The Marine's Mission by Deb Kastner

Author:Deb Kastner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-04-09T18:29:50+00:00

Chapter Eight

Ruby was having the time of her life watching Aaron with Felix. She wasn’t at all worried about whether or not he could handle the baby, but she was amused. Here was this marine who’d spent his entire life in total control, suddenly holding a little piece of humanity who scared him to death. Aaron looked as wide-eyed as a deer caught in headlights, although she’d never say so aloud. That was exactly the kind of remark that would send Aaron back into his shell again after she’d worked so hard to coax him out.

Aaron eventually adjusted Felix to a sitting position on his lap, one arm gently circling his waist while he reached for the plastic teacup with his other and took a loud, pretentious sip of “tea.”

“Mmm,” he said. “Lottie, this tea is super yummy. Here, Felix, have a taste of your sister’s brew. You’ll love it.”

To Lottie’s delight, Aaron held the teacup to Felix’s lips and made slurping sounds for him.

“Am I right or am I right? Your sister makes the best tea ever.”

Ruby was certain Aaron didn’t realize how much his words and actions had delighted the little girl, but it warmed her heart to watch the interaction even so. Aaron was too sweet for words, and he didn’t even know it.

Lottie obviously thought so, too. She leaped off the floor and wiggled onto Aaron’s knee—the free one not currently taken by her baby brother—and then planted a noisy kiss on the marine’s scruffy cheek.

“Thank you, Sarge,” she said in the sweetest voice, one that made Ruby’s throat close around her breath.

So incredibly precious.

Ruby had seen a whole new side of the tough marine today, from baking cupcakes to tenderly holding a baby in those big, gentle hands of his. She suspected he was likewise recognizing a new way of life that had heretofore been foreign to him.

Did he realize he could move on from here, maybe have a family of his own to love and protect?

“You’re a natural,” she said, unable to hold back her smile. “I knew you would be.”

He raised a brow. “You think? I have to admit I’m feeling anything but natural right now.”

“Felix appears happy to be hanging out with his—Sarge. And you totally made Lottie’s day.”

“I did?” He looked genuinely astonished as his gaze shifted to the little girl, who was now merrily singing to her stuffed animals. “Well, I’ll be.”

“Given all you’ve been through today, have you given any more thought to your future?” she gently prodded.

“Every second of every day. It looks pretty bleak from where I’m standing,” he admitted, grimacing as if he were in pain.

Maybe he was.

“You’re sitting,” she teased. “And from where I’m sitting, it looks to me like the possibilities for your future have just opened up wide.”

He stared down at Felix, who was noisily sucking on one fist while waving the plastic teacup up and down with the other.

Ruby knew the exact instant when her words touched his heart. His entire expression

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