Page 23 of Gator

“Damn. You need a woman? The guys can take you to The Well. There’s always a girl there looking to get some from one of our boys.”

“No. I’m not much of a one-night-stand guy. I had enough of that in my early twenties. Just between you and me, that Sadie is something else. She’s all piss and vinegar, venom and fire, yelling at her brothers, yelling at me, then she comes downstairs in the tiniest fucking shorts and t-shirt I’ve ever seen. It’s forty degrees outside, Gator. Forty! That means it’s fucking cold. What do you think she looked like in that t-shirt? She was cleaning the mansion like that, Gator! Bending over, her ass cheeks showing. Was this some kind of a fucking test?”

“Man,” laughed Gator, “I don’t know. Sadie has always pushed the limits a bit. She’s been gone for a while, mostly at university. Got a master’s degree in global security and then a PhD in international studies. Did she tell you what she did before coming home?”

“No. We haven’t really had a conversation,” frowned Ham.

“She was a peace negotiator for the U.N.’s security team. Went into fucking crazy-ass places trying to get idiots to lay down their guns. Her brothers were always following her around with their SEAL team. They got away with it because they were so fucking good at what they did. But you can imagine that woman, with all that blonde hair and those huge eyes of hers, sitting across from insane leaders, asking them to put down their weapons?”

“Actually, I can see that. She’s got the tongue of a viper. You’re right. She’s beautiful, but damn. Her brothers, her father, her grandfather all were these amazing SEALs. Great American heroes. Tell me why she talks about men in the military like we’re all dogs?” asked Ham. Gator frowned at him, shaking his head.

“I have no idea. She’s never done that around me. This must be something new. I mean, you’ve heard of her grandfather, Angel Jordan. He and Nine were on the same team with Wilson. They were legends among the SEAL teams. Then her dad and his brother, Marc, became SEALs and are equal in every way. She’s been around all of us her entire life, and I’ve never heard anything like that come out of her mouth.”

“I don’t know, brother, but something has changed for her.”

“Maybe you can help us figure it out,” said the voice behind them. “How are you, Ian?”

“Angel, nice to see you, sir,” smiled Gator. “You know Ham?”

“No, but Marc and Wes were filling me in. Patrick and Christopher are worried about her. Anything you can tell me, Ham?”

“No, sir. She seems, I don’t know, off-balance, maybe. She’s angry and screaming and cussing one minute, then the next, she’s almost morose. Depressed.” Angel frowned, nodding his head.

“Ham, you’d be doing me a great favor if you’d find out what’s going on in that pretty head of hers. Wes and Virginia are both under the weather and have been ordered to bed rest, some sort of stomach virus that we don’t want spreading. I’ll check back in with you from time to time. I’m out at the new island, but I come in now and then for meals just to see everyone. But, if you need me, just text me, and I’ll come to the mansion.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll see what I can do,” said Ham.

“Ham,” he laughed. “It’s just Angel, brother. I’m not your superior.”

“No offense, sir, but yes, you are. In every way. And I’m man enough to admit that.” Ham turned and left the two men standing on the path. When he reached the dock, he climbed into the boat and took off toward the island mansion.

“He seems like a good man,” said Angel, staring at the boat as it pulled away.

“He’s the best, according to Jak.” Angel nodded, gripping Ian’s shoulder.

“It’s good to have you home, Ian. The SEALs need you, but we need you more.”

Gator watched as the big blonde walked away. Even as a man, he could admit that Angel was a beautiful human being. He was tall, well-built, gorgeous face, smart as shit, and had the good sense to marry a woman his senior who was equally as stunning.

Enjoying the effects of the cold wind on his dick, he walked slowly back to the cottage, hoping he could behave himself for the night. He didn’t want to push Dylan, and he damn sure didn’t want to mess anything up with her.

As he reached for the door, he heard music playing and stopped, listening through the door. Inside, Joey was seated in his baby seat on the counter while Dylan was mixing something at the stove. He inhaled and grinned. Chocolate chip cookies. His favorite.

“I might have left a hint,” said Martha from behind him.

“Did you show yourself to her?” he asked with surprise.

“Not yet, young Ian. I will in time, when it’s time. But I might have whispered that chocolate chip cookies were your favorite. She’s a good match for you, and I can see that you already sense that.”

“Thank you, Martha. I’ve missed you more than you could possibly know. Is that odd? That I missed a ghost?” he smirked.

“No, and believe me, it’s part of what keeps me grounded here. I’m glad we’ve exposed ourselves to all of you.” She started to shimmer out of sight, then appeared full again. “Oh, and also, I’ve missed you too, young Ian.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Hi,” he smiled, walking in the door.

“Oh, hello,” she grinned. “I decided to make chocolate chip cookies for some reason. No real reason. It was just something in my head. I hope you like them.”

---