Wyne and Dine (Citizen Soldier Series Book 1)

by Donna Michaels

  Guess she didn’t look as bad as she felt.

  “My sister and I are going to head for a pedicure, next. How about you, Lea?” The lieutenant’s wife eyed her up expectantly.

  “No thanks,” she replied. Even though the accompanying foot massage was heavenly, she was too keyed up to sit. “You two go ahead. I’m done for the day. I think I’ll go for a walk by the lake and enjoy what’s left of the summer weather before fall hits us.”

  The women nodded and said goodbye before Lea made her way outside. She inhaled and closed her eyes. Fall was already in the air. But she didn’t mind. She loved the fall, too. She could smell the change in the leaves and feel the slight chill in the air from lack of humidity.

  It was one of her favorite times of the year. So colorful and picturesque. She couldn’t wait to see the oranges, reds and yellows of the leaves reflected in the lake with a bright blue sky as a backdrop.

  She took the trail leading to the lake, and let the silence of the woods seep in and calm her mind. How she missed this in the city. The Big Apple had many things, but this tranquility wasn’t one of them. Sure, Central Park was nice, and the next best thing to the beauty of her hometown, but it couldn’t compare on scope and scale. The Poconos were vast with mountains and lakes and trees and privacy.

  As she came out of the clearing, she spotted several boats dotting the lake. The Wynes had designated the northern shore for water skiers so they didn’t scare away the fish here at the southern shore. Here, people spent a lazy day fishing from boats or on several of the large docks. Some even fished from shore.

  “Did you see that, Uncle Ben? That fish jumped right out of the water,” a familiar young voice said a few yards to her right.

  Lea glanced around a big oak at the six-year-old boy pointing to the lake, smiling at the man who had galvanized her thoughts all darn week. She had no luck. Or she had great luck. Depended on her outlook. Brandi’s nephew Tyler was fishing with Ben near the exact spot she’d chosen to walk. An inner battle to stay or sneak back into the woods ended when the boy spotted her.

  “Hi, Aunt Lea. Look what I caught!” Holding up a big fish, Ethan’s little boy, the sweetheart her friend had helped raise after his mother died in a skiing accident, was growing so fast. His eager face, with warm brown eyes and a ready smile was always something Lea found hard to resist. “Dad’s on an overnight hike, but Uncle Ben took a picture with his phone and sent it to him.”

  “Wow, Tyler. You did great. I bet your dad’ll be proud.” Smiling, she stepped closer to ruffle his hair.

  “Yeah, he called and told me, and also said to catch a lot and kick Uncle Ben’s butt.” The boy giggled. “Can you stay and fish with us?”

  She shifted her gaze to Ben, and her heart rocked in her chest. Damn, he looked great. Dressed in worn jeans and an old Army T-shirt stretched tight against his broad shoulders and chest, he took her breath. She cleared her throat. “I-I don’t want to intrude, hun. I’m just out for a walk.”

  Ben’s expression was neutral. He didn’t appear upset at the intrusion. In fact, after a moment, he smiled a killer smile that curled her toes.

  “It’s not an inclusion, right Uncle Ben?”

  “Right, Tyler,” he replied, and the fact he didn’t correct his nephew only added to his appeal. “I agree. Lea should join us.”

  Sensing a double meaning in that last sentence, she couldn’t stop the heat from spreading to her core. Damn man was potent.

  “Here. You can use my rod.”

  And bold.

  He handed her his fishing pole, a wicked smile claiming his lips as he kept his back to his nephew.

  Unable to respond in any suggestive way thanks to being in Tyler’s direct view, she chose her words carefully. “Thank you. I think I remember how to use it.”

  Two hours, ten fish and a lot of laughs went by in the blink of an eye. Before Lea knew it, the sun was beginning its slow decent. On the way back to the resort, they talked about Tyler’s first week of school and Brandi’s upcoming visit and wedding.

  “I can’t wait to show Aunt Brandi the A I got on my first test. She’s going to be happy,” Tyler said, picking his way through the woods, his steps light and sporadic. “And Uncle Kade said if I did good this year, I can stay with them for a whole month next summer. So I’m going to do good, because I loved helping him and Cody out with the animals when Dad and I visited last month.”

