Page 33 of SEAL's Angel
“I can believe that. I can’t imagine what it must be like.”
“Being in the middle of the jungle in the pouring rain or in the desert in thousand-degree temperatures sucks. But knowing we’re protecting the freedom of our country makes it all worthwhile.”
“Bob used to say that, too.” Dawn sighed and realized that she always seemed to interject his name. Was it her subconscious trying to push Jake away? “Ugh, sorry.”
“For what?”
“For bringing up Bob. I mean, well, I’m sure it’s weird.”
Jake twined his fingers with hers. “Angel, you can talk about him as much as you want. He was the father of your children. Rafe told me years ago about your romance and how you followed them around when you were little.”
“It doesn’t bother you?” She wanted to believe him. But she wasn’t so sure she’d be as understanding if the shoe was on the other foot.
“Of course not. I’m not trying to replace him for you or the kids. But there’s something between us, and I hope you’ll give us a chance to see where it can lead.”
Jake briefly glanced her way, then turned back to keep his eyes on the road. But he didn’t look upset, and his face remained relaxed.
As she thought about all of their conversations, she couldn’t remember one time when he’d been irritated that she’d brought up Bob or the kids. He’d just seemed happy to spend time with her, and she’d enjoyed their time together.
“I’m trying, I’m scared. I know your job is dangerous and…” Neither of them needed to hear that. If she hadn’t been looking at him, she would have missed the change in his expression. Little lines appeared at the sides of his mouth, and his forehead wrinkled. But an instant later, his face relaxed into his usual unreadable expression.
“It’s okay, angel. I understand. Can we just try to take it slow and see how it goes?”
She’d be stupid to say no. He was amazing and single, really too good to be true, except for his job. He didn’t even care about her emotional baggage. All she had to do was be brave enough to take the chance.
“Okay, let’s see what happens,” she blurted out before she changed her mind. As soon as she’d said the words, butterflies started fluttering in her stomach.
Then he smiled, and that dimple appeared. She forgot to breathe.
“Thank you, angel. We’ll take it as slow as you need.”
For a moment, she wished they would be alone for the weekend.
Five minutes later, they arrived at the campground, passing the large Bristlecone State Park sign. Dawn looked over her shoulder and smiled at the kids. “You ready to do some camping?”
“Yes,” they said in unison.
Rafe laughed. “Thank God it wasn’t a longer drive, I’d have had to squeeze up front with you two.”
“What, you can’t handle two excited kids for twenty minutes?” Dawn asked. “You’d better work on that. You never know when Meghan will surprise you with one of your own.”
Rafe visibly paled, and Dawn burst out laughing.
“Do you know something I don’t?” he asked.
“No, silly. But I can’t wait to tell Meghan about the look of sheer terror when you thought about it.”
“Brat.”
“Don’t call Mommy a brat. That’s not nice, Uncle Rafe,” Cindy scolded.
“I’m sorry, peanut. I used to call her that when we were little. It’s just a nickname. Like I call you peanut and Chase, buddy.”
“Brat isn’t a nice word though,” Cindy said.
“Okay, I won’t call your mom that name anymore.”
Dawn was dying to turn around and see Rafe’s face, but then the kids would know she was trying not to laugh. Listening to her tiny daughter tell her giant of a brother he was being mean was seriously adorable. Meghan would laugh her butt off when she found out about it the next time they chatted.
