Page 62 of SEAL's Angel
Dawn climbed out of the car and stretched. She was thankful she’d bought the new car. She’d have been dying if she’d made the trip in her little Chevy.
Before they made it up to the sidewalk, Rafe and Meghan came out to meet them. Meghan had a big smile on her face as she greeted them. She hadn’t changed much since they’d visited last, except now her black hair only reached her shoulders. Then Dawn searched her brother’s face, but as usual it was unreadable. The tall SEAL was way too good at hiding his thoughts.
“Welcome to Virginia,” Meghan said as she hugged each of them. “I’m so excited to have you guys here. It’s been too long.”
“I’m excited, too. Do you think we can go to the beach?” Cindy asked, but then she frowned. “After we make sure Jake is okay.”
“That’s an excellent plan,” Meghan replied.
“How is your new car?” Rafe asked as he picked Cindy up and spun her around.
“It’s great. We can even watch movies in it.”
“It is really cool and a lot more comfortable than the old car Mom had,” Chase added as he shook his uncle’s hand.
“I bet. I hate that car and this one is the right color, too.” Rafe winked as he put Cindy down and turned to Dawn.
Rafe hugged her tight as he whispered, “Jake arrived at Walter Reed overnight.” Then he said loud enough for everyone to hear, “Open the back so we can help carry some of your stuff inside.”
After they got all suitcases inside, Meghan showed the kids around the townhouse. They had to share a room, but Dawn hoped it wouldn’t be for long.
Once they were out of earshot, she turned to Rafe. “I’m here now. How is he really? No sugar coating, just spit it out.”
Rafe’s mouth twitched, and Dawn wanted to punch him like she’d done when she was little. Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest and put on her best “stern mommy” expression.
“I really don’t know all that much,” Rafe shrugged. “Fine. There was a bomb, and Jake was too close when it went off. Luckily, he wasn’t facing it. Most of the damage is to his back and legs. He’s pretty badly burned, and they had to remove a lot of shrapnel.”
Dawn sucked in a breath and started shaking, so she sat down on the couch.
“When we left Germany, he was still unconscious, but Tony told me this morning that he’s awake now.”
“That’s good, right? Did his brain get injured?” Not that it would matter to her. She’d do research on how to help him deal with everything that had happened. She just hoped that they’d accomplished their mission. Knowing what she did of Jake, he could better deal with the injuries if they’d completed their job.
“From what Tony said, it was just the concussion. But we’ll know more after the doctors here examine him.”
“When can I go see him?” Dawn didn’t like the expression on Rafe’s face. “Don’t even tell me I can’t. I will find a way even if you don’t help me.”
Rafe sighed. “Tony couldn’t get it arranged since you’re not family or his fiancé.”
“We could lie and tell them I am.”
Rafe ignored her comment. “Miranda is going to ask her dad for help. But Jake told the hospital that he doesn’t want any visitors.”
“What? Why?” Dawn almost doubled over from the pain in her heart. This was Jake, her sexy badass. Nothing would change her mind about that, no matter how badly he’s injured. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Rafe rubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw. That’s when Dawn noticed the dark circles under her brother’s eyes. Jake was his friend, his brother, his boss. It had to be hitting him hard.
“He’s badly burned, he’ll have months of rehab after the burns heal. He’ll never operate again. I’m sure he feels that his life is over.”
“But he has the team, and me. I should have told him how I felt before you left Colorado last week.” Tears slipped from Dawn’s eyes and slid down her cheeks. She needed to see him, to talk to him, now more than ever.
“I know, sis. I can’t even imagine how it feels to be burned that badly. Then there’s the pain he’s going to have to deal with while he heals. You might have to give him time.”
“No, that’s the last thing he needs. If I have to sneak in there, I will. I couldn’t fight for Bob. He was just gone. But I will damn well fight for Jake with everything I have. He needs us all, and I refuse to let him give up.”
