Always for You: Jack (Sergeant Joe's Boys #1)

by Alexis Morgan

  A deep voice joined in the conversation. “Even if he’s part of a package deal?”

  She released her hold on Ricky as they both turned to face the man standing in the doorway. Her pulse went into overdrive in response to the heated look Jack gave her before turning his gaze in Ricky’s direction. What kind of package deal was he talking about? Before she could ask, Ricky spoke up.

  “Jack, you came back!”

  The man in question made his way to stand on the opposite side of Ricky’s bed. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”

  The fact that the teenager nodded about broke Caitlyn’s heart. Jack’s, too, considering the flash of pain that crossed his handsome face. “Yeah, well, I’m sorry I deserted you for a while. What happened to you today stirred up some old memories from my past. I needed to work through a few things before I came back.”

  “Because your old man was like my stepfather.”

  Jack swallowed hard and then nodded. “Yeah, his brother and my grandfather, too. Luckily, a few people have pointed out that I turned out differently. Same as you did, Ricky. We’re better than the background we came from, which is something we both need to be reminded of occasionally.”

  He reached down and gently ruffled the boy’s hair. “So here’s the deal. If you’re willing to stick around to remind me, I promise to be there to remind you.”

  By that point, Ricky’s head was on a swivel, his eyes wide as he looked first at Jack, then at Caitlin, and then back again. “You still want me to come back to live at the house even though I screwed up big-time today?”

  “Yeah, kid, I do.”

  Caitlyn’s heart felt lighter than it had since she’d seen Jack broken and hurting on the floor of the annex. “See, Ricky, I told you he would understand.”

  Before they could continue the conversation, a nurse came into the room. “Sorry to interrupt, but I need to check Ricky’s vitals.”

  Jack moved out of her way. “I’m going to borrow Caitlyn for a few minutes, kid, but we’ll be right out in the hall.”

  He led her down to the same window where she’d spoken with Marlene earlier. “I want to apologize for something I did earlier.”

  “There’s no need. Once I knew what had happened, I wanted to throw a few things at the wall myself.”

  Jack’s mouth quirked up in a small grin. “That might have been fun to watch, but that wasn’t what I want to apologize for.”

  He moved closer to her, settling his big hands on the curve of her waist. “I want to apologize for letting you walk away after you shared how that numbskull ex-husband of yours treated you when you lost the baby and everything that followed. He must have been one selfish bastard to walk away from his wife when she needed him the most.”

  Caitlyn let Jack draw her into his arms, surrounding her with gentle strength. “I hated him for that, but eventually I realized that he wasn’t worth even that much emotion from me. I don’t love him; I don’t hate him. If anything, I pity the man for having such a small mind and an even smaller heart. If I were really petty, I could also mention a few other features of his that weren’t all that impressive in size, either.”

  She drew comfort from the deep rumble of Jack’s laughter. “I’m glad you’ve gotten past him and the pain he caused you, because he has no clue what life is all about. Joe and Marlene couldn’t have children, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t have a family. I want a family of my own, but I want one like Joe had—with the woman I love and a son who is just like me even if we don’t share the same DNA.”

  Something like hope was blossoming in Caitlyn’s chest as Jack’s words curled around her heart. “That sounds like a wonderful plan, Jack. Do you have anyone special in mind?”

  His hold on her tightened briefly before he eased back far enough to look down at her. “I’m going to say what I should’ve said earlier, Caitlyn, when you told me you love me. I hope you meant it, because I love you so damn much that I can hardly breathe when you’re not with me. I want to share every day of my life with you and with Ricky, if he’ll have us. If it’s okay with him, I want to ask the detectives to see if the DA will push for Ricky’s mother to give up her parental rights so we can adopt him. You know, to make him officially ours. If he doesn’t want that, I’ll at least ask the court to make us his permanent guardians.”

