Free One Man's War by Lindsay McKenna Page A

frustration evident in his voice. “You’ve got looks, you’ve got brains and yet you’re here—in Nam. Why? Why not be back in the States, married with a brood of kids like other American women?”
    â€œI come from a large Texas ranch family, Pete. I’m the youngest of the brood of four, and the only girl. After Dad died unexpectedly, I watched my mama work, slave over a hot stove, and raise us.” She sighed and smiled slightly. “Maybe I wanted more, I don’t know. I didn’t want to be tied down like she’d been. I loved adventure and challenge, so I went out and got it after graduating with honors from Texas A & M. My first assignment as a government AID official was in the Philippines. I helped those people improve their farming methods and saw the contribution increase their food yield and better their way of living. It made me feel awfully good about myself.”
    â€œSo there’s more to life than baking bread, having a husband and kids?”
    â€œSome day, I intend to have that, too,” Tess said, meeting his sour smile.
    â€œDo you know how different you are?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDoes it bother you?”
    With a laugh, she asked, “Why should it? I’m happy with what I’m doing. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish. I feel needed. I belong.”
    Pete sat there mulling over Tess’s fervency, and her very clear-cut values. There was a confidence shining in her eyes, and well-earned pride in her work. He understood all too well about those needs being fulfilled.
    â€œYou got a boyfriend?”
    Tess laughed. “Nothing like being blunt, is there?”
    â€œWell?”
    â€œNo. Not presently.”
    â€œYou ever been engaged?”
    Tess laughed lightly, as if it were no big deal. “Once,” she admitted. “When I was over in the Philippines, I met Eric Hampton. He was a Peace Corps volunteer. A really nice guy. We fell in love. It was that simple.” And that complicated, Tess wanted to add, still hurting and confused as to why Eric had drifted away from her.
    Pete mulled over her story. The lights above shone on her loose, beautiful red hair. The need to touch her hair with his hand shook him. There was such gentleness in Tess. She was a strong woman, there was no doubt, but it was a woman’s kind of strength.
    â€œI can’t believe any man in his right mind would have let you go,” Pete hedged, watching her facial features closely. Although she’d tried to pretend that her past love affair meant nothing to her, Pete saw differently. He saw a shadow in her eyes, pain.
    â€œWell...”
    â€œWhat did he do? Set you up to get you into his bed by dangling the right carrot in front of you? An engagement ring?”
    Anger tinged her voice. “Eric didn’t become engaged to me just to get me into bed. I was in love with him—or so I believed.”
    He nodded thoughtfully, interested in Tess’s reaction. “I don’t want to burst your bubble, honey, but most men will do anything to get the woman they want into their bed. Look at me—I’m the same way.”
    Tess stared at him, outraged that Pete would even suggest such a thing of Eric. “Not every man lies, Pete. Eric didn’t. He was honest and so was I. It just didn’t work out, that’s all.”
    Picking up her work-roughened hand, Pete held her wavering gaze, filled with hurt. Gently, he squeezed her fingers. “Honey, there’s one good thing about me: I’ll never lie to you. I’m up-front all the time. I had so many lies told to me growing up that I promised myself when I was old enough to escape the orphanage I’d never lie to myself or anyone else.” Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. Her flesh was warm and fragrant. “I want you, Tess Ramsey, in my arms, in my bed and with me as much as I can possibly wrangle under