Page 18 of Her Cowboy Christmas
“Which branch were you?”
“Army.Green Beret.You?”
“Marines.”
“Ah,” I say.
Kip laughs.“You’re surrounded by Marines, man.Xavier, Townes, and Luca were Army Rangers.”He points to three men at the other end of the table.“Nolan was in the Air Force.Koa is still a Navy SEAL.”
I nod at them.
“Then there’s Ansel, Meyer, Huxley, Camden, and myself.We’re all Marines.”
“You all lived here long?”
“Most of us have been here for a year or two.”
I hang out with the guys for a bit, getting to know them better.Most of them work at Semper Fly, and they’re all settled down and seem happy and at ease.As I sit there, I think about how much I want that.My mind drifts to Blair, and I swallow.I want it with Blair.
They all seem like good guys, and when they invite me out the following week, I agree.
“All right, I’ll see you guys later,” I say as I push to my feet and toss some bills on the table for my coffee.
“See ya!”they call as I head out.
I smile as I make my way back to my truck and drive to the bank.As I pull into the lot, Blair is walking out.I wave, hopping out to open her door for her.
“You’re in a good mood,” she comments.
“I made some friends today,” I tell her as I climb behind the wheel and pull out of the lot.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.All ex-military guys.”
“That’s nice.I’m happy for you.”
“I also got a call from an old friend.He’s moving here.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, he got shot and is getting out.”
“Jeez.”
“He’s all right.Still healing, but he needs a place to stay.”
“That’s nice of you.”
I shrug.“It’ll be good to see him again.He’s a solid guy.”
Blair raises her eyebrows as I pull into Toasty Bun Burgers.
“I got sidetracked by the guys and never got around to grabbing food, so…”
“So, take out,” she says, smiling at me.
Her green eyes sparkle, and in that instant, I see our whole future together.The two of us going out on dates, moving in together, starting a family.My heart races in my chest, and I swallow hard.
