She wrapped her arms around her dad and whispered, “I’m fine. Honestly, Dad, I’m fine.”
Dylan’s father pushed his way into the crowded room, grinning at his son. “I tried to tell your mother that you were fine, especially since the picture on the news showed the two of you walking together. But you know your mother… she had to come to see for herself.”
“You need to eat,” his mother said, walking into Hannah’s small kitchen.
“Mom, this is Hannah’s house—” Dylan began.
“Yes, and Hannah needs to eat, too.”
Hannah’s mom nodded her agreement emphatically. “Stella, let’s fix everyone some breakfast.”
With the two mothers in the kitchen, breakfast was soon rustled up. Her bungalow could barely hold six adults all trying to eat at the same time, but everyone made themselves at home. Using the living room sofa and chairs plus the floor, plus the coffee table, they all managed to have breakfast at the same time.
Dylan looked over at Hannah sitting on the floor, her eyes bright as she laughed at something his dad said and noted the smile on her parents’ faces. He suddenly imagined many times like this… holidays, celebrations, and even impromptu visits. For a brief moment, the wasted time from the past four years assaulted him, but then he sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly, letting the regrets flow out as well. He caught his mom’s eye and watched her eyes twinkle before turning back to laugh at his dad’s story as well.
Settling in, he draped his arm over Hannah’s shoulder. She turned and graced him with her smile, then fell back against him, tucked into his side. Just where he wanted her to be. And as soon as they were alone again, he planned on making it permanent.
Six Months Later
“Babe! You ready?”
At the sound of Dylan’s voice, Hannah smiled as she walked into the kitchen, tucking the last bobby pin into her bun. “Thanks, sweetie.”
Both dressed in their uniforms, she stood on her toes and gifted him with a quick kiss on her way to the coffee pot. Their morning routine included her starting the coffee, a shower together, then he made breakfast while she dried her hair.
As she reached for the egg and cheese bagel, her gaze shifted around the room, loving the combination of both of them. She had moved into his house, and her bungalow was now being rented by a teacher at the local high school.
Percy wound his way between their legs, meowing until Dylan placed food into the cat’s dish. She smiled seeing the two of them together, Percy now seeking Dylan’s lap as often as her own.
He checked his phone. “Got a message from Liam. Topic for our next LEL meeting… he’s cracking down on the DMI drug running through his county, but they’re still making inroads toward us. It’s going to take a concerted effort for us all to keep our counties and towns safe.”
She sighed then lifted on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck. “I know it’s like Whack-a-Mole, but together, we can do it.”
Several minutes later, they headed out to their vehicles. He always stood at her driver’s door, kissing her goodbye before climbing into his own.
“Stay safe, babe,” he said, sliding his nose past hers, whispering into her ear.
“You and me, sweetheart,” she always replied, gaining his smile.
Twenty minutes later, she was walking from the parking lot toward the Easton Police Station when she looked up and spied Luke. He still remained somewhat of a loner and enigma but had settled into the job of jail medic and had started coming to the American Legion meetings. While she would not call them good friends, they had become good acquaintances. “Luke, hello,” she called out.
His chin lift was barely perceptible, but his lips curved slightly. “Good morning, Chief Freeman.” His gaze shifted from her face to over her shoulder just as she heard a female voice cry out.
“Hannah!”
At the sound of her name being called from behind, she turned to see her pretty renter jogging toward her, waving a check in her hand. The woman came to a stop, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. “I’m so sorry to catch you like this. I forgot to get my rent check to you yesterday, so I wanted to drop it off before I headed to work.”
Taking the check, she laughed and said, “Allie, you didn’t have to rush. I know you’re good for it.” The young woman’s head turned, and a blush splashed across her cheeks. Hannah was unable to hide her grin as she watched Luke’s attention focus solely on Allie.
“Allie, I’d like you to meet Luke, the medic at the jail. Luke, this is Allie. She rents my former house and works as a local teacher.”
Luke reached out and shook Allie’s hand, and Hannah was certain Allie’s blush deepened. Saying her goodbyes, she turned and continued down the sidewalk, determined to not sneak a peek at the two behind her.
As she entered the station, she cast a glance over her shoulder, sad to see that the two were no longer on the sidewalk. So much for my matchmaking skills. I guess I need to do more than just introduce people. Turning, she greeted Pearl as she walked through reception. Entering her office, she glanced at the plaque now hanging on the wall. She had received the American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award from their local chapter. Knowing that Dylan had the same award hanging on the wall in his Chief’s office made the honor even greater.
Settling into her chair, her phone vibrated, and she checked the incoming text.
Stay safe, kick ass, fight crime, babe.
Shooting a Ditto, sweetie text back, she reached for a file when Pearl called out, “Ten-ninety-three. Fire in Sampson’s garage.”
Hannah jumped to her feet and headed out.
“Chief Hunt!”
Walking along the piers of the Seaside Harbor, Dylan looked toward his brother’s boat, seeing Todd throwing his hand up in a wave, smiling. Walking over, he greeted the young man. “How’s it going?”
Todd ducked his head and said, “Good, Sir. Real good. I actually had some news I wanted to pass on.”
Giving Todd his full attention, he watched as the young man took a deep breath and then let it out slowly.
“Your brother offered me a position on his boat when I graduate, but I had several options I wanted to look at first. I value your opinion, Sir.”
