A Marine for Christmas (Hearts Ablaze: Men in Uniform) by Makenna Jameison

all, she’d agreed to let Brian spend the two weeks before Christmas with him.  He’d had to make arrangements at work to rearrange his shift, but it was all well worth it to spend quality time with his son.  Now here they were, a week later, standing in his driveway together.
    They’d always bonded when he’d gone out to visit, partly because he’d travelled to be with Brian so much.  He’d also been lucky in that his and Kristin’s wasn’t a bitter divorce.  She’d always allowed him access to Brian, even when she maintained full custody, and Brian had grown up knowing as much as he could of his father, even though Jason had been stationed on the other side of the world.
    He still hadn’t seen Amy since he’d returned, and he hadn’t figured out the right way to smooth things over.  Now that his son was visiting it would be even more awkward to go over there.  He would’ve loved for Amy to meet Brian, but now certainly wasn’t the right time.  And hell, he still hadn’t even gotten to take her out on a proper date.  No wonder she thought he was a first-class jerk.  He hadn’t told her about Brian.  He’d slept with her and then made her feel like he wasn’t interested in anything more by leaving town almost immediately after.  He still felt crushed every time he pictured her face before she’d run out the door—the hurt and sadness had been unmistakable.
    “Are you sure this is Virginia?” Brian asked, glancing up at him questioningly.
    Jason laughed as he looked down at him.  “Of course I’m sure.  What makes you ask that?”
    “Well, it doesn’t look any different from California.”
    “Maybe not,” Jason agreed.  “What were you expecting?”
    “I don’t know.  Maybe some different trees and grass.”
    “Different trees and grass,” Jason chuckled.  “These do look pretty much the same,” he said, glancing around.  He noticed Amy’s car was gone from the driveway, he wondered if she was out running errands this morning.   The last Saturday he’d been in town Amy had come over to see the painting.  Now there was a definite possibility that he’d run into her since he’d likely be in and out all day with Brian.  He was nervous to see her again, unknowing how she’d react.
    Jason had gotten up early this morning to drive to National Airport in Washington, DC to pick up Brian.  Jason’s brother had been home on leave over Thanksgiving and was able to accompany Brian on the cross-country flight.  It had been good to both pick up Brian and give his brother one last goodbye before he returned to duty.  R&R was never long enough, but it had been nice that his brother had been able to make it all the way home this year.
    “What do you say we head inside?  I’ll show you the tent I set up for us to camp out in the living room.”
    “With sleeping bags?” Brian asked excitedly.
    “Yes, two sleeping bags.   One for me, and one for you, buddy.  Next time I’ll have a bed set up for you—promise.”
    “No, sleeping bags are better!”
    “High five?” Jason asked.
    “High five!” Brian shouted, jumping up in the air.
    At that exact moment Amy’s SUV came driving down the street.   Jason cringed slightly at the bad timing.  She’d obviously seen him standing in the driveway with Brian, and now here he was just staring at her.  He felt a slight clenching in his gut as he caught a glimpse of her behind the wheel.  This wasn’t the right time for him to rush over there and convince her they needed to talk.  It would be rude of him to not at least wave hello though.  As her car approached he raised a hand and waved.  It was a friendly, neighborly gesture, if not exactly the way you’d want to greet the woman you’d just slept with.  Her car pulled into her driveway and she stepped out, wearing those running tights again and a fleece-looking jacket.
    “Who’s that?” Brian asked.  “Do you know her?”
    Jason realized he was still staring, and