Letters to Her Soldier by Hazel Gower Read Free Book Online

her only moments before.   Bianca glanced around for Greta or
Lillian to help him, but they were nowhere to be seen.
    “Are you going
to go save him? I told Lillian it would be too much, too soon for him.   It’s hard to get back in the flow of being
around so many civilians. ”
    Bianca clutched
her chest and turned to Caleb’s father, William.   “Don’t sneak up like that.   You scared the life out of me.   And why would I go save him?”
    “I was the
lookout to see when he arrived.   Although
I didn’t need to see that display out front to know he’s with you.   I knew last time he came home on leave. ”
    “I wasn’t with
him the—”
    “Yes.   I know that.   Before he left, he asked me for my mother’s
ring.   I see you’re not wearing it.   Can I ask why?”
    She felt her
cheeks heat, and she turned away from his penetrating stare.   “I thought I should give him time to settle in,
get to know me better, not just the person I wrote about in his letters . ”
    William laughed.   “You think once he’s settled, he’s going
to regret his choice . ” He shook his head.   “You are a silly little girl.   You’re his anchor. ” He pushed her forward.   “Go rescue him.   He needs you. ” He gave her another nudge in
Caleb’s direction.   Straightening her
shoulders, she maneuvered through the people.
    As soon as she
was close enough, Caleb’s hand shot out, and he pulled her to his side.   Bianca stumbled, and he steadied her by
wrapping an arm around her waist, as his other hand gripped hers.
    Caleb leaned
down and whispered in her ear, “Don’t leave me like that again . ”
    She squeezed his
hand, and heard the sharp edge in his voice when he spoke.   “Sorry, won’t happen again . ” She meant it.   His arm tightened around
her, and she felt his body relax.  
    No one seemed to
notice her at first until a man she vaguely remembered walking out of the gate
with Caleb at the airport came over.
    “Wow, it’s
bikini girl . ”
    Her whole body
heated, and she searched her surroundings for an exit.  
    “My bikini girl.   Keep your eyes to yourself, Samson. ”
    Bianca groaned
and wished the ground would swallow her whole.  
    Samson raised
his hands.   “I learnt my lesson . ” Samson turned to her.   “He didn’t show anyone the pic. Kept it on him at all times.   It even slept with him. ”
    Bianca bit her
bottom lip as her heart started to beat so fast it was hard to hear what Samson
was saying.
    “We started a
competition to see who was stealthy enough to take the picture off him.   We’d shown him our photos, but he wouldn’t
show his.   We wanted to see what the fuss
was over.   Eventually, with the help of
two other men, we got the photo. ” Samson grinned.   “We all became very jealous, and may I say, ma’am,
you have a fan for life . ”
    She moaned in
embarrassment and tried to get out of Caleb’s hold.  
    “Oh, don’t worry.
We didn’t get to keep it long.   Mr.   He-man behind you
showed us why he’s leader.   Kicked all
our arses and we never did it again. ”
    Caleb leaned
down and kissed her shoulder before looking at his friend.   “Yes, well, I told you all she was mine.   The picture was for my eyes only. ”
    Despite wanting
to kill Greta again for sending the photo, she melted into Caleb, and her heart
leapt with how he treated her picture.  
    “If you ever get
sick of the big guy behind you, you have several men eager and waiting in line
to replace him . ”
    She couldn’t
help the giggle that escaped at Samson’s words.   Caleb gave a mock growl and hugged her tighter.
    “Dream on, Samson.   She’s mine. ”
    Caleb relaxed
and eased his hold on her.   The next hour
or so went well until Greta came over and asked if she could borrow Bianca.   Caleb was relaxed so he let her go with his
sister.   Greta pulled her inside and
around a corner.  
    “We have a
problem.   Mum was trying to play Cupid
for you and