Back From Hell (Marine For You Book 2) (Contemporary Military Veteran Romance) (12 page)

I
t had been
a few months since Kyle had come back from the trip to Colorado. The memories that trip provoked had been shoved back into the dark corners of his soul and the nightmares had subsided enough that they were only occasional. Since he had returned it had been nonstop with the ranch and the retreat. Between breeding, training, and racing the horses, he had been busy. Staci and Heather were adjusting to their roles as well. While things had been slow with the retreat, interest had picked up.

Now, Lucky had finished his interview commitments after winning the cook-off and was due at the ranch shortly. This would be the first time they’d have seen each other since the trip and there had been numerous changes in the Gunnery Sergeant’s life. The biggest being that he had married Madison and they were expecting their first child in less than a month. Marriage and parenthood for him were no doubt a big change.

He was looking forward to seeing how his Gunny was adjusting to the changes, but something else weighed on his mind about the visit. Weber. He had been putting off asking Lucky or even looking into the cause of Weber’s death himself because of what he might find. He had started to accept that it was his fault but the visit with Cassy had given him new hope. Sometime over the next few days, while Lucky was visiting, the truth would finally come out.

“Kyle.” Staci stepped out of the house with a tray of iced tea. “There’s a truck coming up the drive.”

He nodded and looked toward the road. He couldn’t see anything except a faint cloud of dust; in order for her to know that, she must have checked the security camera. “They’re early, but Lucky was never one to be late.”

She sat the tray on the small table on the porch, picked up her phone, and held it out to him. “There’s an email I think you should read. I have it up already.”

“If it’s about purchasing one of the colts, I’ll deal with it tonight.”

“No.” She pushed the phone closer to him. “It’s from Cassy Weber.”

He glanced at her, hoping to find some hint as to what the email said. This had been the one they were waiting for. The email that would let him know if Cassy and Johnny would be coming for a visit when they made their annual trip to see Weber’s ailing mother in Florida. He had been trying to convince her to visit the ranch since he had returned from Colorado, but so far he had no luck.

“Read it,” she urged.

Kyle, I’ve considered this trip for weeks now. Back and forth on whether to come or not. Well, the time is here and a decision needs to be made. While my fear of those big horses around Johnny is still there, my little boy can be adamant and he wants to see you. He wants to go for a horseback ride just like Uncle Kyle promised. We’ll be coming, and so there will be no changing my mind. I booked the flight reservations this morning. We’re leaving for Florida in two weeks and we’ll spend a week there before flying to see you. Johnny is so excited to get there and I’m anxious to meet your wife. See you soon.

“I can’t believe it. They are actually coming.” The truck could be seen in the distance as he clicked to lock the phone and set it aside. “I wasn’t sure she’d agree. I think I owe it all to you. She’s coming because you convinced her that Johnny would be safe.”

“I might have played a role in it.” She smirked. “The kid is sweet and there’s so much excitement in his voice when he talks to you. I know you care for him and wanted to have them here. So I did what I could.”

“Three weeks…that’s right around the time when our new guest for the retreat arrives.”

“Everything will be fine. Stop worrying and let us enjoy the visit with Gunnery Sergeant Diamond and his new wife Madison.”

“I know everything will be fine. Do you know why?” He reached out, wrapped his arm around her waist, and drew her against his body.

“Why?”

“Because I have you. Nothing can go wrong with you by my side.” He leaned forward and claimed her lips.

They were still locked in their embrace when the truck pulled up in front of the house, car doors shut, and his Gunny’s voice had Kyle cutting the kiss shorter than he’d have liked. “What’s all this kissing? We’re the ones that are supposed to be newlyweds, not you.”

“To keep the spark alive in a relationship you always have to act like newlyweds.” She held out her hand. “I’m Staci.”

Lucky took it. “Lucky, and this is my wife, Maddie.”

“Madison,” the pregnant woman beside him corrected. “He’s the only one that gets to call me Maddie and live.”

“Well, Madison then.” She smirked. “It’s nice to meet you both. I brought out some fresh iced tea that Josefina made, so why don’t we sit down?”

“Actually…umm may I use your restroom? Pregnant woman’s bladder and all.” Madison blushed as she rubbed a hand over her stomach.

“Sure. Just inside and first door on your right.” Staci opened the screen door and pointed to where she meant. “Whenever you need anything, just make yourself at home. I mean…”

“Don’t worry, I understand.” She hurried off to the bathroom.

“Sugar, Gunny here has never been on a horse.” Kyle leaned back in his chair and smirked. He knew he’d just dropped Gunny into it, but it was worth the evil looks he was getting to break the ice between everyone.

“We need to rectify that.” She came to stand next to Kyle, her hand on his shoulder. “It’s amazing.”

“I don’t think so.” Lucky leaned against the railing, a glass of iced tea in hand. “I’ve taken enough plunges lately I don’t think I need to take any more risks. Sergeant Major Graves is expecting me back on base in a few days and in one piece.”

“You’ll be in one piece and it will be fun. Another adventure that you can add to your list.”

