The Colonel's Baby Read online

  He nodded. “Yes. I am a recruiting officer. I teach a couple of days at the two schools where we have the ROTC program. It’s a lot of fun. But I also work with the new recruits that come in.”

  I grinned. “So you’re a drill sergeant?”

  It was his turn to smile as he popped a plump shrimp into his mouth. “Yeah. I’m that too.”

  Cliff leaned forward, gesturing towards Trenton with the piece of chicken he held. “He’s the most dreaded of drill sergeants. No one wants to be in his group. He’s like a taskmaster.” He sat back in his chair. “It scares me how hard he pushes these kids sometimes.”

  Trenton shrugged. “I don’t push any harder than you do. Besides, war isn’t a game, and if these young boys and girls come in thinking they are just going to play around and not have to work, then they’ve got another thing coming.”

  Tracy looked from one man to the next. “But can any amount of training really ever prepare you to go overseas and fight someone you don’t even know?”

  “No,” both men said in unison.

  Somehow, I knew that this was a subject that Trenton didn’t seem to like to talk about. So I tried to move the subject to safer ground. “You said you liked teaching?”

  This time, his face relaxed into a smile. “Yeah. I do. I like kids. But the high school kids pretty much have an idea of what they want in life. And the ones in the program are serious about learning and serving. Once you weed out the ones who’ve watched Rambo a million times and think that’s how things are, you get down to the ones who are serious and want to serve.”

  “So you wanted to join?”

  Trenton took a sip of his beer before answering. “My whole family is military. My great-grandfather, my grandfather. My father. Two of my brothers. We are all military. Different branches of service, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

  “So you followed in the family footsteps? Or did you join because you wanted to?”

  His gaze met mine again. “I joined because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help people reach and exceed their potential.”

  “And you’ve done that?”

  “Yes. I think I have.”

  I nodded. That was the same dream that I had. To be someone who made a difference in someone else’s life. I wanted to be more than just Marco De Luca’s baby sister. I wanted to get out of the restaurant and into my own life. Not that I didn’t love my family, I did. I really did. But working at the restaurant could be stifling at times. Papa kept a tight leash on me though I was graduating college in a few months. I didn’t have any freedom. Or at least freedom like Marco enjoyed. He’d had girlfriends when he was in the sixth grade. But if I even looked at a guy, I was given the third degree. I looked up, startled to find that Trenton was still talking to me.

  “What about you?”

  “Me? I guess like you, I want to help people.”

  He nodded. “Tracy said you’re in school.”

  “Yes. We both graduate in May.”

  “What are you studying to be?”

  “A physical therapist.”

  Trenton smiled. “Yeah? That’s great. That means you know a whole bunch of exercises and stuff to build muscle. Maybe you can give me some to help develop my body into Hercules.”

  I gave him a quick look. “You don’t need any help. You look good the way you are.”

  Our eyes met and held as the realization of what I’d just said hit me. God! How could I have let that slip out? My face turned red and I looked away, stammering a bit.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

  A slow smile spread across his face. “So you don’t think I look good?”

  “No, I-”

  “No?”

  My face flamed hotter as I tried to explain what I’d meant to say. “No, I mean yes. Yes I think you look good the way you are.”

  Trenton winked at me. “I think you look good too.”

  All of a sudden, the air between us became supercharged. We stared at each other, oblivious to the conversation taking place right across the table from us. It was only me and Trenton and whatever it was that had suddenly popped up between us.

  “You guys wanna play a game or two of pool?” Cliff asked, breaking into our moment.

  Trenton looked as shaken as I felt. “Um, yeah I guess. If you want to,” he finished quickly, not quite meeting my gaze.

  “Sure. Sounds good,” I said with a nod.

  Trenton slid out of the booth and offered me his hand to help me stand. I hoped that he hadn’t heard the soft gasp that escaped my lips when his warm hand closed over mine. He pulled me to my feet, his blue eyes suddenly smoky. He was bigger than he looked sitting and I felt suddenly small and fragile standing next to him.

