Free The Colonel's Daughter by Lili Tufel Page B

have never pegged the old Colonel for a man of faith.”
    Abby began a new sketch, adding stars as the backdrop.
    “There’s a Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in my home town,” Dallas paused. “The Cathedral is in the Dallas Arts District.” He ran his hand over his crew cut then down his face. “I haven’t seen Texas in over a year.”
    “My dad and I lived in Texas.” Having lived with her father for a greater part of her life, Abby told him about the time she spent in Texas when her father had been assigned to Army Headquarters in Fort Sam Houston. “My parents have been separated for years. I lived with my dad until he went on tour. Then I moved back in with my mom. It worked out though since I started attending University of Miami.”
    “Let’s not talk about the U. Being in there was like being in a foreign land, actually, more like enemy territory.”
    She laughed. “Well at least you’re not wearing that silly hat today.”
    “Are you talking about my Longhorn cap?” Joking, he opened his mouth as if appalled. “Oh that’s it. It’s getting put on right now.” He tugged at the steering wheel threatening to pull over. “I’ve got a Longhorn cap and a shirt in the back of this truck.”
    “You are not pulling over for that, no.” She joked.
    He pulled the truck off the highway, leaned over the seat to the extended cab in the back and grabbed his rucksack. He quickly removed his shirt and before replacing it, Abby caught sight of his muscular upper body but also the scars that covered his back.
    “What did they do to you, Dallas?” She brought her hand close to him without touching.
    “Oh, that’s nothing, just a scratch.” He slipped on the orange Texas Longhorn t-shirt and threw the rucksack in the backseat.
    “That…was more than just a scratch.”
    He fidgeted with his cap before putting it on. “You’re right it was more than just a scratch. They tied me to a post and whipped the shit out me.” He ran a hand over his mouth. “I’m not sure what instruments they used but it felt like daggers on my back.”
    Abby stared in silence.
    “All that just to get us to talk, to say something, anything,” his breathing got heavy.
    “That’s horrible, I’m sorry you had to go through that. Do you think my dad’s going through it right now?”
    “No, of course not, don’t think that way, Abby. They got what they needed to know already. Anyway, they’ve learned that there’s nothing they can do to get the Colonel to talk. Don’t stress yourself out about your dad. He’ll be alright.”
    “I can’t help it.” She grabbed his hand.
    He stared into her brown eyes for a moment before he kissed her and his tongue moved about in gentle rhythmic movements. Realizing that he was quickly losing sight of his objective, he pulled away, fighting his desire to feel her round breasts. His mind pictured her soft tongue touching his body and he was jolted, straightening up on his seat and placing both hands on the steering wheel.
    Abby stared at his blue eyes and licked her lips. Noticing that he had to adjust his pants, she realized how uncomfortable he really was. “I’m sorry.”
    “For what?” He raised an eyebrow.
    She cleared her throat staring at his pants.
    “I’m the one that should be apologizing, not you.”
    “You don’t need to apologize to me for anything.” She put a knee on her seat and leaned into him, kissing his face. As she was about to straddle him, he gently pushed her away.
    “No, no, no, no. You’re gonna get me into a lot of trouble.” He took a deep breath, pressing his thumb and index finger against his forehead, “Wow, this is difficult.”
    “I blame the Longhorn shirt.” She joked. “Once you put it on, I just found you simply irresistible.”
    “Oh really, then I wonder what’ll happen if I put this on?” He put the Longhorn cap on and winked.
    “Ooh yeah, now that is sexy.” She laughed.
    He turned the truck back onto the highway. “Abby, I