by Grady, D. R.
“Morrison, you’re the best,” Sam Welby said in the happiest voice Ben had heard from him in a while.
“Hey, Welby. What’d I do?”
“I just had a visit from an Admiral O’Riley, you remember him?”
Ben laughed. “Yeah, I think I do.”
“Seems this old boy isn’t retired from the Navy after all.”
“You know, I heard some rumors to that fact.”
“Yeah, well, thanks for thinking of me.”
“You’re the best man for the job. We need you.” Macy’s face scrunched for a moment before her eyes drifted shut.
“I can’t wait to start. When do you think we’ll get the call?”
“I’m thinking either Saturday or Sunday evening.”
“You don’t sound very excited.”
“My interests have shifted.” Treeny stooped a bit to catch Ryan’s latest pitching effort before she sent it flying back to him. She was as involved as the little guy.
“I heard you finally worked up the courage to ask Treeny out. How long have you been in love with her?”
“I don’t know, ten, twelve years.”
“I can’t believe it took you so long, man,” Sam said, and Ben watched the woman in question as she easily caught the next ball Ryan threw.
“She had to finish school first.”
“It took her twelve years to finish school?”
“Nearly that. She’s been working for a year or two. She did a lot of extra studies, like another nerd I know.”
“Hey, who are you calling a nerd?” Sam’s voice held the old note of camaraderie he had missed.
Ben was looking forward to working with his buddy again. “Someone I know.”
“Yeah, you are a Morrison, I guess it makes sense you’d have a few nerds running around there.”
“Takes one to know others.”
Sam laughed, and Ben heard a timer ding in the background. “Hey, I gotta go. I’ve a few things to clear before I leave on my new assignment. I still can’t believe it.”
“I’ll see you soon, then.”
“Count on it. I’m not missing this for anything. Not even cancer.”
Chapter 21
When they finally reached the lake, Treeny left the Morrison family convoy to drive up the lane leading to her cottage. To her surprise, Ben followed and stopped in front of the other cottage. The twin to hers. From the outside they looked like two story boxes with a door in the middle and a window on either side and three windows across the second story.
Jumping out of her car, she gaped at him, probably exactly as he gaped at her.
“You bought that cottage?” they asked at the same time.
She nodded. “I bought this one and you bought the other.” She flung out a hand to indicate the little cabin he pulled in front of.
He grinned. “That’s amazing. I can’t believe we bought matching cottages.”
When put that way, it sounded coincidental to the extreme.
“Are you planning to move all your stuff in tonight?” she asked.
“No. Everyone is getting settled. Besides, it’d be nice to work in the daylight.”
“Where will you sleep?”
He grinned. “I could sleep on the floor, I’ve done it before. But for tonight I’ll sleep in the Grandparent’s cottage.”
“That’s a good idea.” She forgot he probably had slept on the floor before. If he was lucky. She imagined his sleeping arrangements, while out on a job, were not always ideal.
The books Mitch lent her mentioned that very fact. Another one popped into her head that she wanted clarification on. Cocking her head, she decided to ask. “Is it true you’ve been trained to put yourself directly into REM sleep?”
He nodded. “We work in some pretty intense situations, so that ability is vital to our work.” For some reason, his statement scared her. Intense situations probably meant dangerous situations. Treeny didn’t like the thought. She suppressed the thought of boots scraping on stone steps and resisted the urge to shiver.
“I suppose you don’t need much sleep then?”
He stroked a wisp of hair off her cheek. “I can function on less than others do.”
She stared up at him, and wanted a kiss. Giving in to temptation proved quite easy. When she leaned into him, he took the initiative and kissed her. Treeny sighed when they finally came up for air.
“I needed that,” she admitted.
“I’m glad I could be of assistance.”
“Yep, they’re here, and yep, they’re kissing,” another, unwelcome voice, intruded on their conversation.
She stared balefully at the troublemaker. Who just happened to be her brother-in-law, Will. Followed closely by all of his brothers, some kids, and more cousins. “Party’s over,” she said on a sigh.
“And how.” Ben watched the hecklers trudge up the hill.
“So, Ben, you need help empting your truck?” Max asked.
“No. Go back and unload your vehicles. Let’s do this tomorrow in the daylight.”
“That’s an excellent idea,” Tom said.
Ben scratched his chest. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
“We’ll see you sometime in the morning. You staying at the grandparent’s or parent’s house?” Mitch asked.
“Grandparents tonight.”
“Okay, we’ll see you tomorrow. Treeny, you okay in your place tonight?” Will glanced between her and Ben.
“I’m great, thanks. I just need to make my bed.” The men all waved goodbye and trudged back down the hill, heckling each other and horsing around as they went.
“Want some help?” Ben didn’t wiggle his brows at her, which meant he was serious.
“Sure, if you’d like to.”
“I’d like to see what furniture you picked.”
“No, you want to be nosy,” she teased, and nodded her head, as though she was now wise to his volunteer motives.
