Page 50 of Cowboy SEAL Homecoming

She represented something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. She was in none of those old memories, and yet she was connected to his father and his house and his ranch.

“Hey, Bec,” Georgia greeted with a distracted smile. “And, Alex, it’s been a while but I recognize you.” She turned her attention to the other side. “And these must be your two soldier friends.”

“Ah, small-town life is the same everywhere, I see,” Jack muttered.

Meanwhile, Gabe flashed Georgia a grin meant to weaken the knees of any woman on the receiving end.

But Alex couldn’t pay much attention to that. Georgia was nothing like he remembered her. She’d been a few years younger in school, named after her grandmother who had started this place fifty years ago.

She was older now. Of course he knew he was too. But instead of the bright, flashy teen who’d had dreams of getting the hell out of Blue Valley, there was a frazzled, harried woman waiting tables at a diner in the heart of Blue Valley.

What must have changed in her life? What must have changed in the lives of all of these people he had grown up with and known?

“Gabe Cortez,” Gabe offered, inching the wattage of his grin up. “And you are?”

“Georgia. The proprietor.” If she was charmed by Gabe, she didn’t show it. “What can I get you fellas?”

They ordered drinks and Georgia disappeared.

“Please tell me she’s single,” Gabe said, watching where she disappeared behind the counter.

“Are you going to ask that about any young woman who crosses your path?” Becca asked.

“If they all look like that.”

“Sad to say, I think she seemed wholly unaffected by your charm,” Becca returned, clearly amused by Gabe. Or maybe Georgia’s disinterest.

“Oh, don’t be jealous, Bec. I’ll ask it about ones who look like you too.”

Becca rolled her eyes, but Alex noticed she didn’t refute Gabe’s claim. Would she be jealous if Gabe was interested in Georgia? Was she that into Gabe?

Which was none of his business. In fact, it’d probably be better for him if she were interested in Gabe. But not better for their business. Which did make it his business if they…

He was really losing it. What Becca did in her personal life was none of his business, no matter how his gut roiled at the idea.

But who wouldn’t want her? Caring and sweet. There was a softness to her, but a strength too. She was beautiful.

So, one hundred percent off-limits.

He regretted inviting her. Especially if they were going to go to a bar. Especially if Gabe was going to flirt with her. Especially—

Georgia returned with their drinks and took their orders for food. She seemed completely immune to Gabe’s flirtation, though Becca seemed amused by it. Jack was quiet and stoic.

Alex didn’t know what was going on inside of him. He felt too jittery for his own skin. He felt like a ghost in a town that used to fit him like a glove. Every time a person walked by, he wondered if he’d known them, if he’d grown up with them. Had they known his father or his mother?

There were so many connections he’d lost without thinking about it, but now they were all around him.

When the food came—the same meal he could remember eating as a little boy—he had to excuse himself. He needed a minute alone to get his head together. And then everything would be fine.

Fine.

If the repeated fines were getting a little hollow, that just meant he was this close to getting there.

* * *

Becca knew she wasn’t the only one who thought Alex’s abrupt departure was weird. But she was also a little leery of saying anything since Gabe had jumped down her throat the last time she had.

But she watched as Gabe and Jack exchanged glances.