Stitched Up Heart (Combat Hearts Book 1) (38 page)

“But I am telling you this.” She looked back into his hazel eyes. “We start talking kids, or you get pregnant, deal’s off. I’m dragging you to the closest alter I can find.”

“Oh.” Her breath left her in a rush at the image of a little baby Jase.

He stood and picked her up in one move. She tightened her grip on his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his hips. He nipped at her shoulder where it met her neck.

“Where are we going?”

He strode through the kitchen. “I’m putting you where I want you.”

There are so many people I want to thank, I’m having a hard time figuring out where to start.

To all the wonderful authors in RWA and WRW who have provided guidance, insight, encouragement, and shared their experiences. I would not have gotten nearly as far without your help.

To the Scribophile author community for providing feedback and critiques, but especially to Deidre and Kristina who (through no fault of their own) became my critique partners and stuck with me until the end. I promise I will catch up.

Kristy and Toni, thank you for being the first to read the whole book in it’s final version.

To my wonderful editor Denise (it’s purely a coincidence), who managed to turn around my manuscript while packing up her family and moving half-way across the country.

To my framily (friends and family) for your encouragement and support in everything I do, even when you’re not jumping for joy about some of the roads I take.

To the women who have cried with me and laughed with me; bled with me and healed with me; and always, no matter what, gave me a safe place to be me.

Tarina has spent the last 21 years in the Air Force trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. Currently stationed in Washington DC, she will soon be packing up her twin heathens (i.e. 4-year-olds) and moving to the Middle East for a 2-year assignment. As a single mom, her favorite pastimes include repeating the word ‘no’, the phrase ‘I said no’, and napping. Oh, and writing in her “spare” time.

Having never lived in one place for more than four years, her roots aren’t deep, but the friendships she’s formed over the years are.

Verbal contact is not recommended before her first cup of coffee in the morning, but feel free to stalk her on
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Author FB Page
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[email protected]
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Look for Denise’s story,
Locked Down Heart
, in 2017.

Author’s Note

Writing this book has been such an exciting and, at times, cathartic journey. Bree and Denise are a mosaic of many, many of my friends and fellow women service members. They are the women I love and respect, and know I can rely on, no matter what.

The Cultural Support Teams grew out of the Female Engagement Teams when the Marines and Army, operating in Iraq and Afghanistan, realized there were certain things male service members couldn’t do, due to cultural issues. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and knowing several during my own deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. If you’d like to learn more about them, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon’s article
The Women of the Army Rangers’ Cultural Support Teams
(2014) is a great read.

Veteran suicide is a very serious issue, one that has affected me as a friend, co-worker, supervisor, and Wingman. If you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide, please reach out. Please get help.

Veteran Crisis Line:
www.veteranscrisisline.net

Military One Source:
www.veteranscrisisline.net