Her Marine Hero
Autor
Jacquelin Thomas
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25
HarlequinCHAPTER ONE
GREG BOWMAN OPENED the door and stepped out of the car. He sniffed the salty ocean air, a smile tugging at his lips. His heart kicked up a happy beat upon his return to beautiful Polk Island.
Locals claimed there was something magical about the island located off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. Greg believed it in every atom of his being. Tall, majestic oaks; magnolia trees; colorful flowers; sandy beaches and small-town charm welcomed tourists year after year.
He glanced up toward the heavens. The twentieth of April had ushered in a dazzling sunny morning, with no signs of dark clouds in its bright blue sky. Humming to himself, Greg opened the left passenger-side door and retrieved a black leather weekender bag.
By the time he stepped onto the porch, the front door had swung open, and his best friend walked out, a cane in his left hand to aid in walking with his prosthetics and help balance his gait.
“Trey Rothchild...!” Greg exclaimed. “It’s good to see you, brother.”
“It’s a good day to be seen and not viewed,” his friend responded with sunny cheerfulness as he stepped aside to let Greg enter the house.
“Rah.”
They sat down in the living room. Trey asked, “How was the drive?”
He’d left in the middle of the night, driving down from Camp Lejeune without having to deal with a lot of traffic. “It was smooth the entire way here. I had good music to keep me company.” Greg stifled a yawn. Now that he wasn’t behind the wheel of his car, he was struggling to stay awake. “How’s Renee?” He made it sound casual, but he couldn’t help but ask after her.
“She’s good. Making a name for herself across the country with her clothing line.” Trey smiled, leaning back in his seat. “I remember when Renee made her first skirt. It had this thick elastic waist because she didn’t know how to sew in a zipper. Now she has famous folks from all over contacting her. We’re all real proud of her.”
“She has a gift,” Greg said.
A flash of humor crossed Trey’s face. “Are you still crushing on my cousin?”
Grinning, Greg responded, “She clearly doesn’t know a good thing when she sees him, but Renee is a really sweet person.” Greg had crushed on her hard when he’d met her a few years ago. She didn’t seem interested, despite his trying to convince her to go on a date with him, and in the intervening years, his expectations had cooled a bit. He was happy to consider her a friend.
Trey’s gaze flickered with amusement. “Renee’s got the Rothchild stubborn streak.”
Greg lifted his chin. “You’re right about that. She shot me down from the very beginning, but I’m not one to give up on something I really want. Remember when I wanted to join MARSOC? I didn’t quit until I got in.”
His mouth quirked with humor. “True, but that’s nothing compared to my cousin’s determination.”
Greg chuckled—it felt good to talk to his friend again. Which brought him to the reason for his visit. “One of the reasons I wanted to come down is because I need to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?” Trey asked.
“I’m thinking about getting out,” he announced. “I’ve already started my paperwork.”
Trey stared, complete surprise on his face. “Really? After everything you did to make MARSOC. Are you sure about this? Are you really ready to just walk away from all your hard work?”
“That’s why I came to talk it out with you,” Greg responded. “These last two years have been great, but the truth is that I’m not getting any younger, Trey. I love being in the military, but I was never planning on being a lifer.”
“From the moment we met in boot camp—following your father’s path as a Marine Raider is all you talked about.”
“I also said I didn’t want the same ending. I meant what I said about family. I’m thirty-one years old. I’m ready to settle down, and I can’t do that with a high-risk job.” He eyed his friend. “I hope you were serious about me working with you at the museum.”
“Yeah...of course,” Trey stated. “Just wasn’t sure you’d take me up on it. A museum job is kinda boring compared to high-intensity reconnaissance and attack missions.”
“You know how much I love history,” Greg responded. He’d soon have his master’s and was even considering a PhD in historic preservation.
Trey weighed him with a critical eye. “I can tell that you’re seriously considering this.”
He sighed. “I’m really ready to settle down, but then there’s the adrenaline junkie part of me who isn’t ready to give up the action.”
“So why now? Have you met someone?”
“I’m not dating anyone,” he responded. “But hopefully one day...”
