Page 44 of Loved by a SEAL

She blew out a breath, watching a few seagulls swoop through the air. The scent of waffle cones from a nearby ice cream shop filled the air, and she heard the shrieks of kids laughing nearby. Everyone was enjoying a happy day at the beach. Their summer vacation.

Too bad everything in her own world seemed to be freaking falling apart.

Her phone buzzed in her purse, and she anxiously pulled it out, surprised to see a text from Ryan.

Are you okay? Call me.

Her heart racing, she immediately called him back. Did he have news on Patrick? Had something else bad happened?

“Captain Mitchell.”

“Hi. Ryan. It’s Sarah.”

“Where are you? Rebecca said you left hours ago, but she couldn’t reach you at your office.”

“I’m still here. At the beach, actually.”

“Where? I’ll come meet you.”

“Is everything okay? Did you hear anything more about Patrick?”

“He’s still in surgery. I’m afraid we won’t have any more updates until he wakes up afterward. It could be a while still. I’ve been on base for twenty-four hours and am heading home. Tell me where you are,” he commanded, his voice gruff.

Her heart did a funny little flip.

“Um.” She looked around. “I’m down on the beach. Kind of near that statue thing. And there’s some kids playing on a play area in the sand.”

“Jesus Christ,” Ryan muttered. “What’s the address?”

“How should I know? I walked up and down the beach for a couple of hours after I got tea this morning.”

“Where’d you park?”

“Uh, 23rd Street. Or was it 32nd?”

She heard Ryan mutter under his breath. “Are you near the Seaside Inn? Really tall hotel?”

“Yes, that’s it!”

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

Sarah scanned the area and saw Ryan walking toward her in khaki cargo pants and a dark tee shirt. Usually he looked pressed and polished, even when he was supposedly casual. Now he looked ready to throw on some gear and go jump out of airplanes or something. Her heart unexpectedly fluttered. Tourists milled around him in bathing suits and sunscreen, but he looked all business—cool, calm, collected, and ready for combat. Except he didn’t go on dangerous missions anymore as far as she knew.

He came to a stop in front of her, finally sitting down on the bench beside her. He crossed his leg over his knee and sat back, looking out at the water. Completely silent. She glanced over at him, his strong profile not giving away any hint of his mood.

“Long night, huh?” Sarah finally asked.

“The longest.”

Well, he was a talker. Ha.

“I know you don’t have more updates on Patrick, but are the other guys okay?”

“There were no other injuries,” he said, his voice low.

“Well, that’s something I suppose.” She blew out a sigh. Not that she wanted anyone to come out of it injured, but holy crap. Did her brother have to be the one who was nearly blown up? The news had said the hostage was being held in Afghanistan, so she had to assume that’s where they’d deployed to. A place full of dangerous men who hated Americans. Who hadn’t given a second thought to kidnapping a woman and holding her hostage. To fighting with the team of Navy SEALs sent to rescue her.

“Are the other guys on their way home?” she asked.

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