Page 1 of Clear Blue Sky

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Nelson Snow leaned against the post on the main docks and stared out over the clear blue sky. The sun’s rays reached down into Lake George, New York's brilliant waters like a bright glow stick. Considering it was early spring, the lunch crowd was in full swing thanks to an early winter thaw. April in these parts could be freezing, or it could be like today. Sunny and sixty.

He enjoyed the changing of the seasons, so he’d take either as long as he didn’t have to deal with the past.

Only today, the past walked right through his front door, reminding him that it lurked in the shadows. There was no hiding from what had happened.

The chatter coming from Blue Moon filled the air. This hadn’t been his dream career. It started as a tribute to the men who died during his last mission. However, since the grand opening, it had become his passion. He couldn’t imagine being anywhere else, doing anything else, or working with anyone other than his two brothers.

They had fought like dogs over the restaurant’s name. Nelson wanted it to beOperation Moon, but both Phoenix and Maverick reminded him that the United States government might take issue with that. The second name he’d come up with had beenUnder the Moon.It wasn’t horrible, but his brother Phoenix tossed outBlue Moonduring a camping trip the first time they visited the area. The moon had this blue glow and Phoenix had been commenting on how spectacular and calming it was. The moment the two words fell out of his mouth, Nelson knew that had to be the name.

It brought together the reason they’d moved and the area’s beauty.

“Hey, man, what are you doing down here?” Maverick asked as he strolled down the wood planks.

Maverick was two years younger. He’d chosen to leave the military six months before Nelson, but for different reasons. He’d fallen madly in love and wanted to settle into family life. Unfortunately, she didn’t want to move to Lake George and open a family business, which was the end of Maverick’s love life.

Or at least the kind of romantic entanglement that required Maverick to be considered a taken man. Currently, he played the field, not wanting to go down that road again so quickly.

Nelson honestly didn’t feel too horrible about his brother’s breakup because Maverick’s ex was a bit of a bitch. Neither did their other brother, Phoenix. In the end, this is what had been best.

For all of them.

They were more than best friends and brothers. They had a unique bond that couldn’t be broken. Whoever came into their lives needed to understand and be willing to accept their special relationship.

Or talk a walk.

“Taking a breather,” Nelson said.

“It looks more like you’re avoiding the party of four recently seated in the main dining room.” Maverick arched a brow.

Nelson sipped his coffee. His brother wasn’t wrong. Seeing Marcus, Chuck, Josh, and Tyler again only served to remind Nelson of why he’d left Delta Force. Nelson had a hard time believing that the four had randomly shown up at his restaurant. He didn’t believe in coincidences. Marcus and Tyler were originally from the West Coast. Chuck grew up somewhere in Colorado, and Tyler was from Minnesota. Upstate New York was a long way from home for any of these men.

Last he heard, they were all still active duty, stationed at Ft. Bragg, but that could have changed in the previous year. Nelson didn’t make a habit of checking up on them. He’d hoped he would never have to see them again.

“What happened on that mission wasn’t your fault,” Maverick said, holding up his hand. “You did everything you could. Your judgment was not clouded because you knew Roxy’s husband was on that SEAL team.”

“Doesn’t matter. She lost her husband and then her baby; it was my fault. Something she and her asshole brother will never let me forget.” Not that he could ever let it go anyway. It had been some time since Nelson had this discussion with anyone, including his brothers. While it haunted his mind daily, he didn’t like being reminded of it outside of his memories. He’d been responsible for his team and the rescue of a Navy SEAL team.

And he had failed miserably.

While he was given an honorable discharge from the military and a couple of medals, his parents still thought he was crazy for leaving when he did, especially his father who happened to be a general in the Army. Both his parents believe it tainted his record to leave on such a low.

But he had nothing left.

“You’re not the only one who has lost men while serving.” Maverick folded his arms and widened his stance. “And Roxy isn’t the first widow.”

“You know Seth’s death and her losing the baby wasn’t the only thing that happened.” He downed the rest of his beverage, wishing he’d made it an Irish coffee. “I’m done with this topic. I’m doing my best to move on.”

“She lied to you, and you made a mistake. You were lonely.” Maverick shook his head. “You’ve never fully dealt with what happened and I’m sure seeing those yahoos—especially Marcus—is bringing it all to the forefront.”

Nelson knew his brother meant well, but it didn’t change the fact that Nelson had slept with a married woman. “Time to drop it.”

“That’s hard when it’s staring us in the face.” Maverick had been looking for something to do when Nelson decided it was time for a change. He thought nothing of packing up and moving to Lake George to start a business with his brother. Phoenix, however, left the military due to an injury. It wasn’t career-ending, but it gave him all the reason he needed to join Nelson and Maverick in the restaurant business.

The three musketeers. One for all and all for one, just like when they’d been kids. They’d always been as thick as thieves. Best friends. There wasn’t a time in his life when he didn’t enjoy either of his brothers. He never once thought of them as pesky little buggers, even though they were younger.

“You’re the one who’s giving it breath.” Nelson leaned over and rinsed out his mug in the cold water.

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