“Of course. I have to see if your house is nicer than mine.” He did wiggle his brows at her this time. She giggled.
“Well, that’s going to be obvious. I’m the woman, mine is sure to be nicer.”
His eyes went hot. “And a fine woman you are,” he stated and tugged her into his arms again. She twined her arms around his neck and met him kiss for kiss.
He walked them to her door, stealing kisses the entire way. She was torn between laughing at him and kissing him. This man was so gorgeous and incredible. She still couldn’t believe he was finally with her. To make this dream that much better, they were at the lake.
They had to separate so she could unlock the door. Inserting the key into the lock was gratifying, but when she opened the door and snapped on the light, Treeny couldn’t help the surge of satisfaction that spiraled through her. She was a home-owner. Granted, it was a tiny cottage, but it was still hers.
A refuge for the weekends.
The floors were bare, but she had the rugs in her car. There were no personal touches, besides the furniture, but she could tell the place would shape up tremendously once she unpacked the boxes of dinnerware and utensils and placed them in their allotted spaces.
“I’ll save my comments for after you put in the final touches.”
“Right. It’s not finished yet, so you’ll have to wait for at least a day. Is my place set up like yours?”
He looked critically around the room. “I think mine’s the exact opposite of yours. My kitchen is on the back wall too, but...”
When he broke off, Treeny turned to stare at him, with a raised brow. “What?”
“Do you realize that if we knock out the end walls of each of our houses, we could form one big house?”
She glanced around the large open room that comprised her downstairs. The powder room and laundry/mud room were the only two rooms in the downstairs that wasn’t part of the open space and those formed the far side wall of the kitchen.
If his house was set up like hers, then they could easily combine the two places
. She nodded. “That could work. The only thing I don’t like about this house is that the kitchen isn’t very large. Even though the entire downstairs is open.”
“Yeah, mine’s identical. It is small.”
But if they were to knock down the walls separating the two homes... There was probably less than three feet separating the two cottages outside. Between combining the already existing kitchens and adding the extra three feet or so, that would provide for a much larger food prep area. Not to mention a larger staircase and perfect sized landing that would then access the then four bedrooms.
She tugged on his arm. “I’ll show you the upstairs.”
She showed him both bedrooms and he smiled. “Our furniture is very similar.”
“Really? That’s wild.” She was surprised they enjoyed similar tastes in home furnishings.
“I’ll say. I like your bed. Since we’re up here, why don’t we make it?” He wiggled his brows at her again, and she laughed, but her insides melted. He was such a temptation.
But his job is dangerous an unwelcome voice reminded her, and someday he might not come home. Treeny stepped back. Which was for the better because if she got too attached...
“Okay,” she agreed, and ran downstairs to retrieve the bag she packed her sheets and towels in. Placing the towels in the bathroom would be exciting too.
And Ben was here to help her enjoy the experience.
When she awoke the next morning, she stretched, and enjoyed the sunshine on her face. She also appreciated the luxury of waking in such a huge bed. Actually, the thing was so large, she felt a little lost. Used to a single bed, this queen was extravagant, but perfect for a couple. Provided Ben actually wanted to sleep with her.
Rolling over she stared at the empty side of the bed. He sure would look nice there, she knew. But... Only to be interrupted from her musings by heavy pounding on the front door. She rolled out of bed and made for the stairs. All the while entertaining a definite suspicion as to who banged on her door. Flinging open the barrier, she glared at the object of her musings.
“Wake up, sunshine, we’ve got furniture to move,” he said exultantly, and swept her close for a kiss.
“You know Ben, this relationship is not going to last if you’re a morning person,” she grumbled.
He looked affronted. “I’m just Ben. I’m not a morning or a night person.”
“I see. You’re simply a person?” Treeny rose on her tiptoes to kiss him again.
“Right. Just a person.” She seriously doubted he would ever be a normal person. They didn’t make SEALs that way.
She eyed him suspiciously. “You look like a morning person.”
He shook his head. “I could use some coffee.”
Rolling her eyes, she took his hand and tugged him inside. She made the coffee last night after she unpacked the kitchen items she’d need for breakfast. All she had to do was press the start button to start it brewing. Then she located breakfast and set the bran and raisin muffins in front of him. Being a gentleman, he waited for her before he started in on breakfast. Once she poured their coffee, she padded to the table.
She handed him a cup that he heartily accepted. “Why didn’t your grandmother have coffee?”
“They’re not here yet. I opened the place for them.”
“Are they planning to come this weekend?”
He nodded and took a long sip of coffee. “Should be here today.”
“I thought I saw their car in the convoy last night.”
“No, I don’t think so. If they’re here, they didn’t sleep in their bed.”
“Ah.” She slathered some yogurt butter on her muffin and took a bite. They were as good as she remembered.
“Where did you get these muffins? They’re excellent.” Ben took another bite.
“From a lady we call Aunt Tilly.”
“Aunt Tilly made these? Wow, I’m gonna have to hit her up for some.”
