Page 18 of Tara's Warriors

“We are in the Polish Army,” Phin said quickly. “I am a senior doctor, and Karwin is a Captain in the Infantry.”

“My daughter Lacey is a specialist in the Army,” she said with a proud smile.

Before she knew it, she found herself sharing a cup of coffee with the men as the diner slowly began to fill up around them. While she knew her Aunt was fine watching Jillian, and the little girl loved staying at the farm and playing with the animals, she felt guilty for staying past her shift to talk with Karwin and Phin. Still, she couldn’t seem to make herself leave. Seated between the two of them on the sturdy stools lining the counter, she felt a sense of flirty energy and happiness she hadn’t experienced in a long, long time. They were both single, and when she’d discreetly checked, neither had a tanned line on their finger from where a wedding ring would usually sit.

Not only were they both astonishingly good looking, but they were also fascinating and seemed to be genuinely interested in her and her life. Plus, she had to admit their attention and flirting made her feel good. She was hit on all the time by the various truckers that stopped for a night in their town, staying at the motel across the street from the truck stop and diner and looking for a bit of local tail to take home for the night. Those guys did not interest her and she never responded to their attention.

But when Karwin and Phin flirted with her, she flirted back. The sexual tension building between the three of them was both crazy and highly addictive. They never inappropriately touched her, or said anything blatantly sexual, but the way they watched her…the heat in their eyes nearly burned the air going into her lungs. It didn’t help that they both wore some kind of delicious masculine colognes that invited her to lean closer. Their scents smelled different, but somehow also blended together into a luscious combination that only heightened her arousal and desire.

Toying with her second empty cup of coffee, she ignored the way Sugar Bear stole glances out of the kitchen window—giving her knowing winks and smirks that Tara pretended not to see.

“What is the Magnolia Festival?” Karwin asked as he sipped his third cup of coffee. His teal eyes glowed with warmth. “When we arrived, banners announcing it hung all over.”

“Oh, it’s an annual festival we have in Tupelo Creek to celebrate the blooming of the magnolias.”

“Magnolias,” Phin said in his thick accent, his teeth so white against his black beard as he smiled. “Yes, the lovely white flowers with a beautiful perfume. They remind me of you.”

Ducking her head, she hid a smile as she said, “Thanks.”

“Tell me more about this festival,” Karwin asked as he turned slightly in his chair, his attention focused only on her. “What is it like?”

She was proud her voice came out steady as she answered. “They shut down the main street through town, and there are all kinds of vendors and entertainment, some fair rides, and fireworks.”

“The festival sounds interesting,” Karwin murmured as his gaze landed on her lips like a kiss. “Perhaps you could show us?”

“If it is not a nuisance,” Phin said quickly, as he shot Karwin an undecipherable look over her shoulder. “We do not wish to impose on you, but what you described sounds very interesting.”

Her heart gave a little happy pitter patter as she smiled. “I would love to.”

A chiming came from her back pocket, and she quickly reached for it while saying, “That’s my aunt’s ring. One second, I need to take this.”

As she answered the call, she found it physically difficult to step away from the men. Like they had some kind of invisible rope tied around her waist. With each step she took behind the counter toward the kitchen, a sense of longing to return to them filled her. When she caught sight of the time on her phone, she realized she’d been sitting there chatting with Phin and Karwin for close to three hours.

“Hi, Aunt Jean,” she said quickly. “I’m so sorry I didn’t call. I—”

“Have been flirting with two very good-looking men at the diner?” her aunt said with a laugh. “I don’t blame you. Sugar Baby took some pictures of y’all together and sent them to me. Who are they? Friends of yours?”

She gave her nosy aunt a quick rundown of Karwin’s son asking her out on a date, then gave her a brief description of who they were and why they were there.

“From Poland, you say?” her aunt asked. “How interesting. And they’re staying nearby for the next two years? Hmmmm…we should have them over for dinner some night. You know, to make them feel welcome.”

“Aunt Jean.” She stole a glance through the window leading from the kitchen to the dining area, but her view was obstructed by a group of men standing by the counter. “No matchmaking. I’m forty-four years old. I don’t need my aunt trying to hook me up.”

“Well, someone has to! You were not meant to spend your life alone, Tara. It’s high time you got yourself a good man, and if you need a lil’ help from your Auntie, so be it.” She lowered her voice to add, “Besides, a woman would have to be a fool to let either of those fellas get away, and my sister didn’t raise no fool.”

“No, she didn’t, which is why I invited them to the Magnolia Festival tomorrow night.”

“Perfect!” her aunt nearly screeched. “Your cousin Melinda already asked me to ask you if Jillian could spend the night with her girls so you don’t have to worry about bringing company back with you. But which one will you choose? Oh my…that is the kind of problem any woman would be glad to have.”

“Aunt Jean…” She rubbed her heated cheek with her free hand. “I’m not bringinganyonehome with me.”

“I’m not saying you have to give away the milk for free on your first date, but it wouldn’t hurt to at least give him a taste.”

“We arenothaving this conversation.”

“Honey,” her aunt said with a laugh. “I’ve been married to the same man for close to fifty years. Let me live a little.”

Tara’s line of sight to the men finally cleared, and she bit her lip as she saw them standing, clearly getting ready to leave. “I’ve gotta go. Talk to you in a bit.”

---