Make Mine a Marine Read online

  “I’ll be honest, it wasn’t much of a home. I’d only been there for a year. I’ve been traveling a lot. Roots haven’t been important to me for a long time. That’s why I was working at the diner. Easiest job to find in that area.”

  He shook his head. “Wow. That still stinks. I’m sorry.”

  She laughed. It was kind of absurd—the last year. It was like the universe was trying to show her something and she wasn’t seeing it. “I’ve developed a few trust issues, it’s true.”

  “Who wouldn’t?”

  Chelly tried not to hold on to anger and disappointment. They were useless emotions, but sometimes it was hard.

  He leaned back again. “I’m sorry you’ve had such a bad time. I’ve only known you a day, but you seem pretty nice. And no one deserves to be treated like that.”

  No pity, just kindness. She appreciated that.

  “Thanks. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?” And then she slapped a hand across her mouth. Why did she keep saying such dumb things? “Sorry.”

  He frowned. “For what?”

  “I keep saying silly things like that around you. I’m sure you’ve had to deal with really serious things—way tougher than anything I might have been through. I mean, nothing compares to what you guys have to endure when you’re deployed. I’ve heard stories from some of the veterans at the diner. I’m always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time—”

  “You don’t need to be careful with me,” he said. “My parents walked on eggshells whenever I came home, and it drove me crazy. Mom tried to put whale sounds in my room to keep me calm. Well, I kind of liked the whales. But I do what I do because I like the idea of making a difference. Being a Marine does that for me. And I’ve had it easier than most.

  “Mom and Dad always did things their own way. We were never what you’d call normal. Of course, I’d give anything to have them around now to drive me nuts. Just know, with me, you can say whatever you want. I don’t ever think about comparing my life with anyone’s. Everybody goes through tough times. Sounds like you’ve had your fair share.”

  Until I met you today. “I had a Sunday school teacher once who said that sometimes we put obstacles in our path, and sometimes they are put there to guide us down the right path. I never really understood that until this year. I don’t know where my path is going, but Nashville was definitely a wrong turn for me. I learned a lot of lessons there, none of which I intend to repeat.”

  “I don’t usually believe in all those universe theories, but something good led you to my estate sale today, so I’m grateful.”

  Shoot. She was grateful for the change of subject. “That’s sweet. I was glad to help.”

  “Can I ask you something?” He shifted from where he’d been sitting.

  “Sure. You know the majority of my darkest secrets.” At least the most recent ones.

  “Why don’t you do this—the antiques thing—for a living?”

  She glanced away from him and stared out at the water. Her dream had been so close to her heart for so long. Each time she thought she might be a step closer, something else happened.

  “Hey,” he said, touching her shoulder lightly, and she looked at him. “No judgments. I promise.”

  He stared at her intently. She could get so lost in those eyes.

  Friend. Keep him in the friend zone.

  “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  3

  MATT LIKED LISTENING to Chelly talk about her idea for a junk repurposing business. She was so passionate about it, and her hands and mouth were going a hundred miles an hour. The towel slipped off her shoulder and exposed her bikini top. Thankfully, those dolphins showed up when they did earlier, or she would have seen his erection. When she’d bent over to touch the starfish, he couldn’t look away from her perfect butt. She was curvy in all the right places and seemed so comfortable with her body. He liked a woman who was confident.

  Chelly cleared her throat. “I’m boring you. Sorry.”

  “Not at all. So you take the old furniture, like my mom has in the garage, and turn it around and sell it for a profit?”

  “Your mom’s furniture, at least what I saw of it, you would never touch. Painting or staining those things can ruin the value of the piece. But like that one desk we sold today—the school desk? It’s something that I could paint or do a fun pattern on or switch it into something else and it would bring in more money than the original would.”

  “And you want to sell online?” He was getting the gist and trying to think of a way to give her a hand. That was something his mom had instilled in him. When you could do something nice for someone, you did it.

  “To start with, yes. Someday I’d love to also have a storefront. And my ultimate goal is to build up my cash reserves so I can buy a retail warehouse. I never want to be in debt, so I’d save up first. I’m thinking solar panels for the roof to get off the grid as much as possible and save on costs and spare the earth. I know it’s probably a long way off, but a girl’s gotta dream. I like being self-sustainable.”

  “I get it,” he said. And he did. An idea began to form in his mind. “So what if...and it’s okay for you to say no.”

  She bit her lip. He noticed she did that when she was worried. “What did you have in mind?”

  “We might be able to help each other out and in the process get your business started.”

  Her eyes widenened. She asked, “How?”

  “It’s clear that I have no clue what to do with all of my parents’ belongings. Some of those furnishings I want to save for my place, which I’m going to start building, but the rest I need to sell. Maybe you could assist me with that. I could give you a percentage and then anything that you might be able to repurpose, you could have for your business. I’d only be taking those items to the dump or giving them to charity, anyway.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I’d help you for free,” she said. Still, she wouldn’t look at him. He’d pay big bucks to know what she was thinking just then.

