Page 47 of Inevitable Dream

I get a lump in my throat and rest my head on his shoulder.

“Oh, Rebel. I think I’m going to cry,” his sister says.

“I’ve only got a couple more minutes with Sadie before she goes on duty. She’s a nurse. How about I call you on my way back to the office?”

“Don’t forget!” Jessica says sternly, then quietly adds, “I love you, baby brother.”

“Back at you.” Rebel hangs up and looks at me. “I’ll be back with dinner.”

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” I say, framing his face with my hands and kissing him. “And don’t forget your promise when I come home tonight,” I remind him with a wink. I walk away with a little extra skip in my step.

Rebel

“Jessica, you’ve got stop crying if you want to talk to me,” I say. As promised, I call my sister back, only this time, Jessica’s included Janie.

“Let her be,” Janie says, “She’s happy for you. We both are. You have no idea how thrilled we are for you. Oh, Jasper, we all had it hard with the dysfunctional parents we had. Then, when you joined the army, Jess and I were terrified that one day, someone would appear at our door and tell us you weren’t coming home. We knew you needed to find your place in your own time, but what you don’t realize is that we miss you.” Janie chokes up and begins to sob quietly.

“God, I’m so sorry you went through that. It was never my intention to cause you pain. I love you both. And you’re going to adore Sadie,” I tell them as their sobs subside.

“Tell us everything,” Jess says.

I go into detail about how Sadie and I met, leaving out the gunshot wound and merely telling them I was injured. I do mention Sadie’s attack, and how, from that moment on, I wasn’t about to let her out of my sight. My sisters know what the team means to me, and of course, they want updates on everyone.

Calls to my sisters have always lifted my spirits, but this time is different. This time, it feels like I’m giving more to them than I’m taking. We end the call with the promise to plan a visit where they can meet Sadie and her family.

“You’re going to marry her, aren’t you?” Janie asks hopefully.

Without hesitation, I answer, “Damn straight.” They both give a squeal on the other end of the phone that makes me chuckle. “Okay, I’ll be in touch, but I’ve got to get back to work.

“Jasper, we’re so proud of the man you’ve become,” Jessica says before hanging up.

Looks like I’m finally where I’m supposed to be. The hardest part was accepting that I am worthy of Sadie’s love. But Sadie gives me her love totally and wholly. It’s what my brothers have been telling me for years, and yet it took one beautiful redheaded angel to make me believe it.

Chapter22

Always and Forever

Sadie

Rebel spoils me! He brings dinner in a picnic basket that he had catered by a local deli. When he leads me outside to his SUV and opens the truck door, I’m stunned by what I see. He has the back seats folded down and a blanket laid out with all sorts of cheeses, deli meats, and a freshly cut baguette. He even has Perrier water, knowing that I love it. He helps me in while he sits on the edge with his legs dangling from the truck.

“Wow, this is amazing. Thank you,” I tell him, leaning in to kiss him.

“Make-out session after I feed you,” he teases and hands me a plate. It’s always so easy talking with Rebel. It’s like we’ve known each other for years.

With only an hour for break, our make-out session was short-lived. “This sucks, but I have to get back inside.” I pout.

“Anticipation makes it better, sweetheart,” Rebel says, then kisses my cheek and walks me back inside.

“Your patience is beginning to annoy me,” I respond, raising my brow. He simply laughs and pulls me in close, giving me a long, sensual kiss that I feel down to my toes.

“I’ll be waiting for you at home.” He pats my ass, moving me along to go back to my post. That’s when I decide that if Rebel is asleep, I’ll be the one waking him up!

Much later that evening…

I slip my key in the lock and walk into a dimly lit room. On the table sit a dozen roses and a note.Uniform off,it reads. I drop my purse on the table. A shiver runs down my spine, and I kick off my sensible nurse’s sneakers and take off my scrubs.

Looking around, I see candles lining the short hallway leading to the bedroom. Right by the first candle is another note. This one says,Blow out each candle. First candle, take off your bra. Second, panties. Third, let down your hair.

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