  We followed Cliff and Tracy to one of the unoccupied tables. I was very aware of him next to me as I watched Cliff rack the balls. We agreed to play couples. Turns out that Trenton and I were the better players and we won every game but one.

  It was much later when the men walked us out to Tracy’s car. They walked on ahead, giving us a bit of privacy as well as for themselves. I searched my brain to find something, anything that would keep him here a bit longer. I stank at the small talk stuff. I never knew what to say. That had never really bothered me before until now. Then again, I’d never wanted to stay a little longer before either.

  Trenton watched me, I guess waiting to see what I going to say or do. I suddenly wished I was bold like Tracy. She and Cliff were talking, heads close together. He kissed her softly and she smiled at him before kissing him back. I turned my gaze back to Trenton.

  But he hadn’t made a move towards me. I wondered briefly if he wasn’t as into me as I thought (ok hoped) he was. He probably just agreed to go out with me for the same reason Tracy had wanted me to go. To be a shield and block in case things didn’t work out like they planned. But the way it looked, things were looking up for Tracy. Not so promising for me. But then, I never went into anything with really high expectations. That way, I wouldn’t be hurt or surprised when things didn’t work out. And furthermore-

  “So when can I see you again?”

  Huh? “What?”

  He smiled. “I said, when can I see you again?” He reached out and took my hand in his. “I want to see you again. But just you. No Cliff. No Tracy. Just you so I can talk to you. Get to know you. What do you think?”

  Well color me wrong. Maybe he was into me after all. Or at least-

  “Yeah. Sure. I’d like that,” I answered. I grinned. “I’d like the chance to talk to you without them listening.” And judging. But I didn’t say that to him. I knew as soon as we got back into the car, Tracy will have Trenton and I married with 2 kids, a dog and a minivan. I wasn’t ready for all that yet.

  Trenton glanced over his shoulder to see Cliff kiss Tracy one last time. He looked back at me, then away. “I uh, I don’t usually-” he began. But I cut him off.

  “I got it,” I said quickly, trying not to feel hurt that he didn’t want to kiss me. It was a first date after all and we knew next to nothing about each other. Inside, I knew it was better that he didn’t try to kiss me. My parents would disapprove. Even now, in my 20’s, I could still hear my mom’s voice in my head on the night of my first date. Don’t let him take liberties with you. Handholding is fine, but don’t allow his hands to stray past your wrists. And don’t allow him to kiss you either. A proper lady doesn’t kiss random men. Oh mama. I bet Marco damn sure didn’t get that lecture.

  Trenton gave me a quick look. “It’s not that I don’t want to-”

  “Yeah. I know. It’s ok.”

  He nodded. “But I do want to see you again if you want to.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Trenton started to say something else, but broke off when Cliff and Tracy came over. “I’ll call you,” he said finally.

  “Sure. Thanks for tonight. I had a nice time.”

  “Me too. I’ll call tomorrow.” He waves once before hea
ding to his car with Cliff in tow.

  “So? Tracy asked as she moved into the flow of traffic. “Did you two hit it off or what?”

  I shrugged. “I guess.”

  She glanced at me then back to the road. “What do you mean ‘I guess’? Did you get to know him?”

  “We talked yes. But you can’t really get to know a person in one evening.”

  “True but you can see if you click or not. So? Did you click?”

  “Yeah. I think we did. He’s very nice.”

  “And very hot.”

  I grinned. “Definitely hot.”

  “Did he ask you out again?” When I nodded, she squealed, pounding the steering wheel with her palms. “I knew you’d hit it off. I’m a pretty good judge of character, you know. I wouldn’t set you up with a jerk.”

  “Hmm,” I answered in agreement. She was right though. She was good at spotting the jerks. “What about Cliff?”

  She purses her lips. “He’s a player. That’s for sure. His eyes are always busy.”

