Sarah nodded her head up and down as she buckled her seat belt. “It’s nice that everything’s new, but I don’t know, I think I’d like to live in a home that’s more rustic.”
“You’d prefer a cabin?”
She became thoughtful. “Maybe.”
“Then we should probably eliminate the next house on the list. But since it’s close, let’s do a drive-by anyway.”
“Alright.”
They wound around the lake road, crossing a bridge leading to the opposite shore from where they’d just been. They finally found the home after following a long, graveled road.
Sarah glanced around the property, which was isolated and dense with pines. “This might be too high maintenance for me. It looks like this road isn’t well cared for, and I’d have to have someone plow it out regularly too.”
“And take a look at the house,” Brand said, scoping out the peeling paint and missing gutters. “No way it’s move in ready. The realtor must’ve sent us an old picture.”
Sarah grimaced, turning away. “If I’m near the lake, I could always take a snowmobile to work.”
Brand was startled, but then he grinned studying her face. Yep, she was totally serious. They had a lot more in common than he’d known.
“Ever snowboard?”
Turning and meeting his gaze, she raised a brow. “Of course.”
“Ski?”
She rolled her eyes, and Brand laughed.
“Cross-country or downhill?” he asked.
“What a question.” She sighed exaggeratedly. “I love both, of course.”
Brand laughed harder.
“But I haven’t been skiing since…” Sarah’s voice faded away as she frowned.
“You can still do if with the prosthetic. Right?”
She pursed her lips, looking uncomfortable. “The adaptive equipment I’d need can be pretty costly.”
“Ah,” Brand answered. “You might be able to get something going with that now since you’ll be working at the wounded warrior home. I’ll bet you can even purchase everything you need at a discount.”
“Yeah, I thought about that,” Sarah answered. “My mom and dad footed a lot of my bills while I was recovering, so I’m not in that great of shape financially. But they wanted me to keep my savings for when I needed to start over. I was having some, ah…issues with getting my disability approved. It took over a year.”
Brand looked at Sarah in disbelief. “Dawn the feds,” he growled. “What in the hell was the hold up?”
“Heck if I know,” Sarah answered sullenly. “I hated to put my parents in that position. I started thinking about how lucky I was to have someone who’d insisted on paying my bills. But what about the others who come back and have no one?”
At that moment, Brand pulled into the driveway of the next house. After a few minutes of careful navigation down the narrow road, he shifted its gear into park.
Sarah was peering through the truck window. “Nah. For some reason this place kind of gives me the creeps.”
Brand was looking toward the lake. “It seems to be situated on a low spot too, where you’d have trouble with sludge and cattails. You’d probably be getting the propellers of your boat wrapped in plants and seaweed all the time.”
“When I can afford a boat.” Sarah grimaced. “Not to mention the mosquitoes are probably terrible in the summer. It’s all woods.”
“Alright. I’ve got two more options.” He gave her a side glance as he turned the truck around and began driving toward the main road. “I’ll save the best for last.”
“Yeah, I should probably see both in case the best one doesn’t look as nice as the picture.”
He smiled. “You haven’t seen the one I’m talking about yet. I purposely left that picture off my phone.”
“You did?”
“I really liked the looks of it. I think you will too.”
Sarah was definitely curious, but they drove another ten miles north to the next place, which was located near another lake in the chain.
And it was nice. It was a well-kept cabin, close to the main road with a large boathouse and lake access. They strolled through the completely modernized two-bedroom ranch, which was about twelve-hundred square feet.
“I like it,” Sarah finally said, gazing through the window in the living room across the lake.
“But?” Brand saw she was disappointed.
“It’s further from town than I wanted it to be. I also thought I’d get a little more house for my money. I’m not so thrilled about having to use that second guest bedroom for an office. I don’t really want to set it up in the living room.”
“And?”
“It would really be tight in here if my family came to visit.”
Brand nodded his agreement.
“It would be a great vacation home, which I guess is what it’s always been used for.”
“I’d consider it a possibility if you can’t find anything else.” Brand held open the door for Sarah, and she walked outside. “You’d probably be able to get the price down a little. It’s been on the market for three months.”
“So, how are we going to handle this Brand?” Sarah asked when Brand was driving along the main road. “I packed up most of my stuff again last night and loaded everything in my truck. I mentioned to Mel that there could be trouble, so it might be better if I didn’t stay with her.”
Brand nodded his agreement. “Danielle’s explaining the situation to Mel, because I broke down and told her a little about what was happening here. It’s not like you can’t talk to Mel on the phone or text her. It’s just better if you don’t go back to her place, just in case anyone is watching you. We’ll get your truck from the wounded warrior home a little later.” Brand pursed his lips. “I don’t know. I read through more of the information that’s been collected in the case files last night. There’s just something not adding up about all of this,” he said, almost talking to himself.
She nodded thoughtfully. “Well, hopefully, once we get a chance to go over what happened, I’ll remember more.”
“You sure you’re up for it?”
