Page 70 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
“Okay, let’s talk baby names,” Julie said, going back to the sink.
—
An hour later, Julie laid her head against the seat of Lawson’s truck and sighed. “That was great. I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt.”
“You’re already an aunt,” Lawson reminded her. “Ben adores you.”
“I adore that little guy, too.” Julie breathed in; the air felt fresher, more invigorating. She was so excited for her sister. “We should do this every week.”
“Fine by me.” He squeezed her hand, then brought it to his lips to kiss.
There were those butterflies swirling around inside her again. She was starting to imagine the same kind of future for her and Lawson that Kat and Micah had—which was crazy. They’d only been seeing each other for a month—the best month of her life.
He pulled into her driveway and left the truck running.
“You’re not coming in?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I have an early morning tomorrow. I might be working late, too.”
She nodded. “Duty calls. I understand. Just don’t forget about me.”
“Couldn’t if I tried, darling.” He got out and walked her to the front door. She was tempted to pull out all the stops to lure him inside and into her bed. She wasn’t sure if it was her baby clock suddenly ticking, but her libido had been on overdrive all night, craving more of him. She wondered if she’d ever get enough. Instead, she settled for a long, hot kiss. “Good night, Lawson,” she said, nearly drunk from it all.
He smacked her bottom before walking away. “Sweet dreams, Julie.”
Oh, she’d be dreaming about him tonight. She wasn’t sure they’d be so sweet, however.
—
Lawson got off work earlier than usual. He’d done the flight simulator again before leaving the base, and it’d been easier this time. Then he’d challenged himself to just walk up to one of the helos, touch it, and go inside. He’d done that, too, but now he felt sick to his stomach. Memories of Jenkins yelling out as the helicopter had started to descend rattled around inside his brain. Memories of the deafening sound of impact, of flames igniting, of the men around him watching their lives flash before their eyes. He could practically hear all of their hearts pounding inside their chests, like a stampede charging toward the exit.
Lawson had waited until everyone was off the helicopter, even if they had to be dragged. He was the last man inside, so if someone was going to die, it’d be him. The pain of his broken ribs seized his breath, as did the noxious smell of gasoline and smoke. He had Jinx in his arms as he stumbled, willing himself as far away from the aircraft as possible. Every step shot fresh pain through him. So much pain he couldn’t determine the source. But pain meant he was alive, and he’d take that over the alternative any day. “Don’t die, Jenkins,” he said, gritting his teeth. “Don’t you fucking die.”
Those were the last words his friend ever heard. Thus, one reason Lawson would never have a career at Hallmark.
He headed over the bridge that connected Camp Leon to Seaside, practicing his breathing the way Julie had taught him. He envisioned his muscles relaxing as he drove home. He needed to go to Beth’s first and finish up with the barn chores that he hadn’t gotten to this morning. An added perk was that Julie would be there. He was getting way over his head with her. It was probably time to end things now before it got too serious. Or actually, he should’ve ended things two weeks ago. Three weeks ago. From the moment he first met her. Now he was long past serious, and he was in serious trouble because he hadn’t defeated his demons like he’d thought he would. Nope. They were alive, taunting him, practically flapping their wings and whisperingChicken!in his ear.
And Julie was going to want more from him. He’d read that on her face last night when Micah and Kat had announced their pregnancy. The excitement in Julie’s eyes had been a clear sign to him that, like most other women her age, she had biological yearnings that went past orgasms.
Sabrina stood at the screen door as he drove up Beth’s gravel driveway. She catapulted out of the house and down the steps, practically throwing herself in front of his truck. He slammed the brakes and cut the engine. “Are you trying to get run over?” he asked, a little too forcefully. It was the nerves from the day, all raw and exposed.
Beth scooped the little girl up, looking as alarmed as he felt. “Sabrina, what are you doing?” she asked, hugging her daughter tightly.
“He wouldn’t run me over, Mommy. He’s my uncle.”
“I told her to stay put.” Beth shook her head at Lawson. “Her ears must not be working too well today.”
“I installed a latch at the top of the screen door to make sure she didn’t get out on her own.” And run into the road for the local street racer to run over. “Use it,” Lawson growled.
Beth frowned at him. “I love you, too. Even if you’re overprotective and broody some days.”
He kissed his sister’s forehead, and then took Sabrina in his arms, while looking around for someone else. Someone who had a way of making him feel calm. He needed her right now.
“She had an errand to run. Left as soon as I got home,” Beth said.
He met his sister’s gaze.
“Julie, right? You’re wondering where she is?” Beth’s smile widened. “You two are getting close, huh?”
