The Brides of Purple Heart Ranch Boxset Volume 3 by Shanae Johnson

Author:Shanae Johnson [Johnson, Shanae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Those Johnson Girls

Epilogue

There were couples all around him. At every turn. In every corner.

Mark had no problem with love. He could even be romantic when the situation called for it. But in this place, on the Purple Heart Ranch, even a casual glance could turn into a marriage. That was a situation he had no interest in.

At least not any time soon. He’d gone from his family’s two-bedroom apartment, where he’d been one of three siblings crammed into the second bedroom until he was eighteen. It was all his parents could afford.

The Army had been his escape. Now, five years later, he was out of the military and wondering what to do with his life. More than half of his money during his time in service had gone to his family. With only one brother still at home, they had a more comfortable living, but they were still wedged firmly in the middle of the lower class.

Living on the Purple Heart Ranch had been the nicest accommodations he’d ever had in his life. But even with his meager savings, the price of living here was too high. He was not ready for a bride. He could barely take care of himself.

Still, he’d miss this place when he’d have to leave in a few weeks. Unless he put a ring on some poor girl’s finger, his time was up, as per the zoning regulations that came with the ranch. It would be the second time he was discharged from a place he wanted to be.

Mark hadn’t wanted to leave his life in service, but his disability had forced the Army’s hand. Now, he had no way of providing for his family, or himself. He had no idea what he was going to do with himself?

Going back to his parents’ two bedroom apartment and sharing a bunk bed with his sixteen-year-old brother was out of the question. At least he hoped that wouldn’t wind up being his only answer.

“Ortega, wait up.”

Mark turned to see his commanding officer, Sgt. Colin Chase jogging after him. Unlike Mark, Chase’s family was well off. His family’s wealth aside, Chase had been lucky in the blast that had crippled Mark. The officer could return to service if he chose.

“I was thinking of setting up a recruitment office here,” said Chase as he fell in step beside Mark.

That was the other think about Chase. He thought about others and how he could help them. The man many of the soldiers on the base called The Terminator actually had a beating heart.

“That’s a great idea,” said Mark. “A lot of these kids need the direction and the work.”

It’s how Mark had found his way into the military. Near the end of this senior year in high school, a recruiter had handed him a flyer during Career Day. Mark had read the pamphlet cover to cover. The next day, he’d walked into the recruitment office and signed up.

“I was hoping you might stay and help?” said Chase.

Mark stopped walking. It took Chase a second to realize he was no longer beside him.

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