Page 18 of The Night Ride (SEALs on Wheels #3)

Chapter thirteen

P resent Day

When I rose the next day, Beth had already headed to work. I didn’t usually sleep until eight, but I barely slept a wink last night. Thoughts of the past and present churned and raced through my head the moment my head touched the pillow.

Rising I headed into the kitchen to make myself some coffee and found a note on the fridge door in Beth’s eloquent handwriting.

Breakfast inside. Follow the heating directions on the plate.

Curious, I opened the fridge and found a plate with an omelet covered in plastic wrap. There was a yellow sticky note on top with heating directions. While I brewed a cup of coffee in her Keurig, I followed the microwave directions she left me.

How should I handle the situation with Beth?

I didn’t know. I hadn’t expected to comfort her.

And that kiss had been the best of my life.

I’d wanted to toss her over my shoulder, carry her into her bedroom, and not come up for air until we were both sated.

She seemed so strong. Watching a strong woman sob as if she would never recover brought forth a protective instinct in me.

It was the darndest thing. I had feelings for Beth that went beyond simple lust.

I ate the best damn omelet standing in her kitchen, sipping my coffee, and staring out the window at the backyard.

I’d get the fence fixed and look at the van for her.

She had mentioned in passing the other day that the engine needed some work done on it.

The forecast tonight was calling for rain and thundershowers so the weather stain would have to wait until the following day.

And then hopefully by then, the camera equipment for Beth’s store would arrive and I could head out to meet the others.

After breakfast I went outside with the tools I found in her garage and fixed the broken parts of her fence. Then with the tools what she had on hand, I checked the van’s engine. It needed new spark plugs, an alternator, a new battery, and battery cables.

I headed to the auto-shop and grabbed what was needed. No sense in her taking it into the shop and spending hundreds when all she needed was a few items that were easy to fix. I grabbed a few extra things, figuring I could change the oil, wiper blades, and top off all the van’s fluids.

On the way home, I stopped at the grocery store and grabbed some steaks and Idaho potatoes. It was rather unoriginal on my part, but it would be a hardy meal. I might not be a whiz in the kitchen, but I could barbecue some steaks and bake a few potatoes.

Back at the house I worked on the van. Even took her for a turn around the block when I was finished to ensure she would run smoothly for Beth. It was an older van and might need belts changed in another ten thousand miles or so, but for now it would work and shouldn’t break down on her.

After a brief shower to wash away the motor oil smell, I prepped the potatoes and got them in the oven. I’d even grabbed one of those bagged salads. Women tended to like them. I prepped the steaks and got the grill fired up when the potatoes were close to being done.

Beth’s nosy neighbor watched me from her backyard window while I barbecued the steaks. I waved at her. It sent her packing in shame.

I took a sip of my beer when Beth stepped onto the back patio.

“What’s this?”

“Dinner. I figured that you probably rarely have anyone cook for you. And I wanted to as a thank you for your hospitality.”

A mix of emotions crossed her face. “Thank you, I appreciate it. I see you’ve been busy.” She nodded at the fence.

I shrugged. “It needed it and this way you don’t have to spend hundreds to get it fixed.

It’s supposed to storm tonight so the sealant will need to wait until tomorrow or the following day.

I fixed the van too. She’s humming along nicely now.

All she needed was some new spark plugs, an alternator, battery and the cables.

I also changed the oil out and installed some new wiper blades.

You’ll likely need to replace the timing belt some time in the next year or so, but it should be fine for now. ”

“Aiden, you really didn’t have to, but I appreciate it just the same. Let me know how much I owe you and I’ll grab the cash for you tomorrow.”

“There’s no rush on that end. Get it to me when you can. The potatoes should be done by now. And there’s a bagged salad in the fridge too.”

“You thought of everything. I’ll get the potatoes and salad out while you finish these.”

“It’ll only take a few more minutes.”

Beth headed back inside. And I realized there was so much more I wanted to say.

That I was sorry for that night. But when it came to my emotions and verbalizing them, I always fell short.

Ever since my marriage ended, I had closed myself off from softer feelings.

It was easier not to feel, not to allow anyone in.

The life I lived wasn’t easy. And I couldn’t see myself getting married again, not until I retired from the Navy. Once I was home full time, I would see.

When the steaks were cooked, I loaded them onto the pan. Shut the grill and propane off. And then headed inside with our meal.

While I was outside, Beth had set the table. Put the salad in a serving bowl with some bottles of dressing on the table. The potatoes were on the plates in their aluminum foil wrapping opened and topped with all the fixings.

God, this woman knew how to make a meal complete.

She went the extra mile with everything she did.

I respected the hell out of her. She was an amazing woman and any man would be lucky to call her theirs.

So why the fuck was I sitting on the sidelines?

Fear of being hurt? I danced with death daily in my job.

But I also hadn’t opened myself up to the possibility of a relationship in years. “The potatoes look fantastic.”

“I hope you don’t mind that I added all the extras. It’s the chef in me.” She appeared worried, like I would get pissed.

But then I remembered the weekend I spent at her house all those years ago. Beth’s mother had been a piece of work. She’d heaped praise on Evan, while admonishing Beth for things that weren’t even an infraction.

“It’s far better than I could do. Hopefully the steaks are up to your liking.”

“I’m sure they’ll be wonderful. Especially since I don’t have to cook.”

We sat and ate in silence for a few minutes when the rain started. “Just in the nick of time. I still need to clean the grill.”

She shrugged. “It’ll be fine for the evening. I don’t think it’s supposed to let up until after midnight.”

“Have you heard from the detective?”

Beth frowned, her congenial attitude grew tense.

“No. But he had mentioned it would take them some time to examine my employees’ records and background checks to see if there’s anything fishy.

