more defined ones across his chest and back.