An image of Renee floated to the forefront of Greg’s mind. Her warm, friendly smile had the ability to brighten a person’s day, even someone in poor spirits. Her dark eyes and thick eyelashes matched those of the other members of the Rothchild family, flattering her unblemished cocoa-colored skin. Renee possessed a commanding presence whenever she entered a room, but Greg knew of her struggles hidden beneath the surface of calm she wore daily. He found her courageous in fighting this private battle—it was a quality he greatly admired. As soon as the image came though, he forced it from his mind. It wouldn’t do to dwell on hopes of him and Renee like he’d done two years ago.
“Then why don’t you just wait? What’s the rush?” Trey asked. “You’re single... Enjoy being a Raider while you can.”
Greg didn’t respond.
“Wait a minute... Does this have anything to do with Renee? Tell me you’re not getting out in the hopes of the two of you getting together. ’Cause that’s just crazy.”
Of course he wasn’t. “Your cousin and I are just friends.” He was getting out for himself. He’d meant it when he said he wasn’t a lifer. He’d served his time and was proud of it, but he was ready for a different life.
Thoughts of that must’ve relaxed him because Greg yawned a second time and then a third.
“Why don’t you go upstairs and get some rest,” Trey suggested. “You can barely keep your eyes open. I know you’re tired after driving half the night.”
“I don’t want to be rude, but I think I’ll do just that. Man, I didn’t expect it to hit me like this.”
“Go on upstairs,” Trey encouraged. “We’ll catch up later today. We’re not done with this conversation.”
“Thanks, brother.” Greg picked up his bag and carried it upstairs with him.
The guest room was a welcome sight as he opened the door. He undressed, showered and then climbed into the inviting comfort of the queen-size bed awaiting him.
INSIDE THE FIRST-FLOOR master suite, Trey gently pressed a cool, wet washcloth to Gia’s forehead as she kneeled on the floor with her head over the toilet, emptying the contents of her stomach.
She moaned softly. “I h-hate this...”
“Hopefully, it’ll end soon,” he said. “The book I’m reading says that women usually have it only in the first trimester.”
Gia glanced up at Trey. “Morning sickness sucks. I hope I can avoid being nauseous around Greg.” They’d decided to hold off telling anyone about the pregnancy until she was in her second trimester. Gia was at ten weeks now, so she and Trey planned to share their announcement soon.
“He’s in the guest room, catching up on some sleep. Greg was so tired when he got here, he didn’t even want anything to eat.”
Moaning, Gia pressed a hand to her stomach. “That’s good because I’m certainly not in the mood to cook.”
“Come November, we’ll have a beautiful little baby, and you’ll forget all about the throwing up.”
“I doubt that.” Feeling a bit unsteady, Gia rose to her feet with Trey’s assistance. “Right now, I need to brush my teeth.”
“Why don’t you lay down for a bit?” Trey suggested. “I’ll make you some toast. That seems to help settle your stomach.”
She gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks, babe.”
Gia eyed her reflection and was stunned by how pale she looked. She worried that she was also losing weight due to her inability to keep food down most days. She made a mental note to ask her doctor about it at her prenatal appointment later in the day.
She joined Trey in the kitchen fifteen minutes later. Gia paused in the doorway for a moment, admiring her handsome husband. He was doing well with his prosthesis; his PTSD episodes and nightmares were happening less frequently. Gia had never seen Trey as happy as he was the day they found out they were expecting a baby. Life for them was great and perfectly normal.
While Trey ate a full meal of bacon, scrambled eggs and grits, she sat across from him, nibbling on a piece of dry toast.
“Feeling any better?” he asked.
“Somewhat,” Gia answered. “Give me another half hour and I’ll feel like normal. I just need to stay away from the coffee at work. The smell of it makes me nauseous. It’s been a challenge keeping this pregnancy a secret from everyone. I’ll be glad when we announce it.”
“We can do that anytime you’re ready, sweetheart.”
“I know... But let’s just keep it between us for another week or so.”
“I’m ready to shout it from the rooftops.” Trey finished off his juice. “I can’t wait to tell the family.”
Gia grinned. “I know it’s been hard for you to keep something like this from your family. Actually, I’m surprised you haven’t told Aunt Eleanor or Leon.” He’d always been close with his older brother—and the aunt who’d raised them.
He gave her a mock offended look. “What are you trying to say? You think I can’t keep a secret?”
“I’m not saying that... I just know how excited you are about this baby. To be honest, I almost told Misty, but I didn’t. I held out.”
Trey laughed. “Are you sure you didn’t tell her?”
