Page 31

31

RAVEN

I was sitting on my deck, minding my own business, when a scream cut through the salty air. I sat up, listening.

“Damn it, Mike, stop it!” a woman’s voice shouted.

Another scream followed, this one coming from down the beach. I hesitated for a second before curiosity got the best of me. When I spotted the source of the commotion, I let out a laugh.

A woman lay sprawled on the sand, a dripping-wet golden retriever bouncing around her, his tail wagging like a helicopter blade. He kept darting into the waves, then back to her, leaping on her with uncontainable excitement.

She groaned, clearly exasperated, before finally giving in. She picked up a tennis ball and hurled it into the ocean. The dog—Mike, I assumed—tore off after it, and to my surprise, she followed, running straight into the waves before diving beneath them.

I watched for a while, entertained by the playful scene, but forced myself to turn away before I started looking like some creepy neighbor or a peeping Tom.

I went inside and started making lunch. I was halfway through my burger when another scream—sharper this time, tinged with real distress—yanked me to my feet.

I strode onto the beach, my gaze locking onto the woman treading water offshore. On the sand, Mike pranced around, something dangling from his mouth. As I got closer, the realization hit me.

Her bikini top.

Suppressing a grin, I called out, “Need some help?”

Her eyes widened before she ducked under the water, resurfacing a second later, clearly debating whether to accept assistance.

“Can you grab my top from Mike?” she finally asked, her voice wary.

I turned to the dog, who immediately decided this was a game. He danced just out of reach, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Then, in an ultimate act of defiance, he bolted into the surf. The woman lunged for him, but Mike was too quick, splashing out of her grasp like an eel.

I chuckled. “Looks like he’s enjoying this a little too much.”

She sighed. “Tell me about it.”

Pulling off my T-shirt, I held it up. “Here, take this. I have a feeling Mike’s going to lead us on a wild goose chase before you get that top back.”

I balled up the shirt and tossed it. It landed about six feet from her, and I immediately turned around to give her privacy.

A few moments later, water dripped around me as she stepped onto the shore, adjusting my oversized shirt over her bikini bottoms. “Thanks,” she said, pushing a wet strand of blonde hair from her face. “Mike’s still young. He doesn’t listen to a word I say.” She sounded defensive, like she needed to justify his behavior.

I shook my head. “Nah, he’s just being a puppy. A little training, and he’ll get there.”

She didn’t look convinced.

“I’ll wash your shirt and bring it back,” she added, shifting awkwardly.

That’s when I really noticed her. Sun-kissed skin, lean muscles in her arms and legs, and the kind of confidence that didn’t need makeup or a designer wardrobe to stand out. She wasn’t movie-star beautiful. She was real—gorgeous in a way that made you want to know her, not just look at her.

“I’m Beatrice Jones,” she said, holding out her hand.

I took it, momentarily forgetting my own name.

She raised an eyebrow.

“Uh—Raven Ledger, I finally managed. “I live just down the beach.” I nodded toward my deck, where my German shepherd sat, watching us with sharp, unblinking eyes. “See her? That’s Mandy. She’s mine.”

Beatrice eyed the dog warily. “She’s huge. What a beautiful German Shepherd. Is she tied up?”

I grinned. “Nah, Mandy doesn’t need a leash. When I tell her to stay, she stays.” To prove my point, I whistled. Mandy shot to her feet but didn’t move until I called to her. Then she trotted over, sitting obediently at my side.

Beatrice crouched slightly. “Hello, Mandy. You’re gorgeous.” She glanced back toward the ocean, where Mike still pranced around with her bikini top. “I wish Mike minded as well as she does.”

“He will,” I assured her. “Just gotta be consistent.”

She sighed like she wasn’t buying it. “Thanks again for the shirt, but I should get going.” Then, as if realizing she was standing in a wet T-shirt, she quickly turned and jogged toward her place.

“Nice meeting you, Beatrice,” I called.

She threw a glance over her shoulder and waved before disappearing inside.

Later, sitting in my office, I overheard River talking about the new neighbor.

“She’s a firefighter,” he said. “Kat met her and invited her to the barbecue this Saturday. I thought we could all have dinner on the beach and get to know her. She said she’d bring her brothers. They all live together, and apparently, she volunteered them to help cook.”

“I met her yesterday,” I said, explaining what happened yesterday.

Cyclone laughed. “That retriever of hers? He came into my house and passed out on my sofa before I walked him back down the beach. No one was home, but the back door was open, so I put him inside and shut it.”

