Page 15 of Waiting to Love You

I throw both hands behind my head before leaning back on my bunk and crossing my feet at the ankles. I close my eyes and attempt to imagine what it would be like to run into Bristol again now that time is on our side.

If I managed to find some way to get Bristol back into my life, I could never let her go again, even if I tried. Brady is right; it’s just a matter of time before we run into each other. Tyson’s Creek is a small town, so we will run into each other, eventually. I just have to be patient. Not everyone is given a second chance to make an impression on the woman of their dreams, so I need to seize this opportunity and make the most of it.

I tried to say goodbye to her once, but now our paths are about to cross again. I’m sure she’ll be shocked to see me at first, but if I play my cards right, maybe we’ll be a couple before the year is out.

“Wishful thinking,” I mumble into the empty bunkhouse as I give up on getting a quick nap before watch and decide to head toward the gym.

Maybe Tyson’s Creek is where all my dreams will come true… or maybe I’m just setting myself up for another heartbreak.

Chapter 5

Seth

Eleven Months Later

“Seth!” Brady waves his arms over his head as I pull into the driveway at his parents’ house. “It’s good to see you, man.”

He smiles at me as I shut off my truck and open the door, and I step out and give him a manly hug.

“You act like you haven’t seen me in forever.”

“After waking up next to your ugly mug every day for the last five years, I welcomed the alone time,” he quips.

“Aww, you missed me.” I slap him on the back and slam my door shut. “How did you survive this long without me?”

“It was easy.” He smirks.

It’s been almost four months since we arrived back stateside and started our out-processing from the Marines. Since I didn’t officially put my retirement paperwork in until halfway through our deployment, it took me a little longer to get things settled. Now I’m a civilian and ready to get settled into my new life in Tyson’s Creek, which I’m hoping will also include a beautiful redhead whom I’m already head over heels for.

We both chuckle as he throws his arm over my shoulder and leads me toward the house.

“You’re just in time for lunch. Mama has been cooking up a storm since I told her you were getting here today,” he tells me.

I smile as the screen door slams behind me.

“You’re here!” Mrs. Thomas squeals as we round the corner to the kitchen, quickly wiping her hands on a towel before opening her arms. “Now come and give me a hug.”

“Thanks for having me, ma’am,” I say as she wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes. Standing at a little over five feet tall, she barely comes up to my chest, but she makes up for her size in strength. Her salt-and-pepper-colored hair lands loosely around her shoulders, and I wrap my arms around her waist and plant a kiss on the top of her head.

“How many times have I told you to call me Mama? Everyone else does.” Her emerald-green eyes sparkle with mirth as she leans slightly away from me before swatting at my chest, causing me to laugh softly.

“Okay, Mama.”

She gives me one last squeeze before stepping out of my embrace and walking back into the kitchen, and I take a seat at the table.

“I wasn’t sure what you would like, so I made a bit of everything.” Mrs. Thomas starts rattling off different dishes faster than I can keep up, but I choose something to eat.

“Jesus, Mama. It’s lunchtime. I don’t even want to know what you’re planning for dinner,” Brady teases as she finishes making our plates and places both on the table.

“I never said he had to eat it all right now. Eat what you like, darling. We can rustle up something for dinner from the leftovers.” She steps toward me, cupping my cheek in her hand. “We’re so excited you’re here.”

“Me, too,” I respond wholeheartedly before digging into my food.

I’ve never had a place to call my own, but I can already see myself putting down roots in Tyson’s Creek, even though I’ve only been here for a few minutes. They always say home is where the heart is, and right now, I’m here in search of the other part of mine. Here’s hoping that she’ll give me hers in return.

The closest thing I’ve ever had to a job interview was walking into the Marine Corps recruiting office. To say I have reservations about what to expect from my meeting with Brady’s buddy, Vance, today would be an understatement.

I have a few weeks before I can sit for the civil service exam, but if everything goes well, I can be the next deputy in Tyson’s Creek in a few months. I’m sure Brady’s dad pulled some strings when we told him I was interested in joining the department.

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