  “I know you will.” Lea had hoped to go to Harland County with them, but her dad had had a setback when he’d fallen from the bed. Maybe she’d visit next summer, too. “Did you have fun with Cody?”

  “Yeah, and Amelia,” the boy replied.

  Brandi said it had been great to watch her nephew playing with Kade’s nephew and soon-to-be niece. The three little ones had gotten on well.

  “She was okay for a baby. And a girl.”

  “That’s how it starts,” Ben said under his breath, mischief glinting in his moss colored gaze he slid her way.

  Gooseflesh raced down her arms, but she resisted the urge to rub them. That would give her away, and she was hoping he hadn’t noticed.

  “Cold?” A slight smirk twitched his lips.

  He’d noticed. Bugger.

  “A little.” She leaned in to whisper close. “What are you gonna do about it?”

  Without waiting for a reply, she caught up to Tyler as they cleared the woods. If Ben wanted to play with fire, she’d strike the match.

  Chapter Seven

  “Hey, Grandpa, look what I caught.” Tyler proudly held up the string of fish he’d insisted on carrying as he rushed to the older man sitting on an Adirondack chair, drinking coffee on the large deck.

  “Good job, Tyler. Looks like you came back with more than fish.” Colonel Dennis Wyne, or as he’d always asked her to call him, Mr. Wyne, smiled at her and held up his mug. “Nice to see you again, Lea. So, who caught you? Tyler or Ben?”

  She laughed. “Neither. I stumbled onto them on my walk. How are you, Mr. Wyne?”

  “I’m good. How’s your dad?”

  “He’s getting better, thanks. They’re supposed to increase his therapy this week.”

  “Good to hear. I bet he’s going stir crazy.”

  She nodded. Her father couldn’t wait to get back to the restaurant. He complained about missing his people.

  “I hope you’re going to stay for supper and help us all eat the catch of the day,” the older man asked, or rather ordered with a firm nod.

  “Yes, Aunt Lea. Please stay.

  “I’d love to”

  “Okay, Tyler. Come with me and we’ll get Cook right on them,” Mr. Wyne said, rising to his feet. “This way Ben can take care of his catch. If he’s smart.”

  Not one to blush often, she couldn’t have stopped the heat that infused her face if her life had depended on it. Thankfully, the smiling man ushered the little boy through the back door of the resort without waiting for either of them to reply.

  She could feel Ben stop behind her, his body heat blazing into her back, setting her nerve ends on fire. Twisting around, she stared up into his face, half-expecting annoyance to fill his gaze at having her thrust upon him.

  Not an ounce appeared. There was a boatload of interest, though. And heat. Lots of heat.

  “Seems I’m supposed to take care of you.”

  He was good at taking care of her.

  A smug smile stole across his face.

  Damn.

  “Did I say that out loud?”

  His smile widened.

  Double damn.

  He reached out and used a finger to push a piece of hair that had escaped from her pony tail behind her ear. “We should probably go in and wash up.”

  She expelled a breath she hadn’t known she was holding and nodded. What she really needed was a cold shower.

  He nodded for her to go ahead of him, and Lea was grateful to discover she still had use of her legs, even if they were a bit wobbly.

  When she made to he
ad to the public restroom in the lobby, a strong hand cupped her elbow and ushered her past reception to the residence wing of the resort, kept separate from the guest wings. Ethan, Mason and Keiffer lived at the resort, each with a separate entry to their own sections. During the redesign a few years ago, her friend had given her brothers their own built in residence, which connected to a common area if they wished to meet. Mr. Wyne stilled lived alone in their big house down the street from her dad’s, and Ben had a private section here, too, but mostly stayed at his own cabin Brandi had redesign years ago. The cabin was cozy. Lea had helped paint and decorate alongside her friend, secretly wishing the place was hers, too.

  Silly thoughts from a young college girl.

  Seemed she hadn’t quite outgrown the silliness. Calling herself all sorts of ridiculous for the sudden shyness invading her, Lea walked silently with Ben, extremely aware of the hand he still had on her elbow. A strong, sure hand that had touched a heck of lot more than her elbow last weekend.

