Free Falling for Flynn by Nicola Marsh Page B

ending this evening had suddenly become the last thing she wanted to do.
    He slowed his pace and chuckled. “Sorry, I’m used to rushing around in the army. No time to dawdle, as my first sergeant used to say.”
    “You love it, don’t you?”
    She heard the pride in his voice whenever he spoke about his career yet wondered why he rarely discussed it with her. He’d divulged a few tidbits of information to Adam, who’d been thrilled to learn of his father’s exciting career, but hadn’t been so forthcoming with her.
    Not that she’d pushed him when a huge part of her didn’t want to acknowledge the fact his career would probably drive them apart in the end.
    “Defending my country seemed the right choice back then. And it hasn’t steered me wrong.”
    He released her hand as they reached the car and turned to face her.
    “A lot of things have come and gone in my life but the army has been the one constant. That’s why I want to run this training school for recruits. Hopefully, I can give a little bit back to a career that’s given me everything.”
    She respected his loyalty but where did his zeal leave her and Adam? Was there room in his life for emotional commitment to anything other than his job?
    “How long will you run the school for?”
    There, she’d asked the million-dollar question that had been plaguing her for weeks. The more time they spent together, the closer she came to giving this man her heart again and this time she wanted forever, not a fleeting taste of happiness. He wanted to be friends, she wanted to be a heck of a lot more and one of them wouldn’t get what they wanted.
    He didn’t reply until they’d got into the car and he’d started the engine.
    “I don’t know. The army hasn’t given me any indication how long this posting will last.”
    Flynn hoped his answer would suffice. He wasn’t ready to tell Lori the truth yet, for he knew she’d read more into it.
    “So your time here is just a posting?”
    Damn, he could even hear the hope in her voice, tugging at his conscience.
    “Yeah. I have no idea when I’ll be moving on.”
    He focused his attention on the road, tired of lying to her yet knowing it was vital to protect him — and her.
    The plan he’d devised needed a lot of variables to align to work so no way in hell would he mention any of it to her until he had confirmation.
    “In that case, we better make the most of the time we’ve got.”
    Though she cast him a dazzling smile, he saw right through it. She’d always used that fake smile whenever she wasn’t happy about something. He’d seen it when her high school had lost the debating championships to his and he’d seen it when he’d asked her wallflower friend to have a dance — at her urging — at the graduation ball. Both times, she’d later admitted how unhappy she’d been and he’d cheered her up with a kiss.
    Logan, you’re a genius.
    “I agree. Let’s make every minute count.”
    He turned off the main road and headed alongside the Yarra River, hoping she would be just as keen to “check out the view” again.

CHAPTER NINE
    Lori knew where Flynn was headed the minute he turned onto the gravel road twisting alongside the Yarra River that led to the Lookout. Though his casual words about leaving had struck with a vengeance she determinedly ignored her misgivings and focused on this moment, this night, with this man.
    “This isn’t the way to my house,” she said, feigning ignorance while her pulse hummed in her veins, excitement building with every curve in the road.
    “A fact we’re both well aware of.”
    His low chuckles filled the car, warming her with their familiarity.
    “Whatever you have in mind, Flynn Logan, I’m not that sort of girl.”
    She wondered if he’d remember the words she’d uttered all those years ago. Sitting here with him now it felt like only yesterday. Who knew where they’d be if she’d followed him to the ends of the earth, married him as she’d hoped,