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“It’s a long story,” I said, not wanting to go through all the details. “He was the reason Dan died. Dan’s unit went in to rescue him after their vehicle hit an IED and Dan’s chopper crashed in a sandstorm.”

Gramps nodded and exhaled loudly. “I thought it was a routine training mission.”

“So did we all. Apparently, the military didn’t tell us the classified stuff.” I took a drink of the coffee that the cocktail waitress put in front of me. When she left, I turned to Gramps and leaned in a bit closer, keeping my voice low so that no one else could hear what I was saying.

“Dan always carried my letters in his jacket when he was on a mission – for good luck.” I frowned, because of course, they didn’t give him luck in the end. “I guess when his chopper crashed, the letters got mixed up with the other soldier’s things and they were sent back to him by accident.”

“And you liked this man?” Gramps asked, his eyes narrowed.

I nodded, because I really did. “He was fun. We hit it off right away.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“The problem,” I said and closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath, “is that he didn’t tell me who he was, or that he knew who I was, right away. It’s complicated, but he was going to return the letters to Dan’s parents and came into the bar looking for the local phone book, because Scott’s address is unlisted online. So he knew who I was the moment we met, but he pretended not to know. One thing led to another…”

“He never told you?”

I shook my head. “Not until he left Topsail Beach. He dropped the letters off and included a message, apologizing and telling me that I shouldn’t contact him because he was bad news. Of course, I did contact him and finally, he told me everything. He was on a clandestine operation that went behind enemy lines in Iran. And I could get this man in trouble by revealing that, so forget I told you.”

“Ahh, it becomes clearer now. You can’t forgive him?”

I glanced at his face. “You think I should?” I was shocked that I even had to ask that question. “He kept his real reason for being in Topsail Beach secret. He pretended not to know anything about me. He knew everything. He knew more than we did – Dan’s family – about Dan’s death.”

Gramps rubbed his chin, his expression thoughtful. “He should have told you right away, no doubt about it. He was smitten when he met you. Probably tongue tied.”

“No, he could never be tongue tied, Gramps. He was smooth as a baby’s ass and made me laugh, flattered me, joked with me and charmed me.”

Gramps laughed. “I really can’t blame him for being smitten with you,” he said and smiled affectionately. “You’re beautiful and smart. A chip off the old block, if you ask me.”

My mouth hung open in shock. “I’m surprised you’re not going to go and punch him out for lying to me.”

He took a drink. “He should have come clean right away. He didn’t because he was probably thinking with his heart, not his head.”

“His heart?” I said with a snort, unable to believe Gramps was being so lenient with Beckett. “More like his private parts.”

Gramps laughed. “Oh, sweetheart, men always think with them.” His eyes twinkled. Then, he became serious, his smile faltering.

“Look, I’m just an old fighter pilot and cop,” he said. “What do I know about you young people today? But something tells me that he fell for you and just couldn’t find the right time or way to tell you the truth. If he was really on a clandestine operation, he probably felt he couldn’t tell you. You of all people should understand that.”

I sat back in my chair and stared at him, dumbfounded. “I can barely believe what I’m hearing. You’d forgive him?”

He took a drink. “I would. He read the letters you wrote to Dan and saw your pictures, and probably couldn’t help but fall in love.”

I stared at him in silence. “I never mentioned the pictures.”

He froze and then, smiled to himself. “Damn,” he said, then looked at me with a sheepish grin. “Losing my touch.”

“You talked to him?”

“I did,” he said and tried to hold back a guilty smile. “He came here and spoke to me last night. Told me everything.”

“Gramps!” I said and sat there, totally blown away. “You should have told me! You two…”

He couldn’t suppress a huge grin. “The boy’s in love, Mira. Totally smitten. Total write off.”

“I can’t believe it,” I said, angry that Gramps knew the whole story and never told me. “You should have called me right away and told me Beckett had been by to speak with you. Did Beckett think he could enlist your support to win me back?”

“I think he wanted to make sure you were okay, and explain himself to someone.”