A Soldier Finds His Way Read Free

it, but she hadn’t had so much as a nibble from the ever-shrinking pool of available men in quite a while.
    “No, but after flying solo for three months, I’ve come up with a vision of the kind of man I’m looking for and what I want out of a relationship.”
    “Oh?” Vanessa’s left eyebrow rose into an arch.
    “I want someone strong, courageous, intelligent, and oozing with manly confidence. Maybe I’m setting the bar too high, but I’d also like him to be handsome and nicely put together.”
    “Why settle for anything less than a hot guy?” Vanessa laughed. “What else is on your wish list?”
    “This might sound corny, but I want a man who’ll look at me the same way Mike looks at you. His eyes are filled with adoration that confirms his complete and unshakable devotion to you. If someone broke into this house, he would fight to the death to defend you and Zoe.”
    Vanessa’s eyes misted. She snatched a tissue from a box on the end table and dabbed a tear from her cheek. “You’re right, he does look at me like that. Sometimes it takes my breath away.”
    “If I could find a man who would adore me like that, and be willing to risk everything for me, I’d give him my whole heart without hesitation or reservation.” She sniffled. “Give me one of those tissues, would you, please?”
    Vanessa flapped her hands and fanned her eyes. “We better change the subject or we’ll both be crying.”
    “Good idea.”
    “So, tell me.” Vanessa’s shoulders lifted with a deep breath and dropped with a brisk exhalation. “Is Dad still nursing a hope that you and Brad will get back together?”
    “Nursing a hope might be the understatement of the year.” Audra rolled her eyes. “Despite my assurances to the contrary, he seems to believe Brad and I are secretly pining away for one another. Nothing I say seems to persuade him to think otherwise.”
    “That’s Dad for you.” Vanessa laughed. “Once he gets his mind set on something, it’s unlikely to change.”
    “Brad and I parted ways quite amicably. We both agreed that, having been friends since fifth grade, we were too much like brother and sister to have a romantic relationship.”
    “I’m glad you’re still friends. After all, Brad’s practically family.”
    Brad would make someone a good boyfriend or husband one day. But she wasn’t that someone. He was too straight-laced, too suit-and-tie, and way too serious all the time.
    “What kind of stuff did you and Mike do when you were dating?”
    A nostalgic smile spread across Vanessa’s face as she twirled an auburn curl around her finger. “Mike took me to my first hockey game. We cheered for his team, danced the Macarena and ate some really bad hot dogs. I’ve been hooked on hockey ever since. Go, Rangers!” She pumped her fist and laughed.
    “Tell me more.”
    “Another time, when it was pouring down rain, Mike said, ‘Let’s go puddling.’ I had no idea what that meant, but we headed outside into a torrential downpour and ran through every puddle we could find, flailing our arms, stomping our feet, and screaming like kids.”
    “That sounds like such fun.”
    “It was. We collided and fell to the ground where he gave me the most awesome, toe-curling, heart-thumping kiss ever. We were soaking wet and altogether muddy, but I’ll never forget those spontaneous moments.” Vanessa smiled and let out a moan of contentment.
    Mike had been a good catch. Faithful to his job, yet fun-loving, spontaneous, and devoted to his family, he knew how to balance work and play. Finding another even-keeled guy like him seemed impossible. Too bad Mike didn’t have a brother.
    Audra slumped farther down into the couch. “Brad would never jump in puddles or do the Macarena. In fact, I can’t imagine Brad ever doing anything that would get him dirty or sweaty. And, as far as kisses, he didn’t believe in public displays of affection. Always said that total privacy led to total intimacy. I’m not