  Suddenly, she could see her future in exquisite detail. Her, an ex-soldier, and three children, starting with a certain teenager. “I’ll want at least one more child, Jack, preferably two. A girl and a boy.”

  The simple joy on Jack’s face was everything she could’ve hoped for. “That sounds great to me, Caitlyn. Anything you want as long as you’ll marry me.”

  “I will, and preferably as soon as possible.” Then she paused and bit her lower lip. “But first, I’ll need to tell my parents that we’re dating. Springing a fiancé and a grandson on them all at once might be a bit much.”

  Jack laughed again, looking far more carefree than he had when he first walked into Ricky’s hospital room. “Maybe just tell them that you plan to put that gift certificate they gave you to good use as a honeymoon getaway. I’m betting they’ll be okay with that.”

  She brushed a kiss across his lips. “They will be. They just want me to be happy.”

  “That’s what I want, too,” Jack said right before he kissed her back. “And will they be okay with it being a package deal?”

  “All the better. But before we start making any more plans, maybe we should go see what Ricky thinks of all this.”

  Jack kissed her again. Then he took her by the hand, and together they headed back into Ricky’s room to invite him to be a founding member of their brand-new family.

  Epilogue

  FIVE MONTHS LATER

  Marlene slipped outside, glad to find a minute alone. It was warm for a December night, and the fresh, crisp air felt good. Even out there on the patio, she could hear the music and watch the wedding guests enjoying the reception. Caitlyn and her mother had done a wonderful job of planning the wedding, and she appreciated them enlisting her help in pulling it all together.

  She stared through the window at her three sons. “Joe, look at our boys. They all look so handsome tonight.”

  Some folks might think she was crazy for talking to her late husband, but she just knew he was right there beside her on this special night.

  “We couldn’t have picked a better wife for Jack. Caitlyn has such a big heart, and she loves him so much. Those shadows in Jack’s eyes have almost disappeared now that she’s come into his life. And they already have their first son. You’d like Ricky, too. He’s so much like Jack was at his age, and we all have high hopes for him.”

  She turned away from the window to look up at the stars overhead. “Joe, I miss you so much, but our boys have stepped up to help me keep moving forward. The business is really flourishing under Jack’s supervision just like you hoped it would. Tino hasn’t said anything specific, but I suspect he’ll be coming home to stay soon. When he does, I pray that he’ll find someone special who will love him the way he deserves. Then there’s Mikhail. It will be interesting to see where his path takes him. Regardless, you know I won’t be satisfied until all three of our boys find the kind of happiness that you and I shared.”

  Before she could say more, the door behind her opened. Jack walked across the patio to stand beside her. “Talking to Dad again?”

  There was no use in denying it. “Yes, I wanted to let him know how the wedding went.”

  Bless him, Jack wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I hope you told him hi from me.”

  “Tell him yourself.” She softened her remark with a smile. “Now, I’m guessing you didn’t come out here to interrupt my conversation with Joe for no reason.”

  “We thought you’d want to know Caitlyn is about to throw the bouquet. After that, I want one last dance with you before the two of us take off. Ricky also mentioned something about wanting to show you the new moves I taught him. I apologize in advance
for any damage he does to your toes.”

  She laughed and let her son lead her back inside to rejoin their family and friends. As they stepped through the door, she glanced back one last time and whispered to the night air, “Hey, Joe, one down, and two to go.”

  To Diane and Paul—thank you both for your friendship and all the laughter!

  Acknowledgments

  Books may start off as a glimmer of an idea in the back of a writer’s mind, but in the end, they’re never a solo act. I want to thank all of those people whose contributions have made this book better than I could have ever made it all on my own.

  So a special thanks to:

  My amazing agent, Michelle Grajkowski, for always being there for me. Your friendship matters so much to me.

  My fabulous editor, Sue Grimshaw, for your immediate enthusiasm for Sergeant Joe’s Boys. Your incredible responsiveness and excitement for this project have been a much appreciated gift to me.

