Loving An Airborne Ranger Read Free

silly.  Come on over whenever you’re ready.”
    Lisa took a quick shower and changed into fresh shorts and a sleeveless top.  She put her long blonde hair up in a ponytail.  She never wore much makeup and simply applied fresh lip gloss, and a spritz of a light summer fragrance. Grabbing Kyle, she gave him a quick cleanup and checked his diaper and changed his clothes.  She retrieved a container of juice from the refrigerator for him.
    Being around someone, even Chuck, after having minimal contact with any male since Matt had died, she surprised herself when she realized she was nervous.  Taking Kyle’s hand, she went out the front door and over to Chuck’s.  She pushed the doorbell button.  She could hear the chimes and then a shout, “It’s open come on through, I’m on the patio.”  She had been in the house many times prior to Chuck’s divorce and she could see he hadn’t changed anything.  He did see everything was spotless.
    She walked on through the kitchen and onto the shaded patio.  Chuck had a five bladed ceiling fan that was moving the air around. 
    “Grab a chair.  There’s beer in the kitchen, water, Cokes.  I’m afraid that’s all the bar has to offer today.”
    “Coke will be fine.  I brought juice for Kyle. ” 
    “So what have you been doing for yourself these days?  I haven’t seen much of you since I got back.”
    “Mostly playing with Kyle, trying to get all of the benefits and paperwork cleared up.  I still need to get Matt’s will probated.  Mom is after me to move back home but I am resisting that pretty much.  We go to church every Sunday.
    “What’ve you been doing?  Your last deployment was what... three months?”  He chose not to offer any information on his classified mission.
    “Hold on, let me get the steaks on the grill.  I’ve had potatoes in foil for a good while.”  He went into the kitchen and returned with two steaks, each 1½ inches thick.  “The commissary had a real bargain on these.  I got ten while the deal was on.”
    “They’re beautiful.  Can I do something?”
    “You just sit back and relax.  By the way, have you heard from your friend Chasin?”
    She giggled.  “Not since I called his wife to thank her for her thoughtfulness.  Funny, she didn’t remember their conversation about him helping out.”
    “You didn’t really call did you?”
    “I sure did.  I figured it was time old Chasin got his itchy britches burned.”
    “You’re terrible.”  He chuckled and said, “I don’t ever want to be on the wrong side of you.”  He could smell the fragrance she was wearing.  It was like honeysuckle.  “ She looks great in those shorts ,” he thought to himself.
    Have you been seeing anyone yet?  If I’m prying, tell me so and I will extract my foot from my mouth and change the subject.”
    “No not really.  A couple of the wives tried to be matchmakers and I went to dinner once or twice but not with the same person.  They asked me out again but I said no.  I don’t want to get tied up with another pilot.  Being married to Matt was wonderful but I never want to have to go through an ordeal like that again.  I don’t know, I’m probably still grieving but it just doesn’t appeal to me.  It might someday but not now.
    What about you?  You have a girl in every port, or hooch or whatever it’s called these days?”
    “Since I got burned by Linda, I haven’t been interested either.
    Steaks are ready.  Could you get the plates and utensils?  They’re still in the same place.”
    Chuck lit two citronella candles to ward off the mosquitos.  He took the steaks from the grill and put them on the plates.  He went to the kitchen, returned with butter, cheese, and sour cream for the potatoes.  Standing close while they loaded the potatoes, they brushed arms, and she could feel the hair on his arms on her bare skin.  She felt an unfamiliar tingle.  Glancing at Chuck’s face, the thought she saw something