Page 25 of Embattled Return

She took it for the invite it kind of wasn’t.

Colorado was a natural topic of conversation and Logan seemed genuinely interested in the state. Marigold didn’t try to gloss over the things she knew he wouldn’t be able to do with his disability, she told him about everything. “And honestly, I’m still learning. I moved up here to go to school, so I haven’t done a whole lot yet. I’m looking forward to summer, though, and hiking.”

His brilliant sea-glass eyes narrowed. “What are you going to study?”

Sigh. She was hoping he wouldn’t ask. “I’m going to the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology, with a focus on Military Psychology.”

Logan drew back, as she’d expected him to, and his battered face seemed to close down. Marigold was afraid of this. She didn’t want him to think that she was hanging with him just because of professional curiosity. It was quite the opposite, actually. She was very definitelypersonallyinterested in him.

Which was actually even worse. The guy was from Virginia and would be returning to Virginia once they’d found his family. Nothing that developed between them would ever go anywhere.

Maybe that could be an advantage, too, though. If they knew there was no long-term commitment, maybe they could just have fun.

The damn flip-flopping her mind was doing was going to make her sick.

Had Logan been with anyone since his injury?Dangerous thoughts, girl...

The waiter arrived with their food and it gave them a little breathing space so that they didn’t have to talk.

“Kind of ruined the vibe, huh?” she asked eventually, after they’d tasted their entrées. “I don’t want you to feel like you’re under scrutiny. I haven’t even started classes. I’ve been working and saving my money. Mom left a lot of hospital bills. My grandmother promised to help, but she doesn’t have a lot either.”

Logan glanced up at her. “It’s okay. It just took me by surprise. It’s actually a very worthwhile path of study. I’ve talked to more than my share of psychologists and they have helped me with some things. It’s just hard to open up and be vulnerable.”

“I completely agree,” she said softly. “I’ve talked to my fair share as well. Between Mom fighting her demons and being the child of a war casualty I barely even remembered, I’ve had more than my fair share of crap fall on me.”

She gave him a sardonic look as she took a drink of soda. “I think everyone could benefit with a little objective insight into their issues.”

Logan’s mouth crooked into a smile. “You’re probably right.”

They ate the rest of the meal companionably, talking about inconsequential things. When Logan mentioned that he wasn’t sure how long he was going to stay, Marigold debated with herself. Something had occurred to her earlier, but she wasn’t sure if she should throw it out there. Then she decided hell with it. “If you think you’re going to be here longer than a week or two, you might think about finding another place to stay. And I have to mention that my landlady is a doll. A bit of a dirty-minded doll, but easily the nicest landlady I’ve ever met. And I’m sure she would give you a better rate than what you’re probably paying at the hotel.”

Logan stared at her thoughtfully. “Thank you for that. I might give her a call.”

“I don’t know what your finances are like, but she might even make you a deal for a shorter amount of time. We can run by there on the way back to your hotel tonight if you want.” She could tell he was thinking about it. “We’ll see where the night goes.”

She shrugged like it was no big deal, but internally, she was jumping up and down at her brilliance. Though she’d only known him for the day, she had a feeling if he gave her a chance, they could connect.

And she strove to build that connection through dinner. Logan was a fascinating guy, insightful about world events in particular but knowledgeable about a whole range of things. Even without knowing his job in the Army, she would have suspected that he was in some kind of Intelligence position. Marigold had a feeling he could name everyone in the room he’d been introduced to, because he never hesitated or looked confused when she mentioned people. Eventually, the topics moved to the more personal. They talked about growing up in their respective states. Virginia sounded beautiful. She’d never been that far east before, so she couldn’t imagine the amount of green he described.

“Arizona was amazing and beautiful, but I think Colorado is even more so,” she murmured. “I love it here.”

And she did. There was no connection to Arizona anymore, other than her grandmother who traveled more often than she was home, now that she had time and freedom. So, when Marigold had started looking at colleges, she remembered one of the few family vacations she’d taken with her mother and grands, when they’d all been a family. It had been to Colorado. They’d toured ghost towns and ridden a railway line. It also had a fantastic college graduate program, so she decided Colorado would be a perfect home for her.

“Not leaving a boyfriend behind?”

Marigold was stunned that he asked. “No, unfortunately not. If there had been a boyfriend, I may not have left.”

“Hm.”

“How about you? No significant other?”

He snorted derisively. “Fuck, no. Not anymore.”

She waved a hand. “You can’t leave me hanging. What happened?”

“What do you think happened?” he snapped, his beautiful eyes narrowing in fury.

Marigold held her hands out. “I have no idea. Why would I?”

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