My Sister's Best Friend (Best Friends 3) Read Free

for the package. It was perfect. I've got to go now the helicopter won't wait much longer. Take care."
          Nate             
    P.S. I really liked your picture. Mine was taken by my buddy Jimmy using my phone. The Base Exchange had a machine. Remind me and I'll show you how to work it when I get home."
    A picture, he’d sent a picture. I found it in the envelope and stared at the boy I’d loved since I was twelve years old.
    Standing on the slope of a mountain with bushes and cedar trees around him. He was dressed in his desert brown camouflage with full body armor, his rifle strapped across his chest with the barrel pointed down. My heart skipped a beat, this was a warrior, no longer a high school boy but a man full grown. My mouth dried up and I had problems swallowing. He was so absolutely gorgeous and would always look at me as if I were just another sister.
    I wiped at the corner of my eye. I was not going to cry I told myself. He's okay. That's all that matters.
    He looks tired I realized, soul weary tired. He'd filled out, getting his man size, especially across the shoulders. His hands, always big, were scuffed and torn. His helmet had been pushed back exposing his deep chocolate brown eyes. Eyes that used to crinkled with laughter when I teased him. They'd lost that happy, care free look I remembered in my dreams. It was as if he didn't trust things now.
    "Who is it from?" My mother asked as she came in from the kitchen.
    "Nathan, Nathan Johnson, he sent me a silk scarf from China," I answered absently, unable to tear my eyes away from his picture as my fingers stroked the soft fabric around my neck.
    "Hm, that's nice. It's very pretty. I'll never understand why he volunteered to go. You know, wars wouldn't happen if no one showed up. Ann Johnson must be beside herself with worry."
    "He went because he wanted to do something bigger than himself. Something with meaning and purpose. I think it was wonderful. I think he's wonderful."
    The words left my mouth before I realized what I was saying. No one, absolutely no one knew how I felt about Nathan Johnson. If he ever found out I would die on the spot.
    Glancing at my mother I prayed she'd missed the passion in my voice.
    She was looking at the picture in my hand. "He has grown into a handsome man. There were times I didn't think he'd make it to sixteen let alone old enough to join the Marines. I must say, he does have good taste in silk scarves though." Her hand gently reached up and caressed the fabric. She looked into my eyes and I knew that she knew about how I felt. What's more I think she'd known for years.
    There was a lot more to my mother than I realized. Shaking my head to move past that thought I gathered up the package and letter to race upstairs and write Nathan a thank you letter. Chrissy could wait, I had more important things to do.
     

Chapter Three
    Nathan
    Home, safety, warmth, the ability to rest without worrying about what came next. The chance to just be. I'd made it, really, I was home. My heart soared and I couldn't stop smiling.
    The house and yard looked the same. Somebody had left a Big Wheel on the driveway. Dad would pop a cork if it was still there when he got home. Walking up to the door I wondered if I should ring the doorbell, knock, or just go in. I'd raced through that door a million times, slammed it more than once. Yet, now I stood before it unsure. Did I still belong here?
    They weren't expecting me, not yet. I'd driven straight through. Originally I'd planned to stop and see Jimmy's parents. It was the least I could do.
    However his dad asked me not to come when I called. It'd be too hard on Jimmy's mother he’d said. I told him I understood and gave him my number. Telling him that If they ever needed anything to call me. I didn't think he would though. They'd spend the rest of their lives trying to understand. I knew exactly how they felt.
    The pain still ate at my stomach. I was pretty sure the gut