  Unlocking the residence door, he led her into the cozy great room where a huge stone fireplace was centered on one wall, vaulted wood ceilings sported solid oak beams, and a back wall of floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the vista of trees and mountains owned by the Wynes. It never failed to take away her breath. Brandi had designed a beautiful space that blended in with the outdoors in muted greens, maroons and browns. A theme her friend had kept throughout the whole resort.

  “You can use the bathroom down here,” he said, stopping outside the door. “I’ll be back down in a few minutes.”

  She watched him take the opened staircase two steps at a time, enjoying the play of muscles across his back, and the way his jeans hugged his firm butt.

  “Aunt Lea?” Tyler appeared out of nowhere, staring up at her. “Want to see what I made in school this week?”

  “Sure, hun. Let me wash up first.”

  “Okay, I’ll be in the family room,” he said, and ran down the hall.

  Making quick use of her time, she washed up, splashed several handfuls of cold water on her face, then dried off and quickly called her dad on her way to join Tyler.

  “I’m fine,” he insisted. “Enjoy yourself. George came over with some pizza. We’re watching college football.”

  “Okay, if you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure. Have fun,” her father said, then hung up.

  She shoved the phone in her pocket then spent the next hour sharing a delicious meal with her friend’s family. Just like old times. Except her friend wasn’t there.

  Yet.

  Four more nights, then Brandi would arrive. It was going to be a great week. Even the dinner table conversation was alive with excitement of the upcoming nuptials and arrival of cowboys. At least, from her and Tyler’s end.

  Lea had gotten to know and became fast friends with all of Brandi’s bridesmaids, so she couldn’t wait to meet Jordan and Kerri’s husbands, and Shayla’s fiancé, the man she was standing up with. The handsome guy they all dubbed the Casanova cowboy. Sure, she’d seen pictures, but knew sometimes photos didn’t do justice to the real thing. So she was in for a treat, because Kevin looked all sorts of fine in his photos. Movie star fine.

  “Lea, are you going to take the girls into the city while they’re here?” Keiffer asked as they ate their apple cobbler for dessert.

  “Yes. Brandi said they wanted to visit the Big Apple. Especially, Kerri. She’d gone to culinary school there a few years ago. It should be fun.”

  “Well, if anyone knows that city, it’s you,” Mr. Wyne said with a nod. “I hear you’re going to look for a job there soon.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ben set his fork down.

  “Yes, once I talk with the doctors this week to gauge my father’s progress, I should be able to start applying, soon.”

  “Good for you.” Mason smiled at her, a rare occasion, enhancing his breath-taking good looks, placing a sparkle in his brown eyes.

  She smiled back.

  “Yeah.” Keiffer nodded, pointing to her with his spoon. “You’re at home there.”

  “I like going to the city with you and Aunt Brandi,” Tyler added, before shoving more ice cream into his mouth.

  Ben fastened an unwavering gaze on her. “It’s something she’s wanted since she was small. Since her mother used to take her to the museums.”

  Her heart caught, not just from the memory, but from the fact he’d remembered. It was an admission she’d only shared once. When she’d been eleven years old, just before her mother’s car accident. She’d just gotten back from a day trip to the city with her mom and sister. Ben and Ryder had rushed to help with the armful of bags. Gwen had been gushing about all the fashions and stores and all the clothes she’d bought, while Lea had carried a lone bag with a book on Teddy Roosevelt from the Museum of Natural History. When he’d asked if that was all she’d gotten, she’d told him it was enough because some day she’d work there or in another museum in the city.

  Lea couldn’t believe he’d remembered, especially when her sister had gone on to model all her outfits for him, looking stunning as usual.

  She nodded, holding his gaze. “It’s what I’ve wanted since I was little.”

  And for the life of her, she couldn’t decipher if she meant working in the city, or him. The longer she stared, the louder the pulse pounded in her ears, and the more the room began to fade.

  “Well, it won’t be long now, I’m sure,” Mr. Wyne said, breaking the spell as he pushed back from the table. “It’s getting late. Time I headed home.”

