Page 36 of Grateful Hearts

Her eyes then widened. “Are you saying that you are a Raider?”

He nodded. “I am.”

“Oh, wow!” she said, looking impressed. “It must be dangerous.”

He smiled again. “It can be pretty demanding at times.”

“Can I ask you something else?” she asked.

He glanced over at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Sure.”

“Your family. Are your brothers in the military, too?”

Zach chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, they are. The military isn’t just a job in my family. It is practically a legacy. My dad was a Marine. He was a hardass, but in the best way. Taught us what it means to serve something bigger than ourselves.”

Chantel leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. “That’s amazing. So, Justin, Ethan, and Bear are Marines too?”

“Justin and Ethan are both Marine Raiders, like me. We’ve been in some of the same units over the years, which is rare but pretty cool. They’re both solid operators. They are dedicated and dependable. Everything you’d expect from Raiders.”

She tilted her head, her interest piqued. “And Bear?”

Zach smirked. “Nope, Bear decided to blaze his own trail. He’s a Navy SEAL. He’s one of the best SEALs out there. He is hard as nails, but he’s got a soft spot when it comes to his wife and kids. Joker is a SEAL, too. He and Bear serve on the same team.”

Chantel sat back, clearly impressed. “Wow. That’s incredible.”

Zach chuckled. “But it’s not just us guys. My sister is no slouch either.”

Chantel’s eyebrows shot up. “Clover? Is she in the military, too?”

“She was,” Zach said, his voice filled with pride. “Clover’s was a Marine as well. She wasn’t just any Marine, though. She was a helicopter pilot for the president’s Situational Combat Squadron.”

“Seriously?” Chantel said, her mouth slightly agape.

“Seriously,” Zach said with a grin. “She’s a badass. But now she’s traded all that for flying helicopters for a private security company in Virginia Beach. Keeps her close to Joker.”

Chantel shook her head in amazement. “Your whole family is like a real-life action movie. You’re all so accomplished and so brave.”

Zach shrugged, feeling a warmth spread through his chest at her genuine admiration. “It’s just what we do. It’s not easy, and we’ve all sacrificed a lot, but it’s worth it. Serving is part of who we are. My dad always said, ‘If you’re given much, you give back more.’ I guess that stuck with all of us.”

Chantel’s gaze softened. “I don’t think people realize how much you and your family sacrifice. Not just in terms of time and danger, but your lives, your connections, and the things you have to miss out on.”

Her words struck a chord. Zach looked at her, seeing the sincerity in her eyes, and nodded. “Yeah, it’s not easy. But when you believe in what you’re doing, you find a way to handle it. Even if it means leaning on each other when things get tough.”

Chantel smiled softly. “Well, I have so much respect for you all. And gratitude. It takes a special kind of person to do what you do.”

Zach felt his chest tighten at her words. She wasn’t just being polite. Zach could tell that she meant every word. “Thanks, Chantel,” he said quietly. “That means a lot.”

For a moment, they sat in silence, the sounds of crickets and the distant hum of the house behind them filling the air. Zach watched her out of the corner of his eye, the admiration she’d just expressed swirling in his mind. Something about her presence made him feel more grounded, more seen.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” She asked, looking up at him with her green eyes that sparkled.

“Sure.”

“Why don’t you have a girlfriend or a significant other?”

He chuckled. “I had a girlfriend right out of high school, but she broke up with me when the whole military thing became too much. After that, I guess I decided not to risk it again.”

Chantel nodded thoughtfully. “I get it. I’m sure military life isn’t easy for either person in the relationship, especially in your position.”

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