Page 36 of SEAL's Angel
Chapter 9
Bristlecone State Park got its name from the tall pines that filled the forest, and Dawn had loved it from when she was a child. The scent of pine that wafted in the gentle breeze felt like a hug.
Jake took her hand and threaded her fingers through his as they made their way along the trail. They were quiet at first, and she was content to listen to the chatter of the birds and rustle of the animals in the brush.
“I’m so glad you suggested we take the kids camping. I haven’t seen them this happy in a long time,” Dawn said, breaking their companionable silence.
Jake nodded and squeezed her hand. “And how about you? Are you happy to be here?”
“Yes, I really am. I didn’t realize how much I missed this place until we pulled into the park. It was like something inside me relaxed.”
“I can understand why. I’d want to come out here all the time if I could.” Jake picked up a pinecone from the trail and tucked it into his jacket pocket.
Dawn raised an eyebrow. “You collect pinecones?”
Chuckling, Jake shook his head. “Nope, it’s for Cindy. I figured she’d liked it if I brought her a treasure.”
Dawn’s heart did a little flip, and the butterflies did somersaults in her stomach. How amazing was this man?
“Want to sit down over there?” Jake pointed out a downed tree that was partially covering the trail.
“Sure. Are you tired already? I thought SEALs were always at the top of their game?” Dawn teased.
“If you keep messing with me, I’ll show you just how on top of my game I am.” Jake waggled his eyebrows and shot her a sexy grin.
Dawn’s mouth grew dry, and heat flooded her cheeks. Did she want to keep poking at him and see what would happen?
Jake pulled her down onto the tree trunk so they were sitting side-by-side on the oak tree. Dawn shivered as her shoulder brushed against his, but it wasn’t from the cold.
“Are you cold, angel? We can go back—”
“I’m good.” Dawn didn’t look at him, hoping he wouldn’t see her flushed cheeks.
Jake let go of her hand, put his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her closer against him. It was like being against a portable heater. “Better?”
“Yes, thank you.” Dawn leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed in contentment. Why fight the attraction? She’d already agreed to see where this could go. “You know almost everything there is about me, and I know very little about you. Do you ever see your parents? What was your childhood like?”
Jake stiffened beside her. She looked up at him to see a tight expression on his face.
“I’m sorry. Apparently that’s not a pleasant subject. Forget I asked.” Dawn didn’t want to lose the peacefulness they’d been feeling.
After a deep exhale, the tension that had radiated from Jake’s frame slowly relaxed again and he pulled her closer to him. “It’s okay, angel. I don’t talk about my family much.”
“I get it. Not everyone had the great childhood Rafe and I did. I know that. You really don’t have to go into it.”
“No, I want to. You can ask me anything and I’ll answer except if it’s about a mission.”
Dawn nodded against his shoulder. She already knew not to ask about missions. It was one of the first things she’d learned when she married Bob.
“Thank you, but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“I’m not, at least, not with you. Let’s just say my childhood was less than optimal. My parents never got along, always yelling at each other. My mother would totally lose it and start flinging dishes across the room until the cabinets were empty. Then we’d have to shop for new ones.”
“Seriously? That couldn’t have been much fun.”
“It wasn’t. I’m glad I was an only child. Eventually, they got divorced. I wanted to go with my dad, but the court said I had to stay with my mother. They didn’t realize how crazy she was.”
“That’s terrible.” Dawn’s heart ached for the child Jake had been. His hand rested in his lap, and she covered it with hers and squeezed.
