Free A Hero Scarred by April Angel, Milly Taiden Page A

breath of fresh air into your life.”
    “It’s not that simple.” Not anymore. She didn’t trust men not to screw her. Emotionally or financially.
    “You’re thinking too much.” Kayla leaned into the sky blue, plush sofa and sighed.
    “I always think too much,” Jessie agreed.
    “Come down to the house. We’ll have a few quiet days in the sun and on the beach.”
    It sounded so good. Incredible, in fact, but the over thinker inside continued to hesitate. Jessie scrunched her face. “Won’t I interfere with your time alone with Ryan?”
    Kayla grinned. “Nah. We’re good.”
    “Well…”
    Rissa threw a balled napkin at her face. “Just go already. Dios . You’re going to make me paranoid.”
    She laughed. Her sister was a free spirit. As far from paranoid as one could get. It drove Jessie insane most of the time. Where Jessie needed to plan and organize ahead of time, Rissa would rather do spontaneous things. Nothing got to her. Nothing worried her. Hell. Her whole relaxed personality stressed Jessie most days.
    “Why don’t you come with me?”
    Rissa grinned, her dark eyes twinkling. “I plan on coming down there in a few months. Right now things are too busy at the shelter.”
    She nodded. Rissa’s work at the abused women’s shelter was never over. She’d rather not take a break than leave someone who needed her help.
    “It’s settled then.” Kayla piped in.
    “I guess. But I have to go through my schedule and ensure somebody can cover me for the time I’m away. Make sure all your appointments have been taken care of and then we can go.”
    “This is why I love you,” Kayla sassed. “You never leave anything up to chance.”
    “I’m your office manager. Besides, you’re way too busy to be left to take care of your office stuff,” Jessie said. “And in case you didn’t notice I’m the best at my job. And you know it.”
    “True. This is why I want to find the perfect man for you.”
    “Kayla!”
    Rissa chuckled. “She’s not going to stop.”
    Jessie threw the same balled napkin to Kayla, who was smiling into her wine. “I know. She’s incorrigible.”
    “That I am.” Kayla winked. “I won’t stop until you find the right man for you.”
    “Oh, brother.”
    Rissa turned to her. “Well. I think your trip should be fun. Dodging all kinds of single men through the beach.” She giggled. “I hope they don’t try to hit on you while nude sunbathing. That would be epic.”
    Yeah. An epic fail. She could only hope Kayla didn’t set her up with a bunch of guys. She was starting to act like her mom playing cupid. It was okay when it was directed at others. But when Kayla focused her efforts on Jessie, it wasn’t much fun.

Chapter Two
    “Tell me this is a joke?” Matt groaned. He ran his hand through his hair, tugging at the strands. Frustration ate at his stomach.
    “Matthew Payne! Quit being so dramatic.” Kayla giggled. “This isn’t a joke.”
    Why did all women think that just because they were happily married he needed to be in the same situation? Kayla was such a sweetheart. He hated to be rude to her, but Ryan’s wife was getting way too involved in this setting up all Ryan’s friends project.
    “Kayla…” He didn’t know how to explain to her that he didn’t want to date. There was a reason he didn’t date. His issues went beyond normal PTSD.
    “Oh, shush.” She pouted, her eyes sparkling with laughter. “I happen to know this woman is very nice.”
    He snorted. Yeah, they were all nice. Until they got to talking to him, that is. Then it was “oh you poor thing” or “they have surgery for that.” Like that’s what he wanted to hear on a date. Those kinds of comments were what kept his ass out of the dating zone.
    “Matt, she’s not gonna let it go.” Ryan grimaced as he took a seat next to his wife. He stretched the leg with the prosthetic out in front of him. “You may as well say yes.”
    Kayla moved a hand to his knee, massaging Ryan’s