SEAL Dearest (Navy SEAL Brotherhood Romance Love Story)

by Ivy Jordan

  There really wasn’t much for me to do at the office, but I wasn’t ready to go back home. I started packing up the Christmas decorations as Beth walked into my office. “You know it’s bad luck to take down the decorations before the new year,” she smirked.

  “Thanks for the warning,” I chuckled, pushing a thick pine garland into the plastic container.

  “There’s a bad storm on the move,” she advised.

  I looked up, watching her eyes leave pity on me. “Oh yeah?” I asked half-heartedly. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk, especially about the weather.

  “The weatherman was saying it could be as much as twelve inches in just a few hours,” she added.

  “Rain?” I questioned.

  “Snow,” she said slowly.

  “In Miami?” I chuckled at the thought of snow hitting Miami.

  “Portland,” she corrected.

  My heart raced at the thought it may be too bad to travel. “So, are flights canceled?” I queried, trying not to act too excited.

  “I don’t know,” she shrugged. “But, this may give you more time to tell her. It’s not too late.”

  I shoved the last of the decorations into the container and grabbed my briefcase. “I gotta go,” I exclaimed, rushing from the office in haste.

  Maddie was on the beach when I arrived home. I watched her walking across the sand, bending occasionally, to pick up sea shells I assumed. She had started quite the collection since she arrived, all cleaned and displayed in a large ceramic bowl on the counter in the kitchen.

  I turned on the TV, clicked to the weather station, and sat as my eyes glued to the screen. The weatherman gave the local updates, sunny, warm, yadda yadda yadda. Get on with it!

  Yes, a large storm was rolling through Washington and Oregon was expected to be hit hard, harder than they’d been hit in decades. I heard the door open, and soon Maddie’s warm hand was on my shoulder.

  “When did you get home?” she asked.

  “Just a few minutes ago,” I turned to smile in her direction. Her eyes were so pure, so beautiful. I couldn’t lose her. I just couldn’t. “Looks like the weather is getting bad,” I pointed to the screen.

  A map was displayed showing the vicious storm headed straight for her hometown. “Can we still fly?” she asked.

  “We’ll have to wait and see what happens,” I said as solemnly as I could muster.

  She looked so disappointed as she slid onto the couch next to me. Her hand rested on my knee as her head leaned against my shoulder. “I hope we can,” she sighed.

  I struggled with Beth’s suggestion. Should I tell her? Would it be better than her finding out on her own? I swallowed hard, pressed my hand against hers and felt my heart ripping from my chest as I contemplated what to do.

  She lifted her head from my shoulder and stretched her lips to my neck. The warmth of her kiss melted me into her. “I love you,” she whispered.

  I turned my hand upward to grip hers, squeezing it tightly as I fought back my pain. If the flight is canceled, I’ll tell her. It felt as though it was fate giving me a second chance.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Maddie

  Isaac had been glued to the weather station for the last two days, watching the storm as it threatened to delay our trip. By the time it hit Portland, it was minimal, only leaving a few inches of snow on the ground. Flights were scheduled without any delays or interruptions, and I was finally going to get the answers I so desperately needed.

  Isaac lifted my suitcase from the trunk of the cab and set it on the pavement. I stared into the airport, watching people rushing to and from their destinations. My heart filled with an anxiety that I couldn’t explain. I was going home, but it felt more like I was leaving home. I’d gotten used to being at Isaac’s house, and it scared me to leave now that we were actually on our way. What will I find in Portland? What if there is nothing there that will jar my memory?

  “You ready?” he asked, pulling me from my trance.

  “Yes,” I smiled, taking the small bag he handed me.

  Our luggage was light. I didn’t have much to begin with, and the items I’d purchased while in Miami weren’t exactly suitable for a Portland winter. We walked into the airport and my chest instantly tightened. People scurried around me, bumping into my arm as I followed Isaac towards the ticket counter.

  “Are you sure the flights are still scheduled for Portland?” he asked the lady at the counter. She had gray hair tightly wrapped into a bun on top of her head, her lips were painted bright red, and didn’t offer any sign of a smile as she nodded towards Isaac.

  Isaac didn’t seem to be satisfied with her answer as he let out a loud sigh. He handed her two IDs, one of which I assumed was mine. She checked them and then handed them back. He quickly shoved them into his wallet before I could ask to see them.

  He took my hand and led me through the security, where he handed them the tickets and then dug out the IDs from his pocket once again. I stretched to see them as the woman at the small podium checked them. I noticed my picture, assuring me that it was indeed my ID. I hadn’t seen that since I’d been in Miami, and was still under the impression that they were lost, along with my entire wallet.

  “Where did you get that?” I asked as he shoved it back into his pocket with his own.

  The woman ushered us through where we were instructed to take off our shoes and walk forward. Isaac grabbed a gray tub and started unloading his pockets of everything except the cards.

  “Get what?” he asked.

  “My ID,” I questioned.

  He didn’t answer, only smiled and then walked through the large x-ray machine that scanned him for bombs, guns, or any other contraband that he may have tried to smuggle onto the plane.

  “Isaac,” I pushed, insisting on an answer.