  The entire team at Loveswept for all your hard work on Always for You: Jack. Your unflagging support and amazing talents have contributed so much to making my book all bright and shiny!

  BY ALEXIS MORGAN

  Sergeant Joe’s Boys

  You Can’t Go Home: Jack

  Always Be True: Tino (coming soon)

  Love, Always and Forever: Mikhail (coming soon)

  Snowberry Creek

  A Soldier’s Heart

  A Time for Home

  Christmas on Main Street (anthology)

  More Than a Touch

  A Reason to Love

  Warriors of the Mist

  Honor’s Price

  Her Knight’s Quest

  My Lady Mage

  PHOTO: LUMINA PHOTOGRAPHY

  USA Today bestselling author ALEXIS MORGAN has always loved reading and now spends her days imagining worlds filled with strong alpha heroes and gutsy heroines. She shares her office with Nimbus, a noisy parakeet who fortunately shares her taste in music. Alexis is the author of more than thirty books, novellas, and short stories that span a variety of genres: American West historicals; paranormal and fantasy romances; and most recently, contemporary romance. Alexis has been nominated for numerous industry awards, including the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America, the top award in the romance genre.

  Alexis loves to hear from fans and can be reached via her website, Twitter, and Facebook:

  alexismorgan.com

  Facebook.com/AMorganAuthor

  @Alexis_Morgan

  The Editor’s Corner

  April is a promise of spring and Loveswept romance is here to warm things up.

  L. P. Dover continues her edgy, emotionally gripping Second Chances series with the story of a beautiful widow who can’t resist a chiseled NFL player in Catching Summer. The Society of Gentlemen series from K. J. Charles continues with the sizzling A Gentleman’s Position. For a new series, ladies, meet Micah, a man who takes what he wants—until he meets the one woman he needs in Stacey Kennedy’s Bound Beneath His Pain. An epic love affair steals the show in Stina Lindenblatt’s This One Moment. Annie Rains continues her small-town Hero’s Welcome series with a cowboy turned marine in Welcome Home, Cowboy. Gillian Archer is hot on the trend of MC romance, introducing her True Brothers series with Ruthless. And MC Sons of Odin returns with Violetta Rand’s irresistible novel about a sexy-as-sin biker who tempts a good girl to go bad, Possession.

  Off the Hook from USA Today bestselling author Laura Drewry is the first in her Fishing for Trouble series featuring three unforgettable brothers—each of whom is a great catch. Then the swoon-worthy McKinney Brothers series from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor continues with J.T. in Worth It All. USA Today bestselling author Alexis Morgan kicks off her new Sergeant Joe’s Boys series with Always for You: Jack, where a foster son learns about love and life in record time. And the new Fireside series tells a story of an old love reunited in His to Love from new Loveswept author, Stacey Lynn. USA Today bestselling writing duo M. J. Fields and Chelsea Camaron are back with the Caldwell brothers in Jagger, which is not only full of swagger and sensuality but also packs an emotional punch as the last bachelor standing fights for a woman who’s worth every ounce of trouble. And yet another Aces Hockey romance from Kelly Jamieson releases this month featuring pro hockey hunk Duncan in Icing. There’s also something naughty for you from New York Times bestselling author Jen McLaughlin in Lust Is the Thorn where a soon-to-be ordained priest has to decide who he loves more. Then prepare yourself for razor-sharp suspense from New York Times bestselling author Patricia Rosemoor with His Deception. Two words for you: secret bodyguard. And for fans of the hit TV show Empire, Lisa Marie Perry’s Sin for Me kicks off the sizzling Devil’s Music series.

  Friend Loveswept and let the romance begin!

  Until next month—Happy Romance!

