Page 121 of The SEAL's Duchess
“Those are perfectly reasonable terms.”
“Fancy words fordon’t fuck up the ocean.” Jack leaned back, grinning. “But yeah, the project’s going to work. Offshore platforms, minimal environmental impact, long-term viability. He’s offered me a permanent consultant post and mentioned he hoped you would be project lead.”
Ivy blinked. “Project lead?”
“Did he not tell you?” Jack’s grin widened. “He mentioned something about you having the vision and expertise to see it through.”
Warmth spread through Ivy’s chest. George hadn’t just accepted her staying in Alaska. He’d given her a reason to stay that had nothing to do with Ryder. A career. A future.
“That’s...” She couldn’t finish the sentence.
“Disgustingly thoughtful?” Jack supplied. “Yeah. Your brother’s all right, even if he does talk too much about land values, but you know that, don’t you?”
Ivy nodded. “His heart is in the right place.”
“I should get going.” Jack drained her coffee. “Let you three catch up properly.”
“You don’t have to leave,” Ryder said.
“I do. I need to walk that mutt of mine.” She whistled. “Diesel! Come!”
Diesel appeared from the hallway, tail wagging, with a stuffed rabbit in his mouth.
“Drop it,” Jack commanded.
Diesel dropped the toy and trotted to her side.
As Jack grabbed her duffel, George emerged from the hallway, Ellie on his hip. Slightly rumpled, he looked more relaxed than Ivy had seen him in years.
“Leaving already?” George asked.
“Got errands.” Jack pulled on her jacket. “But I’ll see you Thursday for the meeting.”
“I look forward to it.”
Jack opened the door, and Diesel bounded out ahead of her. “See you Thursday, Duchess.”
She backed down the driveway, one hand out the window in a lazy wave.
George set Ellie down carefully. “Your friend is terrifying.”
“She grows on you.” Ivy smiled.
“So does moss.” He shook his head but returned her smile.
Ryder laughed. “You’ll come to love her. Everyone does eventually.”
Ellie tugged on George’s hand. “Story?”
“Again?” George looked at Ivy, but his expression was warm. “We just read three.”
“More.”
“Perhaps after lunch, Miss Ellie.”
Ellie considered this. “Okay.” She darted off toward her room, already distracted.
George moved to the window, watching Jack’s truck disappear between trees. He clasped his hands behind his back, posture perfect again now that he wasn’t sitting on a floor.
