Page 36 of Cowboy's Last Stand
But Natalie said she liked them, and he wanted to please her.That was why he’d agreed to come to this dinner, even though he knew it would be difficult for him to socialize.He’d grown accustomed to solitude, to remoteness and quiet.Navigating a noisy, crowded room wasn’t his idea of a good time.He also had to tread lightly here.Military men tended to talk about their crews and battalions.He couldn’t lie about being an EOD tech, a Marine, or a combat veteran.Natalie would connect the dots if given the right information.
It was ironic that he’d come here to tell the truth and fulfill a dying man’s final wish.Instead, he’d kept the most important part a secret.He hadn’t told her the gritty details.Hell, he was actively deceiving her—and the longer he continued this ruse, the harder it would be to come clean.
He wanted to help her and protect her.Beyond that, his motivations were murky.Was he following the path of least resistance or trying to get laid?
He knew he shouldn’t sleep with her.The way she’d looked at him in her bedroom indicated that she might not resist his advances.She was a young widow who’d denied herself pleasure and companionship.It wouldn’t be difficult to take advantage of her loneliness.Although he was used to being alone himself, he was only human.The urge to touch her dominated his thoughts and overwhelmed his senses.
They went through the buffet line, which was long and slow-moving.Natalie made a plate for herself and one for Marcus.Then she directed them toward a small table in the back.Her hands were full, so he offered to get drinks.
“I want lemonade,” Marcus said.
“Iced tea,” Natalie requested.
He returned with the items, plus a bottle of water for himself.The food looked good—ham, baked potatoes, green salad.He took the seat next to Marcus and tucked into his plate.Jason had spotted Wade in the buffet line with a pretty blonde.Jason kept his head down, hoping Wade wouldn’t come over to say hello.He forced himself to eat slowly, like a civilized person.He’d taken about three bites when a woman approached Natalie’s side.
“Honey, do you need this chair?”
Natalie glanced up and smiled.“You can have it.”
“Natalie,” the woman said, hand over her heart.“How lovely to see you!”
“Hi, Missy.”
Missy was an attractive brunette with wide blue eyes and a thin frame.She turned her attention from Natalie to Marcus.“You’re getting so big, and you look just like your daddy.How old are you now?”
“I’m five,” Marcus said.
“My boys just turned seven.”She gestured to a nearby table, where a pair of towheaded kids were kicking each other’s shins.“Aren’t they precious?”
Natalie nodded politely.
“Who’s your friend?”she asked.
Jason had the feeling that Missy had come over to get the scoop, not to borrow a chair.Natalie introduced them.When Missy extended her hand, he shook it.
“Are you a veteran, Jason?”
“Yes.”
“Which division?”
“Marines.”
“Thank you for your service,” Missy gushed.Then she gave Natalie a pointed look.“You’ve been holding out on us.Where have you been hiding him?”
“He’s sleeping on our front porch,” Marcus said.
Missy appeared delighted by this information.Behind her, one of her boys shoved the other one out of his chair.The only adult at the table, a heavyset man with a blank expression, ignored their antics.
“How’s Kirk?”Natalie asked.
Missy’s face softened.“He’s better, thank you.”
“Give him my love.”
“Sure,” she said, smiling again.“Nice to meet you, Jason.”
“Likewise.”
