Page 8 of The Seal's Promise

“No, his brother. Listen, as fun as this trip down memory lane is, I have to scoot. Enjoy your visit home, but don’t be surprised to find that a lot more has changed.”

Dalton’s eyes searched hers before his frown turned back into a faint smile on his undeniably handsome face. The man was storybook gorgeous, with a square jaw, baby blue eyes, and long blond lashes to match his thick sandy blond hair. She could still remember what it felt like to run her fingers through his thick locks. She’d been obsessed with him back then, when she’d thought they were friends. Back when she committed the worst crime of all, falling for the most popular guy in her high school. But that was a lifetime ago.

“Some things seem to have stayed the same if you’re still hanging out under my favorite tree to read.”

“This was my tree first,” she said, falling into his old trap when he would claim she was only at the ballfield to see him and steal his favorite tree.

“Well, I’ll be here indefinitely to help out my gran, so we may need to agree to terms to share the tree again.”

There was no reason she should care if he stayed or left tomorrow, but her stomach fluttered, and the excitement at seeing him again washed over her like a soft breeze.

“I still don’t like sharing—you’ll have to find a new one.”

And the only thing she could do to escape the feelings he was evoking was walk away.

CHAPTER FIVE

Dalton

The Shake-up

Dalton could notbelieve that Brooke Garcia had married into the Banks family, let alone that not one of his family members ever thought to mention it to him.Andshe had a kid he didn’t even know existed. Kicking off his sneakers, he opened the screen door and stepped into his gran’s warm kitchen that smelled like cinnamon and coffee.

“Is there a reason you never mentioned that Brooke married a Banks and had a child?” Dalton asked, but he stopped in his tracks when he saw Wes sitting by himself, in uniform again.

“Probably because that happened like a decade ago and you were incommunicado, off on some commando mission,” Wes said, standing and walking to the sink to rinse out his mug.

“Where’s Gran?” Dalton asked.

“She’s snoozing in the living room. But I did manage to get her to tell me why you had to take her to the hospital yesterday. Care to fill me in?” His older brother leaned against the counter, muscles flexed as he crossed his arms over his chest. He was clearly pissed.

“Gran claimed she was just fixing a ripple in the carpet, but she fell and seemed disoriented so we went to the hospital just to be safe.”

“And?”

Dalton hesitated about what to tell Wes. They didn’t have any test results to prove it, but Dalton suspected there were some health issues their gran had been ignoring. But she’d sworn him to secrecy.

“And I think this house is too big for her to maintain on her own. She was definitely dehydrated, and she needs to drink more water.”

“And?” Wes prompted.

“Dr. Tommy ran a few tests, and we’ll know more in a week or so.”

“I mean, in your expert medical opinion what’s going on with her?” Wes asked.

“Honestly, it’s likely just time catching up to her. Poor diet and poor circulation are the top causes of other health issues.”

Wes’s eyebrow lifted with skepticism. “You sound like a brochure, and I think there’s something you’re not telling me. But Gran won’t tell me either way. So you’ll be my only eyes and ears on her health. What I don’t like is finding out from folks at the diner that my grandmother was seen at the hospital and my brother didn’t bother to let me know.”

“You’re right, I should have called you. It was hectic at the hospital, and then Gran asked me not to say anything once I got her home.”

Wes closed the space between them and poked Dalton in the chest. “That won’t work here. You don’t get to roll into town after fifteen years and keep secrets about Gran or her health. Are we clear?”

“Crystal,” Dalton said with his hands up. “I was thinking we could hire some help around the house, and I’ll get her diet squared away. I’ll also make sure she’s had the recommended tests for her age.”

“And you’ll keep me informed because when you leave again, I’ll be the one making sure she gets everything she needs. She’ll never agree to leave this house, so finding someone who can help with cleaning and groceries is a good start. I can ask around, but she’s going to fight us.”

“I won’t hire anyone until you sign off,” Dalton said.

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