Page 5 of A Miracle for the Reserved Flyboy

“Same ole,” Gary finished, and they laughed together, the comfortable silence of shared memories settling between them. “Civvy life suits you. You look good—happier, even.”

“Thanks. I am,” Cajun admitted with a grin. “Got my wife and son waiting at home. Little Beau is a spitfire, getting into everything. Man, you wouldn’t believe how fast he’s growing.”

Gary clapped him on the shoulder. “Congrats, brother. Truly.”

“Speaking of…” Cajun gave him a sidelong look, his smile turning sly.

Gary groaned inwardly, realizing where this was going. “Oh, no… not you too.” He sighed, sensing that Cajun was one ofthoseguys now—the ones who thought happiness wasn’t complete unless everyone else was living some fairy-tale romance.

“Hey now,” Cajun chuckled, raising his hands defensively. “It’s not as bad as all that. I was just going to say there’s someone you should meet. A real firecracker, an independent type?—”

He stopped suddenly, muttering a curse under his breath. Gary shot him a surprised look. Cajun, speechless? That was definitely new.

Before he could ask what was wrong, he followed Cajun’s gaze—and froze. She appeared almost like a vision, stepping out of the shadows with the glow of an angel. Her soft golden-brown curls bounced, framing a face so radiant it seemed to catch the light itself. Her eyes sparkled, filled with a playful warmth that tugged at something deep inside him, making his knees weak. Gary blinked, dumbfounded, as she approached, her smile wide and her gaze curious as it drifted between the two men.

“Hi, I’m Krista,” she said, her voice as inviting as a warm fire on a winter night.

“I know,” Cajun managed, laughter in his voice. “What can I help you with, Krista?”

She tilted her head, one eyebrow raised. “Who’s your friend?” Her gaze settled on Gary, and his heart skipped a beat. Noone had ever looked at him quite like that—like he was worth noticing. Worth really seeing.

Before he knew what he was doing, Gary extended his hand. “Gary,” he rasped, hating how shaky his voice sounded. “Gary Rutlinger. Nice to meet you, miss.”

Krista’s eyes brightened, her smile turning mischievous as her fingers intertwined with his in a handshake that lingered just a beat too long. “Ooh,” she murmured, her voice dripping with sweetness. “A gentlemananda looker. Polite, too—I think I’ve found a keeper.”

Gary felt his face flush, completely thrown by the effortless charm she exuded. It was like she was made of sugar, spice, and pure sunshine, and he found himself wanting to stay by her side, bask in her warmth.

“Are you always this adorable?” she teased, her voice soft but full of promise, as if daring him to fall just a little more.

“Perfect,” he murmured, feeling utterly lost and completely at her mercy. “You can consider me at your service, ma’am.”

Krista’s giggle was like music, warming him from the inside out as she placed her other hand over his, still holding his hand. “Where has Cajun been hiding you?”

“Afghanistan,” he managed to say, his voice barely a whisper.

“Oh my,” she murmured, a flicker of admiration crossing her features. “Well, you’re here now…”

“Yes. And I couldn’t be happier.”

Her hand remained in his, her touch both grounding and electrifying, her eyes meeting his in a way that seemed to quiet everything else around him. It was as if, at that moment, they were the only two people in the world.

“I’m so excited,” she whispered, squeezing his hand gently.

“Me too,” he whispered back, feeling the strange thrill of something he hadn’t realized he’d been missing.

“Tomorrow then?” She offered, her tone soft but with a hint of eagerness as if she were planning a dream. “There’s a cute diner in town. Seven o’clock?”

He nodded, hardly believing his luck. “I’ll be there.”

With one last warm smile, Krista gave him a little wave, stepping back as if unwilling to let go, and he couldn’t help but raise his hand in a return wave, still feeling the softness of her touch lingering on his skin.

“YOU FREAKIN’ IDIOT,” Cajun’s voice snapped behind him, pulling him out of the trance. The sharp slap to the back of his head left him blinking in confusion.

“Ow! What’s that for?”

“You just told the town’s biggest matchmaker you’re going on a date tomorrow night at seven!” Cajun groaned.

“Yeah, isn’t she gorgeous?”

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