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

Well, I spoke with Adam last night.”
    Bruce raised an eye brow. “Is that so? How is he?”
    “Good. He said everything is going according to plan,” as she spoke, she watched Bruce studiously. His face hardened at her words, but he remained silent, and only nodded.
    “I bet you’ll be happy when he returns, right?”
    Sarah smiled. Bruce wasn’t going to give up any information. He was always really good, or bad, about that.
    “Absolutely,” she paused, “You know, he told me he wasn’t going to reup last night.” Finally, she had a reaction. Bruce sputtered on his coffee, and a bit even dribbled down his lip. He caught himself and stared at Sarah hard.
    “Are you going to be okay?” She asked, smiling slightly. Bruce chuckled, and lowered the coffee mug to the table. He stared at it for a moment, and then turned to Sarah.
    “Are you serious about that?” He asked, slightly confused.
    Sarah looked over Bruce again. He was a fairly handsome man. He had to be. He was Marine Corps officer, good goodness sake, and a young Major at that. His hair still had full color and his body was hemmed and honed like a fine Olympian athlete. She didn’t know much about his personal life, other than the fact that he didn’t seem to be taken with the idea of marriage. At least he knew where he stood.
    “Yes, but,” Sarah narrowed her eyes at him and pointed, “don’t you dare mention that to him, okay? Please?”
    Bruce nodded, and then drew two fingers across his lips like he was sealing them closed.
    “And then I’m gonna take this key,” he dangled his two pinched fingers in the air, “put it in my niffy box here,” he used his other hand, and held it out flat. Sarah giggled, “Are you watching me?” He asked, grinning back. Sarah laughed and he smiled. “I’m gonna toss them in,” he gestured with his actions, “and toss it out,” he finished by tossing the box over his shoulder. Sarah jumped.
    “Watch out!” She exclaimed. Bruce’s eyes widened, “You can’t go around throwing imaginary boxes like that, you’ll wake Ruthie up.”
    “I’m already up, Mommy,” answered a small voice. Sarah heard the voice first, and then saw the tuff of blond hair second before her daughter’s body emerged from the hallway to the back of the house. Ruth was holding a stuffed dog, a puppy husky. She held it around its front paw and rubbed her eyes.
    “I want water,” Ruth croaked. Sarah caught Bruce’s eyes and laughed. She nodded towards her daughter.
    “Sure thing, baby,” she pushed herself from the countertop and moved closer to Bruce, near the Keurig to retrieved a cup for her daughter.
    “Hey, Brucie,” Ruth said with a grin.
    Bruce watched her. “Hey, Ruth. You sleep well last night?”
    Ruth didn’t answer. She just stared at Bruce and shifted her weight. When Sarah brought her the short toddler cup filled with water, she dropped her dog and grabbed it with both hands, drinking greedily.
    “How much time until the conference?” Sarah asked, turning back to Bruce.
    “I’ll need to be leaving in a few,” Bruce answered, glancing nonchalantly at his watch.
    “Can’t stay for breakfast?” Sarah asked. She didn’t want to admit it, but having another male around Ruth sometimes made her a bit easier to handle. Bruce wrinkled his nose, and then smiled at Ruth as she finally acknowledge him with a weak wave.
    “I’ll probably just need to take the bagel to go,” he looked to Sarah again. “I already ate, remember?”
    Sarah nodded. It was probably better this way anyway. Soon, her husband would be home and then she wouldn’t be so desperate for adult interaction. The bagels had long since finished toasting. That meant she missed the prime time to butter them, when the heat from the bagel was just enough to melt the butter and soften the toasted bread to perfection.
    No matter. She knew Ruth didn’t care about the prime time to butter a bagel and she’d be shocked if Bruce even cared. Sarah