  “I noticed. He was giving the waitress the look.” I glanced at her. “Are you going out with him again?”

  Tracy nodded with a grin. “Yep.”

  “That doesn’t bother you?”

  “What?”

  “His wandering eye. His playboy ways?” I shrugged though she wasn’t looking at me. “I don’t want you to get hurt behind him because he can’t keep his eyes to himself.”

  This time, Tracy did look at me. “That’s not going to happen,” she said quietly.

  “How do you know?”

  “Look boo,” she said her gaze on the road. “I’m not interested in a long deep relationship with anyone. I’m just looking to have some fun. Maybe get a little, you know. And if he wants to leave, then bye. Why should the fellas have all the fun? Especially since I’m not looking for marriage and all that.”

  “I guess.”

  She pulled into my parents’ driveway and turned off the car’s headlights. “Look, Lexie. We’re young. There’s no reason to tie ourselves down with the first guy who professes undying love or even says we’re beautiful. This is our time to explore ourselves and the world before we have to settle down and become like our mothers.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at her reasoning, though she was right. I thought about my own mother who was probably still sitting up, waiting for me to come home. Just as she had on my very first date and I suspect she continue until I finally get married.

  “Maybe you’re right,” I said, unbuckling my seat belt. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt if you do develop feelings for him and he doesn’t.”

  She waved me off. “Don’t worry. I can handle Cliff. See you tomorrow?”

  I shook my head. “Nah. I gotta go in and help at the restaurant tomorrow. Barb asked for the day off.”

  Tracy frowned. “When do you get a day off?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t. Not as long as my dad is running the show. See you later.”

  She leaned over, looking up at me from the open door. “You know, if things work out between you and Trenton, you might want to start asking for some time off. You need some time for yourself too, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know. But you tell Papa that.”

  “The restaurant will be there. Don’t you want something more than to serve pizza to hungry Marines?”

  I nodded. “Of course I do,” I answered. “But I also have an obligation to the family business. I can’t just walk away. At least not until I graduate in May. Maybe then, they’ll see that I’m a grown woman and can make my own decisions and take care of myself.”

  Tracy grinned. “Well good luck with that,” she said. I knew that she didn’t mean anything by what she said. She knew how my family was.

  “I’d better go before they send the police after me,” I said, backing away. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Good night.”

  I closed the door and waved as she pulled out of the driveway. With a sigh, I trudged up the steps to the front porch, steeling myself for their numerous questions.

  Mama looked up when I came in.

  “How was your date?”

  I sank onto the sofa across from the chair where she sat working on some embroidery. “It was okay.”

  She glanced at me. “Just okay? Where did you go?”

  I rolled my eyes. I should be used to this by now. “To the sports bar. Nothing real spectacular.”

  “He took you there? Why didn’t he take you somewhere more respectable?”

  “Where? Like the restaurant?” When she shrugged, I continued. “What? So Marco and Papa could keep an eye on me? Perhaps stare him up and down?”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “Well nothing if I was trying to get rid of him. Which I’m not. He’s really nice. Besides, Tracy and her date were with us.”

  The knowledge that Tracy was with me made everything better. My mom thought the world of Tracy and she could do no wrong in her eyes, while she assumed the worst of me. Which I found funny seeing as Tracy did all the things that I was afraid to do. Oh well. I guess this is what happens when you come from an Italian family.

  I said goodnight to my mom and headed upstairs to my room. God, but I was tired. It had been a long week, filled with studying and work. I glanced at the books on my desk. I probably should crack one open. With a sigh, I changed and lay down across the bed. The soft ping of my phone’s text alert sounded. Rolling over, I picked it up. It was probably Tracy letting me know she made it home safely. It was something we always did.

  So I was surprised to see Trenton’s name pop up on the screen. A funny giddiness rose inside me and I tried to push it down. We went out, had fun. There was no reason to get all excited because he texted. But my hands were still shaking as I opened the message.

