Page 50 of SEAL by Fate

“That none of this makes sense. It seems Phantom has switched his operation. Initially I believed he was on Whispering Mountain hiding out until his next hit, but instinct warns me there’s something else going on.”

“You thinking he was there solely for the purpose of getting you alone?”

“Hell, nothing makes sense. What am I missing? I think he’s out for me, sure, and after what happened on the mountain he’ll be hell-bent, but this seems a little elaborate.”

“I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this, man, but watch your back.”

“Did you have a chance to stop at the cabin where Stormy and I were staying?” Gray dropped the pen.

“I grabbed everything I saw and cleaned up. After a bit of research, the cabin belongs to a private owner who rents it out online. The owner gave me a name. Sandra Wolford. Ring a bell?”

“No, but I bet she also goes by the name of Dory Shewalter.”

“I ran both names and came up empty.”

“I figured you would.” Gray moaned. “Thank you, buddy. Stay in touch.”

After hanging up, he went back into the kitchen and turned on music while he prepared the steaks for grilling.

He heard her before he saw her. Her soft footsteps sounded on the stairs. The fourth step creaked, and he looked up just as she took the last step. His breath came out like a gust of air. She looked radiant with her hair brushed out around her shoulders and she wore a red floral off the shoulders filmy top with skinny jeans.

“I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a shower more,” she said as she stepped into the room, bringing with her sunshine.

It took him a good five seconds to get his tongue to work. “I-I hope the guest room is to your liking.” He attempted to concentrate on seasoning the steaks, then remembered he’d already seasoned them once. He was off his game when she was near.

“To my liking? Seriously? I could move in.” She must have realized what she said because her cheeks flushed and her eyes widened. “I didn’t mean literally. I’m just saying—”

“Stormy. It’s okay. I knew what you meant.” He smiled. He should find humor in her discomfort, but she looked so cute flustered.

“If this is your dad’s place, where is he?” She strolled in, bringing with her a fresh, clean coconut scent that reminded Gray of a sweet drink on an island.

“I don’t know, but this isn’t anything unusual. He likes to take off to some exotic location when the mood hits.”

She slid up on the wrought iron barstool and tossed her hair over one shoulder. “So, we’re alone?”

Did he see some concern flash in her pale blue eyes? “Are you worried?”

“Uh, no, I was just asking.” She turned her cheek and looked at the security monitors. “It’s odd to be able to see every view around the house.”

Sure, she was changing the subject and he’d let it go, although he didn’t want her to be afraid. “It’s easy to get used to.”

“When someone stops at the locked gate it chimes?”

“If they press the button. If it’s someone who has the access code, they can enter it into the system and come in without being buzzed in.” He placed the steaks on the table. “I’m heading out to put these on the grill. Would you like a beer, glass of lemonade or tea? Water? I could open a bottle of wine.”

There was a pointed hesitation and a flicker of her tongue rolling across her bottom lip. “I think a glass of wine sounds good.”

“Coming right up, madam.” He stepped over to the row of bottles set up neatly in a decorative wooden case. “I bet you’ll love this.” He felt her eyes on him as he opened the bottle that came loose with a loud pop.

“It’s hard to believe we were drinking whiskey out of a bottle last night.”

He smiled, grabbed a wineglass from the cabinet and poured her half a glass and grabbed himself a beer from the fridge. “Care to join me?”

“Outside? In the snow?”

“No. I’m grilling them on a covered patio. It’s heated.”

He waited for her and Lola, and once they were out, he closed the door and followed her, liking the soft sway of her hips as she made her way across the covered patio. The sun rays shining caught the blonder highlights of her hair. After setting the steaks on the preheated grill, he walked over to the stereo, hit power and found a station he knew played a variety of music. After all, he had no clue what genre she listed to.

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