Free Back From Hell (Marine For You Book 2) (Contemporary Military Veteran Romance) by Marissa Dobson

knowing what else to do, he wrapped his arms around her and just held her. He’d find out the truth about the ranch but if there was already a contract signed like Colin implied, there’d be little he could do. Maybe there was another horse ranch she’d be happy with. Though he doubted this because for her it wasn’t just about owning a horse ranch. It was the memories made with her father at Cline’s ranch that made the place so special to her. The bond she’d had with her father had been transferred to the ranch when he died.
    “It’s stupid to be standing in the hallway all upset about a piece of land when my mother is having surgery, but it feels like I’ve lost Dad all over again.”
    “I know, sweetie.” He held her tighter and tried not to think that he had just called her sweetie. He didn’t want to contemplate what that meant. Rather, he focused on having her in his arms—something he had wanted to do for a while now. He’d have preferred this to happen under other circumstances but since he had denied himself her touch before, he’d take it how ever he could get it.
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    T he surgery turned out to be a success and now there was nothing to do but wait. Alone in the waiting room, Staci cuddled against Kyle. It had been a long, stressful twenty-four hours and all she wanted to do was go back to the hotel and sleep. One last visiting session of the night and she could do just that.
    Colin had disappeared a little more than an hour before in search of dinner, but there was no doubt he’d be back for the visit. She wanted to deny him the right to see her mother, just out of spite because of his comments throughout the day. If he wasn’t making a comment about her or Kyle, it was the ranch, or how she disappointed her mother. It had gotten to be too much.
    How long was she expected to stay in Tennessee? Too long, and she’d lose her mind. If Mom’s recovery went as planned, she’d be released in a few days, and Staci could return home. Yet, she wasn’t sure what going home would mean because suddenly, she felt lost. Everything she had worked for was gone. She’d taken this trip because her mother was sick and ended up grieving for her father and the ranch. It didn’t seem right but sometimes emotions weren’t something that could be changed.
    She also had no idea how things would stand between her and Kyle when they returned home. Something between them had changed since they arrived. It felt right to be in his embrace, to be cuddled against him, and not just because she claimed they were engaged. Engaged. She’d have some serious explaining to deal with later, but the announcement had made this trip easier. The next trip would be hellish, but that would be the price she’d pay.
    “I see the two of you are exactly where I left you.” Colin strolled toward them.
    She couldn’t keep the moan from escaping. “Colin, we never had this much of an issue last time I visited, so do you want to tell me what changed? Why do you suddenly seem to hate me?”
    “We were never close, so it’s not that big of a change.” He sank down into a chair across from them, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared at her.
    “True but you didn’t despise me. Unlike my mother, I can’t see you having a fit like this because I brought my fiancé home for a family emergency. So what’s the issue? Because as of right now I’ve had it.”
    “Your father might have bought that innocent act but I don’t and neither does your mother.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “Stac—” Kyle started.
    “No, it’s okay. I want to hear whatever issue he has with me.”
    “Your mother cares for you more than you know. She finally told me why she won’t marry me.” The heat in his gaze was directed at her as if she was supposed to know.
    “What the hell are you talking about? Why would her reasoning be my fault?”
    “She won’t marry me because of you.” He leaned forward and clasped his hands in front of