Mara’s cheeks heated as her dad smiled. “Good answer. You’ll keep her happy?”
“And safe.”
“Another good answer. My alarm’s ringing, and I’ve got to get to the site. We’ll talk soon, my sunshine girl. Give my number to your man here so we can do a getting-to-know-you call.”
Mara laughed. “So you can grill him and scare him away? Not a chance, Dad. Have fun at work. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mara. Talk soon. Call me, Seth.”
Mara shoved the phone into her pocket. “Sorry about that.”
Seth rubbed his hands down her arms. “Nothing to be sorry about. I like your dad. Straight shooter, like your brother.”
Mara sighed. “You don’t have to call him.”
“I sure as hell do.” He reached out and brushed his fingers down her face.
Mara shivered at the touch. The intensity of his gaze sent those shivers down to her toes.
Seth leaned in. “Your dad wants to know me. He’s important to you, and I’m betting he’s a good man. I want to get to know him. It’s not a problem.”
She nodded. They were both good men, and they’d probably get along well. She might be over thirty, but her dad would always be her daddy. Always looking out for her.
And Seth would handle it, would probably enjoy it.
She was falling in love with a very good man.
Seth took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Let’s check on our chickens.”
Our chickens. “We don’t want them to feel left out, so we should name the rest.”
Seth chuckled. “Of course we should.”
Chapter 17
Say My Name
Seth wondered what Mara would name the other hens. Whatever it was, he was sure it would make him smile. Hell, everything about the woman made him smile.
She’d have been a great boost to morale overseas. Not only would her baking improve anyone’s day, but her cheerful attitude would help even on the darkest days. Nothing got her down for long.
He’d bet half of his team would have sung along with her playlists, especially Maki. The kid had been born to have fun and to be happy.
And he hadn’t made it to his thirtieth birthday. Maki would have made a great dad and grandfather. He’d deserved to lead a full life, making everyone smile.
When they’d talked about what they would do if they weren’t in the army, Seth had known he could cook anywhere. At the time he’d been sick of fancy, big-city kitchens, so he’d said he’d maybe run a diner in a small-town.
Maki had jumped on that idea. He’d wanted everyone to live their dreams, and was convinced everyone had at least two or three they should follow.
Maki’s older brother had a heart condition, something to do with the valves in his heart being the wrong size. The condition kept the man from serving, but otherwise, he led a normal life. Maki had said Blake was the best man he knew. Blake had wanted to be a soldier, but when his health condition had made that dream impossible, he’d followed another one, becoming an excellent mechanic in their hometown.
Maki had joined the army to make his brother proud and to live that dream for him. After his stint in the army, the kid planned to become a medical researcher. Try to help people with conditions like his brother’s. Or maybe join his brother as a mechanic at the shop he owned.
Seth sighed. A good man, a good life full of potential cut short because greedy assholes around the world wanted to have more than their share, and figured they could do as they wished.
Maki had believed in helping, and he’d done a hell of a job.
Seth managed not to flinch when a soft touch on his arm brought him back to the present. Mara watched him with concern. “You okay?”
