Mitch sat down beside her and told her everything he knew of the specifics. And answered questions on WPP when she asked. A heaviness settled deep inside her. One she’d need to make peace with before she decided whether she wanted paternity tests.
“Thank you,” she said. “I think I’m ready for that shower.”
“Sounds good. We’ll eat later.” He opened the door of the small sleeping room. “The next few days will be mainly travel. May not be much time to rest, so you need to get some sleep.”
She should try to be more like him and grab a catnap every so often. But when she tried his whole cross his arms, lean his head back against something, and close his eyes routine, it didn’t do a thing to help her sleep. Without a doubt, having this day of rest would do wonders for her mind and body.
After her shower, she ate the breakfast he’d brought back for her. He’d left a small note reminding her there was a guard outside the door. Finally, she climbed in bed and snuggled under the covers. She wanted to stop thinking about the letter. About being chased by CT. About the future. All she wanted was to sleep.
Hours later, she woke up. She’d slept right through lunch.
Now, as she strolled to dinner with Mitch, he pointed out places he thought would be of interest to her. And when she’d mentioned feeling cooped up the past few days, he stretched out the walk by taking a different pathway, extending their time outside. He had no idea how much she appreciated that gesture. Of feeling safe with the light breeze against her skin.
With the evening air cooling off and the base feeling as if it were a place shutting down after a stressful day, he seemed more laid-back. Took slower steps. Sometimes didn’t talk, just highlighted something for her to see as their walk lengthened.
“You love this place,” she said.
“What do you mean?”
“I get the feeling this is your true world. Am I right?”
“Partly. To me, this is more than just where I became a SEAL.” He smiled. “When I no longer had anywhere to be part of, the Navy became my home. Training replaced the gym. Mess halls, a place for Thanksgiving dinner. Most important, SEALS will always be my family. Just like OPAQUE’s a family for me.”
She might have had a mother and dad, but she’d never really had a family. Never had a group of people—grandparents, great-grands, aunts, uncles, cousins, or others—who she could always count on. “Part of me envies you, Mitch.”
“Me? Why?”
“You made your family. Found your tribe, so to speak. And, no matter what happens, you’re happy knowing they’ve got your back.” She’d give her whole career to have that peacefulness. “So, why did you leave this for OPAQUE?”
“Was just time for a change. Time to take care of some situations affecting people more personally. Same job. Different feel. Besides, OPAQUE’s a family for me, too.”
“Being part of a family is important to you, yet you haven’t seen yours in years. Why?”
He didn’t answer. Just kept walking.
“Okay, I get that you don’t plan to answer my question.” She shrugged. “I’m not trying to be nosy. It’s just the journalist in me, always wanting to know why.”
Looking perplexed, he stopped and faced her. Scrunched his brow, shrugged, and sighed. “What you need to understand…is that you ask a lot of questions. And…in my case…some don’t have answers.”
That had been honest, and she couldn’t fault him. There were probably things in life she had no answers for. And not just regarding this case, either.
He glanced westward. “You want to see something beautiful?”
“Sure.”
“Come on.” He started into a slow jog, setting a pace she could keep up with.
At an outcrop of rocks just up from the water’s edge, he started climbing. Reaching back, he held out his hand and she took hold, letting him guide her up the gray stones one at a time. A couple places he used both hands to hoist her up. Suddenly, they stood on the top, and the golds and oranges, reds and purples of sunset glowed in the distance. Warmly, the final rays of sunshine stretched back to embrace the two of them.
“This is…beautiful. More than beautiful,” she said.
“I used to come here to find myself at the end of a hard day. Sometimes there were more hard than easy days. But this sunset could always make things better.” He stepped behind her, embracing her, pulling her close. “Feels nice to finally share this with someone.”
Realizing just how important this moment between them was, she leaned against him. Basking in his scent and warmth, she relished the rhythm of his chest as his breaths floated against her. “I’ll never forget this.”
“Neither will I. Not ever.” His lips caressed her ear. “Liz, I…”
She arched her neck against his mouth, letting herself hope he felt what she needed. Anything that would let her know he thought of her as more than a client. Anything. Lifting her face as she turned in his arms, he lowered his mouth toward hers. She licked her lips for a second before he kissed her. Gentle, yet sure. She’d never forget that, either.
