AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She does too. The plumber told me.”
Behind her, John snickered.
From the first night she met Buck, Elizabeth hadn’t expected slightly ribald jokes from the sweet-looking man. She’d believed he was telling her the truth until he delivered the punch line. Every time she came, he had a new joke or two.
“My wife found all the letters I was hiding and accused me of cheating on her,” Buck paused. “She got mad. Now, she says she’s never playing Scrabble with me again!”
John leaned in. “I thought my girlfriend was joking when she said she’d leave me if I didn’t stop singing ‘I’m a Believer.’ Then I saw her face…”
Buck hooted. “You trying to give me competition?”
“Well, I have no moves on the dance floor. Maybe you can give me a lesson to impress the ladies,” John said.
“I doubt you need help there.” Buck looked John over.
“Not true. My life is like a country song. I came home from deployment and nearly ruined my girlfriend’s black-tie affair when I showed up and found her with her not-so-ex-anymore ex. And she gave away my dog.”
Buck waited. “What’s the punch line?” he finally asked.
“No punch line. Just a punch in the gut. My next mission was to find my dog—at least that was successful. And he was well cared for since Elizabeth had adopted him.”
“That’s how you two got together?”
“Oh, we’re not together,” Elizabeth said quickly. Probably too quickly, as heat raced up her face.
“No?” Buck shifted his gaze from her to John. “If I weren’t married, I’d be filling up her dance card.”
“And I’d let you. You know I adore you,” she deflected. She wished her father had been more like Buck. The only dance she’d partaken in with her father had been to dance out of his reach when he was drunk or angry.
“I’ll give you a dance lesson—maybe two,” he said to John. “You’re on your own for the jokes.”
“He might give you a run there too,” Wren warned.
“Naw, he’s got me beat,” John admitted.
“I think I like you.” Buck squeezed another chair up to the table with the vets and John.
John clearly had a knack for fitting in and putting people at ease. Adam had too, though. And he’d taught her to be cautious.
ChapterTwenty-Two
CUPID SHUFFLE – Cupid
“Look who made it.”Elizabeth waved to Jessica and Brooke. She’d texted earlier in the week, hoping they’d come since they were closer to Ariana’s age. Both women had successfully escaped from toxic and dangerous relationships.
While hugs were exchanged, John slid his chair to their table.
“Thank you,” Brooke acknowledged the gesture and took the seat.
“This is Ariana. She’s living in Sanctuary Lodge now,” Elizabeth introduced them.
“That’s where I lived.” Jessica gave an understanding smile.
“And I was in Hope Harbor,” Brooke said. “We moved into an apartment together last month.”
“How are things going?” Elizabeth asked.
“Good. We’re still getting things to make the apartment feel like home.”