  Gina Wachtel

  Associate Publisher

  Read on for an excerpt from the next book in the Sergeant Joe’s Boys series:

  Always Be True: Tino

  Alexis Morgan

  Available from Loveswept

  Chapter 1

  “Wait for it…”

  Tino Gianelli mumbled the words under his breath as he stood poised and ready to leap into action should it become necessary, which he was betting would happen any second now. The petite blonde had caught his attention right after he’d arrived two hours ago. He didn’t know who she was, but he did know the woman had way more energy than any one person needed to have. She was here, there, and everywhere. And right now, she was too busy talking to one of the other volunteers to realize she was about to back into an open five-gallon bucket of paint.

  Sure enough, as soon as she finished answering one question, someone else called out to her from the other side of the gym. When she spun to answer, only Tino’s quick reflexes and superior strength saved the day. He picked her up by the waist and hauled her to safety a few feet away before setting her back down. As soon as he was sure she wouldn’t fall, he reluctantly released his hold on her.

  Wow, she was even shorter than he’d thought. At a shade under six feet himself, he had at least ten inches over her in height, maybe closer to eleven. He pointed toward the bucket. “Sorry if I startled you, but you were inches from disaster.”

  At least she didn’t immediately rip into him for manhandling her with no warning. Instead, she glanced at the bright orange plastic bucket he was pointing to and then back at him. Her eyebrows shot up, and her mouth instantly lit with a bright smile framed by a killer set of dimples. “Well, that would have been embarrassing, not to mention a waste of good paint. Thanks for swooping in to save the day—and me.”

  He grinned down at her. “You’re welcome.”

  She held out her hand. “I’m Natalie Kennigan, project coordinator.”

  He liked her firm grip on his hand, but he liked her happy laugh even more. Evidently he wasn’t the only one who felt that way, because several others in the area paused what they were doing long enough to glance in their direction. Tino ignored them and kept his entire focus on Natalie. It had been a long time since he’d been around someone who radiated such warmth, and he couldn’t help but soak up as much as he could.

  “Tino Gianelli, volunteer and part-time hero.”

  She acknowledged his introduction with another quick smile. “This must be your first time volunteering here, Mr. Gianelli. I would have remembered if we’d met before.”

  Yeah, well, she was pretty damn unforgettable herself, but he kept that fact to himself. “Yes, it’s my first time here, and please call me Tino.”

  “How did you hear about our project?”

  Tino looked around the gym. “My mother saw an article in the paper and mentioned it. I had some time on my hands and thought I might be able to help.”

  That was mostly true. He’d left the military a few weeks ago and had yet to decide what to do next. Evidently he’d been underfoot a bit too much at home, because as soon as his mother read
about the project needing volunteers with experience in the building trades, she’d shoved the paper under his nose at breakfast. After tapping on the article with her forefinger, she’d informed him that if he wasn’t going to get a steady job or go to school, he could at least make himself useful to somebody. At the time, he’d resented the implication that he wasn’t pulling his weight. While he didn’t actually mind doing a little physical labor, he’d spent the past ten years serving their country. Wasn’t that enough? Obviously not.

  Natalie was too busy studying the newly patched holes in the wall to notice the downturn in his mood. She ran her fingers along the tape he’d just applied to cover up the seams in the drywall. “Well, we appreciate all the help we can get. Especially when said help knows what he’s doing. I’m guessing that’s not the first repair like this you’ve done.”

  That was true enough, even if he’d spent most of the last decade with a rifle in his hand instead of a trowel. She didn’t need to hear about that, though.

  “Patching drywall is just another of my many talents. I’m also a fair hand at carpentry, simple plumbing, and electrical repairs, not to mention painting.” He reached out to touch the damp smear of soft green color on her cheek with his fingertip and held it up for her to see. “You look good in this color, but I suspect you meant for this to end up on the wall.”

  Her fair complexion flushed rosy pink, but her smile didn’t fade in the least as she accepted the rag he pulled out of his hip pocket. As she scrubbed at her cheek, she told him, “It has been said that what I lack in skill around here I make up for with enthusiasm, which is why they keep me away from the power tools. The details about why that is are truly tragic, so please don’t ask.”