“Or witches,” Caylee said.
Holly grinned. “Or we’re secretly spies.”
Caylee giggled. “Or we’re lesbians.”
Holly scrunched up her nose. “I love you like a sister, but I’ve never thought that.”
Caylee laughed. “Me, either. How about…”
“Enough,” Jonah said with a grin. “I’m pretty sure Nolan and I think you’re pretty perfect.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth. “I know we’ve got a lot to learn about each other, but both Nolan and I are very good at sizing a person up very quickly. We’ve had to be because we’ve been in some dicey situations.”
Holly’s mouth dropped open. “Like scary?”
“Sometimes.”
“But you won’t do that anymore, right?” she asked him.
“I can’t promise you anything, but we’re safer here than we were in Afghanistan.”
She walked to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
He tightened his arms around her. “I am, too.”
“We’ve got dinner ready if you guys are hungry,” Nolan said.
Jonah nodded. “It smells good.”
“It’s simple steak and potatoes,” Caylee said.
Jonah watched Holly interact with Caylee and his friend Nolan. She couldn’t be any sweeter if she tried.
“Why don’t you girls go find a movie to watch while Nolan and I clean up?”
Holly shook her head. “They cooked, so shouldn’t I clean up?”
Jonah grasped her shoulders. “No, what you have to do is do what I tell you to do.”
She seemed to think it over for a bit and then nodded. “I can do that most of the time.”
He grinned. “And the other times?”
“If I disagree, I’ll say no.”
“And if you say no about an order I gave you, it will be hard for you to sit down for a while.” He bit back a smile when she tried to figure out what he meant. When she finally got it, her eyes got big and round.
“You mean you’d spank me?”
“Absolutely.”
“On my bottom?” Holly asked.
“Yes, baby, on your ass.” He turned her to face the living room and nudged her that way. “Go, we’ll be right in.”
She looked over her shoulder at him. “I’ll listen to you right now, but be aware that we might have a problem later.”
“I look forward to it.” He watched her sit beside Caylee before turning and walking into the kitchen to help Nolan.
Nolan handed him a wet plate. “How’s it going with you two?”