Saving Easton (Oakside Military Heroes Book 2)(17)

"Dad, can we go for a walk?"

Barbie shoots me another dirty look. She knows it's because I want to talk to him without her around.

"Of course, P. Let's go."

Molly loves taking walks around my parents’ neighborhood because there are all sorts of new smells in their yards. So, she walks happily in front of us, stopping every so often to make sure we’re still following.

"What's on your mind?" Dad asks.

"I need some advice, but you have to swear not to talk to Leeland about this, and probably not Mom. At least, not right now, because it isn't just me involved.”

Dad looks over at me. I rarely ask him to keep secrets from Mom, but when I do, it's pretty big.

"Of course, I won't say a word, until you do."

"I asked Leeland about Easton because I ran into him... at Oakside.”

I let it sink in. Easton was over at our house all the time and almost like a second son to my parents. I know they hate that Leeland lost contact with him, because I've heard them say so before.

"He was injured?" Dad asks.

"Yeah, he’s the guy who was a POW that I mentioned that Molly has taken, too. It's Easton." There’s a sharp intake of breath, and my dad stops and closes his eyes.

"He's okay now, but he’s trying to deal. He asked me not to tell Leeland just yet. Easton is still... very jumpy. He doesn't like people in his room, and he doesn’t leave his room. Well, he's just still trying to deal." I say again.

"But physically, he’s okay?"

"From what I can tell. He’s always wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts, so I'm guessing he's got scars he's hiding, but I haven't seen them. He won't let anyone, but his doctor and nurse touch him and only when needed."

It all sinks in, and my dad starts walking again.

"You’re torn about him not waiting to tell Leeland?" He asks.

"A little, but not as much as I should be. The thing is, I had a huge crush on him growing up, and recently, he admitted he had a big crush on me, too. It's completely selfish, but without Leeland in the picture, there’s nothing stopping us. As soon as Leeland shows up, the 'don't date my sister' rule he pushes is back."

"You’re torn between wanting Easton and wanting to let your brother know he's okay?"

"Yeah. Not to mention, Barbie is the last thing Easton needs. I'm sorry, but he and Molly have bonded. She climbs into his lap and lies there the whole time. If Barbie sets off Molly, it will set off Easton, and then it will take the rest of the day to get him relaxed again. He's making so much progress, and I don't want him to regress."

"Your brother had rules for you growing up to protect you. He didn't want guys using him to get to you, and he put the same rule in effect, so girls wouldn't use you to get to him. Things are different now. If there’s something there, then go slow. Don't let it cloud Easton's care."

"Of course. I told Easton the other day I think he'd benefit from a service dog when he gets out of Oakside. Molly's been so good with him. After the pool party, I went to see him, and he did well with Atticus, too."

"Was it him you were texting earlier?"

"Yeah," I say and pull out my phone to see if I have anything from Easton, but I don't.

"Easton doesn't want me to tell Lee he's there yet. Right now, I agree. I'm worried that when I'm ready to tell, he still won't be."

"You can't worry about the future or all the maybes. All you can only worry about is right now. So many things can affect the future or change things. Worry about that bridge, when and if you get there." Dad says.

"Easier said than done.”

"Always is." He chuckles.

"Now, let's talk about Barbie," I say.

"I'm not a fan, but she makes your brother happy. The more you dig your heels in, the more he’ll stay with her out of principle. You have to let him see her flaws without egging her on."

"Again, easier said than done. When she insults Molly, she might as well be insulting me. Molly is like my kid. What would you have done, if someone sat around insulting me or Lee when we were younger?"

"I wouldn't have been as nice as you have been."

"Exactly. I hope he pulls his head out of his ass soon, or we’ll have to do separate family dinners because I can't take much more of her."

"Well, she won't be getting our ring set, that's for sure," he says.

My grandparents, Dad’s mother and father, left their wedding rings to Leeland for when he gets married, and Mom's parents did the same for me. Mom and Dad made it clear they wouldn't give them to us just for anyone. It has to be the one.

"Thank God! Because you know we'd never see them again," I say.

We finish up our walk, and I say my goodbyes.

Getting in the car and making sure Molly is ready, I check my phone again, and still nothing from Easton.



Me: My dad isn't going to tell Leeland, because I made him promise. I just needed someone to talk to.



I wait to see if he’ll reply, and I'm about to put the phone away when he does.



Easton: How did the talk go?