“I didn’t, but if we don’t say something soon—I might cave. She and Shelley have already noticed that I’m not drinking any wine.” Not drinking during ladies’ nights with her sister-in-law and her friend had been a tricky part of keeping her secret.
“Let’s plan a family dinner and announce it then.”
“We should do it after Talei’s birthday celebration,” Gia said. “Her special day should be all about her.” Gia loved Trey’s niece—now her niece. She knew the little girl would be a wonderful older cousin to her baby.
“Sounds good to me,” Trey responded.
She dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “Greg must really be tired. I haven’t heard any movement upstairs.”
“He looked exhausted when he got here.”
Gia finished off her toast.
“You’re looking much better,” Trey observed. “Not so pale.”
“I’m starting to feel more like myself.” She pushed away from the table and stood up. “Thank goodness, because I need to get going. My first client is at nine o’clock.”
“Do you have some time in your schedule to have lunch with your loving and devoted husband?” Trey asked.
“I don’t have any appointments between noon and two. I’ll swing by and pick you up. What about Greg? I figured you’d be hanging out with him.”
“I’m just going to let him rest. Maybe he’ll be up by the time we get back.”
“Well, he’s welcome to join us if he wakes up beforehand,” Gia said. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
After straightening her purple scrubs, she kissed Trey, grabbed her tote off the counter and headed out the door.
An hour and a half later, after she’d finished with her first client of the day, Gia made a quick stop at the boutique owned by Trey’s cousin, Renee.
Gia knew Renee was attracted to Greg, and she secretly hoped the woman would let her guard down and give him a chance. He was a good person, and it was obvious that he cared for Renee. The two had kept in touch since meeting during a visit Greg had made to the island one summer. Gia smiled fondly, recalling the memory. It was the summer she’d fallen for her husband, and now that she was pregnant, she couldn’t be happier with how things had turned out.
She’d promised Trey that she wouldn’t play matchmaker, but Gia saw no harm in giving Renee a tiny nudge in Greg’s direction.
“GREG’S HERE,” GIA announced when she walked up to Renee as she was arranging a display of new scarves. “He got in early this morning. He was sleeping when I left home.”
Renee’s stomach churned a little upon hearing his name. “That’s wonderful,” she said as casually as she could manage, ignoring the huge grin on Gia’s face. “I’m sure Trey’s happy to see his best friend.” She hoped her body language wouldn’t betray her true feelings—her elation and anticipation of seeing Greg again. Renee had missed him beyond reason—as a friend, of course. The last time she’d seen Greg was at Trey and Gia’s wedding two years ago.
Gia pressed on. “What about you? Are you looking forward to seeing him again after all this time?”
Renee moved to a nearby rack and focused on adjusting one of the dresses on a hanger. Careful to keep her expression neutral, Renee murmured, “Of course I am. He’s my friend. I’m looking forward to seeing Greg during this visit.”
Feeling the heat of Gia’s intense scrutiny, she fluffed up the curls of her pixie haircut with her fingers.
Despite her reluctance to date Greg when he’d first asked, they’d been able to maintain a friendship through phone calls and emails whenever he wasn’t on one of his secret deployments. She hated the stress those brought on. Renee had been battling panic disorder for years. She avoided anything that might set off an attack—and dating a military man would certainly leave her open to triggers. Having a friend deploy was bad enough.
Whenever Greg was sent away to whereabouts unknown, Renee had to force herself not to become consumed with worry over his safety, which proved that not getting involved with him romantically was the right decision. It was best that they’d spent the past couple of years building a platonic friendship. Whenever he was home, they talked and texted frequently. They’d watch the same movie on Netflix while on the phone; they had become close enough to confide in one another.
She couldn’t avoid being drawn to Greg more than she’d like, despite fighting her attraction to him. But they could only ever be friends—his military service was a solid black mark against him. She’d rather have him as a friend than completely out of her life.
“We’re hosting a dinner for him tonight, you know,” Gia said.
Renee gave her a slight smile. “I know. I heard y’all discussing it with Misty last Sunday.”
“So you’re planning on coming, then.”
It was more of a statement than a question, but Renee responded, “Yes, I’ll be there.” She held up a multicolored sundress. “This is what I plan on wearing to the dinner.”
“Wow. That’s beautiful.” Gia lifted a brow. “Girl, I can’t believe you’re gonna do this to Greg. Come to his party dressed like a goddess. You know he’s crazy about you.”
