Page 43 of Bossy Hero

I trail my sorrowful eyes around the dining room of my rental house, my gaze lingering on theWelcome Homebanner and balloon bouquets on each side.

My gentle giant, Leo, is finally out of the Army. Home for good this time.

Safe and sound.

Well, he will be when his flight touches down in another half hour or so. Tonight, all my favorite people will be in one place.

A faint smile threatens to appear, but it’s quashed almost instantly with regret over not inviting Alan to the party. More of the self-sabotaging behavior I’m famous for. On the bright side, it’ll give me plenty of fodder for the internal blame game I’m always playing.

I need to find a new hobby.

Worst part is, I’m unsure why I didn’t ask Alan to come. Knowing him, he’d have flown from Florida to Maine for the celebration. He’s quite fond of my eldest son, and since Alan owns his own security firm in Clearwater, he doesn’t need anyone to approve his leave time. No deployment or upcoming mission. As he’s said many times, there’s nothing stopping him from making a quick trip up the coast.

He’s been relentless with those tempting offers.

And I keep saying no.

Not because I’m afraid of Alan or don’t want to see him.

It’s the opposite of both those things. He’s charming and funny, and I’d love his company. The only fear he instills in me is that he’ll capture my heart before I’ve even learned what it’s like to feel it beating.

Sucking in a deep breath, I put another balloon to my lips and start inflating it. Meanwhile, all these thoughts swirl through my mind like they always do when I’m alone.

Fortunately, Sammy and Drew should be here shortly to help me finish decorating and setting up for the party.

Calling themkidsis a stretch. They’re in their mid-twenties.

Drew moved out a few months ago after proposing to his high school sweetheart. Sammy’s technically living here while saving up for her own place, but she’s often out with friends. I suspect she has a new boyfriend. It won’t be long before she only comes here to visit when I hit her with a guilt trip.

Loneliness is my constant companion.

I’m ripped from my morose thoughts at the sound of a key turning in the front door. My spine stiffens on reflex, and I pinch off the mostly inflated balloon.

Sammy’s sweet voice rings through the house. “Mom, where are you?”

“I’m in the dining room, darling.”

I resume inflating the balloon. I’ve got about a dozen more to go. Perhaps I can convince her to do it for me so I don’t end up needing an oxygen mask. She’s got young, healthy lungs. Like the rest of me, mine are old and worn out.

“Good news. We won’t have to do the dishes after the party. We found two drifters in the driveway,” she calls back, her voice growing nearer. “I told them they could come in exchange for dish duty. You’re welcome.”

Sammy’s a bit of a jokester. Always has been.

Male laughter reaches my ears, emanating from the foyer. It doesn’t sound like Drew’s voice. It’s deeper.

My curiosity piques, and I begin tying a knot in the latex so I can get over there to see what or who she’s talking about.

The next few seconds unfold in slow motion.

The tip of a man’s boot edges around the wall that divides the dining and living rooms. Then a jean-clad leg pokes its way into my view. The other follows gradually. Impressive quads stretch the denim.

My focus trails up his frame slowly, and a trill of nervous excitement courses through me. My mouth waters.

A black belt is cinched around a trim waist with a basic white T-shirt tucked into his jeans. Strong hands grip two plastic shopping bags full of groceries. His denim jacket hangs open, barely containing his chiseled pectoral muscles and broad shoulders.

I gulp, digging deep to find the strength to fix my attention on the face of ourguest.

In my racing heart of hearts, I know who it is before I meet his eyes. I can sense him. Like there’s a shift in the energy, pulling me to him.

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