  “Move along,” a chubby man ordered, motioning me through the same machine Isaac just passed through.

  Isaac grabbed his shoes and handed me mine. We sat at the small stadium style bench seats and reorganized our belongings.

  “I had it made,” he said quickly, not making eye contact as he spoke.

  He took my hand and walked me through the airport quickly towards our gate, not offering any more details.

  “What do you mean you had it made?” I asked.

  “It’s not a legal ID. I have my ways; just stop, please. You want to be able to fly to Portland, don’t you?” he whispered.

  I knew Isaac was a private detective, and he’d been a Navy SEAL for years, so his explanation seemed rational. I did want to fly to Portland, and without an ID, that couldn’t happen. I slid my hand into his, leaned into him as we entered our gate, and let myself fill with appreciation that he did what was necessary to make this trip happen for me.

  We boarded the plane and took our seats. We were just behind the emergency doors, causing me to become anxious. The flight attendant explained to the people in front of us their responsibility in case of an accident as I listened nervously.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Isaac assured me.

  I wanted to believe him, but there was a knot in my gut that I couldn’t expel.

  As the plane taxied down the runway, my heart raced. The wheels lifted from the pavement, and with that, we were off to my past, my future, to my missing pieces.

  Isaac leaned back into his seat, stretching his legs out as far as he could in front of him. I was too anxious to sleep, but I tried to relax as we soared through the sky.

  My eyes finally closed, and I felt myself drift into a restless slumber. Snow was falling, and I was standing in front of a large brick building. A man was with me, tall, with dark hair, and it looked as if we were arguing. His hands were flying through the air and tears were streaming down my face. Anxiety filled my veins as I struggled to see his face, to find out if it was the same man I’d dreamt about before, but I couldn’t. He grabbed me, shoving me into the wall, his hand on my neck so tight I couldn’t breathe as I struggled to cry out for
help.

  “Maddie,” I turned to see Isaac, his eyes filled with fear and his face pale. “You were dreaming,” he whispered, gripping my hand tightly into his.

  “It was horrible,” I gasped, still feeling the pressure on my throat from the stranger’s hands. I knew it wasn’t a stranger. I wasn’t mugged. I wasn’t attacked by some random person. I knew this man. I was certain of that.

  “It’s probably just your nerves. The doctor said your memories would come back in strange ways,” Isaac assured me.

  “We’ll be making a quick stop in Boise due to a new storm. I apologize for the delay and hope it will be a short one. Please take your seats, buckle up, and we’ll be landing shortly,” the pilot's voice sounded over the intercom.

  Isaac sat up, his tall frame straight and tense. My palms started to sweat as I realized I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to Portland at all. Whatever was there wasn’t good. Is it a secret I’ve hidden from Isaac?

  His hand squeezed around mine as he offered me a nervous smile. “Looks like the storms came back through after all,” he said.

  He’d been following them every day on the weather channel, telling me twice he thought we should change the date of our trip. I wasn’t willing to budge then, wanting nothing more than to get to my lost life. Now, I wasn’t sure that was the best thing for either of us, and the delay was welcomed.

  Turbulence bounced the plane, causing me to gasp. Isaac wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into his side. He made me feel safe and protected. Whatever the memories were in my dreams, they made me feel scared and alone.

  The plane finally landed, and the flight attendant instructed everyone to remove their belongings and exit the plane. Isaac grabbed our overhead baggage and slid out of the seat. He stopped the flow of people in the aisle as I worked on getting out of my seat. I felt his hand on the small of my back as we exited into the Boise airport.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  I was starving. I nodded and followed him towards a small café with dim lights inside. We’d left that morning, and it was already past lunch, so my stomach grumbled at the aroma of the food cooking as a hostess with a strong accent showed us to our table. “How long do you think we’ll be stuck here?” I asked while scanning the menu placed in front of me.

  “Hopefully not long,” he said, his tone not as confident as usual.

  A perky waitress appeared, her red hair filled with loose curls and her lips painted to match. “What can I get ya?” she asked.

  “A turkey club and water, please,” I smiled as I handed her my menu. Isaac ordered a burger, something I’d told him to cut down on. I gave him a disappointed look as he grinned in my direction.

  “I like burgers,” he smirked.

  I shook my head, half-laughing as I gave up the argument on his diet. He looked great, his body was tight and toned, he was exercising more, and he wasn’t even winded when we took our last run together. One burger wouldn’t hurt.

  Our conversation was weak, mainly sticking to the topic of the weather. It was obvious he was nervous, but I wasn’t sure why. I knew why I was nervous.

  I ate my food like it was my last meal once it was pushed in front of me. Isaac teased me with a smirk as he wiped mayonnaise from my chin.

  After we had eaten, we checked in at the gate, noticing our flight still holding a delayed status. “How much longer until we are back in the air?” Isaac asked.

  “We are sorry for the inconvenience. The flight is delayed until tomorrow morning at the earliest. Please take this voucher as a token of our apologies,” the woman said, pushing an envelope towards Isaac.

  He turned to me, his face pale and his demeanor anxious. “Looks like we’re getting a hotel,” he smiled.