“I keep telling you that we’re just friends,” Renee said with a short laugh.
Gia didn’t seem convinced. “He wants more than that and so do you.”
Renee dropped her eyes from her friend’s. There was an undeniable allure building between them, but she fought to keep that awareness of Greg under control. As long as he was enlisted, nothing could ever happen between them.
“You never know... One day he may decide to leave the military.”
“Maybe if he hadn’t joined MARSOC,” Renee said. “Gia, you know that was a dream come true for him. He’s not about to give that up.” And even if he was, Renee wasn’t sure she was ready to date again. Not after what had happened with Kevin.
Gia gave her an assessing look. “Can you really just be Greg’s friend?” she asked. “Caring for him the way you do?”
Renee gave a slight shrug. “I don’t have any other choice. He’s doing something he loves—I’m really happy for Greg. We’re both living our dreams.”
A knot of sorrow twisted inside her. Her dream was coming true. She had a successful clothing boutique, and her goal of having her own design house was just within her grasp...but she had no one to share it with.
Almost six years ago, she’d been planning her wedding to the man she thought she’d spend the rest of her life with; but Kevin had abruptly called it off, saying he didn’t want to marry a woman with “issues.” At the time, he’d been running for office. As far as he was concerned, she was damaged goods. Renee dropped her lashes quickly to hide the hurt that still lingered. She gave herself a mental shake; she wasn’t going down that particular alleyway of memory lane ever again. She’d moved on. She was proud of all she’d accomplished since—she’d gotten there by relying on the one person she could trust. Herself.
I can do this. I’ll see Greg tonight and we’ll have a great time together...as friends.
Gia placed a red-and-white-striped dress on the counter. “I’ve been trying to make up my mind about this one. I’ve decided to buy it.”
“It’s going to look great on you,” Renee assured her. “But you should get a smaller size. This will be a little big on you.”
“I tried it on the other day, and I like the way it fits.”
Renee walked behind the counter and rang up the sale.
Gia paid with cash, accepted the shopping bag and said, “I’ll see you at the café later.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” She smiled as Gia left. Deep down, Renee couldn’t deny she was a tiny bit disappointed that Greg hadn’t come by the boutique to say hello. But Gia had mentioned he was getting some rest.
Besides, he doesn’t owe me that. I’ll just have to be satisfied with seeing him tonight.
Renee was about to leave the sales floor when she heard someone enter the shop. She glanced over her shoulder. For a moment, shock stole her capacity to think. “Greg... I didn’t expect to see you until dinner. I figured you’d spend the day relaxing after the drive down.”
He greeted Renee with a friendly hug. “I couldn’t wait another minute to see this beautiful smile of yours.”
Without looking away from his face, she backed out of his grasp. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you made it back stateside. It was difficult not knowing if I’d ever see you again.” Renee gave him a playful punch. “You know, I thought we were friends... I had to hear from Trey that you were back at Camp Lejeune.”
“As soon as I got back, my focus was putting in for my leave for a visit,” Greg said. “I couldn’t wait to get back here to the island.”
She awarded him a smile, shoving aside the fluttering in her stomach at his words. “Well, I’m glad you’re here, because I need my card partner to redeem me. Gia and Trey have been whipping me. Rusty is a sweetheart, but he’s not very good at Spades.” Rusty, who’d married her aunt Eleanor a few years back, had immediately become a big part of their family.
“I got you,” Greg said with a laugh.
Renee walked around him, studying him. “It’s hard to believe that I haven’t seen you in two years. You’ve added more muscle...toned up quite a bit.” It was true. Tall, muscular. Subtle hazel eyes and skin the color of caramel. His close-cropped black hair lay in neat waves—he was very handsome. “You look good.”
Now, why had she let that slip out? She risked a glance at him, and when she glimpsed the heartrending tenderness of his gaze, she had to fight her overwhelming need to step closer to him in that very moment.
We’re just friends. FRIENDS.
“I have to meet up with Trey,” Greg announced, stepping back. “But I’ll see you tonight, won’t I?”
“Yeah, you will,” Renee responded.
He embraced her again. “So good to see you again, friend.”
She laughed. “Bye.”
“I told you I don’t like goodbyes. It sounds final.”
“See you later,” Renee murmured.
He smiled. “Much better.”
