Page 7 of Protecting Clove (Loved by the SEAL #5)

B ud should have let it go, but now he was waiting for Clove’s text telling him Neo was asleep. He thought about taking a beer out for her, but not having alcohol in his blood system would be better.

When his phone buzzed, he had to stop himself from reacting with excitement. This wasn’t a date or anything like that. Two friends talking. That was all it was. Just two friends having a conversation.

He texted that he was stepping outside and pulled open the door.

She opened her door at the same time. He smiled and pointed to the extra chair on his patio.

He was never happier than right now that Andie had convinced him to buy two chairs for out here instead of one.

He only needed the one to sit in so he could take off his shoes after a run, but having the second chair now paid off.

“She went to sleep fast. You playing with her wore her out.”

“It was fun. I don’t get to spend much time with kids, and Neo is a cool kid.”

Clove chuckled. “She’s a good kid. I love her, but fun isn’t how most adults describe her.”

“Is it because she’s smart and asks questions?”

Clove shrugged. “I think so.”

He sat back, trying to be casual though he was feeling less than casual. “So what was in the text that is bugging you?”

Clove let go a heavy sigh. “Keith, her father, doesn’t know where we are. I’ve been hiding, but not like I changed my name, and fake identities hiding. I just don’t let people know where we are. My family doesn’t know I’m in San Diego.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Only my dad had my phone number until last week. Then I called to check on my cousin, who was in the hospital after a wreck. My aunt must have given my number to Keith. He is texting and calling now. I’m not answering or letting him know he got the right person, but he knows.

I blocked the number, but he just texted from another number. ”

“I’m sorry that is happening to you. Do you think he has any clue you’re in California?”

She shrugged and sank down in the chair. “I don’t think so. I didn’t tell anyone in my family where we were. It wouldn’t be an issue, but all he wants is money or to take advantage of me through Neo.”

“That sucks.”

“Yeah, the last time he found us, Neo was just a baby. I wasn’t aware of how bad he was.

He picked Neo up out of the stroller and moved so he was standing on a bridge.

He held her over the rail, threatening to drop her if I didn’t give him money.

” A shiver rocked her, and she wrapped her arms around her waist.

He wanted to pull her to his lap, but they weren’t in a relationship, and she probably wouldn’t react well to him holding her.

She shrugged before speaking again. “I should hide better, but my certificates and all my experience is under my own name. I don’t know how I would survive if I had to start over.”

The man sounded dangerous. He would be pissed if Neo was injured because of the jerk. “Can you give me his name? His information?”

Clove tilted her head to the side. “Why?”

Bud shrugged. “I have friends. I can keep track of where he is and what’s going on with him.”

Her eyebrows raised. “So just to see where he is, nothing more?”

“Nothing more. Maybe it will help you rest easier.” He could see the worry leaking from her.

“Okay. It would help me relax. I worry about Neo and what he would do if he found out where she is now. He has no desire to see her. It’s funny. He actually had visitation rights, but he never wanted her in his space. Then the thing at the bridge happened, and I took off.”

“That sucks. I can’t imagine throwing away time with that girl if she was my daughter.”

“I will admit when she was a baby, it was difficult. She cried a lot. It was hard. But when you become a parent, you accept that it will be hard. You’re no longer just living for yourself. He couldn’t understand that and wanted nothing to do with her because she was so difficult.”

“My buddies who have kids usually say it’s hard. I’ve had one friend say their kids were easy, but I don’t think he was telling the truth.”

Her laughter danced around them and heat slid through him.

He adjusted, trying not to focus on how good she looked or how sweet her laughter sounded.

She was kind, much nicer than anyone else he’d ever been involved with and they weren’t even involved.

Her attitude would change if they did get into a relationship.

The first kiss changed things. He’d seen it before. Once you crossed that line, people got possessive. He needed to get to know her better and find out what type of person she was. Or he could let it go. He didn’t need this in his life, not now.

Clove couldn’t believe Bud wanted to help her. She hadn’t found many guys who didn’t want something from her first before trying to help.

She would be lying to say she wasn’t attracted to him. He hit all the high notes, but she didn’t know him and had Neo to think about. Hooking up with the neighbor would cause all sorts of trouble.

“Thank you for being willing to help me.”

“Of course. It’s the neighborly thing to do.”

She covered her mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly. Neo was a good sleeper, but loud laughter might just wake her.

“I think tracking my ex might be a little more than just neighborly, but I do appreciate it. I know he wants money from me. He thinks he’ll be able to use Neo to get me to give him some cash.

But the joke’s on him, I don’t have any extra.

I make enough money for us to survive, and I’m saving some, but I don’t have extra. ”

“I’ll keep up with him. Kids are expensive, and you’d mentioned private school before. You may not have to send her that route, but I understand your worry.”

Clove shrugged. “I think the teachers will get tired of her in public school. She is going to kindergarten, but I don’t think she will slow down. She is doing algebra and understands it. If I showed her calculus, she would probably figure it out.”

“Yeah, she knows math and science. Is she reading that book on your table?”

Clove rolled her eyes. “Yes. I made the mistake of letting her pick books from the nonfiction adult section a few years ago. It started with geology, and then she picked up a book on biology. I thought she was just looking at the pictures, but then we were at a doctor’s appointment, and she started quizzing the doctor. ”

Bud chuckled. “I bet that went over well.”

“Like a lead balloon. The guy didn’t like her correcting him about basic biological functions.”

“Yeah, that would be tough to take from a kid if you weren’t prepared for it.”

“I don’t know that grade school is going to work too well for her. She likes knowing everything.”

“From what a few friends have said, the schools here are good.”

“They are. Maybe there will be a program that can help her. I don’t want her bored in school. That would be the worst for her.” She checked her phone and sighed. “It was nice talking to you, but I should get inside. The students turned in papers this afternoon, and I need to start grading them.”

“Papers in culinary school?”

She laughed. “Yes. There is much to know, and they have to prove they’ve learned.”

“I hope the grading goes well. I’ll see you later in the week. And text me that information.”

“Sure will.”

She headed inside, wishing they were better friends. A hug right about now would help. Before she opened the file with the papers she needed to grade, she sent Bud the information on Keith. Just knowing her ex wasn’t close would give her peace of mind.