Coming for His Second Chance (Coming for Christmas #1)

1. Chapter 1

Kaitlyn

I'm not the head home to spend Christmas with my family type. Mostly because, my stepsister, Linda, is horrible; the kind to sleep with the guy you like just because she can type of horrible. And my stepmom is just as bad. I know that sounds like some princess fairytale, but it's true.

They make my dad happy, so that's all that counts. But me? I was on the first train out of Bonnetville, Kentucky the first chance I got, and that was the second I could move into my college dorm early.

Bonnetville is a tiny town just outside the Fort Knox Army base, and it's mostly military. So, knowing all this you might ask, why am I driving home for Christmas for the first time in seven years?

It's not for the hot military guys, even though, I wish it was.

No. My best friend is getting married on Christmas Eve.

It's such a small-town, and everyone knows I'm the maid of honor, so there was no escaping a family Christmas this year.

My dad is over the moon, and it makes me feel just a tad bit guilty about avoiding coming home for the last seven years.

Don’t get me wrong, my dad comes and visits me. Once, he even did a family vacation in Savannah, Georgia near where I live now. It didn’t end well with my step sister almost getting arrested. Since then, he’s visited on his own.

When Lexi calls, I'm saved from the guilt. She's a good friend, and also, my boss at Oakside Military Rehab Home, where I’m a nurse. We help men and women who have been injured in the line of duty heal, and then transition to the civilian world.

"Whatcha doing?" Lexi singsongs, when I answer.

Lexi has a happy-go-lucky bubbly personality. Of course, I think anyone would with a husband like hers. Noah treats her like gold.

"Heading to see my dad at work and have lunch with him," I say.

"And avoid the step monster, tell the truth," Lexi says.

"That’s always the truth. Linda's kid cries constantly, and he’s either ignored or spoiled, and it's stressful. They’re the reason I rented the cabin on the river."

My stepsister still lives at home at the age of twenty-four, after getting knocked up and not knowing who the father is. She expects everyone around her to take care of the kid, and I don't want any part of that.

"So, your dad works on base?" Lexi asks.

"Yeah. He's a civilian contractor. He has been my whole life," I say.

"Then, you grew up around all those hunky Army men." Lexi sighs, and I know where she’s going with this.

"Oh, look at that. Here I am. Sorry, I’ve got to go," I say.

Lexi laughs, and we say our goodbyes. I stare up at the building that holds my dad's office. The same building he's worked at for the last twenty-five years.

I get out of my car and start making my way inside, when someone calls my name. Turning around, the only person I see is a guy that’s all muscles and tattoos. I'd say he's Army, but he's not in uniform. Maybe, he’s prior Army, but I don't recognize him.

"Yes?" I ask.

He smiles and walks towards me. He isn't in uniform, but this man striding to me is tall and built, so there’s no mistaking he's Army, just by the way he’s walking. Once he's in front of me, I get a better look at him.

Holy Shit.

There’s no way this is Grayson, only it is. He's the guy I had just started dating, when my stepsister slept with him. A week later, I was heading out of town early to go to school, and he left on deployment shortly after.

When he got back from deployment, he reached out to me on social media.

I came to find out that Linda had lied to me.

Because Grayson and his unit were on lockdown prior to his deployment, due to their top-secret mission, I was unable to find out the truth.

Plus, with no visitors, there was no way for them to get together. But by then, I was in a relationship.

His words still haunt me to this day.

‘I never touched your sister. I've always only ever wanted you.’

Those words made me start doubting everything, including the relationship I was in. Though, I never reached back out to Grayson after that. I didn't think he'd still be here and was sure he'd have been shipped off to another base by now.

It's been seven years. How is he still here? So many questions run through my head, but he beats me to the punch.

"What are you doing here?" He asks, his green eyes sparkling with the smile that’s on his face.

Now that he's closer, I can see his dark brown hair is just a bit longer than the military allows, which tells me, he's either no longer in, or he’s on leave.

My eyes have to travel up to look into his deep green eyes, but then, he was always taller than me.

The muscles and tattoos are new. This man is nothing like the nineteen-year-old Grayson I knew all those years ago.

"Right now, I'm heading in to have lunch with my dad." I nod towards the building. "But I'm in town for Dana's wedding."

If he's still in the area, he knows about Dana's wedding. The whole town is invited. Her parents are rich and sit on every board in the county, as they are huge in investing in the town and working with the military.

He nods, and his eyes rake over my body again from head to toe. I can feel his eyes on me, as if it was his hands on me, and I can’t stop the involuntary shiver.

"How's the boyfriend?" He asks.

"Long gone," I say.

I don't bother to add there have only been a few since him, but none have lasted, since I've been comparing them to him.

"Sorry to hear that," he says.

I smile this time. "No, you're not."

