His headlight bounced off the safety rail as he leaned into a curve, taking it faster than deemed safe. He’d ridden these hills for fourteen years and knew them like the back of his hand.
Before he knew it he had arrived at Jace’s bungalow. After turning off the bike he climbed off and strode to the front door. It opened at the same moment he lifted his hand to knock.
Jace stared down at him, brows raised in confusion. “Date over already?”
“Before it even started,” Mike said. “Up for some company?”
“Yeah, sure, man. Come in.”
Mike walked in, glancing around the messy bachelor pad. Open, half-eaten pizza boxes, empty beer cans, clothes scattered where discarded.
“Sorry about the mess,” Jace said, making no move to clean it up. “Wasn’t expecting company. Want a beer?”
“Hell, yes.” He dropped down in one of the recliners, tossing aside a used t-shirt. A rerun football game played on the flat screen mounted on the wall.
Jace returned from the kitchen, two longnecks in his hand. He handed one to Mike and sat on the sofa. “As you can see, you aren’t interrupting anything.”
Jace refused to use his SEAL status to get laid. And with his baby-face and shyness toward women he didn’t get lucky often.
“What’s going on?” Jace asked.
Mike took a swig of the beer, letting it wash the dryness from his mouth. “I screwed up.”
Jace waited in silence.
“Remember the woman I told you about from my childhood?”
“Lizzie Lawless.”
He couldn’t help but grin at that. Lizzie never liked the nickname she’d earned. “Yeah. Well, she showed up in California eight months ago and we hooked up.”
Casting a glance his buddy he wasn’t surprised to find a lecherous grin on his face. Taking another long swig, he continued. “The shop I went into tonight—Lizzie’s Sweet Shop—is hers. She’s the woman I met tonight. Things didn’t go like I’d expected. She…” Damn, he couldn’t even say it.
Jace saved him from having to. “She’s pregnant.”
Mike leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Yep.”
All kidding aside now. “It’s yours?”
Remembering Lizzie’s reaction when he asked that same question he nodded.
“Are you going to get a paternity test?”
He stared at the floor. The thought never crossed his mind. He’d known by asking Lizzie directly about the father she wouldn’t lie. She never had been able to. Her emotions showed on her face and in her eyes. It was part of the reason she always ended up busted for her pranks. The other part was because of her stubborn nature and not being able to know when to stay quiet so he could take the heat. Everyone back home knew him as a troublemaker which made it easy to take the blame for things Lizzie had dragged him into. Ah, hell, he’d gone willingly.
“No.” He had no doubt who had fathered Lizzie’s baby. Images of Lizzie in the shower, him joining her because he couldn’t keep his hands off her, and mind-blowing sex without a condom. They’d run out and he’d been planning on going out to buy more when he saw her naked and gorgeous, head thrown back as she lathered up. All his common sense had headed south as he’d stripped down and climbed in with her.
“Is that a wise decision?”
He knew Jace wasn’t asking to be a jerk, but it pissed Mike off anyway. “It’s mine,” he said through gritted teeth. He tipped his bottle up. “Got another one?”
Jace set his half-empty bottle on the coffee table and rose to his feet. Relieved he let it go, Mike leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead. When Jace handed him a fresh beer he took a long swig. “Didn’t mean to be a dick.”
Jace shrugged it off. “What are you going to do?”
“Damn good question.” Turning his attention to the game he watched absently, deep in thought. He would do right by Lizzie and their baby. That was a given. What that meant he didn’t know. He didn’t love her. She didn’t love him. They’d hooked up, messed up, and were now bringing a child into the world.
Mike scrubbed a hand down his face. His world was chaos. As a SEAL he spent most of his time training or out of country in places he couldn’t talk about doing things that were classified. Women didn’t understand the demands of being a SEAL. How could they when he couldn’t talk about it? How could he raise a child in that kind of environment?
Like he knew anything about raising a child.
“You should connect her with Reganne. She’s going to need a pediatrician,” Jace suggested.
