She steered him-he let her steer him and they both knew it-until his legs bumped the big desk. “Sit. Somebody is going to come looking for us in a minute though, and we need to talk.”
“The four scariest words in the English language.” He opened his legs and pulled her between them. “How ‘bout we make out instead?”
“Caleb, be serious a minute. You just got as complete a rejection as possible. I’ll never feel sorry for myself again because my parents’ work took them away from me. How do you feel?”
“Okay.”
Emmie frowned at him.
“Good.”
Good Lord, this was the man’s idea of sharing his feelings.
“Sort of light. You know, it’s strange. I had decided if he didn’t know I was his son, I wasn’t going to tell him.”
“Except we both think he did know. Fairchild did anyway. Fairchild knew your grandfather when he was a young man-he guessed who you were as soon as he saw you. After that, he tried to keep you as far away from the Calhouns as he could-including offering me inducements to dump you.”
“Where is Fairchild, these days? Charlotte called me every few days with an update on Victoria’s condition, but she never said anything about him.”
“Charlotte relates only on a need-to-know basis, but Wilmington gossip says she kicked him out of her house. And don’t change the subject. We’re talking about how you feel. Will you be okay if Teague never acknowledges you’re his son?”
His expression changed. His mobile lips moved in a sweet smile she’d never seen before. His eyes widened and softened in a look of awe. “You’re protecting me again, aren’t you?”
Emmie bit her lip and nodded. “I love you.”
Caleb pulled her into his arms with a sound between a groan and a laugh. “Okay, little she-bear.” He rocked her in his arms. “Okay. There was a moment when I realized I was free to destroy him or torture him for the rest of his life. It was like the Lords of Karma said, ‘You dreamed of this a long time. Are you sure you want to let it go?’”
“Yes, you were locked in a struggle for power when I came in. What made the difference?”
“You did.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. You said we needed to stop so I could hold your hand. And I remembered I had you, always at my back, ready to guard my six. Nothing that Calhoun did or didn’t do mattered. I had already gained more than I had lost. Now let me ask you a question. Are you still willing to be engaged to me, knowing I’ll never inherit the Calhoun millions?”
“Do you love me?”
“You know I do.”
“Then I don’t need the promise of millions. I only want the promise of life with you.”
Acknowledgments
I’m always amazed and humbled when I start counting all the people who contributed to a book.
Former SEAL, J.C. Roat, author of Class 29, is always there for me, discussing ideas, lending a shoulder to cry on. He located another former SEAL, Rick Bremseth, Captain, USN (ret.) when I needed someone who could talk with me about Remote Viewing (clairvoyance) applications within Special Operations. Both tease me about writing “mush.” Both are always ready to help with whatever background I need.
Tim Ward thought I was putting him on when I walked into the Southern Firearms Gun Shop and asked what kind of rifle a sniper uses and how it works. A former Army sniper himself, he showed me an M-14 rifle and gave me insight into how Caleb and his team would react to any dereliction of duty.
The house where Senator Calhoun and his family live is modeled on the Bridger’s Mansion, today the elegant Graystone Inn, a BB in the historic section of Wilmington. The innkeeper, Richard Moore, took an afternoon to show me its grandeur and its secrets. We discussed the feasibility of escaping via a bathroom window.
Speaking of the AWOL scene, it wouldn’t have been written without the assistance of V.K. Powell. Drawing on her experience as a former police captain, she helped me design a boyhood for Do-Lord and lent me insight into the phenomenon of hypervigilance.
I’m fortunate to have two critique partners: Jennifer Lohman and Yvonne Harris. Charlotte Lehecler is a romance reader, not a writer. Her insights were invaluable.
Special thanks go to a bunch of rowdy ladies: Dr. Elizabeth Vaughan, Gail Durgin, Julie Milunic, and Elva Pugh, who convinced me the plot of SEALed With a Promise worked, dragged me out for cinema therapy when I felt overwhelmed, and made me wear celebrity sunglasses.
Every writer is dependent upon other writers for source material. I would particularly like to acknowledge Inside Delta Force by Eric Haney, Commandos: The Inside Story of America’s Secret Soldiers by Douglas Waller, and Down Range by Dick Couch for their discussion of the role of SEALs in Afghanistan. Cold Zero by Christopher Whitcomb will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about snipers. Finally, I must acknowledge Richard Marcinko, founder of SEAL Team Six, the first counter-terrorist SEAL team, whose autobiography Rogue Warrior gave me the idea for Do-Lord.
My agent Stephanie Evans and my editor Deb Werksman know writers, and they know writing. I am indebted to both for their insights and encouragement at every step of bringing SEALed With A Promise to completion.
About the Author
Mary Margret Daughtridge, a Southerner born and bred, has been a grade school teacher, speech therapist, family educator, biofeedback therapist, and Transpersonal Hypnotherapist.
Since 2002 she has been a member of Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Romancing the Military Soul, an online writing group. She is a sought-after judge in writing contests.
She loves hearing from readers and can be found at marymargretdaughtridge.com.
SEALed With A Kiss
by Mary Margret Daughtridge
There’s only one thing he can’t handle, and one woman who can help him…
Jax Graham is a rough, tough Navy SEAL, but when it comes to taking care of his four-year-old son after his ex-wife dies, he’s completely clueless. Family therapist Pickett Sessoms can help, but only if he’ll let her.
When Jax and his little boy get trapped by a hurricane, Picket takes them in against her better judgment. When the situation turns deadly, Pickett discovers what it means to be a SEAL, and Jax discovers that even a hero needs help sometimes.
“ A heart-touching story that will keep you smiling and cheering for the characters clear through to the happy ending.” -Romantic Times
“ A well-written romance… simultaneously tender and sensuous.” -Booklist
978- 1-4022-1118-8 • $6.99 U.S. / $8.99 CAN
He'll do anything to move the mission
FORWARD. NO MATTER THE C
OST…
Navy SEAL, Caleb Delaudc is deadly charming. When he discovers that professor Emmie Caddington's personal connections can help him get the dirty work done, sets out to win her over. But her quick intelligence and quirky personality sure do start to get under his skin…
SHE MAY JUST BE THE KEYTO HIS SALVATION…
Emmie's smart and independent and isn't looking for a brawny guy to take ovei her life. Rut this rugged Navy SEAL, who seems so determined to get close to her, hides a fierce intelligence and deep sensitivity.
When plans go wrong and a child's life is on the line,
Emmie learns what it means to be a SEAL in action, and Caleb
discovers that even a hero can get hurt sometimes…
Praise for SEALed with a Kiss:
"A wonderful story that will have readers experiencing rlwind of emotions and that culminates with an awesome scene that will have your pulse pounding."
- Romance junkies
"It's an incredibly powerful book! I laughed and sniffled, was turned on and turned inside out." - Queue My Review
"Beautifully written and often poignant contemporary romance. ary Margret Daughtridge is a compelling new voice whose gift fo storytelling makes her an author to watch." - Book Loons
"Greatly touching and heartwarming, a cozy read for a rainy can't wait to read the next SEALs romance!"
- Revisiting the Moon's Library
ISBN- 13:978-1-4022-2351-8
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