What Part of Marine Don’t
You Understand?
Matt McCall’s struggles to reintegrate into civilian life have been an
ongoing battle for the better part of two years. Daily group sessions and
weekly one-on-ones have only allowed him to grow so far. Twice he’s returned to
his home state of Ohio and twice, he retreated to Mike’s Place. Uncertain of
where he belongs in the world, he battles depression silently. The unexpected
gift of a black Labrador retriever perks his spirit…and a chance meeting in the
park gives him a precious gift…
Aspiring country singer Naomi Sparks comes from a long line of Marines,
she knows all about sacrifice and struggle. When her brother asks her to visit
to Mike’s Place on his behalf, she discovers a real opportunity to make a
difference. Matt McCall inspires her with the real challenge of discovering
love and daring heroes who takes risks. Writing music has never been so
sweet…
Can one woman who believes in him really heal the wounds in this Marine’s
heart?
Excerpt:
“We have to talk about what happened. You have to remember and not relive
it.”
“I’m not reliving it.” Am I? The bitter taste in his
mouth burned his tongue. Shouts echoed in the hallway. Feet thundered past. He
jerked to his feet and started forward three steps. Jethro butted against him
and he stopped. Disoriented, he felt the leash rub against the cuts on his
knuckles—and he looked at James.
No feet echoed in the hallway. He wasn’t in Iraq. He was in Allen, Texas.
“Holy hell on a biscuit.” He sat down before he fell down and Jethro
shoved his head under Matt’s hand. He couldn’t make it stop. “How
do I make it stop?”
“Breathe, Matt. Look at Jethro. He knows you’re upset. Breathe.” If only
James’ calmness could flow from the psychologist to him. It was like Matt could
hear the words, but he couldn’t quite process them. “You haven’t hurt anyone
and you haven’t hurt yourself.”
“Why does my mouth taste like ass?” Sweat trickled down the back of his
neck. Oxygen burned in his chest with every breath he took.
“That’s the adrenaline. You got upset. You remembered and you were there.
The bitter taste is adrenaline.”
“I’m getting short-changed here.” Amusement and disbelief warred against
the craziness swirling inside him.
“No, it’s normal. With a lot of veterans, you start cooking and after a
while, you can’t stop it anymore—that’s when you snap. You keep bringing
yourself up to the boil and then backing off in full retreat.”
“What gets me cooking?” And why hadn’t they talked like this before? The
blood pounding in his skull eased and his heart stopped trying to pound its way
out of his chest.
“With veterans it can be a car backfiring, a twig snapping, or a box
dropping off a shelf. The sudden, explosive noise reminds them of…”
“Gunshots.” That made sense. He could actually wrap his mind around that.
“But that’s not what sets you off.”
“So what is it?”
“I know this will sound like I’m telling you that five plus five equals a
pile of hay, but it’s people yelling or laughing or running. Large movements of
people. It’s what set you off in the bar. It’s why you didn’t stick it out at
Damon’s restaurant. It’s why going home…”
What Part of Marine Don’t You Understand
Always a Marine #12
Challenge Series
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A national best selling author, Heather Long lives in Texas with her family and their menagerie of animals. In addition to military romance, Heather writes a wide variety of romance from paranormal historical western romance to contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She loves characters and the stories they have to tell.
As a child, Heather skipped picture books and enjoyed the Harlequin romance novels by Penny Jordan and Nora Roberts that her grandmother read to her. Heather believes that laughter is as important to life as breathing and that the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus are very real. In the meanwhile, she is hard at work on her next novel.
Website: http://www.heatherlong.net
Email: heather@heatherlong.net
Twitter: @HVLong
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