Reganne McCain had married their SEAL buddy, Grey Stone, over Thanksgiving. A talented pediatrician who they’d met through Jack’s wife, Darci—now only a couple months from her due date. Down to earth and friendly, he could see why Reganne fit in so well with the group. She had recommended an obstetrician for Darci, maybe she could recommend one for Lizzie since she didn’t know anyone out here yet.
“I’ll give her a call,” he said, feeling a little less powerless. Give him mission directives and he was good to go. Tell him he would soon be a father and he was lost.
Wanting to change the subject he asked, “Mind if I crash on your couch for the night?”
Chapter 3
The silver bells above the door tinkled, drawing Lizzie’s attention to the customers who walked in. Instead of a hot navy SEAL three women entered. Her spirits dropped. Same as they had every time someone came into the shop today.
Mentally berating herself for being foolish enough to wish every customer was Michael, she smiled at the women as they approached the counter. It had been two days since Michael ducked out without so much as a call. Told her all she needed to know. She was on her own.
The tallest of the three women stepped forward. “Hi,” she said. “Your shop is amazing. I could smell chocolate down the street.” She rested a hand on her rounded belly. “And this little one likes chocolate.”
Lizzie smiled. “Thank you. When are you due?” She couldn’t help but stare at the woman. She absolutely glowed.
“February. How about you?”
Caught off guard, Lizzie put a protective hand on her belly. How did she know? The counter hid her from view. Mentally, she sighed. Probably because her face had blown up like a balloon since her second trimester. She doubted she glowed like her. If the woman hadn’t told her she was expecting Lizzie wouldn’t have known. There didn’t seem to be an extra ounce of fat anywhere on her.
“Christmas,” she answered.
The woman’s brilliant blue eyes lit up. “You’re due on Christmas. That’s perfect.”
Lizzie frowned. Perfect?
The blonde stepped forward, putting a hand on the brunette’s arm. “Let me explain,” she said. “This very pregnant woman is Darci Taggart. No, she doesn’t have ESP. She’s married to one of Mike’s teammates.” She put a hand on her chest. “As am I. I’m Cloe Demarco. And this,” she motioned toward the redhead, “is Reganne Stone. She’s married to Grey Stone, another one of Mike’s teammates. She’s also a pediatrician.”
Mind reeling, Lizzie let her gaze bounce from one woman to the next. All three were married to SEALs. Teammates of Michaels.
Michael had told his friends about her?
A rush of joy filled her. Only to be squashed by the memory of him walking out, not to be heard from again.
“And you’re Lizzie Lawson?”
Brought back to the present, Lizzie nodded. “Yes, I am.”
The bells above the door tinkled as more customers floated in. There had been a steady stream pretty much since she opened this morning. Then again, there were only eighteen days until Christmas. Until her due date.
“It’s nice to meet you. We won’t keep you.” Cloe glanced around the busy shop. “We would like to invite you to brunch though.”
“Just us girls,” Darci interjected. “The guys are training this week anyway.”
Training. Maybe that was why Michael hadn’t contacted her. That�
�s what she’d tell herself anyway.
“You’re inviting me to brunch?” Since she’d moved here six weeks ago she hadn’t had time to make friends, let alone do anything except get her shop ready and run it. She had interviewed a sweet single mom last week, she just hadn’t had time to call her back and offer her a job. It was getting to be too much trying to make the chocolates and run the counter alone. By the end of the day she was exhausted. Her doctor tried to get her to slow down and take it easy during the last few weeks of her pregnancy, but that wasn’t an option. If this business failed, she would let generations of Lawson’s down. After everything she put her parents through growing up she would not screw this up. The Lawson ladies’ legacy rested on her shoulders now.
Her mother had called last night and said she and her father were flying out the week before Christmas. To help with the shop and to be there for their first grandchild’s birth. No way would her mother miss that. Lizzie would be counting the days until they arrived. Although the decision to move had been hers, she missed her family terribly. And right now she needed her mom.
