Page 14 of SEAL's Spitfire
“Love at first sight only happens in cheesy romance novels. Not real life.”
“Whether you believe it or not. I do. I might not have yesterday but today proved it to me. You call me a protector? You’re right, except now I’m yours.”
Before she answered the plane touched down on the runway at Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport. Yesterday he would have been celebrating. Today he was dreading the opening of the airplane door.
As the plane taxied to their gate, she turned to him and reached for his hand. “Rafe, I don’t know what’s real or not. You’re right, there is something. But for now, it has to be on the back burner until I get my brother back.”
Relief danced along his nerve endings. It was enough for now. “I’m fine with that. Just don’t shut me out. We will make more headway working together.”
“I promise. I…”
“I know. Who would have thought that a night in Norfolk could change so much?”
Chapter 6
The state department had called, just as Rafe predicted. When she’d gotten off the plane and checked her phone, she found a message from Lizzie. They now had a point of contact, a Mr. Ted Clement, who had called while she was on the plane. She’d let Rafe know too before they said goodbye and he went to catch his plane to Denver.
Neither of them wanted to say goodbye or turn away first. It was hard for Meghan to believe that she could feel this way about someone she’d just met. Rafe was like her Barbie Dream Date when she played that game with Lizzie when they were young. The man you fantasized about but knew there wasn’t a chance in hell he even existed. Yet, there he was, and he was claiming her as his own.
She’d tried to deny it, but when he’d taken her in his arms and kissed her in the airport her knees gave out. It really was like out of some romance novel. But it was real. Heart racing, cheeks flushed, and damp panties didn’t lie. If it wasn’t love, she was heavy in lust. Too bad it was happening at the worst time of her life.
Reluctantly she stepped away from him, and he just as reluctantly let her go. He promised to text her as soon as he landed in Denver and if he heard anything else from his mysterious friend, Tex. As she watched him walk away from her to his gate, she blinked back tears that threatened to overflow. Her emotions were raw, but she needed to pull it together since she had no idea what she’d be walking into at her sister’s house.
If she’d forgotten it was Saturday, she remembered as soon as she opened the door and was assailed by the aroma of pancakes. Pancake Day was a tradition in the Butler household and nothing and no one stood in the way of Lizzie’s famous blueberry pancakes.
As much as she wanted to talk to her sister about Charlie, the state department and Rafe she had to wait. The scent of pancakes triggered more stomach growling and she smiled as she thought about Rafe’s response when it growled last. Hard to believe it was only about ten hours ago. It felt more like last year.
“I’m here,” Meghan yelled as she closed the front door. Two children and a fifty-pound dog came barreling around the corner and threw themselves at her. Thankfully, she was close enough to the front door that she didn’t end up at the bottom of a pile of bodies and fur.
“Hey, give Aunt Meghan a break. She’s been up all night,” Lizzie yelled from the kitchen.
“Sorry, Aunt Meghan,” her niece Lia said as she gave her a hug.
“Me too, kinda,” CJ, also known as Craig Junior, chimed in before hugging her tight enough to cut off her circulation.
“I guess you’re sorry too, Stanley?” Meghan asked the fluffy mutt and was given a woof and the thumping of his tail hitting the wood floor.
“Meghan?” Kathy Henley said as she came into the living room in her slippers and bathrobe. Her mom looked tired.
“Hi, Mom. Did you enjoy the slumber party last night?” Meghan replied as she walked over and gave her mom a hug and a kiss and was surprised how frail she seemed. She’d need to check with the aides and see if Lizzie had any updates from the doctor. One more thing to add to her to do list while she was visiting.
“C’mon into the kitchen. I can’t leave these pancakes they’ll burn.”
“Oh no. It would be a travesty. We can’t have the best pancakes in the southern hemisphere burn.”
“Meghan, you’re just being silly now. The pancakes aren’t that good,” her mom said.
“They are too. Right, kids?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes,” they yelled as they ran past her into the kitchen.
Lizzie was standing in front of the stove, a spatula in one hand and a pitcher of pancake batter in the other. It was a sight to behold, and one of the best things about coming to visit.
“How long until it’s ready?” Meghan asked as she looked at the plate piled high with pancakes and the bowl filled with bacon.
“One more batch. But if the kids would set the table, y’all can get started.”
“No, we won’t,” Kathy said. “We’ll all sit together and eat like a civilized family. You know the rules.
