Home Sweet Home: A Sweet, Texas Novella by Candis Terry

Author:Candis Terry [Terry, Candis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Women, PTSD, Military, Romance, Contemporary, short story, Army Ranger, Texas, Fiction, waitress, hero, soldier, Sassy Woman, novella, Hometown
ISBN: 9780062420893
Google: aVazBgAAQBAJ
Amazon: B00TP05592
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Published: 2015-05-19T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

IT HAD TAKEN days for Aiden to pick the rest of Paige’s apples. Sure, it might not have taken quite as long if she hadn’t kept distracting him by leaning naked out the window. Or bringing him glasses of sweet tea in that nothing little tank top and cutoff jeans. Or tempting him with warm, fresh-baked cookies—in bed.

In fact, it hadn’t taken half as long as picking the apples did to realize he’d spent nearly every waking hour either by her side, on top of her, or inside her.

In the mornings, they shared long conversations over coffee. At night, they moved those meaningful chats out to the back patio. And between the times they made love, they’d talk some more. Aiden wondered now how he’d survived all those months without Paige to talk to. Somehow, she managed to get him to open up. To share. And it felt good. Just like his PTSD counselor said it would.

In Afghanistan, he’d transferred his devotion to Rennie. Although the dog would often just cock his head at some of the things Aiden would say, he’d been a good friend and a great listener.

Aiden missed the hell out of him.

Having Rennie back in his life would make everything complete. But that would never happen. The military wouldn’t bring his dog back. No matter how much Aiden had begged, bargained, and pleaded, the answer had been a resounding no.

The knowledge that he’d never see his friend again just made his damn heart start to ache all over. And it was that missing piece of the puzzle that made him realize that no matter how hard he tried, he’d never feel whole. Never feel complete. Not even when he was lucky enough to have the love of a good woman.

While Aiden strolled through the Touch and Go Market with a cartful of groceries to replace the ones he’d devoured at Paige’s house, he realized that being with her was a hell of a way to feel good. To forget. It was the only time he actually allowed himself that privilege. But not a moment went by when he didn’t battle the demons that reminded him that he needed to let her go. Trouble was, he didn’t know if he was strong enough to make it happen.

“There you are!”

Aiden turned away from studying the ice-cream section of the freezer for just the right flavor to smear all over Paige’s body so he could lick it off. With orthopedic shoes squeaking and in all their flowered muumuu glory, Gladys Lewis and Arlene Potter, president and copresident of the Sweet Apple Butter Festival committee, came toward him at full speed.

“Ladies.”

“Aren’t you just a sight for my eyes,” Arlene said, running a wrinkled hand across his biceps.

“That’s not the right saying, Arlene.” Gladys frowned at her lifelong friend in a way that made the red smear of her lipstick look slightly scary.

“I don’t care what the saying is supposed to be.” Arlene scoffed. “I’m too busy looking at the pretty package.

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