“Honestly?” She sighed heavily, squaring off her shoulders. “No. But it’s been two years, and it’s something that needs to be done.” Her eyes turned back on the road. “So, where are we going?”
“Oh. Didn’t I tell you? We can choose one of the places we looked at today, and stay there together for now. They’re all for rent, and of course, since it’s after the holidays, rentals are slow.”
Frowning, Sarah continued studying Brand. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you, about not letting me out of your sight?”
“I am, Sarah,” he answered softly. “I’m not letting anything ever happen to you again.”
“Nothing has happened yet. I can take care of myself,” she said stubbornly.
“I know,” Brand answered. He had to be careful, cause damn she was hot when she was tough. But this time he needed to be tougher. “I’ve got your six, whether you like it or not.”
“Alright,” she growled, acting surprisingly content.
And Brand grinned, taking a turn over the bridge dividing Crystal Rock Lake from Stone Lake. “We’re getting closer, according to the GPS,” he said.
“What a great location,” Sarah answered. “Not too far from town. Plus, the homes seem to be well spread out.”
“Whoa,” Brand said pulling into a wide paved driveway. Not only was the road leading to the cabin beautifully landscaped, the entire property was as well.
And what a cabin. A multi-level home, it was spread across a vast expanse of the shoreline overlooking the lake. It had to be huge inside.
Once he’d parked near a three-car garage, Sarah eagerly stepped out from the truck, sprinting toward the lake.
Brand was smiling by the time he shut down the engine, and got out from the truck, trailing behind Sarah at a much slower pace.
Scoping out the property, he was slightly in awe by
the time he caught up and stood beside her. The house was located on an inlet’s curve and there was only one neighbor nearby. The cabin next door had to belong to Dylan Nash, the owner of both properties.
Sarah pointed. “Look at the park over there, right next door.”
Brand studied the park. Dotted with benches and built in grills, the park had a playground along with an open wooden structure for picnics on rainy days. “It looks like the bike trail leads around the entire chain of lakes, and even intersects with the wounded warrior home.”
“It could be connected to the path that circles around Dragonfly Pointe.”
He grinned, nodding his agreement. Leave it to Sarah to be more interested in the outdoor space than the home standing behind them. “You might be right.”
Brand was impressed by the boathouse jutting out from the shore, and a long pier had been built right beside it.
He nudged Sarah in the ribs. “Turn around, take a look at the cabin.”
“Aw, Brand. I almost hate to look cause I’m probably going to love it. You know I can’t afford a place like this.”
“Hey, I might have a solution for that. Just keep an open mind.”
Sarah rolled her eyes.
Brand reached for her hand, and her eyes went wide. “Yep, Legs, I have a good feeling about all of this.” And he wasn’t just talking about the cabin. He loved the electric charge that shot through his senses every time they touched. She was the only woman he’d ever met that made him feel that.
And damn that feeling felt good. If he had to, he’d wait for her for the rest of his life.
.
Chapter Twelve
The look in Brand’s eyes was something she’d never seen in any man’s eyes before.
The warmth, the sincerity, and yes she was even seeing love, and it was really freaking her out. She supposed it’d happened for her the first time they’d met. She’d been so determined not to think of him when they’d first begun training for their special mission back in 2015. But she just couldn’t help herself, when she found her eyes always searching him out. No matter where they were or what they were doing, during the most rigorous of exercises whether it be climbing, swimming or even during tactical training, her response and her need to know where he was had been automatic.
She’d been comparing Brand to Jim the entire time.
But she should’ve admitted sooner that her relationship with Jim was in trouble, even before she was injured.
That tingling sensation running through Sarah’s arm was making her feel edgy as Brand held her hand in his.
But it felt so good.
And she suddenly smiled brightly.
Brand paused, looking at Sarah’s face. And then he broke into a huge smile of his own. “You know I’m going to have to kiss you again, Legs?”
And she laughed, answering dryly, “No one’s stopping you.”
His eyes slid over her face, stopped at her lips, lingered, and her mouth went dry. Her heart felt like she’d been running for miles. She felt her lungs contract when he pulled her into his arms and his mouth covered hers.
Oh, wow. She hadn’t known she was capable of feeling like this. His mouth moved on hers with a fierce, hot urgency that made her go all soft and feminine inside.
“I want you,” he whispered as he let go of her hand to wrap his arms around her.
Murmuring her pleasure into his mouth, she wrapped her arms around his neck and threaded her fingers through the silky hair at the nape of his neck, clinging to him with all her might.
But then she shivered; partly from pleasure but mainly because she was getting cold.
“God it’s cold out here. Let’s go inside where it’s warm.” After echoing her thoughts, Brand gave her a rueful grin reaching for her hand again.
“Look at that deck and porch,” Sarah observed, shaking her head dazedly before finally taking a good look at the house.
Approaching the cabin from the lakefront, they followed a walkway around to the back door where the lockbox could be found.
