Securing Zoey

by Susan Stoker

  “Think they’ll be at the airport when we land?” Bubba asked with a grin.

  “It wouldn’t surprise me,” Rex replied.

  “I should probably wake her up and warn her,” Bubba said, looking back down at Zoey.

  “Let her sleep,” Rex disagreed. “From what I’ve seen, she’ll be able to hold her own and adapt.”

  Bubba nodded. Yeah, his Zoey was adaptable, that was for sure.

  His Zoey. He liked the sound of that.

  Closing his eyes and resting back on the head rest, he tightened his arm around the woman at his side and breathed a contented sigh when she mumbled something under her breath and snuggled even further into him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was early evening when the plane landed in Southern California, and despite the nap Zoey had taken, she was still exhausted after the events from the last week and a half. She gathered the backpack Rex had bought for her while in Anchorage, hoping it wouldn’t take long for the rest of her things to be packed up and sent. She had two suitcases full of clothes, but there were still a lot of things she’d had to leave behind.

  She’d arranged for Tracy Eklund to go to her house and send the rest of her clothes and a few personal items. Everything else, she could get later…if she stayed in California.

  It seemed unreal that she’d made such a spur-of-the-moment decision, but honestly, she felt more at home, safer, with Mark than with anyone she’d met in her entire life. The fact that he understood that she needed a purpose, couldn’t just go to California without some sort of plan and job, said a lot about how well he knew her already.

  She was looking forward to meeting his neighbor and hoped they’d get along half as well as she and Colin had.

  Thinking of Mark’s dad made her sad, but she pushed the emotion down as they walked hand in hand toward the baggage claim. None of the SEALs had checked luggage when they’d rushed up to Anchorage, carrying only enough to last them a few days. They’d managed to do laundry at the hotel while they’d been there searching for Mark, and it was obvious they were all anxious to get home.

  After they’d collected her bags, the team headed down the escalator toward the exit. Zoey and Mark were bringing up the rear when she saw what seemed like a small welcome party waiting at the bottom. There were three women and three kids—and Zoey knew at a glance that they were waiting for the SEALs.

  The second the women and kids saw the group on the escalator, the excitement on their faces more than communicated how happy they were to see the team. The kids started waving energetically, and the women shuffled in place, impatient for the escalator to hurry up and deliver their men.

  Zoey felt uncomfortable as she didn’t know anyone, but Mark didn’t leave her side. His hand on the small of her back soothed and made her feel a little more relaxed. But the second they reached the bottom, Mark was engulfed by all the women and little girls. Zoey took a few steps back to give them room. They surrounded Mark and took turns hugging him.

  “I’m so glad you’re all right!”

  “Was it super cold?”

  “I heard you thought you were Aquaman!”

  “Bubba safe?”

  The last came from the smallest of the little girls, and Zoey watched as Mark leaned over and picked her up, holding her against him. She patted her hands on his cheeks, the top of his head, and even his chest, as if she were checking for herself that he was safe and in one piece.

  “I’m good, Rani,” Mark told the little girl. “Were you worried about me?”

  She bobbed her head up and down enthusiastically. “Mama said you were lost. But you gotted found.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, something like that.”

  She squirmed and Mark put her back on her feet, and Zoey watched her run over to the woman who she figured was her mom.

  Zoey was used to fading into the background, so she was reluctant when Mark turned to her and held out his hand. But she took his hand, and he pulled her into his side, wrapping his arm around her waist.

  “Everyone, this is Zoey Knight. She helped look after Pop up in Alaska and saved my life while we were out in the wilderness.”

  Zoey shook her head, knowing he was completely overstating what she’d done after he’d fallen in the stream, but the women didn’t give her a chance to explain what had really happened. The next thing she knew, she was being pulled away from Mark and engulfed in a group hug.

  “I’m Caite,” said a woman with light brown hair, who was about the same height as Zoey. “Blake is my fiancé.”

