Page 4 of Her Loving Hero

Wyatt shook his head and grinned. “If anyone’s going to claim me, I’ve been hoping it’d be you, Halindra.”

The big woman let out a loud whoop. “You be careful Boy, I’m tempted to take you up on that, but I think Miss Emily would take exception.”

Wyatt looked sideways at Emily. “Would you?” he teased.

Emily blushed hotter and turned her head away from him.

“Halindra, I really appreciate your input. I do,” Emily took a step away from Wyatt. “But we really are just friends, and even if we were dating, we’d only be in the getting to know you stage.”

“Honey, your perspective is skewed. Around here, the time you’ve taken to get to know one another is the length of three relationships.”

Wyatt winced. A couple of years ago, that would have sounded a little bit like him too, and he wasn’t real proud of it. At least he knew he hadn’t broken any hearts, because he’d always been careful to only date women who knew the score, but Halindra’s words just hammered home his regret.

“Are you listening to us, Wyatt?” Emily asked.

It took a second for him to digest what the woman had been saying. “I think Delmar and Farrah should take it slow,” he agreed with both women.

“Wyatt, Delmar took three months to work up the nerve to ask out Farrah,” Halindra grumped. “He’s got nothing but respect for her. It makes an old woman’s heart proud to see two such nice kids making time with one another. It’d make me happy to see you two become a couple as well.”

Wyatt saw Emily’s agitation. “She did promise to buy me a cup of coffee today. So, see, we’re getting there.”

Emily shot him a grateful look.

Halindra’s eyes turned heavenwards. “Wy, what is with your generation. You’re making her pay? Don’t you have any money?”

Wyatt kept a straight face. “Nope, none.”

“Damn, the Navy needs to pay you more, or you need to un-ass either that truck or motorcycle so you can take Sister Emily to a proper meal.”

Emily laughed. “Don’t fall for his bull, Halindra, he’s joking you.”

“I’m just saying it should be dinner, at this point I don’t care who pays.”

The phone rang, saving them from hearing anymore suggestions from Halindra.

“Thanks,” Emily whispered gratefully.

“You’re welcome.”

Halindra looked up from the phone, then put her hand over it. “Wy, can you call me later with your questions? This will be awhile.”

He nodded.

“So, you still up for coffee?” he asked Emily.

“Only if you feel comfortable. I don’t want to make you feel weird.”

Shit, he really wished Halindra would have kept her mouth shut.

“Emily, us being together is never weird, what are you talking about? You’re my friend, remember? Halindra’s a matchmaker, don’t worry about it.”

He watched a smile spread over her face.

“Since coming back to the states I haven’t made many friends yet. I would hate to lose you.”

Wyatt’s hand itched to tuck the tendril of hair behind her ear. “There’s no chance of that,” he assured her. “So, do you want Starbuck’s?”

She pursed her lips in a frown. “Not when there’s Brenda’s Beans. You know I support local businesses.”