Page 34 of Single Mom's Navy Seals
“Maybe,” I admit finally, my voice low. “When I retire from this life. Farming is hard work, but there’s peace in it. A sense of purpose.”
She nods, her gaze thoughtful. “I think that sounds wonderful. Peaceful and purposeful. Something worth working for.”
For a second, we just stand there, shoulder to shoulder. Close enough that I can smell the soft hint of vanilla in her shampoo. Close enough that I don’t want to move.
Her words tug unexpectedly at something deep within me. “Maybe someday”
We turn together, walking toward the cabin. I let my arm graze hers again on purpose this time. She doesn’t pull away. The air between us feels comfortable but quiet.
As we step inside, Liam is hanging up a call.
“That was Morales,” he announces. “He wants us to stay put here until he contacts us again. He swears up and down we’re completely safe. Randy’s restricted from leaving California right now.”
Relief visibly washes over Ava’s features. Her shoulders relax, tension easing from her slender frame. Seeing her let down her guard, even, fills me with fierce satisfaction.
Upstairs, laughter echoes faintly through the walls—Jax and Eli exploring the cabin together, clearly enjoying themselves. A smile pulls at my lips briefly before I turn my focus back to Liam.
“Morales sure loves his need-to-know bullshit,” Liam grumbles, shaking his head. “But if he says we’re safe, I believe he believes that.”
Liam-speak for “I still won’t let my guard down, and neither should you.”
Ava doesn’t read between those lines, thankfully, and exhales softly beside me, relief evident in her soft voice. “I’m glad. Really glad. Eli deserves some peace.”
“He does,” I agree firmly, surprising even myself with the conviction in my tone. “You both do.”
A faint blush rises in Ava’s cheeks, but she smiles, her gaze meeting mine briefly before she looks away. As we stand in quiet, Jax’s voice echoes from upstairs.
“Hey, Cole! Better come up here before Eli eats your candy stash, too!”
I shake my head, smiling despite myself. Ava’s laughter joins mine, the sound soft and genuine.
“Go,” she encourages, nudging me toward the stairs. “I’ll be right here.”
I pause, eyes searching hers. “I hope you will.”
And I mean it in more ways than she thinks. She doesn’t say anything, but the look she gives me—soft, lingering—says she heard every word I didn’t say aloud.
I jog up the stairs, the aged wood creaking under my boots, following the sound of laughter spilling from the room at the very end of the hall. The door stands half-open, and when I pushit further inward, the sight that greets me brings an unexpected warmth to my chest.
Jax sprawls comfortably on the bed, his long legs stretched out, an assortment of colorful candy wrappers spread around him. Eli is perched on the opposite side, eyes wide and serious as he assesses their candy stash, his small fingers organizing pieces into neat rows.
“About time,” Jax drawls lazily, popping a peanut M&M into his mouth. “We nearly started without you.”
Eli nods earnestly, shifting eagerly as I move closer. “We waited for you, Cole. Jax said it’s time to split the candy.”
I chuckle, stepping over a pile of discarded wrappers to sit down on the edge of the bed. The mattress sinks comfortably beneath my weight, and I glance around at the room we’re in. The entire cabin is wood constructed, and like what I noticed from downstairs, the decor in here is sparse and seems rather old. Besides the bed and nightstand, there’s only one other piece of furniture in the room. An old armchair sits beside a large window, the worn upholstery faded but inviting. I can clearly see the horses through the glass, grazing peacefully in the fading light.
“You like me and mommy’s new room?” Eli asks, his blue eyes shining with hopeful anticipation. “I picked it!”
“Technically,” Jax interjects easily, smirking playfully at Eli, “Eli picked the best one, but I got the second-best. Since you’re up here, you get the third best. Liam’s stuck with the small room. Lucky him.”
I smile, reaching over to ruffle Eli’s messy hair. “You picked perfectly, buddy. I especially like the chair by the window. You’ll get to watch those horses every day.”
Eli grins, clearly proud of himself, his small shoulders straightening a little. “Yeah, Mommy said she’d watch them with me.”
“You both made an excellent choice,” I say, meaning every word. “Best room in the whole house.”
Eli beams, his attention returning to the candy stash scattered between us. He sits up straight, expression suddenly very serious.
