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  THE COLONEL’S BABY

  A Military Romance Story

  Kathleen Hope

  ¶

  PRONOUN

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  Copyright © 2017 by Kathleen Hope

  Interior design by Pronoun

  Distribution by Pronoun

  ISBN: 9781537869018

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  The Playboy’s Friend

  Secrets and Suspicions

  Borrowed Time

  Loving the Colonel

  Olivia

  Back in Your Arms

  More by Kathleen Hope

  THE PLAYBOY’S FRIEND

  “They’re baaaaccck,” Tracy sing-songed as she passed by where I was trying to study.

  I didn’t look up. “Who?”

  “Them.” She gestured with her chin.

  I finally looked up to see the small group of Marines coming into the restaurant where I worked part-time. I snorted and looked back down at my book. “I guess they can come in if they want to,” I said, turning a page. “This is a restaurant and they have to eat.”

  “And flirt with everything in a skirt.” She paused, looking over at me. “Aren’t you going over there? They are sitting down in your section.”

  Damn, she was right. I closed my book. So much for studying. I grabbed the menus and headed over to the table where the men sat, talking. As I approached, I took a moment to check them out. They were military judging by their short buzzed haircuts. There was a base nearby and a lot of the personnel came in for lunch or dinner with their families or friends. Between them and the locals, this place stayed pretty busy.

  “Good evening, gentlemen,” I said as I placed a menu in front of each man.

  They looked up, smiling and nodding in greeting.

  “What would you like to drink?”

  One of the men, a handsome blond with clear blue eyes, looked up at me. “You,” he answered, giving me a wink. The other men laughed at his joke. I gave him a smile.

  “You’re funny,” I answered.

  He leaned back in the booth seat. “I’m being serious.”

  I rolled my eyes at him. “Okay, so ice water for you. What about the rest of you guys?”

  I couldn’t hold back my smile as the other men teased their friend good-naturedly. They were still laughing about it when I walked away to fill their drink orders.

  Tracy moved up beside me as I filled a pitcher with beer. “So? Y’all seemed to be having a grand time over there. What was that all about?”

  I lifted a shoulder. “Nothing. One of them was just being an ass. I shut him down pretty quick though.”

  She looked over at the men. “Which one?”

  “The blond.” I gestured with my elbow. “The one on the inside with the pretty blue eyes.”

  Tracy followed my gaze. “Dang he’s cute. Real cute. Here. Let me help you with that.”

  I grinned at her. “Knock it off. He’s probably got a girlfriend.”

  “Or two. Or three from the looks of him.”

  I nodded, setting the pitcher on the tray and grabbing four frosted mugs. “Probably. He looks like the playboy type.”

  “Might be good for a quick roll then send him on his merry way.”

  “Ew Tracy. Don’t you ever think of anything but sex?”

  She grinned. “Of course I do. But why should I not have a good time? I bet Donald wasn’t thinking about me when he was tomcatting around with all those other women, now was he?”

  “No. I guess not.” Donald was Tracy’s ex. She’d be right to suspect him of cheating when she started finding scraps of paper with phone numbers lying around and that, combined with his numerous out of town “business” trips, prompted her to do a little investigating. Caught, he’d confessed and begged forgiveness. But you don’t cross Tracy Burt but once.

  “You think he’d like me?”

  I glanced at her as I picked up the tray. “Sure. Go for it if you want. He is cute. But then so was Donald.”

  She frowned. “That’s true. Oh well. Maybe some other time.” She hurried away to take care of her other tables.

  I carried the tray over to the table and set it down, placing the pitcher in the middle before putting a mug in front of each man. Picking up the tray, I tucked it under my arm.

  “Have you decided what you’d like to order?”

  The blond gave me a look, taking in my khaki shorts and fitted black t-shirt with logo of the restaurant across the chest. It wasn’t something I necessarily liked but it was the uniform Marco wanted us to wear.

  “How about two large pizzas. One pepperoni with sausage and the other cheese with extra cheese.”

  I nodded as I wrote their order on my pad. “I see you like to keep things simple,” I commented.

  He grinned. “Always.”

  “Would you like anything else?” I asked, looking at the other men. They shook their heads, seemingly ok with what Blondie ordered.

  The man slung his arm along the back of the booth seat, his hand dangling over his friend’s shoulder.

  “Extra napkins. Some parmesan cheese. Your name and number.”

  “Smooth,” I said, taking the menus. “I’ll be back with your order.”

  Tracy came up beside me as I was putting the order into the computer. She busied herself folding the bills she’d gotten as a tip and tucking them into the pocket of her shorts.

  “So?”

  “So what?”

  She gestured to the table where the men were once again talking as they waited for their order. “What did he say?”

  I didn’t look up from the monitor. “Nothing. He just made the order.”

  “Aw come on. I know he had to have said something. He was grinning at you.”

  “So? That doesn’t mean anything.”

  “Of course it does.” She paused, looking over at the group. “He seems to be the leader of their little group, though,” she said, studying each man in turn. “He seems to do most of the talking for them.”

