A SEAL's Return

by Grace Alexander

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Business was finally picking up at High Beam, and Jake had a sense of professional accomplishment that he worried might not return after leaving Safehouse. Not only was he using his hands as he had in demolition, tinkering and troubleshooting to fine-tune parts that should flow together effortlessly, but he’d found satisfaction as a new business owner.

  Entrepreneurship wasn’t Jake’s calling, though. Providing for others was. It would’ve been a bold-faced lie to say he had the slightest interest in accounting or marketing. Putting in hours long after Charlotte was asleep to learn what came beyond the basics of Business 101 made for tediously long nights, but he was in it for the long haul.

  He wiped the grease off on a cloth then tossed it over his shoulder. He’d earned enough this week to not be in the hole. There was a trust and savings to rely on, but his personal goals made him work hard so he wouldn’t rely on those as if he were starting from scratch. Maybe it was too hard and idealistic for some, but he determined he was going to do it.

  This was his life now. No more jumps out of a helicopter, no surfacing in the water on a strike. He wouldn’t search for enemies, couldn’t calculate for explosions and demolitions. It was a time of transition, and Jake found himself making lists of normal, everyday activities.

  He planned to meet Matt at The Hide Out for beers later in the week. He wanted to invite the guys over to the house after he made it more of his own place. Jake had signed up to read a story to Charlotte’s class and was responsible for donating the classroom pumpkin. He downloaded the phone app for the school’s sports booster program even though Charlotte was too young to participate in any of the Tidings school athletic activities. At least he could track the high school scores, which was a topic of local Tidings conversation.

  All day long, Jake talked to customers and business associates, but at the end of the day, before Charlotte walked off the bus, an unfamiliar loneliness continued to surround him at his house. He couldn’t explain it. Or maybe he could… With the exception of Nora, his new and reformed connections hadn’t reached the depth that he’d had with his teammates at Safehouse… And Even with Nora, he wanted more depth in their friendship. More warmth. More time. More of her.

  Jake dropped to his desk chair and stared blankly at a pile of work.

  He took his phone out of his desk drawer and didn’t know who to reach out to, particularly when he had nothing to say. That used to be Ally, who was there for the few and far between times when he needed somebody to just get him. He scrolled the contact list and swiped Nora’s name. She didn’t fit the bill as a makeshift replacement for Ally, but he didn’t want to replace his cousin and didn’t feel as if Nora needed to adapt to fit a role, or that he needed a reason to talk to her.

  Much like Ally.

  She answered on the second ring, but the tone of her hello changed his self-focused reflection to an immediate concern that something was wrong. “Nora, what’s the matter?”

  She grumbled. “It’s that easy to tell? Ugh.”

  “Hard day?” How bad could it be in an elementary school? It wasn’t as if she could be called to the principal’s office.

  “Not hard. But, definitely weird.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  She sighed. “For two days in a row, the ex-husband I haven’t heard from in years shows and wants to chat.”

  Jake’s lips flattened, and he wasn’t sure how best to answer as a platonic friend. “What’s he want?”

  “I can tell you what he doesn’t want.”

  “What’s that?” he asked, hating the sadness in her voice.

  “To see Graham.” Nora cleared her throat. “Which, honestly, is fine by me, but it’s also heartbreaking.”

  Jake couldn’t imagine.

  “Is it strange that I’m talking to you about him?” she asked.

  “Why would that be strange?”

  “People have preconceived notions about Sean, and frankly, I don’t want to talk to them about him. But you…”

  He wanted her to talk about anything, even if he had to ignore the river of irritation that flooded him when it came to Sean. “I’ll listen to anything.”

  “Thanks. I— Hang on a second.” The phone muffled as he waited. “Someone popped into my office, and I have to go. But this afternoon I’m headed over to the middle school for a counselors’ meeting, then I’m done for the day. Maybe I could swing by High Beam? I’ll bring coffee.”