And it was even more unique inside than Sarah could’ve imagined when they walked into the grand entrance through the doorway, with wide planked wooden floors and an open rustic staircase leading to what looked to be a huge upper level. And rather than the lighter pine tones that she’d seen in the other cabins, the builder had used a darker stain which made it look so much more elegant.
And the fireplace was huge and covered an entire wall with shelves on either side.
“The new owner had this whole house redone last year. Apparently, it was really outdated,” Brand said as they walked into the kitchen.
“God, I’m loving this.” She looked into Brand’s eyes suspiciously. “It’s been remodeled? That probably bumps up the price tag even higher. How much?”
He gave her a half-smile. “Let’s finish the tour, first.”
Following the stairs to the upper level, they walked into a beautiful master bedroom before entering a large bathroom with a huge soaker tub.
Brand looked at her quizzically. “Perfect, isn’t it? Especially for your leg.”
She grimaced, nodding her reluctant agreement.
“Four more bedrooms, all upstairs for guests. And then there’s an office downstairs.”
As they strolled through the remaining rooms upstairs, Sarah’s heart sunk further. None of the rooms were short on space.
The place was ideal, and no way could she afford it.
They returned downstairs and Sarah saw the office next. It was pretty much the perfect space, with a wall shared with the fireplace in the living room. It was private enough to work if she had guests, but not so closed off that she would feel detached from what might be happening around the house.
She loved the layout.
Near the office was a large kitchen, and it was incredible, gleaming with brand new stainless-steel appliances. The roomy island was topped with a cool countertop shaped from something unusual.
Brand was staring at the surface. “Is that a cutout from some kind of tree?”
“Yeah. I don’t know for sure but that looks like it might be mahogany. My brother used to work in one of our local lumberyards as a teenager, and I used to hang around there every once in a while.”
“It fits in well with those half log walls over there, doesn’t it?”
“I’m glad that all the walls aren’t like that, because it’d probably be really dark in here otherwise.”
Suddenly noticing another pair of doors, Sarah peered over Brand’s shoulder. “What’s outside past those doors?”
Glancing behind him, Brand reached for her hand. “C’mon. I think I know.”
Opening one of the doors and glancing at what was there, he grinned.
Motioning for Sarah to come look, he pulled her through the doorway.
Her jaw dropped. Sarah was stunned staring at the junior Olympic-sized pool.
Finally, she spoke, noticing the smile on Brand’s face. “You knew about this?”
“I did.”
“I thought I smelled chlorine.” She looked around. “It’s indoor-outdoor, isn’t it?”
“Yep. It looks like that wall of windows opens to the lakefront with sliders,” he answered.
“Geez, Brand. Not only can’t I afford this house, I don’t have the time or the energy to maintain a house this huge, not to mention a pool.”
Looking a little anxious, he suddenly asked, “What if I went in on it with you?”
“What?” Sarah blinked.
Brand cleared his throat. “I said what if I bought the house with you?”
“But...but…” Sarah just stood there, staring at Brand. “You can’t be serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
Her gaze turned from his, as her eyes filled with tears. What the hell was wrong with her? She never cried.
While Sarah attempted regaining control of her emotions, Brand pulled her into his arms. And for the next few minutes, he
held her.
He finally murmured under his breath. “Tell you what. Let’s stay here together for now, and see how it goes? I’m going to admit to you, I haven’t even thought about another woman since the day I met you, and damn I sure tried when I found out you were engaged.” He inhaled a deep breath. “But when I was called into the commander’s office the other day, and I was handed your file, and told I was coming here to Crystal Rock? I felt like fate was offering me a second chance.” He sighed. “And when I saw you again? I knew that I never wanted to let you go.”
Sarah muttered against his shoulder, “You’re overwhelming me, you know.”
“I know,” he answered, laughing softly. “I guess I’ve had an extra few days to think about the way I was feeling, when you had no idea I’d even be here.”
“Two days, and I feel like I’ve been through a whirlwind,” she mumbled.
Pulling back, he looked into her eyes. “That’s not so bad, is it?”
She finally smiled, shaking her head dazedly. “No, not at all.”
Brand’s smile was tender. “C’mon. Let’s go get some groceries and pick up your truck.”
She exhaled deeply. “Alright.”
Chapter Thirteen
Since they were both tired from traveling the last few days, they decided to stop for carryout after driving to the inn first, where Brand could pack up his belongings. Then, they would go to the grocery store before driving to the wounded warrior home, so Brand could follow Sarah home after picking up her truck.
While Brand went to his room to gather his things, Sarah stayed downstairs talking to Danielle, who was happy to hear that she and Brand were planning on moving into the cabin on Stone Lake.
“I’ll tell the realtor that the property’s been taken,” Danielle said, as she and Sarah sat together in the café.
Sarah took a sip of her coffee. “Sounds good. I really love the place. It looks like it requires regular maintenance because of the pool?”
“Yeah it does. But the owner’s left chemicals in that utility closet right next to the garage entrance, and there’s instructions taped inside the door. All you have to do is give the local pool guy a call if you have any trouble.”
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