Curious, Dylan remained quiet.
“I’ve been talking to the Navy recruiter. My dad’s not real keen on me joining up. I think he figured he’d start charging me rent as soon as I graduated from high school. But I don’t want to stay in Seaside and live at home, even with the job David’s offering me. I looked at the other branches of service, but I think the Navy is the way I want to go. I know you were in the Navy, so I thought you’d be a good person to check with.”
He clapped Todd on the shoulder, his fingers digging in slightly. “I don’t blame you for wanting to get out of Seaside. God knows when I was your age, that’s all I wanted. And I think that for you, it might be a really good chance for you to see other parts of the country and world.”
“And the Navy?”
“I think you could be happy in any of the branches but growing up around the water as you have, sometimes it just calls to you. If that’s what you’re feeling, I think the Navy would be proud to have you.”
Todd pulled up to his full height, squared his shoulders, looked Dylan in the eyes, and smiled. “Thank you, Sir.”
“And just let me add, I’m proud of you, too.”
Todd’s ears pinkened as he ducked his head, a grin playing about his lips. “That means a lot.”
Clapping him on the back again, he watched him walk toward David’s boat before he continued his patrol.
That evening, Dylan sat in his double weather-beaten Adirondack chair on his back deck. Hannah walked out, handed him a beer, then bent to touch her lips to his. He lifted his hand to her hip. She started to walk back to the house, but he reached out and snagged her hand. Pulling her gently back to him, he set his beer down on the planks and patted his lap. “Sit with me, babe.”
She set her beer down as well and eased into his lap, one arm wrapped around his neck and the other hand still nestled in his. The sun was setting, casting the sky in a myriad of colors. He reached into his shirt pocket and said, “I kept wondering if there was a right time. A perfect time. But every moment that I’m with you seems like the right time.”
She lifted her head and stared at him, confusion creasing her brow. He slid his fingers out of his pocket and held up a perfect engagement ring. She gasped, but he wasn’t finished. “I told you the morning that our parents landed on our doorstep that I wanted us to be together. I know that I can’t promise that nothing will ever hurt you. But I want to give you this ring to let you know that I will always shield your heart with my love. So, Hannah, I’m asking you to marry me.”
As he slid the ring on her finger, he kissed her soundly right in the middle of her acceptance. It was the sweetest kiss he’d ever known.
Don’t miss the next Baytown Boys novel!
To Love Someone
Not everyone has a hero’s welcome home.
Joseph landed in Baytown when he left the military and had nowhere else to go. Used to being a loner, he discovered the small coastal town offered friendship… but love? That wasn’t even on his radar.
Until meeting her. The infuriatingly independent veterinarian. Known to all as Sam, to him she would always be Samantha.
When danger lurks for her, Joseph privately vows to protect her. But who will protect his heart when all he wants is to love someone?
Also by Maryann Jordan
Don’t miss other Maryann Jordan books!
Lots more Baytown stories to enjoy and more to come!
Baytown Boys (small town, military romantic suspense)
Coming Home
Just One More Chance
Clues of the Heart
Finding Peace
Picking Up the Pieces
Sunset Flames
Waiting for Sunrise
Hear My Heart
Guarding Your Heart
Sweet Rose
Our Time
Count On Me
Shielding You
To Love Someone
For all of Miss Ethel’s boys:
Heroes at Heart (Military Romance)
Zander
Rafe
Cael
Jaxon
Jayden
Asher
Zeke
Cas
Lighthouse Security Investigations
Mace
Rank
Walker
Drew
Blake
Tate
Hope City (romantic suspense series co-developed
with Kris Michaels
Brock book 1
Sean book 2
Carter book 3
Brody book 4
Kyle book 5
Ryker book 6
Rory book 7
Killian book 8
Saints Protection & Investigations
(an elite group, assigned to the cases no one else wants…or can solve)
Serial Love
Healing Love
Revealing Love
Seeing Love
Honor Love
Sacrifice Love
Protecting Love
Remember Love
Discover Love
Surviving Love
Celebrating Love
Follow the exciting spin-off series:
Alvarez Security (military romantic suspense)
Gabe
Tony
Vinny
Jobe
SEALs
Thin Ice (Sleeper SEAL)
SEAL Together (Silver SEAL)
Letters From Home (military romance)
Class of Love
Freedom of Love
Bond of Love
The Love’s Series (detectives)
Love’s Taming
Love’s Tempting
Love’s Trusting
The Fairfield Series (small town detectives)
Emma’s Home
Laurie’s Time
Carol’s Image
Fireworks Over Fairfield
Please take the time to leave a review of this book. Feel free to contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!
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Email
Website
About the Author
I am an avid reader of romance novels, often joking that I cut my teeth on the historical romances. I have been reading and reviewing for years. In 2013, I finally gave into the characters in my head, screaming for their story to be told. From these musings, my first novel, Emma’s Home, The Fairfield Series was born.
I was a high school counselor having worked in education for thirty years. I live in Virginia, having also lived in four states and two foreign countries. I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for thirty-five years. When writing, my dog or one of my four cats can generally be found in the same room if not on my lap.
Please take the time to leave a review of this book. Feel free to contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!
Facebook
Email
Website
Shielding You (Baytown Boys Book 13) Page 24
