Page 32

His gaze swiveled back to her. “To serve my country. Because someone told me I’d make a good leader.”
“And were you?”
Lachlan’s jaw tensed.
She quickly changed the subject to keep him from clamming up. “Tell me about where you’re from.” She knew the basics from the file Admiral Dane compiled but wanted Lachlan to choose to share the information with her.
“Thurso?” His face relaxed. “It’s a seaport town in the far north of Scotland, in the Caithness region.” His lips tilted, the shadows in his eyes receding. “People from all over the world come to Thurso to surf, did you know?”
“Surfing in Scotland?” She grinned. “I did not know. Did you surf growing up?”
“Aye. Though I haven’t since I was a lad. My sister Fiona took it more seriously than I did. She just missed qualifying as an elite junior surfer on the UK pro tour.”
“You have a sister? Younger or older?” The admiral hadn’t included any information on Lachlan’s family in his file.
“Younger. And a cheeky one at that.” The warmth and affection in his voice revealed a different man than the one he usually presented at LAI. “She’s a pharmacist now in Aberdeen.”
He cocked a brow. “What about you? Any brothers or sisters?”
“Nope. Only child. One was more than enough for my parents.” She injected a false note of humor into her tone.
Lachlan frowned. Before he could ask the question forming in his eyes, they’d reached the two-story painted brick building that housed Snuffy’s. He held the door for her to enter. The first floor was all white brick, and above their heads, dark wood beams. Upholstered banquettes lined walls plastered with poster-size replicas of the 1930s comic strip that had introduced the restaurant’s lovable hillbilly namesake to the world. Behind the order counter, the open kitchen design added to the lively vibe with the hustle and bustle of food preparations.
Lachlan ordered three plates of shredded taco meals to go and two bottles of water. He waved off the credit card in her hand with an offended glare.
She hid her smile. His old-fashioned manners were kind of charming. Most of her dates had never turned down her offer to split the bill.
Not that this was a date.
They headed back the way they came. When they reached the homeless vet, Lachlan set down the food bag and crouched. “Hey, pal.” He pulled out one of the food containers, plastic cutlery, and the two water bottles and placed them next to the man. “Looks like you could use a meal. What’s your name?”
“Thank you, sir.” The man looked up and acknowledged Sophia, “ma’am,” before turning back to Lachlan. “I’m Brady.”
“Brady.” Lachlan held out his hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, the other man shook it. “Lachlan Mackay. You served?”
“Yessir, Army. Seventeenth Infantry. Three deployments to Afghanistan.”
Lachlan stood from his crouch, a grimace chasing across his face. “Aye, I served there as well.” He reached into his back pocket and withdrew his wallet, pulling out a white business card and a twenty. He handed them both to the younger man. “Here’s the number to a local veteran’s organization. When you’re ready, give them a call. They can help.”
Brady took the card and the money with a grateful smile. “Thanks, man. I will. And thanks for the meal.” He looked at Sophia, and his wistful smile wrenched her soul. “And for seeing me.”
She smiled back wordlessly, blinking away sudden moisture, not trusting her voice.
Lachlan’s hand urged her forward. His touch was slight, but it grounded her. They walked the remaining distance to his car in silence.
“Thank you.” She climbed into his Mercedes and accepted the bag of food, placing it in her lap.
“It was the right thing to do.” There were undercurrents of emotion in his reply.
She’d give anything to understand them. Understand him.
Would a man who’d treated a homeless veteran the way Lachlan had sell weapons to the enemy? It didn’t make sense.
They drove the short distance to her condo in guarded silence.
She waved at the guard on duty in the lobby before pointing to Lachlan. “Hi, Sal. He’s my guest.”
Sal nodded, his brown eyes narrowing suspiciously on Lachlan as they passed.