Every Step He Takes by Shanae Johnson

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

Chapter Eleven

“You're dating Dumasse’s daughter?"

Mark wasn't sure what irked him more. Chase's incredulity at the thought that he could pull a girl like Honey? Or … well, there was no or.

Chase was right. A guy like Mark could never pull a girl like Honey. Not without it being a trick.

"It's not real," Mark admitted. "Something happened after you left."

Mark filled Chase in on the good deed he tried to perform that had turned into a complete mess. Chase's eyes went wide, then wider, then they narrowed, and finally closed in utter disbelief.

“You’re telling me she thinks she can make this right if you pretend to date?" Chase asked.

"If I pretend I adore her," Mark said.

He looked across the room to find Honey. She'd been surrounded by the wives of the ranch. The women all wore open, friendly smiles. But Mark wasn't fooled.

He knew the meddlesome matchmakers, who’d each been matched themselves, were pumping Honey for information about the status of her relationship with one of the few bachelors left on the ranch. Just as Mark and Chase looked to add numbers to the Army, the brides of the Purple Heart Ranch were always looking to add to their ranks on the ranch.

Honey smiled politely at the women. Her head turning right, left, and center as she addressed each woman as they fired question after question at her. Each woman watched her with genuine interest. But Honey’s smile didn't reach her eyes.

Mark wanted her to like everyone here. He wanted Honey to experience what real family, friends, and fellowship was like. She wouldn't find any better folks than right there on the ranch.

He also wanted to go over and feed her. Honey had a paper plate balanced on her knees. On it, was a small salad with no dressing. But she hadn’t taken more than one bite.

"This place," sighed Chase. "It got you, too."

“What? No.” Mark shook his head violently. “I’m helping her out. Her father disowned her. Who does that?"

"Henry Dumasse, that’s who.”

Dylan Banks, the man who had made the whole ranch possible for Wounded Warriors to come and heal walked up with his pregnant wife on his arm. The man wore shorts that showcased his prosthetic leg, a souvenir from his time in the armed forces.

“Dumasse’s wife wanted a divorce," said Maggie Banks. "But he demanded sole custody of their two girls. He made the girls choose which parent they would go to live with. Honey chose her dad. Her sister, Ginger, chose her mom. It was all over the papers years ago."

Mark couldn't fathom his parents apart. Much less making their children choose between them. It seemed to him the height of child abuse.

"That's not the worst of it," said Banks. He turned back to Maggie to complete the story. Maggie had lived there all her life and would know all the town secrets.

"He left his ex-wife and daughter near penniless," said Maggie. “He wanted to make them pay for leaving him and making him look bad.”

“What judge would allow that?” asked Mark, outrage building in his chest.

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