Marrying the Marine-epub Read Free

against the pink cotton shirt she wore. How could she have an immediate attraction to someone she’d just met? Worse...how could she let a Marine make her feel such a thing? Dad would die if he knew of this. 
    Her heart flopped as she thought about how her father, Kane, would react if he knew she’d allowed a Marine to make her hot just from merely thinking of him. Her father would kill Braylon if he knew she’d been lusting for him. While she might be leery of the military men surrounding the area, her father downright loathed them. 
    All these emotions had her in dire need of a walk along the boat dock. She raised a finger to the intercom to call for Royce when, suddenly, he and Adam entered the kitchen.
    “Good morning,” Adam said with a polite smile on his dark, salt-and-pepper bearded face.
    “Good morning Adam. Good morning Royce.”
    Royce nodded. His voice came out quick when he said, “Hi. Sandy.” He rushed over to the dinette table and plopped down in the chair. “Hungry. Eat. Now.” He lifted his fork then smiled at her.
    “Breakfast is coming right up, Royce,” Sandella said.
    Adam’s eyes landed on the quiche on top of the stove. “That breakfast you made sure looks tasty.”
    She smiled. “Thanks. Please have some.”
    “I will do just that. You know I loves your cooking, Sandella.”  He patted his round belly. “I’m good and hungry, too.”
    She laughed. “Thanks, Adam. If all the men around town were easy to please like you, maybe I wouldn’t be single.” She placed a big slice of quiche on a plate for Royce, and then did the same for Adam. She then poured two glasses of freshly made orange juice and handed the drinks to each of them. 
    Adam took a seat at the table across from Royce. “Well there’s a new man in town, a mighty good one if you ask me, and he’s been asking about you already.”
    “Who?” she queried.
    His brows hitched. “Why, Willa’s grandson, Braylon, that’s who. I’ve known him since he was a baby,” his deep voice came out groggy, “and he seems to have grown into a mighty fine young man.”
    Sandella gave her head a light shake. “Oh no. I’m sure you’re misunderstanding. A man like him would never be interested in someone like me.”
    He pinned her with the strangest look. “And what’s wrong with you?”
    “I’m too bor—”
    Adam’s hand flew up, stopping her from uttering another single word. “Stunning.” He waggled the fork at her. “Don’t say negative things about yourself, Sandella. Not only are you beautiful on the outside, but you’re beautiful on the inside, too. Any man would be lucky to have someone like you.” He winked. “Any man.” Smiling, he forked the food into his mouth.
    Flattered by his compliment, she flushed. “You’re too kind, Adam. Thanks.”
    “Don’t thank me, it’s true. One day you’re going to make a mighty fine wife to some lucky man.”
    She tilted her head. “Ahh. I don’t know about that, Adam. Do you mind watching Royce for me while I take a short walk?”
    “Of course not.”
    “Thanks. I won’t be long,” she said, heading for the dock.
     
    THIRTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER, Sandella opened the back door to the kitchen. Her heart plummeted past her knees when she spotted Braylon sitting at the table enjoying the breakfast quiche she’d made.
    When he looked up from his plate and met her gaze, his face split into a handsome grin. She just about melted. He picked up the napkin lying next to his plate, then swiped it over his handsome mouth. “Good morning.”
    Anxiety bloomed in her belly as she stepped inside. “Good morning.” She shut the door behind her.
    “Adam told me it was okay if I helped myself to the quiche you made. I hope you don’t mind because it’s mighty delicious.” He lifted his glass to sip the freshly squeezed orange juice she’d prepared at the break of dawn.
    Her body tingled all over. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
    “Why don’t you join me?”