Page 2 of Her Naughty Soldier

The revelation hits me like a flashback. Of course, Lily, with her wild hair and bright eyes, always a whirlwind even as a kid. But this woman in front of me is a far cry from the gangly pre-teen I remember.

“Lily Ward,” I say, the name feeling both familiar and new on my tongue. “You've changed.”

She gives a mock bow, amusement dancing in her eyes. “In the flesh, and all grown up.”

“You’re living with Jake?” I ask. He hadn’t mentioned it in our sporadic conversations prior to my arrival.

“Temporarily,” she answers.

I nod. “Same.”

“So, military life, huh?” she says, leaning against a paint-splattered table. “I bet that was a whole different world.”

“It was,” I admit, the words heavy with unspoken stories. “Discipline, structure, order... it’s a different kind of life.”

Her gaze softens, and for a moment, I see a flicker of understanding in her eyes. “And now you’re here, in the middle of my chaos.”

The word “chaos” feels right, but not in a negative way. It’s a chaos that breathes life and creativity—a stark contrast to the rigid order I'm used to.

“We’re pretty different, you and I,” I say, more to myself than to her.

Her laugh seems to fill the room. “Opposites attract, right? Or so they say.”

I can't help but smile, her carefree nature infectious. It's been a long time since I've allowed myself to just... be. To laugh without reservation, to enjoy a moment for what it is.

“Yeah,” I agree, the smile lingering. “Or so they say.”

As we talk, I can't help but notice the subtle shifts in the air between us. It's in the way she tilts her head when she laughs, the light in her eyes when they meet mine, a kind of electricity that's hard to ignore. There's an inviting warmth to her, and for a moment, I let myself bask in it, in the ease of her company.

She moves around the shed, showing me her art, her fingers brushing against the canvases as she explains each piece. I follow, keeping a respectful distance but aware of the space between us shrinking with every step. It's like we're orbiting each other, drawn in by a force neither of us can see but can certainly feel.

But then I remember Jake, my friend and her brother. That thought is like a cold splash of water, snapping me back to reality. This is his sister; no matter the pull I feel, I can't let myself cross that line. It's an unspoken code, one I'm not willing to break.

"So, what brings you back to Larkspur?" Lily asks, her gaze curious.

I weigh my words, cautious. "I have a job opportunity,” I say, “and Jake offered me his guest room.”

She nods, understanding, and there's a pause, a moment where our eyes lock, and something unspoken passes between us. She's not the little girl I remember, and the way she looks at me, it's clear she sees I've changed too.

But I can't forget she's Jake's sister. The last thing I want is to complicate things with Jake. He's been a constant in my life, a brother in all but blood, and I can't risk that.

"Jake's at work, I assume?" I ask, my voice even, betraying none of the conflict stirring inside.

"Yeah, he won't be back until late," she replies, wiping her hands on a rag. "But the back door is open. Do you need me to walk you in?”

“No, I think I remember the way.” I pick up my duffle bag, discarded by the door to the shed. "Good seeing you, Lily," I say, offering her a nod.

"You too, Ethan. Welcome back," she says.

I step out of the shed, closing the door behind me, and take a deep breath of the cool evening air. The quiet of the yard is a stark contrast to the life inside that shed. It's going to be an interesting stay in Larkspur, that's for sure.

Walking back to the house, I feel a mix of anticipation and caution. This visit is about starting fresh, about finding my footing after the storm. Getting tangled up in complicated feelings isn't part of the plan. But as I glance back at the shed, I can't shake the feeling that Lily might just be a curveball in my well-ordered life.

And for the first time in a long while, I'm not sure if that's a bad thing.

Chapter 2

Lily

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