Page 47 of SEAL's Angel
Jake smirked. This was obviously normal for brother and sister. He’d noticed the more time he’d spent with all of them, how much Chase and Cindy emulated Dawn and Rafe’s relationship.
“Fine, one more story, but then it’s bedtime.”
“Yay,” the kids yelled in unison.
Jake walked the container over to the Jeep and locked it inside. He peered into the darkness surrounding their site and listened for animals. “Sorry, Mr. Bear, you’re shit out of luck this time.”
It didn’t take long for the kids to fall asleep in front of the fire. Rafe carried Chase into the tent, and Dawn carried Cindy. After getting the kids settled, she grabbed three beers from the cooler and sat next to Jake at the fire.
“This has been fun,” she said, “I’m glad you suggested it, Jake.”
“Me, too. Now I can say I’ve officially been camping.”
Rafe chuckled and lifted his beer in salute. “I still can’t believe you’ve never camped before.”
“Yeah, well, now I have, and I know what I’ve been missing.” Jake waggled his eyebrows at Dawn, and she giggled.
“You can come camping with us anytime.” Dawn leaned against his side, and Jake wanted to do a fist pump.
But the pinched expression on Rafe’s face as he made eye contact with Jake ruined the mood. Jake understood his concern for his sister, but he had to know Jake would never intentionally hurt her. Could he guarantee she’d never shed tears over him? No, but he’d do everything in his power to keep it from happening.
“So what do you guys do when you’re stuck on missions with nothing to do but wait?” Dawn asked, oblivious to the unsaid words between him and Rafe.
“We can’t tell you, or we’ll have to kill you,” Rafe said.
“Jerk. I don’t mean top-secret stuff. But it can’t be nonstop action all the time. Right?”
“I’m going to tell Cindy you called me a jerk. You’re going to be in so much trouble.”
“I doubt it. She’d probably agree with me.” Dawn smirked.
Jake smiled as the siblings teased each other. Even if he hadn’t known it already, it was obvious how much they cared for each other.
Dawn turned to gaze up at him, and her hazel eyes glowed in the flickering firelight. She looked angelic, and he wrapped his arm around her waist. If they’d been alone, he’d have pulled her into his arms and kissed her until they were breathless.
“No, you’re right,” Jake said. “Some missions it feels like nonstop action, but others there is a lot of waiting and watching. Then we study our mission packets and go over our orders and the plans. Then there are the poker games. Cam usually ends up cleaning us all out. Right, Rafe?”
“Hell, yeah. He’s one lucky son of a bitch. I swear somehow the dog helps him, tells him our cards or something.”
Dawn giggled. “You can’t be serious.”
“Damn straight. Halo is one smart dog. It wouldn’t surprise me.”
“You’re just a sore loser,” Jake said. Then turned to Dawn to add, “He is, but I think it’s because he has to tell Meghan he lost the rent money.”
“Lies, all lies. Don’t listen to him, Dawn. He’s just a grumpy old man.”
“You are as bad as Chase and Cindy.” Dawn chuckled and shook her head.
Jake loved the sound of her laugh. Hell, he loved her. Not that he’d tell her. Not yet.
“We are not,” Rafe objected, and Dawn just laughed harder.
“I don’t know. She might be right. Although not me, but the rest of you clowns are.” Jake winked at Dawn.
“Nope, you’re not getting out of it that easily. You’re just as bad as Rafe.”
“Damn. I’m wounded. You can’t mean it.” His attempt at looking hurt misfired, and he burst out laughing. For a few moments, he felt like he belonged, and he had to stop himself from pulling Dawn into his lap and kissing her. Rafe was being good about them, but it wouldn’t be right to flaunt it, either.