  “Nope. I need an expert and this only works if I feel it’s fair. You made me over six thousand today. I realize I keep saying that, but it’s so much more than I ever imagined. You get that I have no experience at this, and you’d be protecting me, as well. Making sure I get decent prices. You could build up an inventory. I bet that’s important. My mom used to have a store, which is why we have all this crap in the first place.”

  “She had an antiques store? Now it makes sense. Everything was from different time periods and styles, and I couldn’t figure out how she would fit all of that in one house.” She smiled then, and her gaze met his. “It’s not crap, by the way. She had exquisite taste.”

  “See? That’s why I need you.” He did.

  “Do you do this with everyone you meet? Try to fix them? Sort out their lives? Is that, like, your thing?”

  He crossed his legs and sat up. “What do you mean?”

  “Saving damsels in distress. You’re a Marine. You’re probably wired to rescue people.”

  Maybe he was, but it started a long time before the Marines. “You don’t really seem the type that needs to be rescued. I was thinking more of you being the one to save me, which is why it’s okay if you say no. There won’t be any hard feelings on my part.”

  She shook her head. “You’re kind of a wonder, Matt. I’m not sure what to think.”

  Given what she’d been through, she probably was a little shy about trusting anyone. He had the same problem, and he wasn’t quite sure why he was inviting her into his life. Over the past few months he’d done little except focus on work and make lists about what he wanted in his new house. Thinking of building it was the only light he had at the end of the tunnel.

  He’d been forcing himself to go out with his friends, but more than an
ything he wanted to be on his own. To live peacefully. Get everything organized so he could move forward. He liked things ordered.

  He had a feeling chaos followed Chelly, but there was something special about her. Something that called to him. The last few hours on the beach had been some of the most peaceful he’d experienced.

  “You said you wanted to sell your family home. Can I ask why?”

  That caught him off guard. “I have some river property not far from here, where I’d like to build a place. With the sale of Mom and Dad’s house I can afford it. I’m not much of a suburb kind of guy. I like my privacy. I’ve been meeting with an architect the last few weeks, but I really have to get my parents’ home and furnishings settled first.”

  She seemed to consider this. “You mentioned you wanted to save some of their possessions for your place. What kind of a place? A cabin?”

  “Nah. Can I show you?” He got out his phone, opened a real estate app and presented her with a photo of the iconic Texas river house he wanted. “It’s called a Texas T. Family room and kitchen in the center with hallways off to other rooms. And I want limestone floors and whatever else makes it fit into the landscape naturally.”

  She flipped through the pictures. “Wow. This is incredible.”

  He wasn’t sure why it pleased him that she liked it so much, but it did. “Here, I’ll show you the view from where I’m hoping the family room will be.” He took the phone and opened a new file of photos and handed it back to her.

  She blinked. “That’s your view? Looking right out on the river? It’s totally incredible. And those cliffs. It looks like something on a postcard.”

  That’s what he’d been thinking. When he was a kid he used to play in the woods around there while his dad and uncle fished in the river. Where the house sat was up on a rise, but there were a hundred acres, most of that on the riverfront. He’d been offered top dollar for it, but it was one of the most quiet, peaceful places on earth, and no way was he giving it up.

  “You said you picked out an architect? Do you have a designer?” Her words came quickly now, her excitement was contagious.

  He smiled.

  “I hadn’t thought about a designer,” he answered. “One of my friends, Brody, is marrying a designer. She looked over the plans for me and told me how to—what did she say?—oh, to maximize the view. I guess I figured I could just ask her. Though, Brody says she’s busier than ever these days.”

  “Or I could do that. Help you, I mean.” She worried her bottom lip. “Sorry, it’s just when I saw what you wanted, and where it’s going to be, I had all these visions in my head. Like you should use river rock for the fireplace. And I’d do limestone in the kitchen, but you have to make sure it’s sealed really good. You might think about using bamboo flooring for the rest, though. It’ll be a little warmer in the winter and it wears really well. If you’re running around barefoot all the time, the limestone might be a bit rough on your feet. And the wood will give the place a homier feel.”

  He’d never thought of that. He did like wood flooring.

  “Or not,” she continued just as quickly. “Like I said, I tend to jump into things pretty fast. That’s why I wasn’t so sure about your offer with the business. It’s been my experience, especially lately, that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Whether that be business or men.”

  He didn’t blame her. “I get that. So in the spirit of being honest, before we get started you should maybe know that I like things done a certain way, and it’s hard for me to let go of that.”

  “I’m kind of the opposite. If we’re going to do this, you’ll have to trust me to handle the details.”

  A long moment passed before he said, “I guess it won’t hurt to try. I’d be willing to draw up a contract for you to organize, sell and repurpose my parents’ stuff. How do you feel about a sixty-forty split?”

  “If I’m getting the forty, I can roll with that.”

  He’d been thinking the split should go the other way, since she’d be doing a hundred percent of the work. “Okay, if that’s what you want. But it would be fairer if you took the bigger—”

  “I take forty,” she interrupted. “I’d be happier with thirty. Forty seems really high.”

