shared a bond. They had been in the same small unit more than once, and being posted to the places they had been sent meant theyâd shared a kind of trust that was hard to explain. It was what made being here even harderâbecause he knew how much William had cherished what heâd left behind to serve his country.
Alex might have lost his family young, but honor and integrity were high on his list of morals. Of values. He knew how different his own life might have turned out if heâd had his family, if he hadnât lost everything as a child. Even the memories heâd clung to all these years didnât make up for what heâd lost. So he knew how important this little family was.
Lisa and Lilly only had each other now, and if she wanted the cabin fixed up he was happy to be of assistance. It was his duty to be there for them, to serve them.
Part of him hoped that staying, doing what he could, would help him put some demons to rest. But even if it only gave him peace of mind for a short time it would be a welcome reprieve from the guilt he had lived with of late.
He looked up at the cabin. It was shabby, there was no denying it, but it was habitable. Plus the view was incredible. Deciding to stay here might be the best decision heâd made in a long time.
He was officially discharged from the army, and he had no idea what he wanted to do. There was enough money in his savings account to keep him going for a whileâa very long whileâand he didnât want to start anything until his head was clear.
He just wanted to work with his hands. Fish. Chill.
And preferably not get too attached to his host family if he could help it.
âMorning.â
He looked up. Lisa was watching him. She was dressed, but she still had that early morning glow. Her hair was wet, hanging down over her shoulders, leaving a damp mark on her T-shirt that he could see from here. She was nursing a cup of something hot.
âMorning,â he replied. He reached for his own T-shirt, tucked into the back of his jeans, and tugged it on.
âYouâve been busy,â she remarked.
He stepped back and looked at the mess heâd made. âToo much?â
She laughed. âI donât think any amount of work in or around that cabin could be called too much.â
He wasnât used to casual chat with a woman anymore, but he was starting to warm to her. She was so easy, so relaxed. As if she expected nothing from him. Yet he knew sheâd expect more. An answer. An explanation.
He swallowed the worry.
âYou ready for some breakfast?â
His stomach doubled over in response. âI didnât want to go poking around in the cupboards.â
She motioned with her hand for him to follow. âYouâre welcome to anything weâve got here. Make yourself at home.â
If only she knew how promising that sounded to him. Only he didnât really know how to make himself at home anywhere. Except in an army camp, perhaps.
âI hope youâre hungry.â She threw a glance over his shoulder.
âYes, maâam.â
Lisa stopped and gave him one of those heart-warming smiles. âGoodâbecause Iâve got eggs, bacon and sausages in the pan for you.â
Heâd never thought breakfast could sound so good.
âOh, and Alex?â
He walked two beats faster to catch up with her step.
âPlease donât call me maâam again. It makes me feel like an old lady.â
He sucked a lungful of air and fell back a pace or two behind her. And wished he hadnât. He had to fight not to look at the sway of her hips.
The term old lady hadnât crossed his mind when heâd looked at her. Ever.
Â
Lisa patted the bacon down with a paper towel to absorb the grease and then placed it on a large plate. She saved a rasher for herself, and slipped the spatula beneath the eggs to turn them. She hoped he liked them easy-over.
âDo I take all your