The American Soldier Collection 3: Amazing Grace (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Dixie Lynn Dwyer Read Free Book Online Page A

pointed out and Charlie checked it for himself.
    “Damn I’m glad I’m working inside the office today. John and I have some new rookies we have to break in,” Charlie told Grace.
    “Well with it being so hot today you may want to break them in outdoors if you two can handle the heat,” she teased him and he smiled.
    “You’re too much, Grace. I like your thinking though. I guess we’ll see how cocky they act first.”
    “I’m sure you guys were just as cocky when you were accepted into the SWAT team unit. I have a couple of pictures of John posing in the mirror in his bedroom. Of course he had no idea I was snapping pictures.” Grace laughed at the memory.
    “Oh man. I’d love to see those. He’d go crazy if he knew that. I love it. Were you like one of those real annoying little sisters who kept nagging their older brothers and wanting to hang out with them and their friends?”
    “Kind of. I was mostly the prankster. Clara was the one who wanted to follow Frank and Peter around. She thought their friends were cute.” Grace looked toward the water again, thinking about her sister. The memory was vivid.
    The five of them had so much fun together. She wondered if her sister would be the same way today if she were alive.
    “I’m sorry, Grace. Does it still hurt a lot to talk about her?”
    “I’m sure it’s always going to hurt a little but I’m glad I decided to come home in spite of the current situation. I’ve missed my brothers and my mom so much. I’ve been away nearly two years and my brothers act as if it’s been only two weeks.” She smiled at Charlie.
    He was a real nice guy and very good looking. She had met his girlfriend last night when she accidentally walked in on them making out in the kitchen.
    “Are you ready to go back? Maybe we should bring coffee with us.” Grace smiled at Charlie. He knew how much she liked the coffee hut. The guys liked it, too.
    “Yeah let’s bring back coffee. Your brother John is going to need it. He was out until 3:00 a.m. with Maggie.”
    Grace smiled.
    “I don’t think we’re supposed to know about her.” Grace giggled.
    “I think you’re right. He has been hiding their relationship. I guess he figures she works in the department and it could cause some problems.”
    “Well you would think that if we know about her, then I’m sure half the department knows about them. Why hide it?”
    They ordered five coffees to go.
    “Maybe he’s afraid you’ll sneak up on them with a camera snapping pictures,” Charlie added jokingly.
    “Hey, I’m sorry about walking in on you and your girlfriend. I’m sure it has been kind of an inconvenience having a woman living in your bachelor pad. I’ve invaded your privacy.”
    They headed back to the house carrying the cardboard holders filled with steaming coffee cups.
    “Are you kidding? That dinner you cooked last night alone is worth you staying with us as long as you need to.” Charlie rubbed his belly. “I made a pig out of myself,” he added as they laughed.
    They turned the corner and headed up the street to the house. It was an older home with a nice large backyard the guys often had barbecues in and a nice wraparound front porch to sit on and look out toward the water. They were laughing together as she and Charlie headed up the steps.
    Leaning against the front door was a large yellow envelope addressed to Grace.
    “Who delivers this early in the morning?” Grace asked and Charlie followed her inside. They brought the envelope and the coffee into the kitchen.
    John and Mark were in there as well as Jerry, their other roommate.
    They said good morning and handed out the coffees as Grace set the envelope down on the kitchen counter.
    “Late night there, brother?” Grace teased John as he yawned and added sugar to his coffee cup. The other guys began to laugh.
    John gave his sister a light punch in the arm and she giggled then drank down a bottle of water. She didn’t even feel sweaty anymore