Page 78 of The Seal's Promise

Dalton smiled. This little boy was turning his world upside down and making him fall more in love with him and Brooke by the second.

“Yes, my dad was a great father. He taught me how to play baseball, fish, shoot a gun, and make pancakes.”

“He sounds nice. I’ve never been fishing.”

“Well, we can fix that.”

Max’s smile beamed even as his eyes grew heavy.

Dalton leaned forward and kissed Max’s brow again. “Get some sleep, buddy, I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Max’s slow breathing proved just how tired he was, and in a minute he’d already fallen back asleep.

Then when Dalton looked over at Brooke, her wet eyes were watching him.

“Thank you,” she said.

“I love you.” He didn’t even think about what else he should say. He didn’t want another minute to go by without telling her.

“Dalton.” Her voice cracked.

He reached his hand over Max and gripped her leg.

“I love you, and I’m not leaving Sandy Point. I’m staying for good. And we can hide our relationship as long as you want, wait until the custody issues are settled, but I want to be with you and Max.”

“You do? You’re staying? But I thought you couldn’t stay because of all the bad memories.”

“I thought so too, but I was wrong, and I don’t want to leave you. You’re my home. I think I’ve always loved you.” Dalton stood to lean over Max.

Her hands framed his face and he kissed her tear-stained cheeks and lips. But then she laughed.

“But I just offered one of the Pattersons your job and they accepted.”

Dalton smiled. “That’s okay, I have a feeling you’ll have another opening once they learn the ropes.”

She gasped. “You do?”

“I think Dr. Tommy has had enough of small-town life, but he didn’t want to leave you hanging.”

“Well, what else have you figured out?”

“That’s it for now. I love you, Brooke, and that’s a promise. The rest of the details will just work out.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Brooke

It Wasn’t a Dream

In the morning,Brooke woke up to the sounds of giggling, along with the smell of May’s coffee and cinnamon buns. Sure enough, Max’s little makeshift room was filled with all of their family, her coworkers, balloons, food, and stuffed teddy bears. The only person missing was the one man she needed to see.

Had he really said he loved her and that he was staying in Sandy Point, or had that all been some vivid dream? Max had icing smeared on his face as he sipped from a huge orange juice May helped him hold.

“Oh, good morning, Mom, look at what Uncle Miles brought me!” Max held up a brand-new bat in a plastic case with a bold black signature on it.

Miles looked guilty. “I was going to wait for his birthday next month but I decided a trip to the hospital rated a big get-well gift.”

“It’s signed by Babe Ruth!” Max yelped.

---