  “Night, Dad.” Mason rose to his feet. “Come on, Tyler. That dinosaur movie you wanted to watch comes on in less than a half-hour, and I promised your dad you’d take a bath tonight.”

  “Ah, do I have to, Uncle Mason?” At his uncle’s firm nod, the boy relented. “Okay. Goodnight, everyone.” A second later, he disappeared with Mason through the door leading to his uncle’s place.

  “Guess I’d better go before I get stuck doing the dishes,” Keiffer said as he stood. “Have fun.” And with a salute, he pivoted on his heels and strode down the hall out of sight.

  Ben cracked a smile from across the table. “You can leave, too, if you want. I’m used to cleaning up everyone’s messes.”

  “Nope.” She shook her head as she rose to her feet, already stacking dishes. “Sorry, I think you know by now I’m not a deserter.”

  Her heart caught again, because the strange expression that flickered across his face told her he didn’t know. Too many women had disappointed him by doing that very thing. Deserting him.

  As they cleaned the table in silence, two things became clear to Lea. One, they made a good team, both having learned efficiency in their jobs, and two, they made a good team physically because every brush of the hand or arm or thigh as they worked side-by-side sent awareness through her body and set her temperature on simmer.

  He wasn’t immune, either. The more they brushed, the hotter his skin felt.

  After Ben shut the dishwasher and hit the ON switch, he turned to face her, green eyes full of the heat rushing through her body.

  “So, how was your banana split the other night?”

  Completely thrown off by his question, it took Lea a moment to blink through the haze of desire and grab onto the memory of her time at the Confection Connection the night she’d bumped into him and the blonde.

  “Good.” She shrugged, then countered. “How was your date with Charisse?”

  “Fine.”

  Uh oh. Guy code for not fine. She’d learned that early on in the Wyne household. But she kept her trap shut. Not going there. Not going there.

  She wanted to go there.

  Lea also wanted to go outside. She walked past him, opened the French door and stepped out onto the private deck, lured by the setting sun.

  It had been years since she’d watched a sunset.

  A warm glow hovered over the mountains, sending orange shafts of light through the trees, illuminating t
he shadows in a last ditch effort to remain. God, she could relate. Sinking onto one of the cushioned benches, she watched the rest of nature’s spectacular display with Ben, who’d followed her outside and silently settled in beside her.

  After it was over, and none of the sun’s rays remained, only the glow from strategically placed solar lights, she wiped the wetness from her cheek. “Why haven’t I done that sooner?”

  “Done what? Cry?” he asked, using his thumb to wipe away a missed tear.

  “I’m not crying.”

  A sexy smirk crinkled his face in a very good way. “Of course not. Your eyes leak all the time.”

  “Only when I’m moved.” She reached up to touch the corner of his mouth with her thumb. “Are you ever moved, Ben?” Some of the playfulness disappeared from his gaze as he shrugged, and she’d be lying if she said that hadn’t hurt just a little. “I don’t move you?”

  He stiffened and caught her wrist to remove her touch from his face. “Don’t, Lea,” he warned, setting her hand on her lap.

  “Don’t, what, Ben? Feel? Too late.” She quickly grasped his arm to keep him from leaving. “It’s what I do. It’s ingrained in me. You know I’m a feel person.”

  “Don’t feel for me.”

  His expression was as grim as his deprived heart, and she wanted to reach in and guard it close, hold it safe.

  “You’re wasting your time. Once people get to know me, I tend to tick them off or disappoint and...” His voice trailed off, leaving her to fill in the blanks.

  She didn’t like the blanks. “I’m not ticked off, and I know you really well, Ben.” He just stared at her so she continued. “You make me smile. You make me happy. Sometimes you annoy the heck out of me, and other times you make me so hot I think I’m going to self combust.” She bumped his shoulder and winked.

  This got her a smile, but it never quite reached his eyes. Her heart snagged on that one because she realized he wasn’t sure what to do with her. He wasn’t used to a female staying in his life. First his mom. Then Gwen, then Brandi’s mom. Even Brandi was now technically gone.