“I am, too. There are soft drinks and beer in the cooler. And I have wine and tea in the kitchen.”
“I’d like a soft drink,” Samantha said.
“I’ll get it, hon,” Flash volunteered.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Kathleen asked.
“It’s all done. I’m just going to take the pasta out of the oven and put the mushrooms in for a few minutes. I’ll get you a glass and some ice for your drink.”
The light had softened some while the sun was setting. Kathleen and Samantha were settled at the table, the men congregated at the grill. The deep murmur of their voices was somehow soothing to her.
Hawk, Zach’s commanding officer, and his wife Zoe wandered around the side of the house just when Piper stepped out onto the patio. They paused to introduce themselves. Hawk was imposing, large, and had an intense disposition, but his smile as he shook her hand eased her anxiety. Zoe was beautiful, with hazelnut brown hair streaked with blond and blue eyes. She wore a long skirt much like Piper’s, and a silk blouse with a wide belt around her narrow waist. Piper poured Zoe a glass of wine while Hawk helped himself to a beer.
Piper watched Zach’s Lieutenant with interest. He talked about him more than the others. He admired and trusted him and Bowie above everyone else. “I need to ask your husband something.”
Zoe smiled. “He doesn’t bite. I promise.”
Piper laughed. “Did I look that anxious?”
“Only a little.”
“It’s just that Zach’s been helping me solve some personal issues, and I was worried it had caused him a problem at work.”
“I can’t guarantee Adam will tell you if it has. They’re so closemouthed. But if it hasn’t, he’ll tell you that. It will at least ease your concern.”
“Okay.”
Piper rose and approached the large man hesitantly and touched his arm. “Lieutenant—Hawk?”
He turned with the same animal grace Zach exhibited now his hip wasn’t causing him such pain. “Yes?”
She moistened her lips. “I never intended for Zach to get involved.”
Hawk offered her a wry smile. “An infinite force met an immovable object. Sometimes it’s better to save the energy.”
A short burst of laughter bubbled from her. “That’s a very good description of how it went.”
He shrugged. “It’s what makes him a good SEAL.”
“I can see that. He’s been an unstoppable force and an immovable object all rolled into one. It’s the first time I had someone who believed in me without question. He was in my corner from the start. I can’t tell you how much it’s meant to me.”
“His faith was justified, based on what I heard from Detective Sherman and his boss.”
Piper drew a deep breath. “I know how much what he does means to him. Being a SEAL is everything. He has a meeting with his Captain on Monday. I don’t want what’s happened recently to interfere with his career. So if I need to speak with anyone and explain everything…on his behalf…”
“No. It won’t be necessary. Everything’s fine.” Hawk gave her arm a brief squeeze.
She searched his face for several seconds. Her shoulders dropped with relief. “Okay. I thought he might be trying to downplay the fallout.”
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
She drew a deep breath. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “Well there is one thing. How good are you about keeping secrets?”
Piper thought a moment. “My safety deposit box can’t even come close.”
He grinned. “On Monday you need to be sure he gets out the door on time. I’ll have Seaman Sizemore send you a Skype invitation this evening. Zach will be receiving a commendation, but we wanted to keep it on the down low. I can’t get you or Kathleen on the base in time to be there for it, but I know he’ll want the two of you to see him get his Lieutenant bars.”
“Oh, yes, I’d love it. I’ll slip you my email address in a few minutes. And I’ll tell Kathleen.”
When she returned to the table to sit with the women, Zoe smiled. “I could tell from his expression and yours everything’s okay. I’ve been dying to meet you. Hawk told me Doc had met someone. The way he tried to play it cool, I could tell you were important.”
Sometimes when Zach looked at her she felt he was on the verge of saying everything she wanted to hear, but he didn’t. “Is that how they all are—holding everything close, I mean?”
Kathleen leaned forward. “It’s like pulling teeth to get Zach to share anything.”
