Page 95 of One Lucky Hero (Men in Uniform 1)

“Just repeating what I heard.” Dean climbed out of the truck and shut the door with a thud. Opening the back door, he took Dilbert’s leash and waited as the dog hopped down. When he came around the front of the truck, Casey jumped out of the passenger side and fell into step with them as they crossed the walkway.

“Does she really think I’d have rather gone into the system?” he asked.

Dean glanced at him thoughtfully, debating on how best to answer. “I think she is afraid that she might have acted selfishly and that if she’d let you go, you might not have gotten into trouble. In my opinion, I think you’re a good kid and that the graffiti was an isolated incident. An outlet for your frustration. Maybe even a call for help.”

“Geez, man, now you sound like my psychiatrist. I like art, that’s it. I wanted to paint something on the school that people would look at and wonder who had done it, and I’d know it was me.”

“Why don’t you just go to your principal and see about creating a mural? We had them when I was in school,” Dean said.

“Only seniors are chosen to do murals,” Casey said.

“Then when you’re a senior, you can do it. Until then, you need to find some legal ways to explore your artistic side,” Dean said.

Casey paused on the porch, clenching and unclenching his fists. “I tried doing that. Violet set me up with art classes, remember?”

The bitter tone in Casey’s voice drew a question from Dean. “So, why did you stop going?”

Casey finally met his gaze, and Dean cou

ld tell he wanted to tell him something.

Just then the door swung open, and Violet squealed when she saw them. “I thought I heard your truck!”

She went to Casey first, who accepted his sister’s hug with a resigned look on his face, a far cry from the way he’d pushed her away only a month ago.

Violet pulled away and waved them inside. “Come on, I’ve got food all ready.” She paused as she looked down at Dilbert with a frown. “You again.”

“Still hate dogs, huh, sis?” Casey took Dilbert’s leash from Dean and led him inside past Violet.

Alone for a minute, Dean pulled Violet toward him and gave her a long, slow kiss. “Hey.”

“Hi.” The word was spoken as softly as a sigh, and he didn’t let go of her hand, just rubbed his thumb across the skin.

“How is Daisy?”

“She’s resting.”

“Well, I haven’t told Casey anything.”

“I better get in there then, before he starts hollering for Daisy and wakes her up.”

He let her pull away and followed her into the house. She looked adorable in a pair of jeans and a simple pale blue peasant blouse. Her hair was pulled back loosely in a ponytail, and he wanted to reach out and use it to tug her gently back into his arms.

“Daisy?” Casey called.

“Case, shh, she’s resting,” Violet said.

“Resting? Daisy doesn’t rest.” Casey’s small face appeared paler than normal, and his voice trembled as he asked, “It’s really bad, isn’t it?”

“No, sweetie. It isn’t good, but she’s going to be fine. Believe me, it could have been worse.”

“Are you going to tell me what happened?” Casey asked.

Dean watched as Violet made Casey sit down at the dining room table, scooting her chair around so she was basically sitting next to him. As she told him about the events of the night before, Casey became increasingly agitated, and she continued to run her hand over his shoulder and head, reassuring him that Daisy would be fine. Her entire demeanor was that of a concerned parent comforting her distraught child.

Because that was essentially what Casey and Daisy were to Violet. Dean wasn’t sure why this was really just occurring to him, but Violet treated her younger brother and sister less like irritating younger siblings and more like beloved offspring. The actual title of who they were to each other didn’t matter as much as the fact that they belonged to Violet and she to them. She had risked a lot to hang onto her family. She was loyal, compassionate, steady as an oak, and would protect her loved ones with the ferociousness of a tiger mom.

She was everything Dean wanted in his future wife.