Page 10 of SEAL's Angel
Rafe whistled as he made a left onto Dawn’s street. “I guess you can figure out which one is Dawn’s house.”
“What?” Then Jake saw it, too. Dawn must have turned on every light in the house. It shone bright like a beacon to bring her son home. It wasn’t until they pulled into the driveway they noticed the one room that was in the dark—Chase’s room.
“You ready for this, bro?” Jake asked as Rafe turned off the engine and set the emergency brake.
Before he answered, the front door opened, and Dawn ran outside to greet them with Cindy in her arms. They got out of the car, and Rafe leaned forward to give Dawn a kiss and whispered something into her ear.
“Yay, Uncle Rafe and Jake.” Cindy reached for Rafe, and he took her from Dawn. She wrapped herself around him like a little spider monkey. “Are you going to find Chase? He’s missing.”
“I know, baby girl. But we’ll find him.” Rafe hugged her and laughed as the little girl gave him a loud kiss on the lips.
The knot in Jake’s stomach twisted a little tighter as he watched Rafe with Cindy. Dawn had her arms wrapped around her waist while her wavy brown hair blew in the wind. She had to be cold. All she was wearing were jeans and a T-shirt. Then he saw her shiver as she met his eyes. What would she do if he strode over and took her into his arms? Would she pull away or take comfort from him? Then the moment passed, and she hugged Rafe and Cindy.
Resolve solidified like a cement brick in Jake’s mind. He and Rafe would find Chase and bring him home safely. This family had suffered more than their share. While he didn’t know what it was like to have a family other than the Black Eagles, it was easy to see the love Dawn’s family had for each other.
Feeling like an outsider, he went around to the back of the Jeep and got out their bags. After he slung them over his shoulders, he came up behind Rafe and smiled at Cindy. “Why don’t we go inside?”
“Jake. It’s good you came, too.” Her little voice tugged on something inside his chest. He’d spoken to her and Chase a few times when he video chatted with Dawn. And now whenever she saw him on the computer, she wanted to talk.
“I wanted to help your uncle find Chase. Is that okay?”
“It’s great. Maybe you can make Mommy smile like when we talk on the computer.” Jake was happy he couldn’t see Rafe’s face at that moment, even though what she’d said filled him with warmth. Out of the mouths of babes.
“I will do my best, peanut.” Jake smiled as he followed Rafe up the steps to the front door.
Dawn had gone into the house first, so she might not have heard what Cindy said. But when he walked through the door and saw the rosy shade covering Dawn’s cheeks, he had his answer.
* * *
Seeing her brother filled Dawn with relief, but seeing Jake sent a thrill down her spine and heat to her belly. The urge to throw herself into his arms and hold him tight was overwhelming, but she didn’t move. Didn’t take a step toward the tall, intense man staring at her. From experience, she knew there wasn’t a soft spot on him. He was six-foot something of solid muscle. The one and only time she’d been in his arms had left a permanent imprint in her mind. He had lifted her into his arms, his body pressed against hers, and all she could think about was wanting more of him. It had scared the hell out of her.
But she still didn’t give in to the urge. It would be too easy to forget her resolve to keep it casual when her heart was so fragile. Instead, she told herself that she was grateful that herfriendwas there to help. Too bad her inner voice yelled at her to give in to the feelings.
Deep inside, where she’d built a brick wall around her heart after Bob had died, a little crack had formed after that one kiss. It had grown larger every time she spoke to Jake. She knew he cared about her. Hell, he’d made it clear enough just a few weeks ago, but none of that mattered now. Nothing mattered but getting Chase home, and now, she had two men standing in front of her who wouldn’t stop until they did.
Leading the way into the house, Dawn took their coats and hung them in the closet.
“I have a pot of coffee made. Who wants a mug?” Dawn asked as they set their bags down in the entryway.
“You know I do,” Rafe responded.
“Me, too. Do you want some help?” Jake offered.
After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. “Cindy, get down now. Uncle Rafe has been traveling for hours. He doesn’t need you hanging around his neck like a monkey. You’re getting too big for that.”
“Okay, Mommy.” Cindy released her hold on Rafe’s neck so he could put her down. But first, he made a big monkey face at her, and Dawn smiled when Cindy giggled.
Dawn couldn’t wait until Meghan got pregnant and had a baby. They hadn’t set a wedding date yet, but she hoped it would be sooner rather than later. Life was too unpredictable and had a cruel streak—she knew that too well. It was wrong to tempt fate. She’d tell them to reach out and grab their happiness while they could. Too bad she wouldn’t take her own advice.
“Cindy, do you want some hot cocoa?” Dawn asked.
“Yes, please. With extra marshmallows?” Her bright smile tugged on Dawn’s heartstrings and tears welled up in her eyes.
“You need to go back to bed, baby. It’s late. You can have some but not a lot.” It wasn’t easy saying “no” to her daughter when all she wanted to do was wrap her in her arms and hold her tight.
“But Mommy—”
“You heard your mom. It’s late. You won’t be able to wake up for school tomorrow,” Rafe added.
