Love of a Marine (The Wounded Warriors Series Book 2) by Patty Campbell Page A

want to lose you. Not unless you want me to go away.”
    Stunned, he was at a loss for words. Instead of speaking, he kissed her on the ear and sighed. They sat quietly for several long minutes.
    Then he began to rock her back and forth and hum.
     
    * * *
     
     
    His heart beat hard against her back. He tucked hair behind her ear and began to sing You Send Me in a surprisingly beautiful deep voice, and she sucked in a shuddering breath.
    He brushed his lips on her neck, setting her on fire.
    “Cluny.”
    “Yes, baby?”
    She reached back and caressed his cheek. “You can sing.”
    “Yes I can.” He squeezed her tight. “High school musical star.”
    She’d never tell him Marvin sang that same love song to her. Growing up in Sao Paolo the song had been foreign to her, the tune before her time, but he said it was an old Charlie Daniels American classic his dad sang to his mom when Marvin was a boy. Her chest hurt at the memory and at the same time warmed with wonder that another warrior chose to sing it to her. Cluny didn’t have the lyrics quite right, but the sentiment was unmistakable. She hoped he’d sing it to her again when they were alone.
    “Mama?”
    She straightened at her son’s voice. “Yes?”
    “The lifeguard told me and Amber to stay out of the water. He’s gonna put up a red flag on the beach because the riptide is too strong for safe swimming. I said we wouldn’t go in because you told us to stay at the umbrella until you came back.”
    Cluny helped her to her feet. “It’s time to pack it in for today.” He slung a long arm over her shoulders, and they strolled back down the long stretch of warm sand. Amber had already started packing. Santos ran ahead to join her.
    “Graciella.” His hand tightened on her upper arm.
    “We can’t talk now, Cluny.”
    “I need time alone with you. When can that happen?”
    She stopped and gazed into his eyes. They were no longer vacant and cold, but shone warmly under the brim of his ball cap. “Will you call me later tonight? After Santos is sleeping?”
    “I’m having dinner with Amber’s parents. I should be home by ten, ten-thirty. Is that too late?”
    “No.” She put her arm around his waist.
    He pulled her closer. A wave of warm anticipation overwhelmed her senses.
    Amber stomped around the blanket while Santos pulled up the umbrella stake. “This rilly stinks! We were having fun, now we have to leave.”
    Cluny laughed and picked her up. He swung her around and growled into her neck until she dissolved in a fit of giggles.
    “You and my daddy got to stop treating me like a baby. I’m too big. It’s embarrassing!”
    “I keep telling you you’re growing up too fast. Grab that pile of wet towels. Time to retreat, soldiers.”
    Graciella smiled at Amber’s mercurial change of mood from angry to happy the minute her uncle set her on her feet and issued orders for his troops to pack up their gear and head back to base.
    They were almost halfway home when Amber piped up from the back of the van. “Uncle Cluny, did you ask her?”
    Graciella stopped breathing. Ask me what?
    Cluny smacked the steering wheel. “No. I forgot.” He flashed a quick grin at Graciella. “I’m under orders to invite you and Santos to Gunny Dempsey’s for their annual July 4 th barbecue. It’s a bunch of former and active duty military and their families. And a few loose cannons like me. It’s next Wednesday.”
    “Oh boy! Can we go, Mama? Your studio is closed that day. Grampa and Gramma are going to the VFW party for old people.” He bounced in his seat hard enough to shake the van. “Can we?”
    “Oh, for goodness sake, Santos, settle down.” She giggled and shook her head.
    “OK, but can we?”
    Amber added her two cents. “I already invited Santos to come. Daddy said I could bring a friend, and he’s the friend I want to bring so can you come too?”
    Cluny cocked an amused eyebrow. “It’s potluck except for the barbecue. Whaddya say?”
    Had