Page 26 of SEAL's Secret

The women continued unpacking the bags and putting the refrigerated items away. Caroline had already sat down for a snack—on the floor. Emersyn exchanged a look with her sister. “Let’s buy a patio table to put in here. It can just be an inexpensive plastic one if you want.”

“Good idea. My patio set is being shipped over with my things.”

Emersyn broke into a wide smile. “I still can’t believe you moved here.”

“Maybe we share the same sense of adventure,” Layton joked. “When I came here to help you move, it was like a breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively. I needed to get away from the grind of D.C. and dealing with Caroline’s father. In a weird way, I’m thankful now. I hate that he’s abandoning Caroline,” she said in a low voice, “but we’d have been stuck in that situation for years, shuttling her back and forth between homes. I hated that.”

“I know,” Em said sympathetically. “I hate him for what he did, but I do love that you get to be with her all the time now. Did you get your real estate license transferred or whatever you needed to do?”

“I’m all set. I’m starting with a new agency in a week. I figure Caroline and I need time to settle in, explore the island a bit. I need a rental car until mine arrives. Daycare. Doctors for us both. Gosh. I pretty much need everything. It’s overwhelming, but in a good way.”

“What are you going to do when Hudson comes back?”

A feeling of sadness washed over Layton. “I don’t know. Talk. Work things out. I’m a little confused with him sending me flowers and groceries.”

“I think he’s pretty sorry about the crappy way he handled things,” Emersyn told her.

“Yeah, I get that, and I can even forgive him for that. We weren’t a couple or anything. We hadn’t made each other any promises.”

“I think he’ll come around,” Emersyn said. “This is crazy, but I can see the two of you together.”

“We’re practically strangers.”

“You’re not,” Emersyn countered. “And you know the things about him that really matter.”

Layton pressed her lips together, mulling that over. She did feel like she knew him in many ways. His personality. His drive. But she didn’t know his intentions. None of them could predict the future. Maybe the stars would align and they would somehow end up together, or maybe she’d end up with another broken heart.

Chapter 15

Hudson slung his rucksack over his shoulder and hustled down the ramp of the C-17 five days later, happy as hell to be back in sunny Oahu. The hostage situation on the cruise ship had been precarious, but all of the passengers were now safely back on U.S. soil. The terrorists who’d taken it over hadn’t been so fortunate, but Hudson felt no remorse for the deaths of those evil men. It had been a well-planned operation and a surprise to intelligence agencies. No doubt stricter security would be enforced in the future. The terror cell hadn’t boarded it from the sea. They’d literally been on the ship, waiting for it to reach international waters.

He hopped in a vehicle to ride back for their debrief. First, however, they needed to stash their gear.

“Hell of an op,” Ryan said. “I never liked those massive cruise ships. Too many people crammed in one space.”

Sawyer chuckled beside him. “You’re in the Navy. How can you not like big ships?”

Ryan lifted a shoulder. “Battleships serve a purpose. Same with aircraft carriers. Destroyers. Civilians get on the huge cruise ship for self-contained fun. I can’t imagine anything worse than choosing to be in a tiny little cabin, forced to sit with people you don’t know at dinner, swimming in those small pools on the deck.”

“You’re just spoiled living in Hawaii,” Hudson said, ribbing him. “I never even saw the ocean until I joined the Navy.”

“Not too many oceans in Iowa,” Sawyer said, looking sympathetic. Hudson didn’t talk much about his upbringing buthad confided in Sawyer about the shitty life he’d had. Hudson wasn’t looking for sympathy, just pointing out that not everyone came from stable middle-class families.

“Not a single one,” Hudson agreed. “I was lucky to get a meal some nights.”

“Sorry you had it so rough,” Ryan said.

Hudson lifted a shoulder. “I left as soon as I could. Most of the people in the foster homes where I ended up were terrible human beings, not just terrible parents. They wanted money, not a kid.”

“Good thing you’re big,” Sawyer said.

“Yep. Probably wouldn’t have survived otherwise.”

The mood sobered. Sure, they rushed into danger now, but he’d been a kid. Sawyer clapped him on the shoulder. “Can’t believe you’re going to be a father now, man.”

He smirked, shaking his head. “Yeah. Doesn’t seem possible.”

“And Layton already moved to Oahu, right?” Ryan asked.

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