“Maybe he doesn’t want to let anyone see the heart on his sleeve,” Zoe said.
Bowie swung around the side of the house alone, and Piper hurried over to greet him. He presented her with a bottle of white wine. “How you doin’ today, little lady?” His golden brown eyes searched her face.
She smiled at the concern she read there. “I’m good. Wonderful, actually. Thank you for everything you did.”
He shrugged. “I was just in the right place at the right time.”
“You must have the best luck of anyone I know.”
“Actually, I was hung over from lack of sleep. We’d been doing night maneuvers, and I wanted to take a nap.”
Piper laughed. “Your nap saved me from a jail cell. You know that, don’t you?” Tears rushed to surface before she swallowed them back.
“There was never any chance of that. Zach and Detective Sherman had you covered. I heard Kathleen had some good news. I’ll pretend I don’t already know it and let her break it to me.”
“How do you know?”
“Osmosis. Once one of us knows something, we all do.”
Piper narrowed her eyes. “I think it’s called texting.”
He grinned. “Or that could be it.”
He sauntered over to the table and slid in next to Kathleen. “Who needs a date when I can sit with one of my favorite ladies for dinner?”
Kathleen smiled, her lovely face radiant. “You’re sitting next to an engaged woman, Bowie.” Kathleen presented her hand with the ring.
“Damn, I missed my chance!” He studied the ring with open admiration. “I’m really happy for you, Thorn. And envious as hell of Cal.”
He placed an arm around Kathleen with easy affection and kissed her forehead.
Piper slipped away to open the wine and take the stuffed mushrooms out of the oven. Zach was busy grilling the chicken breasts and hanging with the men close to the grill. Piper got Samantha another soft drink and took the bottle of wine she’d opened earlier to fill Zoe’s glass and top off Kathleen’s and her own, though she’d only had a sip or two.
She listened to the easy way the other women conversed. Sam had just gotten a new job with an insurance agency. Zoe had been offered a promotion to take over a managerial position in the physical therapy department at the hospital. It would be less physically demanding and the pay was better. She was debating whether or not to take it, because she loved working with patients.
Piper went back inside and plated the bruschetta and stuffed mushrooms on two large, oval serving platters and slipped the bread into the oven. She placed a plate in the center of the table in front of the ladies, then wandered over to the men with the other and placed it on the small table next to the grill, within reaching distance.
Zach slipped an arm around her waist. “Chicken will be ready in just a minute. Those aren’t going to last long.” He nodded at the plate that was already emptying.
Piper smiled. “Thanks. Everything but the bread is done. I think the Orzo is still hot enough without going back in the oven.”
Zach brushed a kiss against her temple. “This crowd is used to grilled burgers and hot dogs or fish. They’re eating this four-star treatment up.” He grinned. “Literally.”
The chicken was done to a turn, the bread golden brown. Everyone served themselves from casserole dishes on the table next to the grill. Piper set a basket of bread on each table with bowls of marinara sauce and garlic cheese sau
ce.
She felt she could finally relax with everyone eating. Conversation flowed about the fishing trip the guys wanted to take before they went wheels up, and they wanted her to fix the same Parmesan-crusted zucchini to go with the fish they’d fry.
Everyone had a suggestion for Kathleen’s wedding. The four women wanted to organize a cooking class for her to teach them how to make bread sticks and marinara sauce. They made her feel like a member of the group. She was no longer standing on the periphery as she had always done in the past. Would it last after Zach left?
After the last piece of pie was eaten, the women rose as one to help her clean up, and the men bundled up the trash and brought things in. From the easy way they all pitched in, she surmised it was a normal part of their get-togethers.
“Joy loves the kitten. It sleeps with her every night. It’s so funny. It bounces sideways at toy mice and flips them in the air. Maybe it will help fill the void a little when Flash ships out.”
“I hope so. They’re constant sources of entertainment, and good lessons in responsibility. I’m glad you could give her a home.” She loaded the plates and flatware into the dishwasher and flipped it on.