“She won’t share the recipe. She claims she’ll leave it in her will when she dies, but until then, if we want the muffins, all we have to do is ask.” She grinned. “I ask all the time.”
“What a woman.” He reached for another muffin and Treeny smiled at him. She liked sharing this meal with him. Their being together felt right.
“When do the movers come?” How long did they have before they were bombarded by nosy Morrisons was what she really wanted to know.
“I imagine once they’re all up and around. Probably around eight or nine.” Ben shrugged, and she could tell he didn’t particularly care.
“Soon then.”
“In the meantime...”
“In the meantime what?” She eyed him over the rim of her mug.
“Maybe we can put the final touches on your house. Then when we’re finished here you’ll have all day to work on mine.” He looked so pleased with himself she laughed. Then a surge of satisfaction shot through her when she realized they planned to spend the entire day together. She didn’t question her luck, but anticipated the day instead.
“Rachel made these rugs?” Ben asked when they settled the final rug, a huge one for downstairs.
“Yes, rug-making is a hobby of hers.”
“I want some.”
Treeny laughed. “Ask her. I’m sure she’ll have something you’ll like.”
“Rachel keeps stock?”
“Of course,” she answered. “She sells them at farmers markets and craft shows.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Now you do.”
She stood back and enjoyed the view of the little house. Without much ado, they put away the remainder of her kitchen things, laid the rugs, hung some pictures, and placed some lamps and odds and ends.
“It really looks like a house,” she said in astonishment.
“What’d you expect?” He asked, but by his smile, she figured he felt the same way she did. They were finally home-owners, and could put their stamp on a place.
After taking one last look around the house, she turned to him. “Let’s go finish your cottage, now.”
He cocked his head. “Sounds like the movers are here.”
“I’ll put on more coffee. They can come in here and help themselves.”
“Sounds good. But hide those muffins.”
“I will. I have some packaged cookies I’ll set out instead.” She set about making a fresh pot of coffee while Ben left to greet the family.
They all tromped through her house, looking over what she and Ben had accomplished that morning, and most of the women commented on how much they liked what she’d done.
“Thanks, I think it turned out pretty well too. Rachel and Will set up the furniture. I like where they put everything.”
She turned to look at Lainy who had a nostalgic look on her face. “What?”
“My cabin used to look like this,” she said, almost plaintively.
“What happened?”
“I got married and had a kid.” Even though she sighed, Lainy glowed from every pore so those two life-altering circumstances definitely agreed with her. KC shared the same radiance.
Treeny wondered if she’d exhibit it someday. Just thinking about loving Ben suffused her with warmth. But the warmth was extinguished by the thoughts of doubt plaguing her. What would happen if he changed his mind? They were in the early stages of their relationship yet so it was a possibility.
What if he decided a relationship was too much work and her fears weren’t worth his time and energy? Even though they had known each other for years, Treeny realized she didn’t really know him that well.
Chapter 22
The call came Saturday evening, while they were seated around the camp fire. Ben enjoyed the warmth and weight of Treeny pressed against him. They were both sticky from the S’mores the kids made and passed out. He couldn’t imagine enjoying an evening more. Now, his communication device vibrated silently against him and he knew his enjoyable evening was about to end.
He shifted Treeny so he could
stand and walk silently to his cabin. Packing his things didn’t take long. As he looked around his new cottage, he was content with the way it turned out. They’d moved the furniture in, cleaned the place top to bottom, and now, like Treeny’s place, it looked like a home.
Not that he had much time to enjoy his new home. But still, he’d be working and Welby was slated to rejoin the team. He had to look on the bright side, or he’d go crazy leaving Treeny behind. Maybe since their relationship was so new, he was having trouble leaving her because he was afraid maybe she wouldn’t be there when he returned. A silly thought really even though he couldn’t completely stop the doubts rising in his mind. He realized he was actually looking forward to an assignment’s end as much as he looked forward to the beginning.
“You have to leave?” She must have asked him that at least twice already – in the course of five minutes. He looped an arm around her neck and hugged her.
“Yeah, baby, I have to leave.”
Her mouth curled down. “Ben, with your job, it always seems you leave before we have a chance to be together.”
He could feel her emotionally stepping away from him. His heart dropped. “This is what I do.”
She sighed. “I know. I’m sure I’ll eventually get used to you leaving and arriving at all hours of the day and night.” The new distance remained between them despite her admission.
With a gentle finger, he tilted her chin up, enjoying her warmth and silky flesh. “Depends on whether you think I’m worth the effort.” His heart thudded painfully in his chest while his ears rang. Like some part of him didn’t want to hear her answer. What if she decided he wasn’t worth her efforts? What if she decided his uncertain schedule wasn’t worth the wait? These were definite possibilities. His SEAL buddies all mentioned their relationships were possible, just not easy.
Her eyes gleamed in the moonlight, liquid pools he wanted to plunge into. “I wouldn’t put up with this for any other man. This must mean you’re pretty special to me.” Yet her words and actions didn’t match. Her body leaned away from him rather than against him like before.