“I think I’ve had enough adventures lately and at least one more to come. Fatherhood.” His eyes widened as if in shock.

“Don’t let him fool you.” The screen door clicked shut behind Madison. “He’s excited to be a father. You should see him with his niece Roulette. When Kyle mentioned the ranch during his trip to Colorado, I told Lucky that we were going to go riding when we visited but with my condition, I can’t. Though I still expect you to.” She took a seat across from Kyle, her hand instantly going to the top of her stomach.

“We have to get you comfortable around the horses so that after Madison has given birth, you can both come back for a visit and go for a ride,” Kyle suggested.

“You’ll have to bring the baby,” Staci added. “I love babies.”

Lucky shook his head. “It might be you two visiting if you want to see our baby. I think Graves is going to have me chained to the base when I finally get back. I’ve been gone so much with all these interviews and other obligations. I don’t think he realized how much it would interfere with things when the two of you recommended me for the cook-off.”

“It was for a good cause and you won so he can’t bitch. Though I did hear a bunch of Navy SEALs were rooting for you over their own sailor.” Kyle chuckled. “Your brother got the whole base revved up and rooting for you.”

“He’s good at that,” Lucky admitted.

They spent the rest of the day catching up, chatting about the good times, while none of them mentioned the mission that had led them all to where they were. The women had even discussed Madison’s new work as PR coordinator of her sister-in-law’s businesses, Roll of the Diamond and Heart of the Diamond. Everything was perfect until the women wandered inside, leaving Kyle and Lucky alone on the porch.

“I’ve been waiting until your competition commitments were over, but I can’t wait any longer.” Kyle looked out over the land, his gaze on Clifford as he led one of the horses into the stables.

“Whatever it is, you’ve grown serious, so out with it.”

“Weber…” He took a deep breath and turned to Lucky. “What was the cause of his death?”

“Did you open that envelope?” Lucky shook his head. “Guess not. That day when I came to visit, I left it on your table. It had the paperwork inside. Weber died from the gunshot wound. He was dead before the IED explosion.”

“Fuck.” He slammed his hand down on the railing. “I threw that away. I didn’t care what was in it then and just wanted to die. All this time, I blamed myself.”

“I thought you knew or I’d have forced the subject. His widow knows…”

“I know,” Kyle sighed. “She told me.”

“When?”

“Before I caught my flight home from Colorado, I went to finally pay my respects. She was at the cemetery when I was there—the first time I saw her since we deployed. I had been putting it off because I couldn’t face her or Johnny. Not after what I
thought
I had done.”

“None of what happened was your fault. I’m the one who ordered us on that mission, so if his death is either of our faults it’s mine. Widow Weber is doing okay and Johnny, he’ll know what kind of man his father was. I’ve gone to see them and so has Corporal Torres. Just because Weber isn’t here doesn’t mean we just forget about the family.”

“They’re coming here. I’ve been trying to convince Cassy to visit since we reconnected and finally, she’s agreed. Johnny’s been adamant about visiting the horses. We’re going to get him on a horse, too.”

“You’ve turned into a real cowboy. Trying to get everyone else on a horse and everything,” Lucky joked. “She’s a fighter. She’s turned tragedy into something good. Just like you’re doing here. United Homefront, a healing retreat focused on veterans. That’s great, I’m proud of you. You were a troubled kid; even after boot camp you let loose a little too much on leave. But you turned into a good Marine and a good man. You’re doing something here in memory of those who don’t make it back all intact.”

Kyle knew it was true and that Cassy would make it through this. He’d make sure of it. Even if he wasn’t the cause of Weber’s demise, he still owed him and his family that much. Life had thrown poor Cassy a hard blow by taking the man she had been with since they were in high school, leaving her a widow and single mother. Well, Uncle Kyle and Aunt Staci would be there for Johnny and his mother.

Since Staci had walked into his life, things had come full circle. He went from hating that he was alive and wanting to die, the guilt just eating at him, to finding out it wasn’t pulling Weber into the Humvee that had been the final straw to his death. He was given a second chance at life and he was determined to take advantage of it and live every day to the fullest. He wasn’t just living for himself, but he was living also for the life that Weber would never have.

Weber, I’ll make sure your son knows what kind of man you were. You befriended me when I had no one and made me a part of your family. I’ll never forget that. I’ll make sure he’ll grow up to be just like you. A son that you can be proud of.

B
orn and raised
in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Marissa Dobson now resides about an hour from Washington, D.C. She’s a lady who likes to keep busy, and is always busy doing something. With two different college degrees, she believes you’re never done learning.

Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave her the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read she has always had her nose in a book. It wasn't until she was a teenager that she started writing down the stories she came up with.

Marissa is blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He’s her other half and allows her to stay home and pursue her writing. He puts up with all her quirks and listens to her brainstorm in the middle of the night.

Her writing buddies Cameron (a cocker spaniel) and Dawne (a beagle mix) are always around to listen to her bounce ideas off them. They might not be able to answer, but they are helpful in their own ways.

She love to hear from readers so send her an email at
[email protected]
or visit her online at
http://www.marissadobson.com
.

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