I leaned back in my chair, still thinking about Beatrice. This weekend was going to be interesting.

“I love barbeques,” Lori said, walking into the office. “When are we having a barbeque?”

“Saturday, why don’t we make something?” Gage said.

“Yeah, I’ll make fruit salad. You can make potato salad,” she agreed.

“That’s perfect,” Gage said as he pulled Lori in for a kiss, even though she was ready to have that baby any day. “I’m hungry, wife. Let’s go home for lunch.”

“Ow,” she said, grabbing her tummy. “I came to tell you I’m ready to go to the hospital.”

Gage stiffened. “What? Are you in labor?”

“She just said she’s in labor,” I cut in, already moving. “Get her bag. I’ll walk her to the car.”

“Wait, hold on—what am I supposed to do?” Gage ran a hand through his hair, looking completely lost. “I’ve talked myself through this, but my brain just went fuzzy. What am I going home for?”

Lori exhaled, patience wearing thin. “Sweetie, you’re going for my bag. Now move your ass before we have this baby right here in your office.”

Gage blinked like he needed that to sink in. Then his eyes narrowed. “Did you walk all this way by yourself?”

“Walking is good for me. The doctor said I should walk,” she shot back.

“Gage, get the damn bag, or we’re leaving without you,” I said, taking Lori’s arm to steady her.

We barely made it out the door before her water broke.

Lori and I locked eyes, both realizing the same thing at once.

“Oh, crap,” she muttered.

“Change of plans,” I said, adjusting my grip on her. “Let’s get you back to your house.”

By the time we made it onto their deck, Gage came barreling out the door, bag in hand. “I thought I was meeting you at the car—” He froze when he saw Lori’s wet leggings.

“There’s been a change in plans,” I said. “Her water broke. We don’t have time to get to the hospital. She’s having the baby here.”

Gage paled. “What the hell are you talking about? We have to get her to the hospital! This is too dangerous—”

“Breathe, man,” I said, giving him a subtle shake of my head so Lori wouldn’t panic. “It’s gonna be fine.”

For a second, I thought he was going to pass out. Then, to my utter shock, he turned and bolted—down the beach.

Lori and I stared after him.

I sighed. “We’re gonna need to give him a drink when he gets back.”

Lori chuckled, even as another contraction hit.

Ten minutes later, Gage returned, dragging someone behind him.

“Sweetheart, this is our new neighbor,” he panted, gesturing to the woman beside him. “She’s a firefighter. Her name is…” He paused as if suddenly realizing he hadn’t asked.

“Beatrice,” I filled in, giving her a quick once-over. “Ever delivered a baby before?”

Beatrice nodded, completely unfazed. “Yeah, I’ve delivered a few. Let’s get her settled.”

I turned to Gage. “Strip the bed.”

Gage blinked. “What?”

Beatrice didn’t wait. She moved straight to Lori, assessing her. “Are you having contractions?”

“Her water broke, and she needs to lie down,” I answered. “Gage, I’ll make you some chamomile tea while Lori gets ready.”

“Tea?” he echoed, dazed.

Beatrice shot him a sharp look. “Move. Now.”

Gage scrambled to obey, heading for the bedroom.

By the time I had the tea ready, Gage was downstairs again, looking rattled.

“I called an ambulance,” he announced. “They’ll check Lori and the baby after delivery. I’m sure she’ll have to go to the hospital.”

I eyed him. “Why are you down here?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Beatrice yelled at me. Told me to go find my tea.”

I smirked. “And why would she do that?”

“I… might have panicked a little when Lori had a sharp pain.” He exhaled heavily. “She’s so damn brave.” He eyed the mug in my hand. “Give me that. I’ll take it upstairs.”

“Try not to say anything,” I advised, handing it over. “Just hold her hand when the pain comes.”

“I know, I know. I’ll be quiet.” He hesitated, swallowing hard. “I just hate seeing her in pain.” He exhaled sharply. “And I really don’t want the firefighter kicking me out again.”

As he trudged upstairs, I shook my head.

Damn, what was wrong with my buddies? These were the toughest men I knew. We were Army Special Forces, the best of the best. The ones people called when terrorists needed taking down, when cartels needed dismantling when serial killers needed stopping.

And yet, the second their women were in labor?

They turned into complete pussies.

I snorted. That would never be me. No way. I was strong. I was a leader.

No woman was ever gonna turn me into a pussy.