Page 72 of One Lucky Hero (Men in Uniform 1)

“She sounds like she was a great mom,” he said.

“She was.”

“You will be, too.”

Violet froze midstroke. “I will be what?”

“A good mom. I mean, the way you are with your brother and sister, whatever hiccups they might have had, they are good kids. And they obviously adore you. I just mean that based on what I’ve seen, I think you’re an amazing woman.”

Her chest constricted, the sheer thought of kids of her own bringing on a nearly catatonic panic. For several moments, she couldn’t speak, and then finally she blurted out, “I don’t know about that.”

She saw Dean swing her way out of the corner of her eye. “You don’t?”

“Have you met my brother and sister?”

“But they’re still good kids. Your sister got a scholarship. That’s at least partly because of you.”

“Still, I don’t think it’s in the cards for me. Not when there’s a chance . . . ” Her voice trailed off; she was unwilling to admit her fears aloud.

“A chance of what?” he asked.

A chance that someday I might just check out on the people who love me. Like she did.

“Nothing, it’s just more family drama you don’t need to know about.” She dragged the brush across the railing roughly with her back to him, until he bumped her shoulder with his.

“I understand having fears and things you don’t want other people to know about. I’ve been told that it’s unhealthy, but honestly, I look at it as self-preservation.”

Violet glanced his way in surprise. “Me, too. Probably why I’ve never had anyone in my life who lasted more than a few months.” Why was she telling him this? “It’s hard to get close to people when you can’t let them see your darkest nooks and crannies.”

“Considering what you’ve gone through, it’s not surprising that it’s hard to trust.”

Violet wasn’t sure how much he knew from her file, but even with the most basic information, how could he ever think she’d be a good mother, considering the examples she had?

People who have bad childhoods can overcome it and raise great kids.

“But if you ever do need anyone to talk to, I’m here.”

“For now.” She didn’t mean to sound so bitter, but this whole situation was stupid, and she was just asking for heartbreak if she let it continue.

“Honestly, I have no idea if they’ll ever let me go back, but I’m getting a little tired of avoiding you and pretending that I don’t want to get to know you. So, I figured why bother fighting it? Let’s be friends.”

Friends, ha.

It was so laughable that she’d ever be able to be friends with him, not with the way he made her feel. Not with the way she wanted him. But she couldn’t let herself get attached. If she grew to need him, it was going to be impossible to let him go.

“Sure, we can be friends for now.” Until you say good-bye.

Chapter Eighteen

“EXCELLENT, CASEY!”

Dean cheered on Monday morning as Casey and Apollo completed a thirty-second down-stay. Casey was grinning ear to ear as several of the guys congratulated him, but when Dean approached him, the kid’s smile slipped. Although Casey had definitely eased in with the other kids, he was still leery of the trainers. Dean had made space in Casey’s schedule for time with Dr. Linda Stabler every day until his release, much to Casey’s irritation, but if she could get through to him and get him to talk, Dean would let her have him all day long.

“You have done some awesome work. I’m proud of you.”

“Gee, just what I’ve always dreamed of.” Casey snickered, but none of the other boys joined in. In fact, they seemed to take a sudden interest in the grass, the sky, basically anywhere else but the two of them.

“All right, you’re all dismissed. Good work today.” As the guys took off, Dean said loudly, “Casey, you stay. Liam, c