Page 7 of Rescued By the Guard

I continue to watch the fire as I listen to Dale. “Did you become an admiral, then? Is that why it’s okay to retire now?”

“No. I’m a captain, which is rewarding and great, but there’s an emptiness and I wonder if the service can fulfill it anymore. That’s why I’m here to think it over. I need to decide within the next six months to put in my retirement papers or serve for another brief span. I have over twenty years in.”

“Well, I’m one hundred percent positive you’re an amazing Coast Guard and people are lucky to have you there to protect them.”

“Yeah? You think so?” I hear a smile in his voice.

“Nope. I know so because look at how well you’ve taken care of me.” I mean every word because whatever my situation is, I hit the jackpot when Dale came to my rescue. I can’t imagine what my predicament would be right now if it wasn’t for him.

5

DALE

Silence overtakesus as we stay seated on the couch gazing into the fire. I don’t mean to stay holding her. I only wanted to make sure she didn’t choke, but when she settles in next to me and leans against my side, I don’t want to move. It’s instantaneous in how right all of this is. This is what I’ve been searching for, for the past couple of years.

Bella, as I’ve grown to call her because she’s so damn beautiful. Even with this bruising, swelling, and cuts, there’s no way to hide her from me. She has given my life meaning in a way nothing else has ever been able to. It’s like I’m living for her and it’s fast, ridiculous, and scary, but I can’t help it. It’s how I feel and it’s what feels right.

I’ve fallen and I’ve fallen hard. If this happened a couple of years ago, I would’ve thought it was all lust and complete bullshit, but I watched my brother and Maggie, and he fell for her instantly. After his first marriage, he, of all people, wouldn’t have been so susceptible to falling in love again. However, he proved me wrong and was a new man and in love with an amazing woman.

Falling for Bella pains me to think this way because who’s saying she’s not already spoken for? I need to slow down and not scare or confuse her. But if she has somebody, I’m going to either beat him within an inch of his life because I have a strong suspicion she’s this way because of him. Or I’m going to lie into him for not protecting her the way she’s meant to be protected.

She’s an angel, so sweet and gentle, and needs to be revered and cherished. Something I’m praying I will get to do for the rest of my life.

“Thank you for saying that. I’m happy to know you feel taken care of. That’s something you should always have. You deserve to be happy and healthy.”

She rolls her head closer, and my body tightens as a need for her builds inside of me.

Fuck.

“Thank you,” she whispers and yawns. She’s been through a lot and staying alert is bound to be more exhausting, and she needs her rest. So, I sacrifice myself to be her pillow because it is not a hardship for me. “I haven’t felt so safe in a long time. Not since my nana passed away a couple of years ago and I was all alone.”

I hold her closer, trying not to make a big deal about another slip of knowledge as it pushes past her memory block and comes to light. It seems the more relaxed she is, the more comes to the surface and I don’t want her to have any added pressure.

“It makes me so happy to hear that. Rest, Bella. I’ll wake you shortly.”

“Mmmm…kay.”

Her breathing deepens, and she’s out as she slumps against my body. I push myself down a little so she can rest more on my chest, and I lay my head back against the couch and I gaze up at the ceiling.

She’s been alone for the past couple of years. It still doesn’t signal if she’s with somebody or not. A part of me isn’t worrying about it, though. If she wants me, then I’m going to keep her. Hell with a husband or boyfriend, shit, or a girlfriend. I found her, so I get to keep her.

I use my free hand and rub my eyes.

You’re a fucking asshole, Mitchell. She’s not a dog, she’s a perfect person and anybody who’s been with her is bound to be looking for her and wanting her back. The major concern is if they’re worthy of having her back.

Sighing, I pull her a little closer into my arms and relish the soft sigh that escapes her lips.

This might be my only chance to hold her like a man who holds his woman, and I won’t waste it.

I close my eyes and memorize her weight against me, and the soft sleep noises she makes have me wishing I have the rest of her nights like this for all our lives.

“My parents were wonderful parents.They’re both gone now, and it’s just my brother, his family and me now. I’m lucky to have them,” I say, after we took a little nap, and I woke her to make sure she’s okay. This time when I did so, though, she remained awake and we’ve been talking nonsense. Or more like she’s asking a lot of questions, hoping to dislodge something about herself.

I still haven’t reminded her about what she said about her grandmother since our conversation is flowing, and I want to see what else dislodges from her.

“You’re lucky. My parents died when I was a teen and I became an orphan. Luckily, I had Nana to take me in, but thenI lost her and now I don’t have anybody.” She takes a flash of a moment to realize what she says, but then she snaps her eyes open, her mouth drops, and she covers her mouth with her hands. Tears build in her eyes, and a couple slip onto her cheeks.

“I remember losing my parents. The cops came over one night. I was fourteen, and home by myself. I was waiting for my parents, but they never came. They got hit by a drunk driver on their way home from dinner. I was supposed to go with them, but I was unwell and they promised to bring me home some egg drop soup and an egg roll. But they never came home.”

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