Free Heart of a Marine (The Wounded Warrior Series Book 1) by Patty Campbell

in Iraq?” Now why had she asked that out of the blue? She wasn’t interested in Dwayne Dempsey. No, she didn’t have a single ounce of interest in him! Not even half an ounce.
    As if he’d read her mind, Bradley asked, “Are you interested in him? Now, there’s a man’s man, if you want my opinion. He’s somebody who’d appreciate a hardheaded woman like you. Why don’t you give Edwin the heave ho? Dwayne is a much better prospect.”
    “Dad! What brought that on? I’m not the least bit interested in him in that way. I just wondered if you knew about his wound.” Dump Edwin? She wasn’t being fair to him, but she wasn’t ready to go it alone either. Edwin was safe, stable, reliable.
    “Of course I knew. John’s my best friend. I’ve known about it from the day he got notified by the Navy Department. Why? Is that a problem for you? I doubt it has any effect on him in the manhood department, if you get my meaning.”
    “Good grapes! The man works for me. What could be more inappropriate? Anyway, he’s the last man in this town I’d ever be interested in.” Liar, liar, liar.
    Skipper’s ears perked up. He jumped off Marla’s lap and ran to the entry hall barking his little head off.
    Bradley stood. “Ah, the two dragon ladies are home. I wonder how much of my money they spent this time.”
    “Skippy!” Charlene’s squeal echoed down the hall. “Marla’s here.” She struggled in with several shopping bags and dumped them on the floor.
    Silvia followed, also burdened with boxes and bags. “We hit a fabulous sale at Nordstrom. Wait till you see the cute shoes I bought.” She crossed the room and kissed Bradley on the cheek. “I see you had company while we were gone.” Hugging Marla, she said, “I’m sorry you didn’t get back earlier, sweetheart. You could have gone with us. Where were you all day?”
    “Well, I closed the sale on…”
    Silvia opened a shoe box and showed her a pair of glittery red pumps that could give Dorothy some competition in Oz.
    “…the house for the Wylands. You drove all the way to Northridge?”
    Bradley rolled his eyes at the shoes. “They’re great, hon.” He looked at Marla. “Rosalie Wyland? Dwayne’s cousin from Wyoming?”
    “Am I the only person in this town who didn’t know that?”
    “Oh, Lordy lord, Marla. Will you look at this blouse? Isn’t it to die for? Mom bought it for me. It’s the perfect color for my eyes. I can’t wait to wear it.”
    Brad cocked his head. “I thought you took them to see that house because Dwayne built it. You mean you didn’t know they were related?”
    “Not until I got to their motel today. He was there. He never said anything to me.”
    “Sis, wait till you see this.” Charlene proceeded to peel off her blouse, revealing perfect rosy breasts barely covered with pale peach lace.
    “Char! You’re undressing in front of Dad!”
    “Lord, Marla. He’s our father.”
    “He’s a man.” She huffed and rolled her eyes at her twin’s cluelessness.
    Dadley squeezed his eyes shut. “I’ll close my eyes.”
    “Turn your head, darling.” Silvia put her hands on Bradley’s shoulders and turned him away.
    Marla glared at Charlene. “See? You can’t just take your clothes off whenever the urge strikes. What are you doing?”
    Instead of answering, Char slipped the blouse from the hangar and dropped it over her head. The heavy peach silk drifted down and settled on her breasts.
    Marla sucked in a breath and pressed her hand against her chest. “Char, it was made for you.”
    “Isn’t it perfect? Sil spotted it from clear across the sales floor.”
    Bradley twisted he head. “Can I look now?”
    Silvia tugged his elbow and grinned. “Isn’t she stunning, darling?”
    Clutching his heart with thespian passion, he said, “You’re the vision of a fairy princess, Charlene. I can barely breathe.” He put a finger on her shoulder. “Turn. I want the full effect.” She made a slow, complete circle. He