  I glanced at the group then finished placing the men’s order. “I guess. He’s right up your alley.”

  She grinned. “You bet he is. Find out the details for me.”

  I rolled my eyes good naturedly at her. “Maybe I’ll just give him your number.”

  Tracy grabbed my arm. “I’d owe you big-time,” she exclaimed.

  I shook my head. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  That seemed to appease her and she hurried off to see to her tables. The ding of the bell signaled that my order was ready and I carried the trays over to the table.

  “Here we are guys,” I said, placing the pizzas on the stands in the middle of the table. “Can I get you anything else?”

  The blond looked up at me. “You never gave me your name,” he said.

  I nodded. “You didn’t give me yours either,” I said matter-of-factly.

  He smiled. “You’ve got fire. I like that.”

  I smiled back. “Enjoy your food. I’ll check on you in a bit.” I turned to walk away.

  “Cliff.”

  I stopped and looked over my shoulder at the blond man. “Nice to meet you, Cliff,” I said and walked away.

  Tracy was watching from behind the counter. “So? What did you find out?”

  “His name is Cliff.”

  She nodded, looking over at the men. “He looks like a Cliff. The othe
r ones are cute too. I wonder why they let him do all the talking?”

  I shrugged. “Perhaps he’s just the mouthpiece. Then again, he may not give anyone else a chance to speak.”

  “Nah. He doesn’t seem the type. He’s so cute though.”

  I didn’t pay much attention to the men as I waited on my other tables. The evening went on and people came, ate and left. But the men still sat talking. I went over again.

  “Can I get you anything else?” I asked automatically.

  They all shook their heads. The blond grinned at me.

  “Just the check, sweetheart,” he answered. “Since you won’t tell me your name.”

  I returned with the leather receipt book and handed it to him. He opened it, scanning the bill. I watched him from the corner of my eye as I gathered the plates and trays to take back to the kitchen. He raised an eyebrow, looking at me. “Tracy? Somehow, I didn’t think your name was Tracy.”

  I grinned. “It’s not.” I pointed to the counter where the real Tracy stood watching. “That’s Tracy. And she said that she liked your style. I told her I’d give you her number. She’s a bit shy.” I almost choked on my last statement. If it had been Tracy’s section instead of mine, they’d be back at her place already.

  Cliff looked over to where Tracy stood, finishing up with some customers. His gaze roamed over her and he smiled when he caught her eye. My work was done here. “Have a great evening, gentlemen,” I said as I picked up the dishes and walked away. They were still talking and seemingly in no hurry to pay and leave. Fine by me. I went back to the counter and opened my book again, picking up where I left off.

  “You see that?” she said, elbowing me in the side. “He smiled at me.”

  I shook my head at her though I couldn’t help smiling. She sounded like a little schoolgirl with her first crush instead of a grown woman about to graduate from nursing school. “I saw it. He seemed interested. Maybe he’ll call.”

  “He doesn’t have my number.” She frowned as she watched the men stand up, preparing to leave. “Maybe I should have slipped it in with the check.”

  I turned a page in my book. “Already done,” I said as if I didn’t know what her reaction would be.

  “You gave him my number?” She squealed, pounding me on the shoulder. “You’re the best! I owe you. I owe you big.”

  I nodded. “Real big.” I looked up as the group passed by the counter on their way to the exit. Cliff and one of the men stopped at the counter. Cliff leaned an elbow on the countertop and gave Tracy a big smile.

  “Are you Tracy?” he asked.

  She nodded, cool as ever. “Yes.”

  He smiled at her sassy attitude. “I’m Cliff. I got your number from a friend of yours.”

  Tracy gave him her best flirtatious smile. “Call me sometimes.”

  Cliff straightened, his eyes twinkling. “I just might do that,” he said as he turned to follow his friends.

  “I hope so,” Tracy said and went to clear off her tables.

  I shook my head. She was a trip and a fine actress. I went back to reading my book and making notes. Knowing the owner of the restaurant definitely had its advantages. Marco left me alone to study when it was slow. I kept up with keeping the tables cleaned and set up, and I never left a customer waiting. So it worked out for both of us. He was a good big brother.

  “That was pretty cool what you did.”

  I looked up and into a pair of the bluest eyes I’d ever seen. The man smiled slightly and I shook myself, embarrassed that he’d caught me staring at him.

  “What?” I stammered.

  He gestured with the leather book in his hand. “Giving Cliff your friend’s number.”

  I shrugged. “She’d made the comment that she was interested. So-”

  “And you weren‘t?”

  I looked up again. “He’s cute and all, but not really my type.”

  “What is your type?”

  For a moment, I was taken aback by his question. No one had ever asked me that before and I wasn’t quite sure how to answer him. “I don’t really know. I guess I hadn’t really thought about it.”

  “Hmm.” He held out the leather book. I took it, swiping his card and handing it and the receipt back to him for him to sign. I watched his hands as he signed the paper. He had large hands with long fingers. I took a moment to study him while he wasn’t looking.