“We are. And I hope you’ll accept,” Cloe said. “We all know what it’s like to be new in town.”
The other two women nodded in agreement.
A customer cleared his throat from behind them. The line was nearly to the door now. She couldn’t stand here and chat.
“Say yes,” Darci urged.
How could she say no? She could use a friend. Or three. “Yes.”
Darci clapped her hands together. “Great. What days do you have off?”
“I’m closed on Sundays.”
“Then Sunday it is. Meet us at Demarco’s at eleven. Sound good?”
Lizzie nodded, motioning to the impatient customer standing behind Reganne. “I’ll be there.” She frowned at Cloe. “Wait. Demarco. Is that your restaurant?”
Cloe smiled. “My husband’s family owns and runs it.” She glanced around the crowded shop. “We better let you get back to work. Where’s your help?”
Probably at home waiting for a call from her for a job. “It’s just me.”
Reganne stepped forward. “Are you telling me you’ve been running this place without an assistant?”
Contrite, Lizzie nodded. “I haven’t had time for call-backs.”
The three women looked at each other, then with a collective nod, they joined Lizzie behind the counter.
“Okay. What do we do?” Cloe asked.
Humbled and so relieved for the help Lizzie handed each of them a silver box. “If you take the orders, I can package them.” She smiled her gratitude. “And thank you. You can’t know how much this means to me.”
Darci leaned in and hugged her. “We’re here for you.”
The three started taking orders, filling boxes with selected chocolates, chatting happily with the customers. Lizzie turned away, forcing back ridiculous tears. She’d never been a crier. Stinking pregnancy hormones. They were turning her into a sap.
While she wrapped bows around the boxes and put them in bags, Cloe rang them up and took payments like a pro. Lizzie didn’t even have to show her how to use the register. Cloe just smiled and reminded her she’d married into a family who ran a restaurant.
Halfway through the day Reganne made her go in the back and take a break. She even made her put her feet up on one of the stools. Lizzie tried to refuse, but the three ganged up on her and forced her to rest. When she pointed out that Darci was pregnant too, Reganne assured her Darci’s turn was next.
It actually felt good to sit for a few minutes and put her feet up. In fact, she found herself enjoying it more than she should. Although she’d just met these women she trusted them to handle her shop while she sipped a cup of herbal tea Cloe had made for her.
Reganne went so far as to take a decorative Christmas pillow out of one of her displays and prop it under her heels. Her bedside manner was impeccable. Warm, friendly, inviting. Lizzie bet she made one heck of a great pediatrician. Maybe she would talk to Reganne about becoming a patient after her baby was born.
Darci came in and sat down in the chair across from her desk. “Reganne made me take a break,” she said. “Things have slowed down for now.”
Lizzie couldn’t help but stare at her. For being seven months pregnant she looked great. Still had her figure except for her baby bump, her face hadn’t blown up like Lizzie’s and she was full of energy. Lizzie dropped into bed, exhausted, every night. And she knew her hair wasn’t as luscious as Darci’s.
“How do you manage to look so good?” she blurted.
Darci laughed. “Are you kidding me? My ankles are the size of grapefruits, my back is killing me and I feel about as sexy as a turnip.”
Lizzie laughed, surprised at how good it felt. She’d been so stressed the past eight months she hadn’t laughed much. “Well, you don’t look like a turnip.”
“Thanks. If I look as good as you at the end of my pregnancy, I’ll be ecstatic.”
Her brows shot up. “Now you’re the one who’s kidding. I look like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloon.”
Reganne poked her head in the door. “Are you two resting?”
Lizzie pushed awkwardly to her feet. “We did. Now can I go back to work?”
“Actually, we’re closing early and meeting the guys for dinner.”
Her heart did a little jig. The guys. Michael, too? She hadn’t seen him since he walked out. Now she would have to see him with his friends, wishing she were part of the group. After spending the day with these wonderful women she really wanted it to be true. But, it wasn’t. Michael hadn’t stepped up. She didn’t belong in their circle.