  She could show up throwing spitballs and dropping stink bombs, and Jake wouldn’t send her packing. “You don’t have to bring coffee. But I won’t say no.”

  “Great, thanks.”

  They said their goodbyes. He tossed the phone onto his desk amid the spreadsheets and orders that he needed to catalog. He hadn’t ever been this excited to wait for the afternoon to come. Though, considering their topic of conversation would be Sean, it would take effort to behave like a gentleman.

  Then again, who’d said anything in their agreement about gentlemanly behavior? Maybe Jake could be the type of friend who could bounce an ex-husband out of town on his ear. Didn’t every woman need that kind of man in her life? Yeah, Jake was pretty sure they did, and that was who he was going to be. The butt-kicking acquaintance of the beautiful Nora Cabot.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  The pitter-patter of Nora’s heart drummed louder than the bass on the radio. Her stomach was in knots, and her pulse jumped erratically at the memory of Jake’s baritone voice pressed against her ear.

  Her excitement level was at an all-time high, buzzing from the second she hung up with him and growing to the point that when she stopped for their coffees, she ordered hers as decaf.

  High Beam loomed closer, and the simple act of signaling to turn made her smile. “Stop it.”

  Especially given the topic. It wasn’t as if Nora could bounce into Jake’s office, glowing as she was now, and expect to discuss Sean. Jake would think… Who knew what he would think? She didn’t know what to think.

  Sean had terrified her and broken her heart all over again by how he acted toward Graham. Not that she wanted him near her son. But she was giddy to see Jake.

  She turned in to the parking lot and let the Subaru idle before shifting into Park and shutting off the engine. “He’s your friend.”

  Nora checked the rearview mirror for the hundredth time then grabbed her purse and the two coffees before sliding out the car door.

  Jake was at the front door, an arm overhead and propped against the doorjamb as he leaned his long frame against the wall. Nora’s confident first step slowed. She didn’t expect him there. Didn’t expect anyone who looked like that, with long arms and thick muscles, to stare at her. Then he smiled, and her heart tried to also, expanding in her chest before her lips got with the program.

  “Hey, need a hand?” He pushed off the wall, letting the door swing closed.

  “Sure.”

  He took the coffee from her and rested a hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the door, then he held it open as a cold wind blustered.

  Inside the warm office, Nora finger combed her hair back and he set the coffees down, offering to take her jacket. They took their drinks to his office.

  Jake’s office was just like the rest of the shop, kind of quirky. A sign behind his desk read:

  Womp-Tatta-Wat $20

  Grr-Ka-Flunk Grr-Ka-Flunk $30

  Ding-Ding Thwud-Thwud $40

  The rusty clock made from wrenches and the Vermont license plate light shades didn’t look his style, but he was smart enough to keep the place the way that it had been. Tidings loved it.

  “It seems like business is doing well,” she said.

  “It’s picking up.” He leaned back in his chair. “Are you going to tell me, or do I begin my list of what’s-going-on-with-Sean questions?”

  Nora groaned. “I hate that man. Or maybe not. You have to love someone to hate them.”

  Jake wasn’t sure about that and
sipped his coffee.

  “The nerve of him,” Nora started. “He wanted to come in for a chat but made a point to avoid Graham.”

  “Is that a bad thing?” he asked.

  She bit her lip. “I’m not sure. It’s not how I’d want to introduce Graham to his father, but my point is, Sean wasn’t interested in a meeting anyway.”

  Jake understood her predicament and wanted to shift from the emotional part to the reason for the reappearance. “But he was interested in you?”

  Nora shook her head. “No. Not at all. He just wanted to come in.”

  “Did he?” Jake asked.

  “No.”

  That offered him a small sense of relief. “Do you feel safe?”

  “From Sean? Sure. He just makes me so mad.”

  “Because of Graham.”

