The Courage to Heal by Hunter Frost

Author:Hunter Frost
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2015-04-29T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 3

“Dig in.” Wade threw a napkin over his knee.

Impressed by the plate of food before him, Jesse was even more enamored by the man who had prepared it. Wade had invited him to dinner and cooked for him. This had to be a date.

The entire week had gone so well. Wade was walking better and seemed at ease with Jesse around. Wade’s physique responded quickly to his new exercise routine, already defining certain muscles that Jesse couldn’t help but notice. Wade had groomed his wild beard and hair, emphasizing the handsome features of his face, especially those incredible blue eyes.

Excitement spread through Jesse’s entire body like a current of electricity ready to spark. He swore Wade felt that same unnamed rush when they were close to one another. Wade may have only wanted to thank him for the week, but he hoped that wasn’t the case. He wanted Wade. It took everything he had not to pull the man into his arms, but he didn’t want to rush Wade and risk losing the vet’s trust. They’d made strides with Wade’s health, and Jesse would hate for him to withdraw back into his solitary world due to a haphazard decision on Jesse’s part.

Jesse took a bite of fish and it melted in his mouth. He savored the array of complementary flavors—butter, cream, wine, a bit of onion and garlic. He quickly took another bite. “This is delicious.”

“You like it?” Wade’s eyes lit up like Jesse had never seen before.

Jesse nodded, mumbling his delight through his mouthful.

Wade smiled and it was as beautiful as the sunset over Mount Elk.

“Don’t you like it?” Jesse asked, taking another bite.

Wade shrugged. “Everything tastes good to me compared to the slop they gave us in the Army.”

“Well this is beyond good,” Jesse said, and he meant it. He took a piece of bread and buttered it, hoping to slow himself down for fear he’d inhale the rest of his meal in one shot.

Wade smiled as he ate and Jesse silently vowed to make him smile more often.

“What was the food like in the Middle East?” Jesse asked absentmindedly, cursing his bad timing as Wade’s smile dimmed.

“It was mostly dry, prepackaged stuff. Food was fuel to get through those hot, dusty-as- hell days, and that was it.” He speared a piece of fish with his fork and held it up before putting it in his mouth. “We were always eating something since most of our time there was spent waiting. Always waiting.”

Wade took a breath and pushed his food around on his plate. Jesse could tell he was fighting with memories and patiently waited for him to continue.

Wade tore off a piece of French bread, and chuckled. “I was the one to keep my team motivated, if you can believe it. I had always been great at that part of the job. I could always psych my men up for our next move.”

Jesse imagined Wade in Afghanistan, barking orders with a firm, strong voice, slapping his fellow soldiers on the back, and getting them pumped for each new mission.

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