Shelby's Secret (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 4) by Kori David Page A

they got a ton of girly stuff for you and little Rebecca here,” Jesse said. He squatted down, and both of his girls crammed themselves up against his sides.
    Shelby noticed Rebecca had done the same thing to her. The three girls were all looking at each other with big eyes and shy smiles, at least from the twins.
    Jesse smiled and nodded at his girls. “Do you like horses?” he asked Rebecca.
    Rebecca nodded, her little face solemn.
    “This is Jennifer and Jessica, and they want to show you their favorite pony. Don’t you girls?”
    The twins giggled, and each held out a hand toward Rebecca.
    The little girl looked up and when she saw Shelby nod, she reached out a hand slowly toward the grinning twins.
    And that was all the invitation they needed. They grabbed Rebecca and started talking a mile a minute, starting and completing each other’s sentences in that universal twin way that had Rebecca’s head turning constantly to the one speaking.
    “Are you sure it’s safe.”
    “Three Ex-Marines against whatever trouble you have is more than enough,” said one of the women coming out of the cabin. She was petite with lively green eyes, and she stepped up and held out her hand. “I’m Lily. Welcome to the Compound.”
    “And please don’t let these two, or the name of this place, scare you.”
    The woman attached to that statement had pale blond straight hair that caused Shelby instant envy. She approached the still-scowling Zach, and Shelby noticed his face soften and the hard stare turn into something soft and full of love for the curvy little woman that tried to pass with her hand held out.
    He didn’t let her.
    “Zacharias Steele,” she scolded with a twinkle in her eye. “You let me greet Mike’s guest properly.”
    “No.” He kissed her nose as she stood looking up at him from the circle of his arms.
    Shelby watched in wonder as the smile that spread across his face transformed Zach from downright terrifying to loving husband with a mischievous side. And just like that, she relaxed. She should have trusted Mike would never take her somewhere that wasn’t completely safe.
    “Get a room,” Mike said to his friend as he tugged Shelby’s hand, pulling her toward the cabin. “Let me show you my home.”
    Her eyes widened. “I thought you lived in Phoenix.”
    “I have a house there for work. But this is where I escape when city life is too much.”
    The interior could have been in a magazine. Not that the space was opulent like the place she was staying at, but because the design was simply beautiful. Large windows let in the light and showed off the woods in the back and front. The furniture was big and comfortable with a fireplace for cold nights. The kitchen was a gourmet dream. She’d forgotten Mike liked to cook. “I can see why you love it here.” She looked at Mike and waved her free hand around. “This feels like a home.”
    “I hope you’re hungry,” he said. “The guys have been cooking most of the day, and the food is probably ready by now.”
    Shelby was shocked and amused. “Those two huge men did all the cooking?”
    Mike grinned. “Yeah, Lily bakes, but Elizabeth tends to start fires when she tries to cook. Zach doesn’t even let her near the microwave anymore. Besides, Jesse is an absolute whiz with a steak, and Zach is the master at smoking ribs.”
    Shelby’s stomach rumbled at the mention of all the food. She let go of Mike’s hand—she hadn’t even realized she was still holding it—and moved to the back patio doors. Outside on the large deck she could see tables set up with a red-and-white-checkered cloth, pitchers of lemonade and iced tea.
    Rebecca stood at the corral, petting a black-and-white Shetland pony that was clearly enjoying the attention.
    Zach’s son ran up and started pointing, and all four of the kids raced into the barn.
    Shelby wasn’t sure, but Rebecca looked like she was smiling. Her heart cracked at the sight. So many months had passed since