  “Blake?” Zoey asked in confusion.

  She laughed. “Sorry, Rocco.”

  Zoey nodded. She looked over and saw the tall black-haired SEAL had his eyes on his fiancée.

  “And I’m Piper. The girls are mine. Ace and I have had them only months, but it feels as if they’ve been ours forever.” She put her hand on her belly as she spoke, and Zoey realized that she must be pregnant. “I had to spend a few nights in the jungle in Timor-Leste, but I have a feeling my experience was nothing like yours.” She shivered. “I can’t stand the cold.”

  Zoey smiled. “I can’t say I’m all that fond of it myself. Even though I live in Alaska, I’m not a fan.”

  The two women smiled at each other in kinship.

  “And I’m Sidney,” a petite woman with long black hair said. She smiled widely at Zoey, and unlike the fake smiles of the tourists and many people she came into contact with back home, she could tell Sidney was genuinely happy to meet her. “We’re so glad you’re all right. You had to be so scared.”

  Gumby came up behind her and threw an arm around her chest. Sidney immediately brought her arms up and grabbed hold of his forearm. “I’m thinking she’s doing her best to forget it,” he chided gently.

  Sidney tilted her head back and smiled at him, then brought her gaze back to Zoey’s. “She’s safe to think and talk about it with us,” she told Gumby.

  Zoey saw something in the other woman’s eyes. Something that actually made her believe she was safe. That Sidney wouldn’t think less of her if she admitted to being scared to death the entire week they were lost in the wilderness.

  She remembered Mark telling her that Sidney had been through something traumatic herself, and something in the other woman’s facial expression made Zoey feel as if she would understand her. Understand her fear.

  When she turned to look at the other two women, she could sense they’d understand as well. Zoey had never felt so welcomed, so at home with a group of women before. She’d been the “new girl” more times than she could count, and she really hoped she’d finally found a group of friends she could fit in with. That she wouldn’t be an outsider.

  “I have to say, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park,” Zoey said after a moment. This wasn’t the time or place to get into all the details about what happened, but she did say, “If I’d been alone, I don’t think I would’ve made it. But having Mark there with me made it a hundred times more manageable.”

  She felt his arm tighten around her waist, but she kept her eyes on Sidney.

  “Yeah, our guys tend to make any situation better. I’m looking forward to getting to know you, Zoey.”

  “Same here,” she replied.

  “Hey! I know! What’s everyone doing this weekend? How about we all go over to Gumby’s beach house for a ‘thank God Bubba’s stronger than some jerkhole thinks’ party?” Piper asked.

  “So you’re just inviting yourself over now?” Gumby asked with a laugh.

  Zoey glanced at him, hoping the other man wasn’t offended, but she relaxed when Rocco said, “Like you care, man. I think you’re happiest when you have a houseful of people enjoying your paradise by the sea.”

  “True,” Gumby agreed. “So…barbeque at our place? Saturday? Around two?”

  Everyone agreed, and Zoey was content to lean against Mark and observe the dynamics of the group. Even though Phantom and Rex didn’t have women there to meet them, they weren’t excluded. T
he oldest of the three girls was standing next to Phantom, clutching his hand, and Rex was holding the middle girl on his hip.

  Everyone seemed genuinely pleased to be with each other, which made Zoey’s heart happy.

  “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m more than ready to take my wife home and get her settled,” Ace said. He now had his hand on her stomach, his thumb gently stroking back and forth over her slight baby belly. “I’ve also got three little girls who I need to catch up with, and lots of snuggles to give.”

  Zoey would’ve laughed at the big bad SEAL being all mushy, but it was one of the most tender things she’d ever seen. Ace wasn’t afraid to admit that he wanted to take care of Piper, and he freely admitted to wanting to spend quality time with his kids.

  That’s what she wanted. A man who could kick some serious ass, but who wasn’t afraid to show his tender side when he was amongst friends.

