Page 57 of Rescuing Mary

Needing to know now, Truck backed Mary up against a wall and clasped her wrists in one of his hands above her head. He tilted her chin with his free hand and pressed his body against hers. “I’m not going to freak out, no matter what you tell me. I just need to know. It’s driving me crazy. Hollywood’s not acting like normal. Is something wrong? Is he okay? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Easy, Truck,” Mary soothed, not trying to get out of his hold. “They’re fine. Hollywood hasn’t been around much because his wife just gave birth.”

“Holy shit!” Truck said, dropping his hands and staggering back. “Hollywood’s married? And he just had a kid?”

“Yeah. A girl. She’s adorable. Kate. His wife’s name is Kassie.”

“Wow. Seriously? Hollywood married. That’s crazy. I never thought he’d settle down.”

“Fletch’s wife is pregnant too,” Mary said gently. “She’s due in about a month and a half and is having a difficult end of her pregnancy. Her name is Emily.”

“Damn,” Truck said, trying to absorb what Mary was telling him. “I didn’t know she was pregnant.”

“And they have another daughter. She’s eight. She’s Emily’s, but Fletch adopted her. Annie is amazing. She’s refreshing and cute and exasperating all at the same time.”

“Annie,” Truck mused.

“Do you remember her?”

Truck shook his head. “No. But I feel kinda the same weird feeling inside when I hear that name as I do when you’re in my arms.”

Mary blinked up at him but didn’t comment.

“And now it makes sense why Ghost asked me over in Africa if I knew anyone by the name of Rayne, and then spit the other names at me. Thanks for telling me,” Truck told her.

Mary flung herself at him, and Truck caught her by reflex. “You’re gonna remember, Truck. I know it.” She looked up at him. “I just hope you don’t regret anything when you do.”

“None of that,” Truck scolded. “I told you I wasn’t going to have sex with you yet, so there’s nothing to regret.” He didn’t like the look of unease on Mary’s face and wanted to tease it out of her.

Luckily, she smiled up at him, and he relaxed.

“That’s right, Trucker. I’m not that kind of girl.”

“I know it. And with that, I really do need to go. I’m already late and I can feel my phone vibrating like crazy in my pocket. The guys have probably already called the cops and reported me missing.”

Mary smiled. “Okay. I’ll text you some more details about the women, okay?”

“I’d like that.”

“It won’t be everything, but just a few important things about them. Maybe you can get all the details from the guys. They won’t be happy I told you anything.”

“Tough shit. I’m happy you told me. And that’s all that matters.”

Mary grinned. “All right then. I’ll see you later.”

Truck stepped back. “Yes, you will.”

“Have fun storming the castle,” Mary quipped as she waved at him.

“The Princess Bride,” Truck said. “Love that movie.”

“I know you do.”

“Bye, Mary.” Truck reluctantly turned and headed for her front door before he decided he never wanted to leave. There was something about the woman that made him feel protective and proud at the same time.

“How’s Emily doing?” Truck asked Fletch later that morning when they were running along a dirt path in the middle of Fort Hood.

His friend whipped his head around to stare at him and nearly face-planted in the dirt when he tripped over his feet.