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filled with tears over this soldier she’d never known, no doubt a great man if he’d been a friend of Kyle’s, a brave warrior who’d given up his life for their country. Kyle had mentioned the guy was married with two young children. Those babies would never know their father. His wife would never hold her husband in her arms again.
    She didn’t know how long they stood together in the foyer with their arms around each other. When he lifted his head from her shoulder, she led him into the living room and onto the couch. On the coffee table sat a single photograph of a man in fatigues, unsmiling but with a definite twinkle in his eye. She didn’t have to ask if she was looking at Brett.
    Kyle sank onto the sofa, his gaze riveted on the picture.
    She cuddled next to him. “Do you want to talk?”
    “I don’t think I can. It happened a couple days ago, but I just found out.”
    Gretchen couldn’t take away his grief, but she could share in it. She tugged him closer until his head rested on her chest. Threading her fingers through the silky, golden-brown strands, she slid her other hand up to flatten against his chest. Kyle intercepted her, entwining his fingers with hers and pressing her hand against his thigh.
    “Tell me about the trouble you and Brett used to get into together.”
    At first she didn’t think he would speak, but he began replaying the memories of two mischievous, overactive boys who became daredevil, heartthrob teens. Shadows crept through the house. The sunset cast a golden glow on the walls, then faded, leaving them in darkness by the time he stopped talking.
    He stirred, disentangling from her embrace. “I need to book a flight to Texas. The funeral’s taking place there.”
    “I’ll come with you.” She couldn’t bear the thought of Kyle traveling alone while hurting so badly. After hours of listening to stories, she felt as if Brett had been a personal friend of hers as well.
    For a moment, he looked like he might argue. Then he nodded and shuffled away.
    She made her way through the house, fumbling for light switches to illuminate the unfamiliar path. Stumbling upon the kitchen, she turned on every switch along the wall. Half-chopped tomatoes and peppers lay on a wooden block on the counter. Peeled brown potatoes sat next to them. She opened the refrigerator and found two steaks marinating.
    Kyle wasn’t in any frame of mind to consider the practical details of the upcoming travel arrangements, but the busy work of preparing the meal would keep him occupied. “Come in here and help me fix this delicious dinner.”
    “I’m not hungry.”
    “Cook it anyway. Everything will go bad if you leave it like this, and you can freeze what you don’t eat.”
    Despite his lack of enthusiasm, she continued to prod. By the time he’d finished preparations, she’d taken care of the plane, hotel, and rental car reservations. As they ate in silence, some color returned to his face.
    He caught her eye. “Lousiest date you’ve ever had, huh?”
    No, but he won the prize for the saddest. “I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
    “A lousy date shouldn’t have the right to ask, but will you stay with me tonight? I don’t think I can bear to be alone.”
    “I’m not leaving your side,” she promised. She’d give him whatever he needed, hoping she remembered his pleas and promises came from a grief in dire need of comfort, not personal feelings for her. Unfortunately, her own personal feelings were very much involved. She had no hope of separating where comfort stopped and true affection began.
     
    ***
     
    To think he almost hadn’t opened the door to let her in. Kyle stepped toward Gretchen as she entered his bedroom. Her lavender silk lingerie skimmed her lush curves. She’d unfettered her breasts, and they swayed beneath the shimmering cloth. Finally, he had the chance to put his hands on her delectable figure and explore every inch.
    Her body was real, something he could hold on to