  Within moments, the group was headed for the exit. When Zoey went to follow them, she was brought up short by Mark tugging on her hand. She looked back at him. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just wanted to check with you and make sure this is still what you want.”

  “It’s a little late to see if I want to come to California with you,” she joked. When Mark didn’t smile, she frowned. “Wait, why? Are you having second thoughts?”

  “No, not at all,” he said immediately, which made Zoey relax a bit.

  “Okay, then what? I’m not understanding.”

  Mark gestured with his head toward one of his teammates, who was standing near the door with Zoey’s luggage. “Rex is going to drive us home, since his car is here and mine isn’t. We won’t do introductions with Jess until tomorrow. But if you’re uncomfortable going back to my house with me, I can have Rex take you to a hotel. I’d pay for it, so you don’t have to worry about that. But the last thing I want is for you to feel awkward being alone with me in my house.”

  Zoey’s heart melted for what seemed like the thousandth time in his presence. She put a hand on Mark’s chest and leaned into him, tilting her head back so she could look him in the eyes as she said what she needed to say.

  “Mark, if you dropped me off at a hotel, I’d probably change my mind about being here and go back to Alaska in the morning. I didn’t come to California for a new start in my life. I came because this is where you are. Besides, I’ve spent the last week with you, why would I feel awkward about it now?”

  He palmed the side of her neck with one of his large calloused hands and the feel of it made goose bumps break out on her arms. “I just don’t want you to feel like you’re stuck here. That you don’t have any options. I didn’t give you a lot of time to think about this. The last thing I want is for you to feel trapped. And staying with me in my house is a lot different than being out in the wilderness, and I think you know it. We aren’t reliant on each other anymore. You can leave whenever you want. But if you decide to stay…it means something to me.”

  “It means something to me too,” Zoey said. “It means that I want to explore the connection we made out there in the forest. I don’t feel trapped and, if I’m being honest, I think being away from you tonight would make me feel lost. This might not be the wilds of Alaska, and I might not have to start my own fire, but I’ve still never been here and it’s all new to me.”

  Satisfaction filled Mark’s eyes. “Okay. But I meant what I said. If things aren’t working out and you want to go home, I’ll help you get there.”

  “Without Colin there, Juneau feels less and less like home the more time I spend away from it. It’s about time I cut the safety cord and experienced life. I’ve spent my entire thirty-one years in Alaska. I love it, but I’m excited about seeing new cities, experiencing new things. Do you know I’ve never swam in the ocean?”

  Mark didn’t say anything for a moment, and Zoey got worried. “Mark?”

  Taking a deep breath, he said, “Sorry, I’m just thinking about how lucky I am.” He winked. “Come on, I think Rex is about to say ‘to hell with it’ and let us walk.”

  Zoey wanted to tell Mark that she was the lucky one, but he was already turning to pick up her backpack and steering her toward the door with his hand on her back once more. Mark tried to put her in the front seat when they reached long-term parking, but she protested and sat in the back, listening to Mark and Rex talk about their commander, PT, and other general work stuff.

  She was half asleep by the time Rex pulled up to Mark’s house. She climbed out and got her first look at where he lived.

  The house was small, but well maintained. It was two-story, brick, and had a lovely little porch in front. It wasn’t fancy, and it was obvious the neighborhood was lower middle class, but secretly, Zoey was relieved. She’d never had all that much money in her life, and if Mark had ended up living in some huge mansion, she wasn’t sure how she’d feel about that.

  But no, the house was modest. Exactly like Mark.

  “Thanks for the ride, Rex. I’ll be late tomorrow. I’m going to bring Zoey over to meet Jess and get her settled, but I’ll see you after PT.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll let the commander know, although I’m sure he’s probably not even expecting you in tomorrow at all.”

  “I’ll be there,” Mark said firmly.

  That was one more thing Zoey liked about him. His work ethic. It matched hers. She didn’t want to sit around and do nothing. She’d be bored to tears in hours. She was glad she’d be meeting Jess tomorrow. She was anxious to start working, doing something productive.

