Marrying the Marine-epub Read Free Page A

he asked, pulling out the chair beside him for her to sit.
    “Maybe some other time I’ll join you, but not right now. I need to go take care of Royce. He’s on a strict routine, and gets agitated easily when he gets off track.”
    He leaned back in the chair. Starting with her eyes, his bright hazel gaze lingered down the length of her body. “You said something on Friday that bothered me the entire weekend.”
    I made a complete idiot of myself. “Please accept my apology for being so outspoken. I’m normally not like that.”
    He eyed her speculatively. “No apology needed, Sandella. Things happen,” he said, his voice husky. “If you’re available later on today, I’d like to take you to lunch at a nice little seafood place on the ocean I heard about. Are you available?”
    He’s so handsome. And masculine. Braylon’s kind offer enticed her. Tempted to say yes, water filled her mouth, forcing her to swallow. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. Thanks anyway.” Without uttering another word, she hastened out of the kitchen. Mounting the staircase, her hands glided along the black, iron railing. There’s no need to start something you can’t finish , she convinced herself, heading inside Royce’s bedroom . 
     
    BRAYLON HEARD the loud drone of a vacuum cleaner coming from the direction of the library. Why can’t you join me, Sandella? Her refusal of his invitation disturbed him because it’d been the first time any woman had done such a thing. Jesus Christ. He hoped like hell he wasn’t losing his touch. He pushed back his chair, stood, and headed toward the humming noise. Just as he rounded the corner into the dim library with burgundy-painted walls, Adam turned off the vacuum cleaner.
    “How’s it going this morning, Braylon?” Adam asked, wrapping the cord around the hook.
    “My man...you finally stop calling me, sir. Glad it didn’t take you long.” Braylon held out a fist, and Adam bumped it. Because he wanted information on Sandella, he had to think how to approach the situation.
    “Is there anything I can help you with?”
    “Yes.” He shut the door to ensure some privacy. “I don’t know how to ask you this other than to just come out and ask. What’s wrong with Sandella?”
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Between you and me…she and I had a conversation on Friday that has disturbed me ever since. She said that she doesn’t befriend Marines. Was her last boyfriend in the military?”  Why do I even care?
    Adam, old enough to be his grandfather, shook his head. “No. it’s nothing like that. The poor girl has been through a lot. I would tell you, but Sandella and I are very close, and the subject has been off limits for many years.”
    Braylon shrugged. “Something horrible must’ve happened.”
    “If you stick around long enough, she just may confide in you. But for the time being, try to get better acquainted with Sandella. She’s a mighty fine woman to know.”
    “Okay. I think I’ll do that,” Braylon said, admiring the obvious loyalty Adam had for his grandparents as well as Sandella.
    With the handle of the vacuum cleaner in his grip, Adam disappeared out into the hallway.
    Standing in the center of the library, Braylon’s eyes roved over the many rows of books stacked on the shelves. Willa had enough books to open up her own bookstore. His mother had always said that his grandma’s constant reading is what had made her so smart.
    Sensual thoughts of a pretty Sandella flashed inside his brain. He walked over to the book shelf and pulled a white photo album off the hutch. He flipped to the first page to find a photo of his mother and father smiling on their wedding day. Mom looks so young and beautiful in this picture. Dad looks buff, and happy.   When he went to replace the album, he spotted a red velvet box to the rear.
    Assuming the box held more photos, he grabbed it, then slid the album back on the shelf. He walked over to the chocolate leather couch by