  His hair was sandy blond, cut short in military fashion. Of course, that didn’t mean that he was in the military. Lots of civilian guys wore their hair cut that short. He was dressed in jeans and a black button down shirt. The short sleeves were stretched over his taut biceps, and I saw a glimpse of a tattoo on the inside of his bicep.

  When I looked up, I found him staring at me as well. His eyes were bluer than the sky on a fall day. So intense that I couldn’t look away and when I did, I wanted to look again. His nose was long and straight above full lips. The shadow of his five o’clock stubble marred his cheeks and I suddenly had the urge to cup his cheek. I kept myself in check. I slowly handed his card back to him.

  “Thank you,” he said taking it. His voice held a raspy quality that sent shivers down my spine and I tried to think of something, anything to say so that he’d have to speak again.

  It turned out that he saved me from stuttering. “Here’s your tip,” he said, holding out several folded bills. “I wanted to make sure you got it.” He lifted a shoulder. “Since you gave us such good service. And since you had to put up with Cliff.”

  “What’s his deal? I hope I didn’t give my friend’s number to a crazy man.”

  He laughed and the rich sound washed over me. “He’s a flirt. But he’s harmless. I promise.” He held out the money again. “Please take it.”

  I reached over and took the money from him. Our fingers brushed and I bit back a gasp at the jolt of electricity that went through me at the contact. He must have felt it too if the widening of his eyes was any indication.

  “Thanks,” I murmured, finally finding my voice.

  “You’re welcome.” The man tucked the card back into his wallet before stuffing it in his back pocket. “Maybe I’ll see you again.”

  I found myself nodding. “Sure. I hope so.”

  He turned his head to his friends who were waiting by the exit. “I’d better go. My buddies are waiting.”

  “Yeah,” I answered, wishing that he didn’t have to go just yet so I could look at his incredible eyes for a while longer.

  He offered me another smile. “See you.”

  “Good night,” I answered.

  I looked after the men as they went on out the door, kicking myself.

  I should have asked him his name.

  Falling For Him

  For days after Cliff and his boys had come into the restaurant, I found myself hoping to see the man again. Tracy and Cliff had been chatting, and had plans to go out that weekend. She suggested a double date with them, myself and the blue-eyed cutie. But I hesitated. I didn’t do blind dates. And definitely not with a guy whose name I didn’t even know. Tracy offered to find out his name for me. But I brushed her off. She didn’t need to know just how much our brief conversation had shaken me. I thought about him a lot. Dreamed about him. Looked for him to walk through the door. Get it together, I commanded myself. Sheesh. I was acting like some little girl with her first crush.

  As usual, I was studying. It felt like a never ending circle. Study. Work. Sleep. School. Repeat. It would be worth it in the end, I knew. But it was tough on a girl.

  I heard the door open but I didn’t look up. People came and went in here. Tracy came up behind me.

  “Look who it is,” she murmured.

  “Who? Your boy-toy Cliffie?”

  “Nope. Your future boy-toy.”

  I looked up. Sure enough the blue-eyed man from the other day was sitting down. There was another man with him. I recognized him as one of the men that had been with the group the other day. Sadly enough, they’d sat in Tracy’s s
ection. The men looked up, greeting her as she approached the table. Blue Eyes looked around, his gaze settling on me. He raised an eyebrow and I shrugged in response.

  I wanted to ask Tracy if he’d asked about me, but I kept my cool. I pretended to read though I was actually watching the men. The other guy was cute with his dark hair cut in the same buzz cut style. Today, both men wore their work uniforms. My cutie had removed his jacket, and I admired how the light brown T-shirt stretched over his muscular chest. His arms rested on the table and I could only stare at the bulging biceps beneath the tight sleeves. Those cammo pants fit him like a glove. From what I’d seen of him the other day, he was slim but well-muscled, with a trim waist and lean hips. He was the kind of man in uniform women dreamed about. He’d definitely been in several of my dreams.

  I continued to watch him under the guise of studying. I wished I could just go over and introduce myself. But despite the events of the other night, I really wasn’t that bold. The only reason I’d flirted back with Cliff and given him Tracy’s number was because he really wasn’t interested in me. He’d only wanted to play around. And I knew Tracy was interested. So I helped her out. And while I was attracted to this guy, I wasn’t going to make a move on him. Just because he’d talked and flirted with me the other day didn’t mean that he liked me. And what’s more-

  “Hey Alessandra, wanna give me a hand with these?”

  I turned to Tracy who had the tray with the men’s food and drinks. “Uh, sure,” I said. I took the tray with their entrees and followed her to the table where the two men sat talking.

  “Ok, here we are, guys,” Tracy said, placing a glass of tea in front of each man. She stepped back and I set the tray down.

  “Who had the spaghetti?”

  The darker haired man raised his hand. I eased the hot plate onto the table in front of him. I turned to place the plate in front of my cutie. He smiled at me, deep dimples denting his cheeks. He’d shaved, and I found that I wanted to touch his smooth cheek.

  “Here you are,” I said to him.

  “Thank you.”

  Tracy gave me a sudden wicked grin. “Alessandra, I forgot the parmesan cheese. Can you grab one for me?”