Page 44 of Long Shot

“Yeah. This is nothing.”

“Do you miss the Navy?”

“Sometimes, yeah. But life is good now. Mostly.”

“What’s not good about it?”

“We need an award-winning chef.”

“Doh.” I roll my eyes.

“We probably couldn’t afford you, though. I bet you made big bucks working in those swank places in the big city.”

“Eh, I did okay.”

“We’re probably not high class enough for you.”

I snort. “That’s ridiculous.” I turn a suspicious frown on him. “That’s not why you’re here, is it? To persuade me?”

10

REESE

Stopped on the sidewalk, hands planted on my hips, I glare at Cade.

He sighs. “Of course not. We’d already planned this.”

I study his face for any sign of deception. He meets my eyes steadily.

“True.” I pause. “I still don’t know why, though.”

“You’re proving to me that dogs have personalities.”

“Right.” I eye Jack, trotting happily ahead of us, the leash in his mouth, ignoring us. “See? He thinks he’s taking us for a walk.”

Cade chuckles.

Jack halts at a bush to sniff intently and I slow my pace to let him have a few sniffs, then give a gentle tug on the leash to keep him going.

As we arrive at the beach, the sun breaks through the clouds. Crossing the sand toward the water, I turn my face to it, enjoying the warmth and brightness.

“You like living in California?” Cade asks.

“I do.”

“You sound surprised.”

“I suppose I am, a little. I grew up in New York. I did travel when I was younger, but I spent most of my life there. What about you? Where are you from originally?”

“Mesa, Arizona. Came here for BUD/S. Never wanted to leave.”

“BUD/S?”

“Basic Underwater Demoliton/SEAL training.”

“Right. I hear that’s pretty intense.”

“That’s one word to describe it. Torturous hell would be another.”

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