Heart of a Marine (The Wounded Warrior Series Book 1) by Patty Campbell Read Free Book Online Page A

little pig, isn’t he?”
    “True. If he could get to his food without my help, I don’t think he’d stop eating until his little pot belly dragged the floor.”
    She looked at Dwayne. “Oh, I almost forgot to ask you. Who are the men you have working today?”
    “What?”
    “The two men loading a truck. I saw them when we were on our way to my house and back here, but I didn’t recognize them.”
    He leaped from the table so fast the dishes rattled and his chair teetered. He grabbed his cell phone off the counter and punched a couple of keys. “Pick up, pick up! Cluny? Dwayne. Get your ass over to the jobsite. Sure, bring them. Yes, double time. I’ll meet you there.”
    Marla had a hand on her chest. “What’s the…?”
    Snatching his wallet and keys, he headed for the front door.
    “Dempsey!”
    “Stay here!”
    She jumped to her feet. “If you think I…”
    “I said stay here, dammit!” He slammed out the door.
     
    * * *
     
     
    Stunned, Marla slumped back in her chair with a thump. Her heart clenched. Something was very wrong at the jobsite. Who did he think he was yelling and ordering her around? When Skipper leaped into her lap, she gasped and realized she’d been holding her breath.
    A shaky voice interrupted her fury. “Daddy said bad words.”
    The child stood by her chair, knees wobbling, face twisted with worry. Golden brown eyes swam with unshed tears.
    Marla’s stomach clenched for the poor kid. She shooed Skipper away and lifted Amber onto her lap. “It’s OK, honey. Don’t worry about your daddy. I’ll be here until he gets back.”
    “Daddy never says bad words unless it’s rilly rilly serious.”
    Expressing confidence she didn’t feel, Marla rubbed Amber’s back and smiled. “I’m sure he’ll call soon.” She set Amber on her feet. “Let’s put your daddy’s plate in the oven so his dinner won’t get cold. We’ll finish ours, then sit with him and keep him company when he gets back. OK?”
    On a big sigh, Amber took her seat. She pointed to the dog. “Skipper’s worried too.”
    Marla chuckled. “Chihuahuas always look worried. It’s those too-big brown eyes. He’s fine. That’s his feed-me stare.”
    “Can he have some more?”
    “I suppose it won’t hurt this time. He’ll be thrilled if you take a small spoonful from your plate and drop it on his.”
    Amber giggled with delight at Skip’s excited reaction. His entire body from neck to tail wagged when he realized he would get more of the cheesy noodles.
    Marla’s mind wandered for the next few minutes while they finished eating. Dwayne’s abrupt departure had sent a stab of fear through her chest along with anger at his command. From his instant reaction, she figured he hadn’t authorized any of his men to be on the job today.
    She glanced across the table. Amber had asked her something. “I’m sorry, sweetie. My mind wandered. What did you say?”
    “Would you tell Daddy I ate all my salad?”
    “Absolutely. If you eat all of it.”
    A dramatic sigh and big pout preceded Amber’s reply. “I didn’t think you would.” She jabbed a fork in a piece of tomato. “This is the only part that’s not yucky.”
    “You know what? I didn’t like salad when I was your age either.”
    Eyes wide, Amber said, “You didn’t?”
    “Nope. Then I realized that lettuce didn’t taste like anything. All I had to do was chew it and swallow. Besides, I wanted to set a good example for my little brothers.”
    “You got little brothers?”
    “They’re not so little any more. All grown up, handsome, twenty-year-old twins.”
    “I wish I had a brother.”
    Marla laughed. “Careful what you wish for.”
    Head cocked like a curious puppy, Amber asked, “Why?”
    The comment had gone right past the little girl’s head. Not used to talking to children, Marla realized she’d have to pay more attention to her words. “Nothing, I’m just teasing. Now finish up and we’ll clear the table.”
    Another tortured