  Thank you for tonight. I had a good time. I hope we can do it again soon. I like to talk to you. Good night.

  A smile spread across my face as I quickly replied to his message. I’d had a good time too.

  I couldn’t wait to see him again.

  ______

  Trenton and I talked every night for the next few weeks though we only went out twice since that first date. We talked about everything, our childhood, our present. Hopes and dreams for the future. It was nice. He was nice. I felt like I could tell him anything and he wouldn’t judge me. I hoped that he felt the same way about me. I know it sounded dumb, but I was starting to fall for him.

  That was a sobering thought. I was falling for him. I’d never been in love with anyone. Most of the men I’d dated were just casual flings set up by Tracy in her never-ending quest to get me hooked up. I’d never really felt more than a passing attraction for the guys. With a couple of them, things never went further than the front door. But then, the one that I did like, turned out to be the worst mistake of my life. And though I was attracted to Trenton and liked him, I was also nervous about moving things too fast. And besides-

  “Are you gonna answer your phone or just let it ring because you like the ringtone?” Tracy asked dryly as she passed me with a gray bin full of dirty dishes.

  I looked down, startled to see the screen lit up and it ringing. “Damn, I didn’t even hear it ringing,” I said picking it up.

  Tracy snorted in a very unladylike fashion “I don’t know how you couldn’t hear it. It’s loud.”

  I gave her the finger as I pressed the button to answer the call. “Hello?” I answered, not recognizing the number.

  But I recognized the voice on the other end

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  “What are you doing?”

  For a moment, I let his thick Southern drawl wash over me. Then I blew out a breath. “Working. Same thing I’m always doing. What about you?”

  “Same. I just wanted to hear your voice.”

  I smiled though he couldn’t see it. “Me too. I’ve been thinking about you.” I hadn’t planned on saying that. It just slipped out and I couldn
’t take it back now.

  “Yeah? Well that’s good. Because I’ve been thinking about you too.” He broke off as a loud bell sounded. “Do you like to dance?”

  “I’m Italian,” I answered. “It’s in my blood, though I don’t dance very well.”

  Trenton chuckled. “Would you like to go to Club Max on Saturday? They’re having an old school dance party. 80’s stuff according to the flyer. Wanna go?”

  “I’d love to.”

  “Good. I have to go. Time to stimulate the minds of today’s youth.”

  “Talk to you later.”

  “You bet.” And he hung up.

  Tracy came up with an empty bin. “What are you grinning about so hard? Got a date?”

  “Yup,” I said, opening my book again.

  “Anyone I know?”

  I rolled my eyes at her. “You might. Trenton said there is an old school dance party at Club Max on Saturday. It sounds like fun.”

  She nodded. “Yeah. It’s a nice place. You’ll have a good time shaking your booty.”

  I laughed. “Now I just gotta ask for the evening off.”

  She shrugged. “There’s no reason why Marco or your dad should say no. We have plenty of people working.”

  I blew out a sigh. “You know I know that. But there could be 100 people in here working and Papa would say it’s not enough.”

  She snorted. “Look babe. You don’t do anything but work and go to school. You deserve to have some fun too.”

  As usual, she was right. And what she’d said was true. I was either at work or at school. That didn’t really leave too much time in between for dating or even hanging out. My parents expected Marco and I to be in the restaurant, helping out. They knew that I was in school and that I wanted to do something other than work in the restaurant. But the family business was just that, the family business. And the family, all of it, was expected to pitch in and help out. That was what family was supposed to do.

  That was great and all, but I wasn’t like Mama. I wasn’t content just working in the kitchen and doing anything and everything that Papa said without question. Or like Marco, who felt it was his obligation to run the family business. And I will admit, he was good at it. He had a business mind and had a vision for what the restaurant could become. That was his bag. I wanted something more. And that something right now was my date with the handsome Colonel Trenton Boone.