Page 56 of Her Hidden Smile

“That sounds like Commander Clark. Is she okay?”

“Yeah, she’s asleep now. The doc looked her over. She needs to take it easy, but she’ll be right as rain in a couple of days.”

“That’s good. I hope you’re not calling to weasel out of being my best man.”

“No way,” I assured my brother. “Would it work?” I asked hopefully.

“Nope.”

I laughed. “Didn’t think so.”

“Are you calling for any particular reason?”

“Just need to talk something out.”

“Shoot.” Renzo could hear the affection in his brother’s voice.

“I’m in deep with this woman. I really care for her. But she’s been isolated most of her life. If I take this one step further, it has to be for the long haul.”

“So don’t.”

“Huh?”

“Renzo, is this Millie?”

“Yeah.”

“Thought so.”

I’d talked about her with Jase the last time I’d been in Virginia.

“How do you feel about her?” Jase asked.

“I’ve never met anyone like her before in my life. At first, because of the way she lives her life, I thought I would just feel sympathy for her. That’s not it at all. I feel protective. I feel like I want to fight her battles for her.”

I looked down at my boots.

“And?” Jase prompted.

“It’s bigger than that. I feel happier when I’m around her. It’s like it is when I’m with our family, only better.” I shoved my fingers through my hair. “I can’t explain it.”

“Shit, talk about isolated. You’ve been living in the field too long, Renzo. At least I knew what I wanted, and I knew what was happening when I first saw Bonnie.”

“You think she’s my Bonnie?”

“Sure as shit sounds like it.”

“Jase, I can’t make a mistake about this. I have to be sure. Mom told me to never play games of the heart, and it would rip me to pieces if I hurt Millie’s heart.”

“The last time we talked about her you were thinking you were just going to up and leave. Is that what you’re thinking is going to happen now?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

Renzo heard Jase’s growl of frustration. “So, what is your problem?”

“I have to be ready to commit to her. Mind, body, heart, and soul.”

“Haven’t you been listening to yourself? You’re halfway, if not all the way, there.”