Page 47 of SEAL the Deal

“No, she wasn’t a good match for me. TJ would call it a poor life choice.”

“Is TJ your boss?”

“Yeah, he’s in that cage with the rest of my team. Best friends a guy could have.”

“Ali said you guys were a tight crew.”

“She’s part of the family. Even passed selection.”

“Selection?”

Rick’s teeth flashed in the darkness. “You know, we should get some sleep. It’s going to be an early one.”

Jenny pulled a Gore-Tex bivy and a sleeping bag from her backpack and passed them to Rick. “I’ll keep the first watch.”

“No need. Axe has the best nose and ears in the business. Anyone comes within a hundred yards and he’ll wake us. I’ll take the bivy. You’ll stay warmer in the sleeping bag.”

“That thing’s not going to keep you warm.”

“It’s OK. I’ll snuggle with Axe.”

“Don’t be silly. The best way to conserve body heat is to share it. Stuff the bag full of pine needles, it will insulate us from the ground.

Rick did as he was told and when the bag was full he handed it to Jenny who laid it on the ground. Then she unzipped the sleeping bag. “Sorry, you’re going to have to be the big spoon.”

“I’ve got to warn you,” said Rick as he placed his shotgun within arm’s reach, “I smell pretty bad.” He lay and Jenny wiggled in front of him. Axe lay alongside her.

“Hey, at least you’re not wearing that wetsuit anymore.”

He draped the sleeping bag over her.

Jenny was overcome with a sense of well-being. She felt safe lying next to Rick. It was a sensation she’d never experienced with her ex.

A strong arm reached over and pulled her in tight. She could smell his sweat mixed with the damp of the forest. A smile formed on her lips as she realized this was the first time she’d laid with a man since moving to Oregon.

“Are you comfortable,” he asked softly.

“Yeah, the smell isn’t too bad. What about you?”

“Remarkably so.”

There was a moment’s silence. It was Rick who broke it. “Brown bears, mild concussions, gunfights, hostages and shotgun-toting yokels aside, this has been a very rewarding trip. I sure am glad I met you, Jenny.”

“Let’s keep it professional,” she murmured as she drifted off to sleep.

“Yes, ma’am.”

* * *

Less than half a mile away inside Travis’s cabin Carter had assembled his men. Ed, Harold, Hank and Carl, with his arm bandaged, sat around the table. Travis had been relegated to guarding the prisoners.

“So, let me get this straight. You idiots let an unarmed man, two women and a dog get the better of you?” growled Carter.

“One of the women drowned,” said Hank.

“Oh, that makes this so much better.” Carter fixed him with a steely glare. “That SEAL bastard and that bitch, Jenny, are still out there. I want them found.”

Ed frowned. “Boss, we go out there now and we’re going to blunder around in the darkness till we run into them.” He gestured to Hank and Carl. “And, thanks to these two they’ve got guns.”

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