  Her eyes burned, and she focused on her coffee. “Because it’s not fair that I was so stupid. He’s such an amazing kid.” Tears slipped free. “I want him to have a dad. It wasn’t like I thought that Sean would be gone. Never like this.” Nora wiped her cheeks then realized who she was talking to. “I must sound so selfish. Here you are when Charlotte’s lost both her parents. You’ve given up your career.”

  Jake stood from his chair, walked to her side of the desk, and sat on the edge. He took her coffee cup from her and wrapped his arms around her back, hugging her to his chest. “Don’t do that.”

  She couldn’t help it. Nora never let her guard down or knew she needed to. But with Jake she could. “I just wish my baby had a life without the threat of heartache. Isn’t that what every mom wants for her children?” She sniffed. “And his father was so close. He was there. He heard Graham and just didn’t care.”

  The tears fell, and Jake hugged her until she stopped. Her thoughts cleared. His unhesitating hand rubbed her back slowly until she dabbed at her eyes again.

  “I’m sorry.” Nora straightened in her seat as he handed over her coffee. “I didn’t think I was coming here to fall apart.”

  “You’re not falling apart, and I want to listen.”

  She chuckled. “That’s my job. Listening while others unbottle their problems. I think you have better things to do.”

  “Better than to make sure you’re okay and feel better?” His forehead bunched. “Absolutely not.” The front door of High Beam jingled. “Hang on a second. I wasn’t expecting anyone right now.”

  Jake stepped into the reception area, and Nora peeked out as he greeted Alvin Beidersnault. They spoke for a moment then disappeared after Jake grabbed a set of keys off the wall and went outside.

  Nora used the time alone to open her purse and take out a compact, check her smeared eye makeup, and fix it as best she could. She heard the men come back and a transaction finalize before Jake came back in.

  “Before you know it, this place will be slammed.” She put her compact back in her purse and dropped it on the floor.

  “That guy has a nice ride,” Jake said. “So far I’ve tuned up pickup trucks and minivans.”

  “Well, pencil in a Subaru in the next couple weeks.”

  “As long as Graham can come by and help. I promised him he could work on your car.”

  Every ounce of her wanted to hug him. Forget the attractive man and all his muscles that leaned against the door like the Diet Coke man from the long-ago commercial. Jake was so much more than she could ever have hoped for… in a friend. She just wanted to hold onto him and never let go. “Thank you, Jake. I’m not sure of everything I’m thanking you for. But you should know that it’s for more than I probably realize.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  There was a distinct difference between Halloweens of years past and this one. Suddenly Jake had a whole new appreciation for costumes, and it wasn’t for the better as Charlotte dragged him through the front doors of the general store. The realization that Halloween had become a grown-up, hyped-up holiday of oversexualization and nothing to do with kids’ fun was a boot in the chest. He waved to the cashier he went to grade school with and followed Charlotte down the first aisle.

  He took a deep breath when witches and warlocks greeted them. There were no sexy vampires or pirates who wanted to show off their booties. Instead, there was row after row of colorful princesses, muscled and padded heroes, and storybook villains. A quick swell of relief rolled through him as some of the more recognizable characters caught his eye. This might even be easy.

  Charlotte skipped and stopped, stared at her options, then started her process again as Jake donned a mask then mimicked her inspection.

  “Hey, snuggle bug.” He readjusted his face mask to see out of the two small eyeholes. “Are you thinking a fairy, princess, or superhero?”

  With shiny-stringed wands in each hand, she spun on her toe. “Not sure.”

  When in Rome… He picked up his own magical princess wands with the shiny strings— which he had to admit had an instant fun factor—and waved them side to side like handheld flags. “I think this is my costume. Scary mask, cute hands. What do you think?”

  “It suits you.”

  It suits you. What five-year-old spoke like that? But she was right. It did suit him, so who was he to question. There were far too many options that looked eerily the same. If he didn’t want to be here all night, Jake needed a plan. He decided that narrowing his options for her would be the best course of action. “Were you thinking a color scheme? Or characters?”

