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potatoes, and vegetables for us.”
    Lucas followed and Garrett brought up the rear, and he couldn’t help but notice they’d be having the exact meal their platoon always ate the night before they were deployed.
    “Sit, please,” Joe said, rolling himself up to the long oak table.
    By habit, Lucas sat on the bench. He always liked to see everything and everyone in the room, and he also liked his back up against the wall. Garrett slid in next to him.
    “Would you care for a roll?” Joe asked, passing a basket to him. “Thomas made them this morning and just reheated them.”
    The smell of fresh bread wafted from the napkin covering the basket, and his mouth watered. He took one and lathered it with butter, his mouth exploding with home-cooked goodness.
    He closed his eyes a moment, savoring the taste. He had always loved to cook, which was good as Gabby lacked skills in the kitchen. The rolls reminded him of Thanksgiving and Christmas meals when at home with Gabby and they’d invite the men from his unit and their families over to celebrate. He’d spent days in the kitchen preparing food as he’d loved cooking for others. The day was always great as they ate too much food, drank too much beer and hurled insults and good-natured barbs at each other about everyone’s favorite teams as they watched football. However, he always sighed with relief when everyone left so he could change into his sweats and lounge on the couch with Gabby in his arms.
    “I see you appreciate Thomas’s efforts,” Joe said, breaking Lucas’s reverie.
    He opened his eyes and nodded. “I do.”
    “Good. Please, eat more.”
    “And drink some Gatorade,” Garrett mumbled from beside him. “I’m sure you’re dehydrated.”
    Lucas did as told and gulped down the cherry-flavored liquid in the crystal wine glass.
    He helped himself to another piece of bread just as Thomas came in from the back deck.
    “I don’t believe you two have been formally introduced,” Joe said. “Thomas, please meet Lucas Tate. Mr. Tate, this is the man responsible for the fine meal you’re eating.”
    “It’s nice to meet you,” Lucas said, and Thomas gave him a nod before carrying over a platter of sizzling steaks. “Thank you for this meal.”
    “If my research is correct, you like yours medium well, Mr. Tate. Is that right?” Joe asked.
    “Yes.” He glanced over at Garrett. They’d been together in a platoon for three years, so Garrett knew everything from how he liked his steak done to what underwear he preferred.
    “Looks fantastic, Thomas,” Garrett said as the other man set down the platter of meat.
    Garrett stabbed a slice of beef and passed the plate to Lucas. He grabbed one that looked in the medium range, and then handed it to Joe. Thomas slid in the chair next to Joe and took the steaks from him.
    The potatoes made the same rounds, as did the asparagus and broccoli medley.
    They ate in silence for a moment, before Joe spoke. “Would you prefer to hear my offer to you sooner or later?”
    Lucas poured some gravy over his potatoes, wondering if he’d ever cooked anything this good or if he’d been deprived for so long, he just didn’t remember. “I think sooner is best.” He wiped his mouth with the napkin, almost excited to hear what this strange man had to say.
    Joe nodded. “Very well, but I ask that you don’t give me a response until tomorrow at this time, which is . . . four in the afternoon. Can we agree on that?”
    Lucas speared a piece of steak, the meat almost melting in his mouth. He looked around the cozy cabin. The gleaming hardwood floors, stone fireplace, and comfortable furniture definitely beat sleeping in an abandoned casino. The mashed potatoes he spooned onto his plate looked and tasted better than anything the church served. Yes, he could hang around for another day. What did he have to lose? Absolutely nothing. “Yeah, I can do that.”
    Joe smiled and brought the glass to his lips. “I’m so happy, Mr.