  A strange relief fell over me as I followed him from the airport. He hailed a cab, holding the door for me, and then slid in next to me in the back seat. The driver informed us the airport hotel was booked due to the delayed flights. Isaac got on his phone as we drove towards town and found a vacancy at a hotel just a few miles from the airport.

  Isaac helped the driver unload our baggage and then headed into the hotel with me just behind him. The man at the front desk took the vouchers the airport had given us, and then Isaac’s credit card and ID. “I’m sorry this is causing so much trouble,” I whispered as the man worked on getting us a room key.

  “It’s not your fault; it’s just fate,” he half-chuckled nervously.

  The man handed Isaac the key and explained the easiest way to get to our room. “Thank you,” Isaac smiled, and then pushed his hand onto the small of my back, leading me towards the elevators.

  I didn’t know what to say as we took the ride up to our room, so I didn’t say anything at all. The doors opened, and Isaac pulled the baggage down the hall towards the room that matched our key.

  Inside, the room was decorated in bright blue. It was cheery, clean, and all I cared about was the bed I wanted to climb into.

  “You want to shower?” Isaac asked.

  I shook my head and moved towards the bed. I pulled down the comforter and kicked off my shoes. “I just want to take a nap,” I squeaked, falling onto the soft mattress.

  Isaac leaned down and kissed me on the forehead as he covered me with the thin sheet. My eyes fell closed quickly from the stress and exhaustion of the trip. I knew tonight I wasn’t going to find out what secrets, mysteries, and horrors were waiting for me in Portland. Maybe tomorrow I’d be strong enough to face the demons that haunted my dreams.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Isaac

  Maddie was sleeping peacefully, finally. I wondered if it was memories of her abusive ex coming back to torment her dreams. I slid into the bed next to her, careful not to wake her, and turned on the TV. The storm hitting Portland was bad, the heavy snow they anticipated days ago finally arriving with a vengeance.

  Maybe we could turn back, call the trip off, and we could stay happy together forever.

  “What time is it?” Maddie mumbled, turning to face me with sleepy eyes.

  “It’s almost midnight,” I answered, my heart swelling with regret and remorse as she looked up at me. “Are you hungry?”

  “I am,” she said, sliding herself up against the headboard and out of the cocoon she’d made from the thin sheet.

  “I ordered pizza earlier. It’s probably still warm,” I offered, sliding from the bed to retrieve the box I’d left on the table.

  Her eyes lit up as I brought the box to the bed. I slid back in next to her, opened the lid, and watched as she selected the piece she wanted. “Oh my God, this is so good,” she groaned, chewing her first bite.

  “The weather is still bad,” I said, hoping she’d retreat from her mission to destroy our relationship.

  “Hopefully it clears up soon,” she smiled nervously. I wrapped my arm around her as she continued devouring her slice of pizza from the only place I could find that delivered to the hotel. “I know you have to get back to work. If it doesn’t clear up, we can reschedule,” she said sweetly.

  Her words were like music to my ears.

  Maddie sat up, staring at the TV as a gym commercial came on. “I used to get the most amazing veggie pizza at the place right by my gym,” she blurted. “My gym?”

  My body tensed as she stared at me, her eyes filled with hope and confusion. “Did I have a gym?” she asked.

  She didn’t have a gym, but Rob did. That’s where she’d worked before arriving in Miami, the place she’d walked away from, the life she’d left behind. My heart ached as I realized her memory would indeed return, with or without her trip to Portland. I needed to tell her the truth, and if I was going to, this was the time. I froze.

  “Did I ever say anything about a gym?” she asked me, her eyes still filled with that same hopeful confusion.

  “Yes. You taught a class at a gym near your apartment,” I admitted, leaving out the details that may have led to the truth.

  Her smile widened as she reached for anot
her piece of pizza. It was obvious her memory gave her hope. It destroyed any hope I’d ever had.

  Maddie slid into my arm, slouching down onto the mattress and stared at the TV. “Maybe going to the gym will jog a few more memories,” she said sleepily.

  I pulled her close, letting the scent of her perfume waft under my nose. My phone beeped with a message on the table beside the bed. I reached to grab it, trying not to disturb Maddie. “It’s the airport update,” I announced as I read the message.

  “Looks like the flight has not been rescheduled for tomorrow after all,” I sighed with both exhaustion and relief.

  “We have to stay here another day?” she mumbled.

  “Looks like that may be the case,” I replied, hoping to hear her say ‘let’s just go home,' but instead only soft rumbles escaped her throat as she drifted back into a deep sleep.

  I held my phone tight in my hand, pondering what this all meant. Was this a sign? Was it fate telling me to come clean, giving one last chance to hopefully save the relationship that meant so much to me?

  My eyes grew heavy, and soon they closed, but my mind played through scenarios of how I would tell Maddie, how she’d react, and what would happen if I didn’t tell her.

  My eyes opened as the light of the day slammed into the hotel room. Maddie was still asleep, obviously exhausted from the botched trip. I slid out of bed, careful not to wake her, and moved towards the door. There was a small café up the street, so I figured I could call Elijah for advice on what to do while grabbing Maddie an ice coffee drink.