  “I’m glad you’re all right,” Rex told Zoey. “Thanks for looking after this big lug. Not sure what we’d all do without him.”

  “And you’ll never know,” Mark told his friend. “Now, get.”

  Rex laughed and gave them both a chin lift before he turned his body in his seat to look behind him as he pulled out of the driveway.

  “Thoughts?” Mark asked

  Zoey looked up at him. “About what?”

  “The house. The neighborhood?”

  “I like them both. They’re down-to-earth. A lot like you.”

  He sighed in relief. “When we were first stationed here, I lived in the barracks for a while but that quickly got old. I didn’t have a ton of money, but I had enough for a down payment. I wanted a small house that I could keep clean. I didn’t want a cookie-cutter house and preferred an older home with more character. This neighborhood wasn’t the best back then, but my realtor assured me that it was up and coming. She wasn’t wrong. Jess has lived here for most of her life, and she has a ton of crazy stories about this neighborhood in the seventies and eighties.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her,” Zoey said.

  “Tomorrow,” Mark said with a nod. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”

  Zoey followed him to the front door and inhaled deeply when they entered his house. It smelled like him. She’d gotten hints of it when they’d been sleeping out in the open, but ever since they’d spent the night in the hotel together, it was as if every time he moved anywhere near her, she got a whiff of him. Clean soap, mixed with his own natural musky scent.

  Being here in his space, surrounded by his things, made her realize exactly how much she’d come to enjoy that smell. It signified safety to her. And stepping foot in his house, and smelling his scent so strongly, made her never want to leave.

  “You okay?” Mark asked, ever watchful and aware of her feelings.

  “I’m great,” she told him.

  “Good. Come on, I’ll give you the dime tour.”

  It didn’t take long for him to show her the three-bedroom, two-bath house, but Zoey fell in love with it immediately. It felt comfortable. Lived in. The wood floors looked original, complete with scuffs and scratches. The kitchen wasn’t top-of-the-line, but it had everything Zoey could need or want to make quick and easy lunches and more elaborate dinners. The bedrooms were on the small side, and she managed not to blush when he showed her the master room with the queen-
size bed.

  When he was done with the tour, Mark pointed out the large front window at the dark house across the street. “That’s Jess’s house. I see her grass needs mowing, and I’ll take care of that tomorrow when I get home from work. Make sure she doesn’t get a bug up her butt to do it herself.”

  Zoey’s brows went up. “She’d do that?”

  “Yes,” Mark said with a sigh. “She would, and has. It’s annoying.”

  But she could tell that he wasn’t really annoyed because of the slight smile on his face.

  “You hungry?”

  Zoey shook her head. They’d eaten right before they’d left Alaska, and she figured maybe their week of only eating berries, leaves, mushrooms, and the occasional fish or squirrel had shrunk her appetite. “I’m good. Thanks.”

  “Tired?”

  She wanted to say no. That she’d love to stay up and talk to him. But the mere question made her immediately yawn.

  Mark chuckled. “Come on, Zo. I’m beat too. I guess all that time out in the wilds of Alaska tired me out more than I’d thought.”

  She preceded him back up the stairs and headed straight for the master bedroom. Mark caught her hand and stopped her. She looked at him in surprise.

  “If it would make you feel more comfortable, I can sleep in the guest room.”

  Oh, shit. Had she presumed something she shouldn’t have? Did he not want to sleep next to her? They’d shared a bed the last two nights, and she’d just assumed they would at his place too. She squirmed, not sure about the right thing to say in that moment.

  But like he usually did, Mark reassured her. “I don’t want to, but I will if it’s what you want or need.”

  Zoey’s head shook of its own volition. “I liked waking up next to you the last several mornings. And I know we’re safe here, that no one would dare attack us in your own home, but I’d still feel more comfortable having you near.”