Page 9 of SEAL's Angel
Chapter 3
The flight wasn’t as bad as Jake expected. He’d been able to book them into business class, giving them some extra, much needed leg room. While he’d expected a full inquisition from Rafe, by the time they’d gotten onto the plane and taken off, most of his friend’s anger had dissipated. They’d talked about Chase and Cindy, and if he had run away, where he might have gone. They focused on the missing boy, as it should be. They had checked their phones several times during the flight. But there’d been no updates from Dawn, which meant Chase was still out there somewhere.
They didn’t need to stop at baggage claim because they only had their packs. So as soon as they landed, they made their way to the car rental area. Jake had reserved a four-wheel-drive vehicle and was relieved when the clerk handed them keys to a Jeep. Since it was a fall in Colorado, it could be warm one minute and snowing the next at this time of year.
The GPS said the drive to White Pine would take an hour. But since it was almost midnight, there was hardly any traffic. Rafe wasn’t obeying the speed limit, either. Not that Jake could blame him. They were both eager to get to Dawn’s.
“I told Dawn I’d call her when we landed. I can’t tell you how much I was hoping she’d call to tell us he was back at home,” Rafe said.
“I hear you, bro. But if he ran away, something had to trigger it. When was the last time you spoke to him?” Jake didn’t know much about raising kids, but he liked Dawn’s children. He knew Cindy a lot better than Chase. Still, Jake remembered how he’d been when he was a young child, and it had made his mother crazy. At least, that’s what she told him.
Rafe shrugged. “I called before we left on the mission. I only spoke to Dawn when I got back. I have noticed on the last few visits that the sweet little boy had become a grumpy kid. But I figured it was normal between losing his dad and growing up. Maybe I should have tried harder to get him to talk to me?”
“Eh, not much you could do from fifteen hundred miles away. But it’s probably normal at this age. Not that it matters. We just have to get him back. Then figure out how to fix the problems.”
“Dawn needs to move to Virginia. Then I’ll be around to help, and Meghan will, and you, too, I guess,” Rafe said before he pushed the button for the hands-free connection to dial Dawn.
“Hello?” Dawn sounded tired and stressed. Just the sound of her voice sent a sizzle along Jake’s skin. The need to hold her close and give her his strength was almost painful.
“Hey, sis. Chase didn’t make it home yet?” Rafe asked as he glanced at Jake.
“No, not yet. I’m glad you’re here. How much longer until you get to the house?”
“Probably another ten minutes. Not much longer. Is there anyone there with you?”
“No, just me and Cindy. I finally got her to sleep about a half hour ago. She’s so upset. I sent Janey home after dinner, but maybe I should have asked her to stay the night.” The exhaustion in her voice twisted Jake’s gut.
“None of the neighbors came over?”
“Anne and John were here with Joey earlier, after the police left. But it was too much. I just want Chase back.” Dawn’s voice hitched, and Jake pictured her struggling to hold back her tears.
“Do you want us to stop for anything on the way there?” Rafe asked gently, but the set of his jaw was anything but relaxed.
If someone had taken Chase, there would be hell to pay. It was another reason Jake had insisted on coming with Rafe. SEALs couldn’t operate on home soil. If the worst case happened, Jake might be the only one who could stop Rafe from ruining his career.
“No, thanks. We’re good.” After a slight hesitation, Dawn asked, “Jake?”
“I’m here, angel. I had to come. I hope it’s okay?” When she didn’t comment, he kept going. “Have you gotten any updates from the police?”
“Not really. But I’ll fill you in when you get here. I’ll make a pot of coffee.”
“Sounds good, angel. We’ll see you soon.”
Rafe disconnected the call.
Jake looked over at him. “Are you okay with this?”
“It’ll take getting used to, I guess. But I swear, I will kick your ass if you hurt my sister. She’s been through enough already.”
“I won’t. She brings sunshine to my world. I only want to make her happy, and the kids, too.” Jake cared about Dawn, more than he liked to admit, and when they chatted it lit the dark places in his soul. He didn’t know what this could lead to, maybe nothing if she had her way, but he hoped she’d give them a chance.
“I hope you know what you’re doing. A ready-made family? I love you, man, but I’ve known you for almost ten years. Never once have you dated a woman for more than a few weeks. You’d better think long and hard about this before you make a move on her.”
“And were you any different before you met Meghan? Ryan, Cam, and Murph were the same. But since your sister is adamant that she wants to be friends only, I think it’s a moot point.” Jake still hoped to change her mind, but that depended on what happened with Chase. He would be there for her no matter what. One step at a time.
“I guess we’ll see.” Rafe sighed. “I don’t want to think about what will happen if we don’t find Chase.”
Neither of them wanted to contemplate that scenario, but whatever happened, they’d handle it. It was their job. Adapt. Improvise. Overcome.