Zoe nudged her away from the sink. “You did all the hard work, Piper. Kathleen and I will take care of this.” She started water for the pots. Kathleen stood ready with a towel. There was little left for Piper to do but stand back and watch.
“Animals can be excellent therapy. I don’t know what I’d have done without Trouble, my golden retriever. He gave me a warm, loving, uncritical being to cling to when I needed someone.”
“Don’t you have family close by?”
“We’re estranged, and I don’t see them anymore.” The sooner she accepted it, the better. “It’s just me and Trouble.”
“That’s a real shame. After my Gran died, it was just Joy and me for a while, then Flash came into our lives. He just filled every empty space, including our hearts.”
Piper’s gaze strayed to Zach out on the patio with the other men. “I understand what you mean. I was hoping for more time.”
Zoe folded the dishcloth over the divider on the double sink. “There’s never enough, Piper,” Zoe said. “Never. But the time they’re with us is more precious because of it.”
Piper nodded. “I’ve been lucky to spend these few weeks with Zach. My work hours are split, so we’ve had afternoons together, and nights. I can’t imagine what it will be like not to see him every day or talk to him.”
“It’s lonely. But they call, Skype, and email when they can,” Samantha said.
Zach insisted he wouldn’t call because he couldn’t be distracted by the emotions it would trigger. With no contact between them for at least six months, would he forget her, forget what it felt like to be with her?
“I live for those Skypes, because I don’t entirely trust Flash to tell me the truth about how he is when he calls. If I can see him, I feel better.”
“I know what you mean,” Kathleen said with a nod. “Zach could have a broken leg and he’d swear it was a sprain.”
Piper nodded. “He could barely walk and he was throwing a ball on the beach with Trouble.”
Kathleen arched a brow. “Typical.”
“If they’re injured they have to work through their pain. So they don’t want to give into it even when they can,” Zoe explained.
Piper could understand the drive. She’d worked toward a goal because it was the only thing she had left to hold on to. If she were in physical danger and in pain she’d do the same. “Sometimes it’s easier to keep putting one foot in front of the other and focusing on a goal, because it shoves the real issue that’s eating at you to the back of your mind for a while so you can…survive it.”
“I know how that is,” Sam said.
“I think we all do,” Kathleen said.
Piper looked around at their faces. Zach had told her about each of them. Kathleen had suffered her best friend’s betrayal and the ending of her first engagement to a womanizing prick, Zoe with her limp and scars caused by a drunk driver, Sam with her abusive ex-husband who’d stalked and tried to kill her. She had a lot in common with these women. She had been isolated for so long. If anyone could understand what she’d been through, it would be them. When she was ready to talk about everything, and when they knew her well enough to want to listen.
She suddenly felt like she was taking her second step toward normal when she said, “Okay, when would you like to do your cooking class?”
Chapter 43
‡
Zach checked his appearance in the bathroom mirror. He hadn’t been in uniform for more than three weeks, but he certainly looked more professional than he had before his injury. The trim Kathleen gave him after dinner last night had spruced up the new haircut. Maybe a plus, since he’d be in Captain Jackson’s office in about an hour.
His physical assessment to return to duty wasn’t scheduled until Wednesday, but if they needed him right away, he could reschedule. He felt the first stirrings of excitement. He’d be back to work, doing what he was meant to do. The only down side was it would cut into the time he and Piper spent together.
He was already feeling the pull between work and her, and he hadn’t even left the house yet. And then there was Gracie and Trouble. He’d grown attached to them. They’d filled an empty place inside him. Which was both great and scary as hell.
Piper, already dressed for work, came to the open bathroom door and leaned against the frame. “You look very handsome in your uniform.”
The khaki-colored summer uniform was not his favorite, but he had been instructed to wear it by the Captain’s aide. “Thanks.”
“Will you call me and let me know how it goes with your Captain?”
“Yeah. I’ll call.”
