A Marine's Christmas Proposal: Falling For A Hero, #2

By Susan Lute

Celebrating Christmas is the last thing on former Marine David Randall's mind when he leaves behind his military life to take care of his newly orphaned nephew. But when the job waiting for him is suddenly eliminated, he takes the only position available – a temp position with the buttoned-down daughter of the CEO of Banks Sportswear. Appearances are not always what they seem. And a growing attraction for his new boss spells trouble with a capital T.

A frustrated overachiever, whether playing the spoiled rich girl, or trying to prove she has what it takes to make it in her father's corporate world, Charlee Banks has until the company Christmas party to come up with a proposal to expand the family business in the domestic market. Saddled with a temporary administrative assistant who is a mis-fit for the job if ever there was one, it's not long before a shattered heirloom ornament, a little boy's tears, and a hero's broken heart has workaholic, Charlee Banks realizing there's one Christmas proposal she'd better get right.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Lute
• Release date: Mar 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9780984978465

Book preview

Chapter One

David Randall , once upon a time the top of his class at Stanford Business School, and more recently, Captain in the US Marine Corps, took a break from unpacking to watch his nephew run his toy truck around the boxes scattered through the living room.

Brrrmm. Brrmm.

Elijah turned his toy toward the open front door and ran as fast as his short little legs would go.

Not so fast, buddy. David scooped him up just before the kid drove over the highly polished black pumps stepping purposefully through the entry.

More trouble than a platoon of Marines, isn't he? Lilly Hunter's amused laughter followed right behind David's snort.

It's a toss up.

His aunt closed the door on the setting December sun before planting a kiss on Elijah's temple. But he's such an angel—aren't you young man?

Setting her over-sized black purse on the wood stove he hadn't had a chance to heat up to ward off winter's chill, she took in the chaos erupting from the boxes the movers originally left neatly stacked against one wall.

Chaos reigned. For a Marine, even one who'd made the hard choice to become a civilian, it wasn't a good thing.

Looks like you can use some help.

He frowned. In more ways than one.

He knew how to be a Marine, even one who was no longer on active duty. What he didn't know was how to be mom and dad to a three year old.

His aunt was dressed in her usual business attire, dark gray jacket over pale pink blouse and gray wool skirt. As administrative assistant to the owner and CEO of Banks Sportswear, she was from the old school and refused to relax her wardrobe to business casual. Graying hair hung in long curls to her shoulders making her look more vibrant than your typical great-aunt.

Michelle's coming over later.

A worry line etched between her perfectly formed brows. She's working too hard. I was hoping to see her here this morning. I have something for her in the car.

Working too hard was his little sister—he would always think of her that way—doing her third year of general surgery residency at Oregon Health Sciences University.

She's breaking away this afternoon to watch Elijah while I go to the interview.

Lilly ran a hand over the box on the coffee table marked Christmas decorations in his sister, Sarah's neat handwriting. Dark brown eyes welling with sorrow asked a silent question.

David shook his head, heart crunching in pain. Not this year. It was her favorite holiday. I can't.

Losing one of his soldiers had never been easy. Losing Sarah and Tom in a senseless traffic accident ripped his heart right out of his chest.

Down! Elijah demanded, kicking his feet, surprising David out of his misery by coming dangerously close to an important part of his anatomy.

On a choked laugh he released the boy, almost dropping his nephew before the kid's lethal weapons got planted firmly on the floor.

Lilly chuckled.

He shrugged, fighting his own smile. He gets a little excited.

So I see. His aunt knelt to Elijah's level. Do I get a hug?

Elijah threw himself into her arms as David’s cell erupted with a country song. He plucked it off the box where he’d put it safely out of his rambunctious nephew’s reach, and watched from the kitchen while his aunt reigned kisses all over the little boy’s laughing face.

Randall here.

Captain. Wilson. I...um...how did the move go? First Sergeant Brian Wilson, six months after retiring from managing troops, was now in charge of Human Resources for the Pacific Northwest Bank. The First Sergeant's promise of a sure job was one of the reasons David had left the Corps, packed everything he owned, and moved with Elijah to Portland. The other was to be close to the only family both of them had left.

The uneasy sound in Wilson's voice kick started David's alarm. In all the time he'd known the retired Marine, the man had never been caught off guard. Still unpacking. I'm all set for the interview this afternoon. My sister is going to watch Elijah.

How's the kid handling...everything?

A delaying tactic. This couldn't be good.

He's doing okay. Except that an inexperienced uncle could never replace his parents.

"There’s no easy way