He smirks, and just like it did all those years ago, that sexy grin about does me in.

Grayson

How did she get even hotter? All those years ago, she was beautiful, but in an innocent girl next door kind of way. Now, she's still got the girl next door vibe, but more of an ‘I won't put up with your bullshit kind of way,’ and it's the sexiest thing I've ever seen.

In jeans and boots with a blue shirt and brown jacket, she does nothing to hide her gorgeous curves. I can't wait to run my hands through her wavy, blonde hair that flows over the chunky scarf she’s wearing.

Day one, and she's already calling me out on my crap apology. Damn right, I'm glad they aren't together. Not that it would have stopped me from trying to make her mine, anyway. It would have just been a roadblock. Boyfriend or not, I have two weeks, and I plan to give it my all.

She doesn't come home for holidays, and with a stepfamily like hers, I can't blame her.

But I knew she was coming back into town for Dana's wedding, and I was hoping to run into her.

I also knew that she was having lunch with her dad at least once.

Though, that's not the reason I've been having lunch here every day this week.

"You're right. I'm not sorry." I say to her. "You seeing anyone else?"

Let's just get this out of the way now, and make both our lives a little easier again, not that it will stop me.

"Nope. Are you?" She asks.

"Nope,” I echo. “Where are you staying?" I send up a silent prayer that it isn't with her dad and her horrible stepfamily. Since I found out about Linda's lies, I’ve avoided them, like the plague.

If she’s staying there, I’ll deal with it and suck it up to see her. There’s nothing that can keep me away this time. I won't live with the regret and what ifs of not taking my shot.

Those what ifs have been eating at me for seven years now, and it's time to silence them.

"I rented a cabin on the river."

Thank God.

She doesn't have to tell me that it's so she can have her own space, but I know that’s exactly why. If I had Linda and her stepmom as my family, I'd want my own place, too.

I let my eyes wander over her again. When I got home from that first deployment, and then found out she was in a relationship, I threw myself into my work.

I took every deployment I could just to stay busy.

If I was deployed, I couldn't cyber stalk her.

Or worse, try to show up where she was just to run into her.

Yeah, I considered that a few times, when I had leave.

Though, no matter how busy I was, she never left my mind for long.

There was never anyone else long term. I tried dating to try and forget her, but I compared everyone to her, and that didn't seem fair to them.

There have been a few hook-ups, but nothing that I can even remember, standing here in front of her now.

"Your dad said you're in Georgia now?" I ask.

We work at the same base. In fact, our buildings are next door to each other, so we see each other a few times a week. He's been my steady stream for my Kaitlyn fix.

Her dad is so proud of her, and the work she’s doing. To anyone who will listen, he’ll sing her praises. Of course, I’ll listen for as long as he’ll talk.

"Yeah, I work at Oakside Military Rehabilitation Home. I really love my job and working with the guys there," she says.

I knew that already, as her dad has mentioned it countless times. He tells everyone who will listen about that place. I have looked Oakside up, and now, I follow the updates on it. There’s even a photo of her on the staff page with a short bio.

I've seen photos of her with the patients and read the write-ups. I'm so damn proud of her.

When they’re doing fundraising, I’ve made several anonymous donations to help them. One of them was for restoring the old barn on the property and bringing in horses for equine therapy. Most recently, I sent in money towards their room for music therapy.

I was lucky enough to escape service without any more than a few scars, but many aren't, and having a place like Oakside, is a game changer. We need more of them across the country.

"Let me see your phone," I say to her.

She hands it over a little too easily, and I make a mental note to talk to her about that. I know I should ask her for her number and give her the choice, but I don't want to chance her saying no. We only have a few weeks together, and I don't want to waste that time.

I find she has it locked, requiring her fingerprint to unlock it. Smart girl. I gently lift her hand and place her finger on the phone to unlock it. That small touch almost brings me to my knees.

Back then, I always thought I had over exaggerated how she made me feel. Brushing it off, I’d say that hormones made it so strong, and that it wouldn't be like that now. I was so wrong.

Once the phone unlocks, I add in my number, and then shoot myself a text message, so I have her number, too. A quick glance at her texts shows all females, so knowing she isn't even talking to another guy, will make this pretty easy.

Though, I know I shouldn't be peeking into her messages like that, but I’ll take any advantage I can get. When it comes to keeping her, I’m going to play dirty.

"How long are you in town for?" I ask.

"Two weeks. I head back just after Christmas. Oakside is putting on a big New Year’s celebration for the guys. The town is also doing a huge fireworks display, and we aren't sure how the fireworks will affect our patients, so it's all hands on deck."

Two weeks . That's more than enough time to win her over. I have a lot of details to work out, but at least now, I have a chance.

"I’ll see you around, Starshine." I tell her with a smile and a wink.