“Thanks. I’m going to take the dogs with me.” She turned to scoop up the bag of dog toys at the foot of the bed.
“I’ll help you load Gracie.”
“You might get dog hair on your uniform, and you need to get going. I’ll do it. They’ve gotten very good about staying in their seats while I buckle them in.”
He didn’t need a sign to tell him she was a little anxious about his returning to duty. He caught her arm and drew her in close.
“Piper, she weighs more than seventy pounds.”
She shot him a wry smile. “I have a clothes brush in the car.”
“It may look a little fancier than the regular Battle Dress Uniform, Piper, but it’s made to withstand a lot more than dog hair.”
She touched the gold bar on the corner of his collar.
He smiled. “I’m going to work, just like any other guy, honey. This is probably just a meeting to let me know something about my current assignment, or to ask me to conduct some kind of course on the medical techniques I’ve learned in the field. It could be about anything. His aide didn’t tell me what to expect. I’ll probably be home at five, just like any other guy. If I’m not going to be, I’ll call and let you know.”
“Okay. I’ve gotten used to having you here or at my house when I come home for lunch. I’ve gotten used to having you whenever I want.”
He grinned when she squeezed his ass.
“It’s going to be an adjustment.”
“For me too, Piper.” He kissed her gently, with care, then with more, because now she’d pointed out the obvious, he was feeling the pinch, too. A swift rush of desire followed her response and he hardened in an instant. When he lifted his mouth from hers, her mahogany eyes were nearly swallowed by her pupils and her cheeks were flushed. “We’ll finish this tonight, okay?”
She nodded.
“You say break a leg to theater people when you want to encourage them to give a good performance. What do you say to a SEAL to offer encouragement?”
Zach grinned. “Saddle up, big boy?”
Piper laughed, giving him another charge of desire that left him throbbing. If they had time…
He dragged his mind back to her question. �
�Hooyah. Which can mean anything from ‘yes, sir’ to ‘fuckin’ A.’”
Piper laughed again, then grew serious. “Hooyah, Ensign O’Connor.”
“Perfect.” God, she made it sound so sexy, he was tempted to kiss her again. But once he did, he’d want more, and he’d be late for sure. Not a good way to start back to work.
He forced himself to be satisfied with a quick brush of the lips, then stepped back.
Outside, he laid his hat atop her car, lifted Gracie into Piper’s back seat, and secured her, leaving the leash attached to her harness. Piper did the same with Trouble.
“Are you taking them to work with you or the house?” he asked, tucking his cover under his arm as he stood in the open car door. “If I get off early I can go by and hang out with them.”
Piper jumped up into the driver’s seat. “To my house. The office can’t handle but one at a time. They want to lie right under everyone’s feet.”
Zach laughed. “We’ve created two monsters. I’ll call and let you know one way or the other.”
“Okay. You’re going to be late if you don’t get a move on.”
He shut the door and stood back when she started the car and backed out of the driveway.
He checked his watch, then double-timed it to his car. Traffic was light, and he made it across the bridge into Coronado, then hit a bottleneck entering the base. By the time he made it to Captain Jackson’s office it was crunch time, and he jogged down the sidewalk, past ruthlessly sculpted bushes, to the main entrance, ignoring the twinge from his hip. How fucking long was it going to take to heal? He arrived with only a minute to spare.
“Good to see you Ensign O’Connor. How’s the hip?” Seaman Sparks, the Captain’s aide of only a few months, asked.
Zach wondered how the guy knew about the injury. “Much better, thanks.”
“Go down this hall to a set of double doors. It’s a conference room. Captain Jackson is in there. You don’t have to knock, just go straight in.”
He nodded. “Thanks.”
Zach paused outside the doors to smooth back his hair and tuck his cover under his arm. He reached for the doorknob, and twisted it.
Breaking Out (Military Romantic Suspense) (SEAL Team Heartbreakers Book 6) Page 39