“I really can’t close early,” she said. “This is my busiest time of the year. But, thank you for inviting me.”
Reganne blocked the doorway so she couldn’t escape. “Mike insisted we bring you. He said to drag you kicking and screaming if necessary.”
Butterflies erupted in her belly. And it wasn’t the baby moving. Michael wanted her there. Unwilling to read too much into it, she sighed. “Kicking and screaming, huh?”
Reganne smiled. “He also told us your nickname.”
She groaned. “I’m going to strangle him.”
Darci bumped her elbow. “After you do that you’re going to tell us the juicy details of how you earned that nickname.”
Lizzie shook her head. “Oh, no. Not on your life.”
Darci winked. “Then we’ll get it out of Mikey.”
“So you’ll let us close your shop and take you out to dinner?” Reganne asked.
“How can I say no?”
Chapter 4
Mike tapped his thumb on the table, rattling silverware. He’d never been so nervous about having dinner with a woman. Then again, Lizzie wasn’t any other woman. She was the mother of his child.
A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The same as it had every time he thought about becoming a father.
“Dude, you’re shaking the table.”
On Jack’s comment he forced his hand to be still. Where were the girls? Had Lizzie refused to come? After the way he treated her he wouldn’t blame her.
Guilt tore at his chest. He didn’t know how to make things right with her. Yet. They both knew he wasn’t father material, but he took care of his responsibilities. As soon as he saw Lizzie he owed her an apology for not contacting her the past couple days. Training occupied most of his time. Not that he hadn’t thought about her. He had. More than deemed safe. His mind needed razor-sharp focus when he worked. Distractions could get someone injured. Or worse.
“You told them five o’clock, right?” He asked Donovan.
“It’s only ten after. They did have a shop too close. Relax. She’ll be here.”
Mike pursed his lips. He didn’t like owing anyone an apology. Hell, it was more than that. He couldn’t wait to see Lizzie. She’d been beautiful before. Pregnancy made her downright gorgeous. Filled out her curves. And her breasts…Dear God. Raking a hand through
his hair, he leaned back in his chair. How was it possible to want a woman as much as he wanted Lizzie?
Feeling like a jackass for his inappropriate thoughts he picked up his water glass and took a long drink. Lizzie deserved more than his indecent thoughts.
“You’re wound tight, Kreegan.”
Mike glanced at Grey who lifted a brow in emphasis. “I can call Reganne. Find out what’s causing the delay.”
“Don’t have to. Here they are.” Jack rose from his chair to greet his wife, leaning down to kiss her cheek.
Cloe moved to sit next to Donovan. But Mike’s gaze was trapped on the brunette standing a few feet from him. Not hesitant, but wary.
He rose and stepped closer so no one would overhear. “I’m sorry.”
Her pretty green eyes met his with challenge. “For what?”
“For walking out like I did.”
Her brow quirked.
“And for not calling. It wasn’t for the reasons you think.”
“You don’t know what I’m thinking.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. If only she knew how well she wore her feelings on her sleeve.
“Let the lady sit, Kreegan.”
Mike threw a grinning Taggart a look before he pulled out a chair and helped Lizzie sit. As he helped her slide closer to the table he whispered in her ear, “You look beautiful.”
The startled look in her eye made him grin. Surprising Lizzie wasn’t an easy thing to do, but he tried every chance he got just so he could see her eyes sparkle with that little hint of vulnerability so unlike her. She truly didn’t realize her appeal.
He sat next to her.
“You going to introduce us to your lovely lady?” Donovan asked, smiling at Lizzie.
Demarco wasn’t a player, but his charm enticed many women. For the first time it annoyed Mike. Especially when Lizzie returned his smile. Ridiculous because Demarco was head-over-heels in love with his wife.
Not letting his jealousy take root, he motioned toward Demarco. “Lizzie, meet Donovan Demarco, part owner of this restaurant. You’ve met his wife, Cloe.”
A SEAL's Christmas Surprise (A SEAL Team Alpha Novella) Page 2
