Miles: Alpha Company Renegades, #9

By Kali Hart

Miles

The hardest thing about coming back from a deployment is having no one there waiting to greet you.
No wife. Not even a girlfriend.
Now that I'm back stateside, I'm supposed to fly home to see my mom next week.
She'll ask me if I've found anyone yet, like she always does.
I know I'll have to tell her no.
But then I meet Kimberly at my buddy's welcome home celebration.
I know she's been hurt before, but I will do whatever it takes to make her realize what she means to me.
I know she's the one I want to take home to meet my mom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie M. Wallick
• Release date: May 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9798223642350

Book preview

1

KIMBERLY

I’m allergic to pumpkin patches. It’s a lousy excuse, not to mention a total lie. But I’m running out of reasons to decline, my dear friend, Breea’s invitation.

No you’re not. My older sister Darci posts her hands on her hips and narrows her eyes at me, much like she does when she starts the three second countdown with one of her kids.

Am to.

You’re allergic to apple donuts too?

Well, let’s not be rash now. I forgot all about those delicious specialty donuts. Damn, she really knows how to play dirty. I switch tactics. You know I don’t date military guys.

Or any guys, she mutters under her breath. "So what, Kimmie? You’re not going on a date. Your nice friend invited you to a bonfire that just so happens to be a welcome home party for the guy she likes. It’s an invitation for you to get out of the house. I love you, but please go. You’ve been hiding out here since…"

She doesn’t have to say it out loud. The wedding.

Why don’t you tell me how you really feel? I joke.

Besides, who said anything about military guys?

I wiggle my phone at her. "Because the guy she likes just returned home from a deployment. He’s an Army guy. Of course there will be other Army guys there. Tell me this isn’t a setup."

Darci’s harsh expression softens as she takes a seat next to me on the bed. So what if it is? Would that be so terrible?

Um, yeah it would. There’s not much worse than being dumped on your wedding day. One minute my sister’s zipping up my dress, and the next I’m jilted. It’s only been six months, Darci. I’m not ready to get back out there. Maybe I never will be. I like it here in Darci’s spare bedroom. It’s safe with family. They don’t rip your heart out and serve it to you on a platter.

"If this is a setup—and that’s a big if—it’s not like you’re required to fall in love with the guy." Darci drapes her motherly arm around my shoulder and pulls me close for the reassuring hug I desperately need. I’m over Dustin. Not much to pine for when he took off on our honeymoon with one of my bridesmaids. But I’m a far cry from ever trusting a man again.

I’m not going.

Maybe you need a rebound guy.

Mommy! Mommy! Hunter, my three-year-old nephew, screams down the hall to my bedroom. In the doorway he stops. Mommy, Justine dumped her juice in my Lego box!

Hunter ripped the head off my Barbie!

She pushed me!

He pulled my hair!

Darci locks her eyes with mine, taking a slow breath in the process. Would you rather stay here and help me deal with this? she asks through gritted teeth. Her husband is in the Army Reserves and gone for drill this weekend. Since Darci is letting me stay with her rent free while I finish putting the pieces of my shattered life back together, I should stay and make sure her wine glass