If the cameras don’t catch them over the next week, then they will interview my employees until we narrow down who the culprit might be. ”

“I’ll check in with the store tomorrow about the cameras. Should only be another day or so before they’re in. The installation should only take an evening. And then we’ll get to the bottom of who’s behind the theft.”

Beth sighed and pushed her food around her plate. I didn’t like seeing her depressed. The need to protect her was overwhelming.

“What is it? Talk to me, Beth.”

She lifted her gaze, it was full of such disappointment and sorrow, it took everything in me to stay in my seat and not go to her and offer her support.

“If I’m being honest, there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to figure out who’s behind it.

But I’m also not willing to part with any more of my profits. ”

“It’s tough that you feel like you can’t trust your employees.”

“It sucks.”

“It does. One time our unit had this informant. Nice guy. He was very helpful or so we thought. In the end he was working both sides, taking what he could from both and trying to ensure whichever side prevailed he would come out on top. He led our unit into an ambush. Betrayal is never easy when it’s an acquittance.

When it’s someone you depend on to help run your business, it must weigh on you something fierce. But I’ll give you a piece of advice.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“It’s not your fault for believing in them. Nor that they proved in the end not to be trustworthy.”

“Problem is I don’t feel that way. I feel like I should have seen it.

But it was such small amounts here and there I thought it was just normal errors.

They happen in a service-based industry with customers.

You know a batch of cookies getting burned.

Someone giving back too much change or not enough from the register.

I’ve been guilty of all those things. But it hurts, being betrayed like this and on the heels of losing Evan.

” She blinked at the moisture lining her lids and glanced down at her meal.

I took her hand in mind. “I know it hurts, but you didn’t do anything wrong, they did. And they will pay for what they did. Our informant did with his life.”

Her head shot up with wide eyes.

“I know what you’re thinking. No, we didn’t kill him, the enemy did. Discovered he was playing both sides and hung him on the side of the road as a warning for what happens when someone crosses them.”

“I figured. And thanks.” She rose with her empty plate. “For dinner and the talk.”

“Anytime, Beth.”

She took my empty plate. “I can get those.”

“Nope. You cooked. I’ll get the dishes in the dishwasher.”

“But what about when you cook, who does the dishes then?”

“I tend to be a bit of a control freak, so sue me.” She murmured with a half grin.

I chucked at her candor. “I can see I’m not going to win any arguments. I’ll go grab those receipts for you while you’re handling those.”

“Sounds perfect. And you know, if you need to do laundry, you can use my washer and dryer. There’s detergent in the laundry room. Feel free to help yourself.”

“Ah, I appreciate that.”

“No worries, I know every time Evan came home, he always had laundry to do.”

I’d get a load done before I left. That way I wouldn’t have to worry about it while I caught up with Wyatt and Lucas.

I left Beth in the kitchen and had just pulled the receipts from my pack when the tornado sirens went off.

With my pack in hand because I always carried emergency supplies, I headed into the kitchen.

Beth was wiping her hands on a dish towel.

“Come on. We need to get down to the basement. Do you have any flashlights?”

“One. But it’s in the garage. I’ve got a camping lantern in the basement though.”

“It’ll have to do.” I made a mental note that I’d pick up some survival equipment and gear for Beth before I headed out. She needed more than a single flashlight and camping lantern.

We headed into the basement with the sirens screeching outside. The sound of the wind picked up. Rain battered her roof. And I was glad I was here, so that Beth didn’t have to face this alone.

Beth flipped lights on when we entered the basement.

Half of it was finished with a pair of comfy chairs and a sofa with a coffee table between and a big flatscreen television.

Beth went through a door into a storeroom where I spied the laundry room beyond and grabbed the camping lantern and a weather radio.

We sat together. Beth in the corner of the sofa and me on the chair nearest her, in case I needed to protect her. Not sure how I would protect her from a tornado other than to cover her with my body. But I figured I would manage because it’s what SEALs do.

I took the radio from her and turned it on so we could listen to the latest updates when her lights flickered off.

“Well, shit.” Beth used the light on her phone to locate the lantern and switch it on. “At least we had dinner. Not sure what we’re going to do in the meantime.”

“I have just the thing.” I rifled around in my pack until I located what I was searching for. Pulled out my trusty deck of cards and held them up. “We play poker.”

Beth tossed her head back and laughed. The full throaty sound went straight through my chest. God, she was gorgeous and made me ache. I wanted her. There hadn’t been a day in the past five years I hadn’t wanted her. But I couldn’t be what she needed.

“Yes, but we don’t have any poker chips.”

I shrugged. “We don’t need them.”

“Then how will we keep track of the winner?” She challenged with a quirked brow and a lopsided grin.

Oh, she was yanking the tiger’s tale. “Think you can take me?”

“I’ll give it my best shot.” She clapped her hands as lighting and thunder boomed outside, rattling the house. “Oh, I know what we could use.”

She bolted from her seat.

“Don’t go back upstairs. It’s not safe.” I rose, ready to haul her ass back to the couch. If I had to tie her up to keep her safe, I’d do it. I had rope in my pack that would work.

She gestured to the small bar. “Not necessary. I keep supplies down here for parties. If I were to have them, I mean.”

Beth raced and rifled through items behind it, using the light on her phone to locate what she wanted. In the dim lantern light, she looked ethereal.

“Ah ha! I knew I had some back her.” She held up a big sixty ounce plastic container of what looked like rainbow colored chocolate candy and a bottle of patron.

“What’s the tequila for?”

“Why the loser of each hand has to take a shot while the winner gets the candy.”

Well, shit. She just made the night damn interesting. “Never let it be said that I’m not a man up for a challenge.”