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“It’s a long story,” I said, not wanting to go through all the details “He was the reason Dan died Dan’s unit went in to rescue him after their vehicle hit an IED and Dan’s chopper crashed in a sandstorm”

Graht it was a routine training mission”

“So did we all Apparently, the military didn’t tell us the classified stuff” I took a drink of the coffee that the cocktail waitress put in front of me When she left, I turned to Gra

“Dan always carried ood luck” I frowned, because of course, they didn’t give hiuess when his chopper crashed, the letters got s and they were sent back to him by accident”

“And you liked this man?” Gramps asked, his eyes narrowed

I nodded, because I really did “He was fun We hit it off right away”

“So what’s the problem?”

“The proble in a deep breath, “is that he didn’t tell ht away It’s co to return the letters to Dan’s parents and ca for the local phone book, because Scott’s address is unlisted online So he kneho I was theled to another…”

“He never told you?”

I shook my head “Not until he left Topsail Beach He dropped the letters off and included ame that I shouldn’t contact him because he was bad news Of course, I did contact hi He was on a clandestine operation that went behind eneet this et I told you”

“Ahh, it becoive him?”

I glanced at his face “You think I should?” I was shocked that I even had to ask that question “He kept his real reason for being in Topsail Beach secret He pretended not to know anything aboutHe knew more than we did – Dan’s family – about Dan’s death”

Grahtful “He should have told you right away, no doubt about it He was sue tied”

“No, he could never be tongue tied, Grah, flattered me, joked with me and charmed me”

Gra smitten with you,” he said and smiled affectionately “You’re beautiful and smart A chip off the old block, if you ask me”