  “Nope. That’s where I draw the line. I’d feel like I was taking advantage of you.”

  She shrugged. “I’m guessing this is how nice people do business.”

  They both laughed.

  “For help with the river house, come up with a flat fee to charge me for your design ideas and dealing with the architect. I know what I like, but getting that across to folks—I’m not always the best communicator.”

  She snorted and then clapped a hand over her mouth. He kind of loved that she did that. “That’s so not true. You’re easy to talk to. Maybe it’s the other people who are doing the bad listening.” She grinned.

  “You might be right. So, good. Oh, and there’s one more thing.”

  The grin disappeared.

  “I know how to build a website. I did one for my mom’s business several years ago.” His friends called him a geek, but he was the go-to guy when computers, phones or anything else broke. He’d always liked tinkering with things, machines in general. He was a pilot, but he was also a fully vetted helicopter mechanic.

  “Now you’re scaring me,” she said. And he could see that he really did. “You’re a little too perfect. Definitely an ax murderer, right?”

  He rolled his eyes. “I’m far from perfect. Just ask anyone who knows me.” On the base he’d been reamed for not playing well with others. But he just liked to keep to himself. Though, he really had been trying to do better. The CO’s team-building events had forced it on him, but they’d also helped him to not be a complete loner, which was probably a plus.

  “Honestly, ax murderer or not, I can’t wait to get started.” Then her face fell again.

  “What?”

  “Nothing. So, I can start tomorrow?”

  “I gotta be on base by nine, but as long as you’re at my parents’ early, I can let you in. Before we head back there now, we can stop and get whatever you might need.”

  That’s when it hit him. He’d helped her with the job situation—but she had nowhere to live.

  And that was one line he wasn’t ready to cross.

  4

  CHELLY’S LIFE HAD done a one-eighty into awesome, but she wasn’t sure she could trust the feeling. Everything had been so rotten lately that she spent most of her time waiting for the other shoe to drop. But during her long drive from Tennessee, she’d promised herself that she’d start living in the moment again. Like she used to when she left college. Life had been better then, albeit a little on the gypsy side. She’d traveled the world and found odd jobs to fund the journey. Living in the here and now and taking advantage of opportunities had worked for her back then.

  And maybe it would again. Mr. Marine had offered her an amazing opportunity. One that she would be silly to turn down. And it didn’t come with strings, which was beyond unusual. Matt was off gathering firewood for the pit, in order to roast the magical bag of marshmallows he’d had hidden in that Harley of his.

  This guy. Well, she wasn’t sure what to think. It was so strange that all of this had happened. He was supernice, although she had a feeling he didn’t think of himself as such. But he’d already been so generous. Fixing her truck and taking her to the beach, offering to help her out.

  He was right about his needing her expertise. Estate sale folks and resale shops would charge him huge fees. For the river house, she was determined he’d accept her modest one. She was already stoked about the ideas she had for the place.

  She hadn’t lied. His pictures had sent her mind whirling.

  “Here’s your stick,” he said.

  She glanced up, confus
ed. “I soaked it in the sea a bit so it won’t burn. Might make the marshmallows taste a little salty.”

  She laughed. Right. “People pay a lot of money for sea salt marshmallows and sea salt caramel ones, too.”

  His eyebrows drew together. “That’s a thing?”

  “Sure.”

  He held out a hand to her and she stood up. “Who knew we were making gourmet marshmallows in the fire pit?”

  “Since we’re being honest with each other, I should admit that I can pretty much eat my weight in marshmallows. Easily a whole bag in one sitting. So, fair warning.”

  “Oh, it’s so on,” he said. And then proceeded to put four marshmallows on his stick. She promptly put five on hers.

  Laughing, she said, “Thanks. Today showed me that there are still good people in the world. I really needed to be reminded of that.”

  “Hey, I feel the same. I guess it’s lucky that you like junk and that your truck conked out in front of my house. Uh, maybe that’s not so great, but at least you weren’t out on the highway or stuck in the middle of nowhere. There’s a lot of middle of nowheres between here and Nashville.”

  “I know, right? Old Joe actually did me a favor. Maybe things are looking up.”

  They were, but she still didn’t trust the feeling.

  Live in the moment.

  “So do you have a place to stay for the night?”

  And there was the other shoe dropping. Sigh. Did he expect favors? He didn’t seem the type. No, she didn’t have a place, but she definitely wasn’t staying with him.

  He lifted his marshmallows from the fire and blew on them. “That didn’t come out how I meant it to, Chelly. I wasn’t hitting on you. Just so you know. Honest.”

  “I’m good.”

  His eyebrow shot up. “You said your friend was out of town.”

  “Yep. But I’m good,” she repeated. She had no idea what she was doing for shelter and she didn’t have much cash. Her plan was to head back out to one of the truck stops and sleep there. “I like camping and there are plenty of good places around here.”