“Shush, you needed the time.” Taking my hand, he leads me inside. His supersized bed fits much better here with more room to walk around. They repositioned the couch and rocker and scooted the table over a little bit. His dresser sits perfectly next to Nana’s. When I open the drawer, I see that someone has moved my clothes from the loft to Nana’s. I glance up at Amélie and she winks. “Let’s take the dogs out and then the guys have promised, us food that we don’t have to cook.”
We walk the dogs around the cabin reinforcing their perimeters and jobs. Vader seems to sense my mood because he constantly nudges my hand and doesn’t stray far from my side.
Shiva seems more alert to the hunt. Amélie assure me they’re both bonding to me appropriately and doing their job. As we head back to the cabin, she stops me and gives me a hug. “I’ll be heading home tomorrow. Silo knows what he’s doing and I’m completely confident these two are your dogs. Give me yourphone, I want you to have Patch’s number in case there’s ever trouble.
“Silo also promised to bring you to meet the rest of the family when things settle down. I can’t wait to introduce you to our motley crew outside of Annapolis. He gave me your number, I hope that’s okay. I always do follow-up calls when I place the dogs. If you agree, I’ll text you so you can save mine. Call or text any time with any questions about the dogs or anything.
“I know we just met. But, well, I was betrayed. I know how it feels. I’m here if you need to talk. Friends support friends. I’m a little older but, hell age is just a number.”
I laugh. “That’s the same thing I told Rake.”
“Men can be so dense.” She shakes her head.
Nodding, I swallow down the tears, managing to mumble thank you before she pulls me into her arms. Friend, god, it’s been so long since I’ve had one.
The cabin door opens. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, Silo, we’re just hungry. Are you ever going to feed us?” Amélie says.
Patch slaps his belly. “Yes food.”
Rake rolls his eyes and whistles for the dogs. They bound into the cabin, and he closes the door behind them. Meeting me in the yard, he wraps his arms around my shoulder and looks at Patch. “We’ll get my truck and you can follow us. I know the best burger place.”
CHAPTER 13
Rake (Silo)
When we moved my stuff to Nana’s cabin, I installed the scrambler I’d gotten for the hidden camera even though I-Tee had been scrambling it from his end.
Norah had a couple things to arrange, so I offered to take the dogs out. Grabbing a tumbler of water, I sit on the porch steps leaning against railing and watch their antics.
The dogs are a perfect add-on for the cabin security. I met them a couple years ago when they were still pups, but they seemed to remember. Different litters, same dad. Both rescued as pups from a rescue shelter where they’d been caged together. Part German Shepard part Malinois. Some are skeptical of the mix because they tend to be highly intelligent, intense and high energy. Amélie’s never had a problem. She say’s inadequate trainers are the problem, not the dogs.
Amélie’s spent her life around dogs helping her father and then on her own. If she says a dog is solid, they are. Main thing to know is working dogs need to work.
Dinner was great. Patch and I get along and you can’t help but love Amélie. Wish her husband and son could have come. I promise myself we’ll go for a visit soon.
I think it did Norah good to be around another woman. She’s had a lot of hard hits in the last few weeks. I really liked how she kept touching me and how our legs touched under the table in the booth.
Most of the team at our main compound are partnered up and we’ve had an influx of babies. Here at Love Beach the guys have been falling fast and hard, too.
Then Diesel brings his niece, now daughter, into the picture. I was part of the detail watching over her. Damned if the little bug didn’t wrap her arms around my leg and say, ‘up up’. Once I lifted her, she owned me. I go all gooey around her.
I’d do anything for her. The guys laughed when they caught us playing dolls. I never had that kind of unconditional trust before. The men I serve with are a different story. Our bond is forged in life and death. Not feelings, like a child or woman gives.
Until now. Until Norah. She accepted my past and moved on, too.
It hits me. This is love. I love Norah. I can no longer imagine the life I led before. Now all I see is the cabin, the dogs, two rockers on the porch and maybe our own little ones. I want it. I want it all. The house, the wife, the babies. I want Norah.
The screen door creaks behind me, and she joins me on the step. Both dogs look over but it’s Vader who lopes to her to get an ear scratch first. I take her other hand in mine.I’ve got first dibs, buddy.
“It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it. I love when I can see the stars so clearly in the sky,” she says.
“I turn to her. You’re beautiful.”
In the moonlight I see her eyes go wide, then she smiles. “Thank you. You’re kind of a hunk yourself.”
“Norah, I... I want this. I want to see if we can be a thing. I know it’s quic...”
