Page 8 of Lawson & Jill

Jill watched as Law’s dimples deepened and his eyes sparkled. His grip turned firmer. “Are you asking me out on a date, Ms. Keiler?”

Her cheeks heated.

“Ah, God, you’re blushing. Please say you’re not second-guessing yourself, because I really want to see you again.”

Jill’s lips curved into a slow grin. “Then I guess you’ll have to start participating a little more in the answer part of our conversation,” she teased as she blew out a sigh of relief.

“You mean inconsequential personal information? I’m good at that. Let’s see. I once grew a moustache on a dare.”

She curled her lip, then pulled her hand out of his and picked up her fork and took another bite of her pie. Lawson sighed. “That didn’t count, did it?”

“Ya think?”

“Let’s try this instead. I’m part of a team of twelve other Marine Raiders. When we’re on deployment we’re even closer than your parents are in their RV. When I’m stateside I’m a normal guy. I go to Belgium at least once a year to visit my mother, and Virginia to visit my brother, Ash. My brother Xave was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Not a lot to do there, so he used to come out here.”

“Xavier died, right?” Jill asked gently. “When?”

Law put down his fork and his hand bunched into a fist.

“He killed himself thirteen months ago. Lucky thirteen.”

He kept a passive expression, but behind it, Jill could see the aching pain and anger swirling in his eyes.

“I’m so sorry. For you. For him. For your brother and mother.”

It wasn’t until Law looked down at the table that she realized she’d covered his clenched fist with her hand. He didn’t pull away. Instead, he looked back up at her, his expression confused.

“You know, I almost never tell people he committed suicide.”

She didn’t say anything, just waited. Hoping that if he needed to talk, she might be able to ease his burden.

“Most people just assume he died on a mission or in a training accident, and I just let them go with that. They offer their sympathy and move on when they get the hint that I don’t want to talk about it.”

She saw Doris walking toward them with the coffee pot and pause. She must have gotten the vibe coming from the table because she turned and walked away.

When Jill realized Law wasn’t going to say anything else, she asked a question.

“What was he like?”

“He was a genuine hero. People use that term too loosely in my opinion, but for Xavier it was true. He was awarded a Bronze Star for heroism. He—” Law shook his head like he was coming out of a trance.

“He sounds amazing.”

“He is. Was.” Law’s breath shuddered out of him and he relaxed his hand. “I have trouble thinking of him in the past tense.”

“I feel the same way about Lorraine. She and I were as close as sisters. My aunt and uncle died in a car wreck when she was fourteen and she came to live with us. She’d think it was pretty pathetic that I was trying to find friends at the grief counseling sessions.” Jill grinned. “But going out for coffee with you, that she would approve of.”

“Xavier would feel the same way. He’d be hip-checking me to get a chance to take you out.”

“Yeah sure,” Jill scoffed.

“It’s true. A beautiful woman who used to be an EMT, he would’ve had your phone number by now.”

“I don’t know about him, but I’m willing to give you my number.”

Law’s blue eyes darkened, and his smile turned wicked. “Hallelujah, I get to exchange numbers with the beautiful girl.” Law laughed out loud.

Jill was entranced. “What are you laughing about?”

Nothing’s really changed, Xavier is still a fantastic wingman.”