Maggie dreads this time of year every time it comes around. The 4^th of July. Sure it’s great to celebrate summer, but while everyone else whoops it up for the holiday, Maggie gets stuck in her own private hell. It’s especially true in Vegas, where everyone is in a party mentality anyway.

As a veteran with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), fireworks have a very unsettling effect on her. The cracks and booms of the explosions very closely replicate what she experienced when she was deployed to Iraq. She tries to block it out. In the past that has meant drinking herself into oblivion or medicating with anti-anxiety prescriptions. But this year will be different.

Maggie has sworn off the alcohol and prescription medications. This year she will use distraction to deal with her stressors. Maggie had been telling her best friend Jillian about her anxiety issues associated with the holiday, and she came up with a brilliant idea. Why not spend the holiday with a guy and build some positive associations around everything about the day? Maggie thought it was a great idea. The only problem is that she doesn’t have a boyfriend or anything remotely close to even a friend with benefits.

Not surprisingly, Jillian had a remedy for this, too.  She suggested an companion agency called Cowboys 4 Angels. The guys are gorgeous and could certainly help take the edge off of the 4^th of July. Maggie had to admit her friend was on to something. As she looked through the agency’s website, the guys were stunning, and many of them had great skills like massage and cooking. They were also interesting because they are educated and well-traveled. Maggie wasn’t sure the agency could help with her dilemma, so she called the number.

She was shocked to find herself talking with the owner of the agency, Garren James. She explained her predicament, and Garren was very kind and understanding. He even went so far as to recommend a couple of guys based on the fact that they served in the military and would understand. Ultimately Maggie selected James to help her cope with the holiday.

She was nervous about the whole thing. She had never done anything like this. Would they be able to relate? Would they have things to talk about? Would they be able to fill the time? Most importantly, would this work to help her deal with the holiday? All of these thoughts swirled around in her head as she waited for James to arrive.

When she opened the door in response to his knock, all questioning ceased. Before her stood an amazing specimen of a man with a smile to light up the room. He gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek and then presented her with a small bouquet of flowers in red, white and blue. Maggie blushed and stammered slightly. It was one thing to see him on the website, but how do you respond to perfection when it’s standing right in front of you? James was beyond gorgeous with a physique that rivaled Greek gods.

James asked her if she was ready to go? Maggie said, “Sure, but where are we going?”

“We are going to escape for a little while.”

Maggie wasn’t sure what that meant, but she was definitely up for anything James suggested. They drove out of the city, and as they headed into the desert, they talked comfortably about their military service and experiences. Maggie asked about the scar on his left cheek, and he asked about her invisible scars that haunt her. They arrived at a trailhead.

“I figured one way to deal with all the noise of the holiday is to get away from it for a bit,” said James.

“Perfect!” Maggie replied.

The hiked for a little bit before James pulled a picnic lunch out of his backpack for them. The desert was perfectly still and quiet as they ate, such a contrast to prior holidays. After eating, they hiked a little further before heading back to the car. The sun was starting to dip in the sky. Maggie could feel her anxiety start to rise at the thought of heading back into the city. James took her hand in his as they drove, and she could feel herself relax.

“Hey, don’t worry. It’s gonna be alright,” he assured her. And Maggie smiled.

Once back at home, James set things up for a peaceful evening. He turned on the music to drown out any fireworks and set up some food for them to snack on. They had a variety of meats, cheeses and olives to choose from, as well as some wine.

As they sampled the tapas, they talked and laughed as if they had known each other for years. They had so much in common, it was uncanny. When a slower song came on, James jumped up and extended his hand.

“May I have this dance, my lady?”

They swayed in time to the music. There was nothing but the beat of music and the two of them. The feel of James’ chest against her cheek and his arm wrapped around her back made Maggie feel sheltered from everything. She leaned into his embrace, letting everything else fade away. He led her back to the sofa. There he massaged her neck, and then her shoulders, and then her hands, and then her back and then…

Maggie didn’t hear anything going on outside. Her flame burned hot, and the heat between them was undeniable. She had her own fireworks show as every nerve ending exploded with pleasure at his gentle touch. What a happy 4^th of July!