Contemporary Romance: Passage of Arms - A Military Romance Novel (Romance, Contemporary Romance, Military Romance, Romance Novel Book 1) Read Online Free

this with Chris and I learned that if I wanted to stay with him, I would just have to accept the fact that he was a Marine first.”
    “So’s Adam,” Sarah chimed in quickly.
    “Yes, but he’s willing to not be,” Mary retorted. Silence fell briefly. “Okay, it’s late so I need to get going. I’m happy for you, Sarah, I really am.”
    Grinning, Sarah wiped at her cheeks again. She believed Mary’s words with all her heart. They ended the call and minutes later, Sarah found herself standing over the sleeping body of her baby. The house was entirely quiet, save for a few raspy breaths coming from Ruth. She had a toddler bed. That meant it wasn’t going to be comfortable for Sarah to curl around her, but she did it anyway and cradled her daughter’s soft body into her chest. She fell asleep with a smile on her face, probably the first time in months. She had no dreams, just peaceful sleep.
    When she awoke, it was before Ruth. That child took about ten hours each night to rest for the next day. Sarah didn’t mind. It usually gave her an hour of quiet in the morning. She needed that hour. She called it her power hour. She showered, had coffee, and sometimes even stretched. Her physical activity stopped there though.
    She would have to start making breakfast, but she didn’t feel like anything fancy. Perhaps Ruth would be fine with a bagel and some fruit for breakfast. It was worth a shot.
    Sarah reached for the bag of bagels, but then noticed someone at the front door. It was a shadow hanging over the crushed glass. She went to the door and cracked it open.
    “Bruce,” she smiled and pushed the door open widely.
    “Sarah,” the man responded. He was a tall, over 6’2”, and a Major. He was in his Dress Whites and looked stunning.
    “Come on in,” Sarah said quickly. She motioned for Bruce to keep his voice down. “Ruth’s still sleeping in the back. Have you had breakfast?”
    Grinning, Bruce nodded and shut the door behind him. They moved back into the kitchen, speaking together easily.
    “Of course. You know I start every day at 4:30,” he chuckled and looked around. “But I’ll take a bagel if you’re offering,” he nodded towards the bag that was out on the kitchen counter. Sarah grinned and nodded.
    “Sure thing. I was just going to make one for Ruth too,” she pulled two plump bagels from the bag. “So what do I owe your pleasant company this morning?”
    Bruce moved to her coffee pot, a Keurig. He helped himself to a brew of coffee.
    “Just stopping by. Promised Adam I’d keep an eye on his girls. Do you need anything?” He added a sprinkle of creamer to the brewed cup and stirred with a spoon.
    “You always ask that and what do I always say?” Sarah joked. She pushed he bagels into the toaster and turned to Bruce, crossing her arms. She liked it when he stopped by. She loved speaking with the women who had deployed husbands, but sometimes, it was tiring listening to the same old emotions and feelings. Bruce was a bachelor and an adult. That meant he added a fresh perspective to the stale housewife routine.
    “Well,” Bruce shrugged lazily and lifted the coffee to his lips, “one day you might actually need something,” he smiled and tipped his head towards Sarah, “and when that day comes, I’ll be there to help. Deal?”
    Sarah smiled. “So what’s the occasion?” She motioned to his uniform.
    “A press release. I’m taking the General’s place. He was called out on emergency.”
    She raised a brow. “That doesn’t sound good. Is it about the exits from Iraq?” Bruce eyed her carefully, and then lifted the coffee to his lips again. After a moment, Sarah sighed.
    “You don’t have to tell me everything, Bruce,” she grumbled. “Just what you can. Maybe you can tell me the press release,” she chuckled. Bruce smiled, but didn’t say anything. Ange sparked. “You can’t tell me anything?”
    “It’s not good, Sarah,” he said softly.
    Sarah frowned. “Okay.