  Charlotte’s wand-swirling arms fell as if they’d been tied to anchors in the river.

  “What?” he asked.

  “You want me to choose by color?” Her sweet face skewed.

  “Kidding. Kinda.” Who knew he would be happy to be hiding behind a ghoul’s mask from a five-year-old’s displeasure? “Then character it is. Are we filtering by magic powers or favorite movie—”

  “Where is the people section?”

  He’d never been one to miss the obvious, but staring back at him appeared to be people— princesses, princes, knights, and police officers. There was Army. Notably missing were the Navy SEALs. Two different fireman costumes hung side by side, and there were several costumes for service industry characters, including chefs, bakers, and railroad engineers. All in all, Jake saw people. “I think we’re here, kiddo.”

  Her magic-wand-holding hands went to her hips. “No, I mean, where is the section for real people?”

  “Snuggle bug, these are all real people. And when you wear their costume, you will make them come alive.” Wasn’t that the point of Halloween? Some kids wanted to go “Boo.” Others wanted to emulate their heroes. There was a missing piece of the Halloween puzzle, though, and for the life of him, Jake couldn’t see what seemed so obvious to her. “Is there a specific person you’re looking for? From a movie? Or a job?”

  “The girl in the picture with all the books who put the man on the moon.”

  “Buzz Aldrin?” Wait, no, he knew Buzz was obviously a man.

  “No.” She scowled. “The girl who wrote the program that put him there. Without her, he wouldn’t be famous.”

  Jake stared blankly. Had he missed that day in history class?

  “She did it with a pencil,” Charlotte continued. “There were lots of books in her picture. Stacked as high as me. That’s who I want to be for Halloween.”

  “The girl with the pencil and the stack of books who was the force behind Buzz Aldrin.”

  “Yes! Her.”

  “Her…” Jake hummed as he realized that there was Halloween shopping for kids, and then there was Halloween shopping for Charlotte.

  Now, Jake understood he needed help, and more importantly, a history lesson. The harder he searched his memory, the more he realized he’d obviously missed major parts of the chapter on how the first man walked on the moon. “Give me a second.”

  Jake stuck both of his shiny wands in his back pocket, exchanged one of them for his cell phone, and opened up the search browser. Keywords for his image search were “girl books man on the moon.”
<
br />   The results were woefully disappointing with pictures of musical acts that this little snuggle bug better not know about.

  Jake tried again with “code NASA female staff.” That time the images were far more appropriate, yet there was nothing that would seem to satisfy Charlotte’s upturned, imploring eyes.

  “Did you find it?” She was surrounded by dozens of costume options that didn’t grab her attention, and the hope in her voice was enough to keep him searching for an answer.

  “I’ll figure it out. Don’t worry.” His gaze lifted behind her as the simple encouragement caused her to beam far more than the shiny wands had. “And if they don’t have it here, I’ll find out where they do have that costume.”

  Her eyes cast down as her shoulders drooped. “What if they don’t have it anywhere?”

  The potential for disappointment was a gut shot, delivered in stealth mode by his little snuggle bug. He dropped to his knees and teased, “I know you didn’t suggest there’s something I can’t do.” Jake clucked lightly and then promised, “If I have to hand stitch the entire costume, you will be the book girl behind the moon walk.”

  Whoever the book girl was. That was first and foremost in this Halloween costume mission. He needed to know his target.

  Good thing he knew the perfect resource to call in for backup. “Go play for a few minutes while I research.” And by research, he meant texting Nora, the brains behind everything he didn’t understand.

  JAKE: Mayday, Mayday. I need Halloween help.

  His phone flashed with an immediate notification and text message back. Jake wasn’t sure whether he was more thrilled for the help or to see her name flash onto his screen.

  NORA: I’m doing Halloween right now too. What’s up?

  JAKE: Costumes. Or a specific costume.

  NORA: LOL

  JAKE: This is the description I’m working with. A girl who handwrote the book that put somebody on the moon.