Page 70 of SEAL's Angel
“I learned my lesson, believe me.” Jake grinned. “Can we go now? I can’t wait to see Chase and Cindy.” Then he remembered they hadn’t seen him yet. What if they saw his scars? He didn’t want to terrify them.
“What’s wrong?” Dawn asked.
“I don’t want to scare them. You haven’t seen my back and legs. It’s not a pretty sight, and they are young.”
“Stop it. They know you’ve been in the burn unit and what that means. We all love you, and it’s the only thing that matters, remember? Or do I have to leave you with Emily until New Year’s?”
Jake reached for Dawn’s hand and she grabbed it as she walked by his side as an orderly wheeled him down to the lobby. She was right, they’d get through this together.
When they reached the lobby, Dawn asked him to wait while she got the car. He wanted to go with her to save time, but she wouldn’t let him. She was cute when she was bossy.
He didn’t recognize the car when she pulled up. “You got a new car? Did the Chevy finally break down?”
“No, but I didn’t want to drive across the country in it. Besides, it’s navy blue and reminds me of you.”
“I remind you of an SUV?” Jake teased.
Dawn just rolled her eyes and helped him climb inside the vehicle. It was a little painful, but it passed as soon as he settled.
“I don’t think I can ever thank you enough, angel. You saved me.” Jake reached over and pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, then ran his hand over the side of her face. “You are my home. If you want to go back to Colorado, we’ll go.”
“Why would I want to do that? And your job is here, too.” Dawn glanced at him, then back at the traffic.
“It’s your home out there. Rafe said you didn’t want to move away from the memories. And I don’t know if I have a job anymore.”
“Well, I was stupid. We can make fresh memories. Oh, and the kids love the beach. Meghan takes them once a week.”
“What would you have done if I didn’t make it?” The question had been on Jake’s mind, and he needed to know.
“I probably would have gotten a place here, anyway. Stayed close to Rafe and Meghan.”
Jake nodded.
“Is there something I need to know?” Dawn asked and glanced at him.
“No, I’ve told you everything.”
“Good. We’re here. What do you think of the decorating job?” she asked.
Jake looked out the window and hardly recognized his own house. It was like someone had eaten Christmas decorations and had thrown them up all over his house.
Jake chuckled. “I’m guessing the kids helped?”
“Bingo. I know it’s a little much, but they had a blast. We can take some of it down.”
“No way in hell. I love that they wanted to make it special for me. I hope you took some pictures?”
“Are you kidding? What kind of mother do you think I am?” Dawn giggled.
Then she hopped out of the car and came around to open his door. Last time they were together, he was the one opening all the doors. Hopefully, one day soon he would again.
* * *
Jake took Dawn’s hand as they approached the house. The muscles in his stomach clenched the closer they got, but he forced himself to relax as they reached the door.
“Ready, SBA? I warned the kids not to jump on you, so you’ll be safe from the flying Cindy,” Dawn asked as he tightened his hold on her hand. “It’ll be okay, babe, I promise.”
“I know it will. C’mon let’s see what the decorating monsters did to the inside of the house.”
