Page 38 of An Adventure For Aster

“How come you couldn’t return to the service?” she asked. “I’m sure lots of soldiers are shot but then continue on once they are healed.”

“Yes,” he said. “But I sustained damage to parts of my heart that had to be repaired. There could be long-term damage.”

The bullet had missed his heart but nicked some important parts on the way out. Open heart surgery normally took people out of the service.

Not to mention the nerve damage in his arm. He was right-handed and it was his left arm, but he fired a weapon with both.

Right now, everything seemed fine, other than tingles now and again, and he was doing the exercises he was told to do. He wasn’t going to let anything stop him. Mind over matter was how he was trying to live.

“What kind of long-term damage to your heart?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I’m not trying to scare you. But anytime things are repaired they can have issues later in life or they could be totally fine. For now, I’m in good shape and plan on staying that way. Which means not being at war where other people are dependent on you. I don’t ever want to be the weakest link of the team.”

She snorted over his dry tone. “Is it okay to be working construction and carrying things?”

“Yes,” he said. “That isn’t a problem. I’m not an idiot. I follow the doctor's orders. I’m not even the typical guy who moved somewhere new and didn’t get a doctor. I’ve got a primary and a cardiologist too. My records are here and I’m under care.”

“Thank you for that,” she said. “I was going to say if you need referrals to doctors that River would know some good ones.”

“I’m sure he would, but I’m seeing doctors in New Haven. He works out of that hospital, right? Or just in a satellite office?”

“Yes,” she said. “He reads imaging for them at times. They do a lot of that from satellite locations and there are times he works from home only reading what is sent to him from all locations.”

“My point is, I’m on top of my healthcare when a lot of people aren’t.” Like his father, but he’d never say that to his parents. They appeared healthy and that was all they cared about. They never wanted anything to slow down their partying with their friends.

“I’m glad to hear it,” she said, patting the bed next to her, so he sat. He’d been standing while he talked, Raine sitting there looking at him.

She leaned into his side and almost cuddled against him.

He wasn’t sure any woman had done that before. He didn’t think he was the cuddling type either.

“Are you all good now?” he asked. “Or do we need to talk some more?”

“I’m good,” she said. “Well, one more thing. I’m surprised I didn’t say this before but feel the need to now.”

“What’s that?”

“I’d hope we are exclusive.”

“You don’t need to say that,” he said. “I don’t like cheaters. I don’t believe in it either. Hell, I’m not sure I can handle one woman at a time, let alone two.”

She laughed like he’d hoped she would. “Good to know.”

“How about we go make dinner together,” he said.

“Another activity?” she asked. “Yay.”

“Now you’re just yanking me along,” he said.

“Maybe. But admit it, you’re having a good time with me.”

“Yes,” he said. “I am.”

13

NICE TO BE INCLUDED

“I’m so excited,” Ivy said the next day. “This is a dream come true and I get to spend it with my sisters.”

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