Soldier Mine (Sons of War #2)(14)

“I think I’m coming home for Thanksgiving,” Katya proclaims.

“Oh, no. You stay there,” I say, amused. “You’ll come just to beat up Brianna.”

“And?”

“Let me figure things out for myself.”

She’s quiet for a moment. “Okay, Petr. You get one shot, then I’m stepping in.”

“All right, sis.” I love my sister. She means so well. When our mother died, Katya took over the roll of taking care of Mikael, Baba and me. She was nine at the time and absolutely fearless. She never lost that edge or her huge heart. “You doing okay?”

“When Sawyer’s here, yes. When he’s not, I have to entertain myself. I’ve taken up a couple hobbies but I’m not very good at them. Thinking of returning to school.”

“For what?”

“Child psychology. Kids don’t piss me off like adults.”

“Sounds safe then.”

“Not funny, Petr,” she snaps. “How’s Baba?”

“Healthy, happy. Excited about the holidays. You’ll be back for Christmas, right?”

“Absolutely. If that means I have to fly to Iraq to drag Sawyer back, I will.”

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.” I say, imagining my sister in the deserts of Iraq hunting down her husband. There’s no doubt in my mind she’s serious.

“Whatever.”

“Good talking to you, sis.”

“You, too, Petr. Call me tomorrow.”

“I might be busy.”

“Stop it! Call me tomorrow!”

I laugh again. “Alrighty.”

“Love you!”

“Love you, too.”

I hang up, cheered by the interaction. She’s right about Brianna, and her conviction soothes the part of me chafing about what to do.

Of course, the moment I decide to grow balls, Brianna texts, and I’m thrown into confusion once more.

Okay. If that’s what you want.

“Ugh.” It’d be better to skip the feast than attend knowing Brianna is already sulking about it.

Fed up with women for the day, I change into workout clothes and go to the large gym on the first floor for a long, brutal session.



The next morning, I show up at the diner an hour later than usual, thanks to an emergency request from Bev for me to pick out matching tablecloths. The moment I chose, she realized I had neither taste nor color coordination ability, so she dismissed me and called my sister.

Claudia perks up from behind the counter as I enter and take my normal booth. Her ponytail is tied with a fall colored ribbon today, and from her pink cheeks, she walked to work. She meets my gaze briefly before circling the counter with a slice of pie and mug in her hands.

“You’re late,” she tells me briskly.

“Had to pick out tablecloths and wall décor for Thursday.”

“Really? You’re good at interior design?”

“Nope. That’s why I’m here and not there.”

She cracks a rare smile. “I still haven’t decided. I’ll save you the effort of asking.”

“About Thursday?”

“No. About karate.”

“No surprise.”

Her eyes narrow.

“What about Thursday?” I ask.

She hesitates. “Maybe.”

“Maybe,” I repeat, eyebrows lifting. “Did hell freeze over?”

“No, but your coffee did while waiting for you.” She sets down the mug in her hand. “Drink up, soldier boy!”

“Very sweet of you to set out my pie and coffee,” I reply with a grin. “I’ll try not to be late tomorrow.”

She flushes. “I don’t … I didn’t …” Flustered, Claudia whirls and leaves, her usual defense mechanism for when I manage to elicit some sort of emotion from her.

Unusually satisfied that she almost admitted to waiting for me, I’m smiling more widely than the situation should warrant. That there might be a thaw to her cool courtesy genuinely impresses me. I was beginning to believe either my leg or my perseverance or something else about me was putting her off.

The coffee is cold and the pie warm from sitting out. I can’t find it in me to care today. I’m too satisfied with my micro-victory to question what happened here. I’m halfway through my cold coffee when Bev sends me another text. This one, I can actually help out.

Leaving money for the food and my usual generous tip, I stand. I catch Claudia’s pretty hazel gaze. “Gotta run. Be in tomorrow at the usual time.” With a wink, I don’t wait for her to give me the cold shoulder and leave.





Chapter Seven: Claudia


Ugh. I don’t know how I managed to let that happen, but I slipped up. Petr caught it, too. I’m beginning to wonder if Eileen is onto something. But I can’t fathom what might remotely interest someone like Petr. He knows nothing about me, and I definitely am not trying to encourage him in any way. The woman he met here the first day was more his type than I am.

Not that it matters. I’m kinda glad his coffee was cold. I hope that makes up for me almost admitting I was waiting for him today. I tell myself I didn’t any more than I do any other regular.