Page 35 of Stone

Recently, I’d read something in one of my novels that resonated with me. If you loved someone, set them free. If it was meant to be, they’d come back; if it wasn’t, they were never supposed to be yours in the first place.

Time was up, and now I’d have no choice but to test that theory.

The morning sun beamed down warm and cheerful. It was crazy how the day could be so bright when, inside, my blood had turned to ice.

My brow furrowed as I watched John’s dad shake his hand and clap him hard on the shoulder. “You’ve got a few days to get where you need to be,” Bandit mused. “You sure you don’t want me to send a few of the boys with ya?” he waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “They’d love a stopover in Vegas. Take in a strip show.”

I threw Bandit a glare.

Constance dug her husband in the ribs with her elbow. “Don. Shut up!”

Bandit held his hands up defensively. “The boy’s gonna be treated no better than a dog for the next couple of months. Let him have his fun.”

My lip curled slightly as my mind fantasized about wiping the knowing smirk of Don Stone’s craggy face.

John’s gaze slid toward me before swinging back to his pop. “Nope. Gonna take a steady ride so I get there in plenty of time before I report for duty. Wanna take some time to look around San Diego and get my bearings. Need to find a nice hotel for Leesy to stay at when she comes to visit.”

“Gonna be weeks before you get a weekend outta the base,” Bandit argued. “I’m sure your girl can go a couple of months without you.”

I tilted my chin up proudly. “John knows I’ll support him whatever happens. If it’s difficult for him, I won’t visit. We’ll see how things stand when he gets there.”

Bandit nodded approvingly. “Good. It's best not to put the boy under any more pressure. He’s got enough to deal with, and boot camp’s gonna keep him busy.” He clasped John’s shoulderagain. “Proud’a ya, Son. The Marines will be the making of the man.”

John held his dad’s stare. “Thanks, Pop.”

Bandit grinned. “Call the house phone when you get there and let us know you’re okay.” His hand squeezed John’s shoulder hard before Bandit turned toward the house. “Remember what I told ya,” he called over his shoulder. “Listen to your superiors and look out for your brethren. Keep your head down and follow orders. You’re a Stone. Never forget what’s expected.”

John nodded, watching solemnly as his dad disappeared inside the house. “Believe it or not, I’m gonna miss the crazy old bastard.”

Constance laughed gently. “You know what your dad’s like, but he loves you in his own way.”

John smiled down at his mom. “I know.” He slid his arm around her and pulled her in for a hug. “Remember what I said?”

Connie glanced at me. “I’ll look after her. Don’t worry.” She pulled back slightly and cupped her son’s jaw. “Take care of yourself. Call me, let me know how you get on, and don’t worry about anything here.”

John leaned down and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Love you, Mom.”

Moisture filled her eyes, but she beamed through them and croaked, “Love you too, Son,” before turning and walking back to the house.

Slowly, John turned to me and held his hand out, waiting for me to take it before pulling me into his arms. “I’ll call you tonight, baby,” he murmured, his hands going to my face to frame it.

I nodded, unable to speak through the tears clogging my throat.

“Thirteen weeks,” he said. “And I’ll be back on boot leave for ten days. We’ve just gotta get through until then. And if I get a weekend before that, you can visit.” He fished inside his jeans pocket and brought out the keys to his truck. “Want you to drive Bessie while I’m gone.”

My eyes widened. I couldn’t take his truck. It was his dad’s. John had rebuilt it from the engine up; it had taken him years. What if something happened?

“No, John,” I protested. “She’s your pride and joy.”

A wide grin spread across his face. “No, Duchess.You’remy pride and joy. I’d feel better knowin’ you had decent wheels. Bessie’s reliable; she’ll get you to college and home again every day. If there are any problems, Dad already knows to get one of the boys to look at her.” He grabbed my hand, put the keys into my palm, and closed my fingers gently around them. “Please, Leesy. It’ll put my mind at rest.”

“Okay.” My voice croaked with emotion.

“That’s my girl.” His head lowered until our lips met in a tender kiss. My heart shattered there and then, because all I could taste was goodbye, and it was bitter on my tongue.

John broke the kiss, lifted his head, and smiled. “I’ll call and write every chance I get.” He brought my hand up, still holding the keys, and kissed my knuckles before turning for his bike.

Swallowing down the tang of nausea rising through my chest, I pulled in a hard breath as I watched him throw his leg over the saddle and put his helmet on. I just had to keep it together for another minute. Once he rode away, I could break.

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