The End Read Online Free

looked so small next to him, dwarfed by his strong, muscular build. She knew from the first time they met that he would always take care of her. She felt safe with him.
    â€œDone, Daddy! Now can I have my snack?” Haley asked sweetly as she closed the nail polish bottle.
    â€œOf course,” Gordon answered. He started to blow his fingers dry, but paused when he noticed Samantha still staring. He looked up to her and asked jokingly, “Does the pink bring out the blue in my eyes?”
    Haley jumped up and ran out of the room, down the hall toward the kitchen. Gordon jumped up and followed, of course mindful of the wet nail polish he had on his fingers.
    â€œSo what’s up?” he asked Samantha before leaning forward to kiss her on the lips.
    â€œLet me set up Haley for quiet time and I’ll meet you outside on the patio in, say, five minutes,” Samantha responded, then kissed him back.
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    Gordon sat on the patio and waited for Samantha to come out and join him. He leaned back, kicked his legs up onto the outside coffee table, and let the mid-afternoon sun warm his face. While he had a love/hate relationship with Southern California in general, he definitely loved the weather. He preferred smaller towns, and San Diego definitely wasn’t a small town anymore. All in all, though, life was good. He enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle, a nice group of friends, and the family he had around him. The one family member he wished was around more often was his little brother, Sebastian, who had joined the Marines four years after Gordon had left the Corps. His brother originally followed in his footsteps and became a TOW gunner, but it proved a bit boring for him. Being a man of adventure, he would now try out to be a Scout Sniper.
    Gordon’s slumber in the sun was interrupted when he heard Samantha come outside. He opened his eyes to find her hovering over him.
    â€œAre you enjoying yourself?” she asked, looking down on him, her arms crossed.
    â€œWhy, yes, I am, thank you for asking,” Gordon replied with a grin on his face.
    â€œWhen were you going to tell that your brother was coming down tonight for dinner?” Samantha asked, taking a seat across from him. “You know I need notice so I can get the house ready.”
    â€œI thought I told you. I’m sorry,” Gordon said, sitting up more in his chair. “It is okay, right? We don’t have anything else going on, do we?”
    Gordon looked at Samantha sitting across from him. He fell for her instantly when they met. He loved everything about her, from her small frame and long, wavy blond hair to her light green eyes and full lips. For him she fit the portrait of the perfect woman.
    â€œNo, we’re fine; I just need to know next time. Had I not checked the voicemail, I never would have known. Just promise me you’ll give me some notice next time.”
    Gordon stood up and walked over to Samantha. He softened his voice. “Absolutely, honey.”
    He bent down and gave her a big hug and kiss and whispered into her ear, “How about I apologize more upstairs?”
    Samantha, a bit stubborn, pulled back and said, “You know I have things to do.”
    â€œAll things can wait,” Gordon said, even softer, knowing his wife too well. He followed up with a proposal. “How about I help you with your stuff later if you help me with my stuff now?”
    Samantha raised her eyebrows and smiled mischievously. “Deal!”
    She grabbed his hand and they both ran upstairs.
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    â€œSomeone’s at the door!” Hunter yelled excitedly.
    â€œGo ahead and get it; it should be your uncle Sebastian!” Samantha said from the kitchen. She was too busy preparing a salad to go to the door.
    â€œGordon, I think your brother is here!” she called out to Gordon, who was in his office working. Samantha loved Sebastian but