Laura Marie - A Navy SEAL's Surprise Baby

Back to reality, it was hard to believe she’d finally met her lifelong dream of seeing the Atlantic. The faint, briny-scented breeze and the rhythmic crashing of the waves proved hypnotic, making her think of a life that might’ve been. Regret upon regret for not at least giving her own daughter the happiness she deserved.

“Ready?” Calder asked beside her, jolting her to the present.

“Ah, sure.” It took her a few seconds to regain her composure. But then her boss took Quinn, inadvertently brushing her breasts in the trade-off. Only, the invasion of her personal space didn’t feel like an invasion at all. More like the kind of natural thing that happens between a man and woman sharing a relationship and raising a child.

But they didn’t share any of that. For all practical purposes, they were strangers.

“Sorry.” He held out his hand to help her to her feet.

“It’s okay.” She accepted his help, but soon regretted the decision. When their fingers touched, the usual sparks were there tenfold, making her unsure about her next move. Had he felt it, too?

If so, he showed no indication. All polite business, he fastened Quinn into his carrier, then hefted the baby and diaper bag. “That everything?”

“Uh-huh.” Except for the irrational part of her wondering what it would be like to have a real connection with a man as decent as Calder.

* * *

“THIS WAS GOOD.” Over the years, Calder had had many women in his passenger seat, but none who set him on edge quite like Pandora. Why, he didn’t know, but he took her prim posture and pressed-lip silence to mean he’d done something wrong. Knowing full well he hadn’t and was just being paranoid, he decided to make a game out of coaxing the woman to speak. “You and Quinn have fun?”

“We did. The beach is always a treat.”

“Yeah?” He glanced her way to find her fogging her glasses, then wiping them on a tissue she’d drawn from her purse. “What was your favorite thing about spending time at the shore?”

She slowly exhaled. “I liked the smell. The waves sounded just like I’ve always imagined.”

“Wait.” Stopped at a red light, he turned to her. “You mean to tell me tonight was your first trek to the beach?”

“Embarrassing, right?”

After checking the rearview mirror to ensure there were no other cars around, Calder made a U-turn.

“What’re you doing?”

“Well, hell, woman.” He shot her a sideways grin. “You’re a bona fide Atlantic virgin—an elusive and mystical creature, to be sure.”

“Sure you weren’t spiking your cola?”

“Nope.” He made a left, aiming the SUV back to where they’d just come from. “We’re on a mission.”

“To do what?”

“Something we would’ve done earlier if I’d known what a momentous occasion this was. We need to get those toes of yours in the water.”

“Calder, you’re being silly.” She glanced to the backseat. “It’s already late and Quinn’s covered in sand. He’ll need a quick bath before bed and I’ll need to clean his carrier.”

“So? It’s not like you have to be at a desk bright and early.”

“But you no doubt do.”

“Haven’t you learned it’s impolite to argue with your boss?”

He took her shy smile to mean he’d broken at least a small part of her reserve. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but are you mentally stable enough to protect our country?”

For a split second, he thought she was serious, but then he caught her wink and burst out laughing. “You almost had me.”

“You’ve got to admit this whole notion of sticking my toes in the water sounds a bit off the deep end.”

Now he winked. “I’m not suggesting you go deep, Ms. Moore. Merely dip your toes in the shallow end. It’s a serious rite of passage.”

“It’s a rite of passage that can wait. Quinn’s comfort and needs come first.”

“In case you haven’t noticed—” he veered into the parking spot they’d vacated only ten minutes earlier “—Quinn is out. I don’t think he’ll mind the slight detour.”

After having a look for herself, she said, “You’ve got me there.” In the glow of the dash lights, her expression morphed from doubt to wary acceptance to anticipation. “But is this really prudent?”

He laughed. “Does it matter? Come on.” He almost held out his hand to her, but then thought better of it. He wanted to have a little fun, but not present the image of being interested in that way. “Last one in is a rotten egg!”

“Who’s getting Quinn?”

“Me, so you’d better hustle.”

Pandora kicked off her sandals and ran and ran, laughing until she reached the shore. The water was cold but refreshing and unexpected and hit her as an affirmation her life was finally on the right track. Granted, her current actions may not be dignified, but for at least a few minutes that was okay. She could let her guard down a smidge—just not too much.

Had she denied herself the beach’s simple pleasures for so long because she hadn’t felt good enough? Like only clean, wholesome people visit such enchanted places?

“How is it?” Calder asked from behind her. Quinn slept cradled against him.

“Wonderful,” she admitted. And honestly, if she hadn’t had to work so hard to earn her way to this spot, this very moment in time, she might not have appreciated it for the miracle it truly was. As soon as she regained custody of Julia, a trip to the beach was in order.

“If you don’t mind my asking,” he said above the surf that pounded louder than it had earlier, “how’s it even possible you’ve lived around here yet have never been to the shore?”

“Just one of those things.” Though her gut told her she could probably trust him with the truth, her head warned the less he knew about her past, the better off they’d both be.

The nighttime breeze had considerably cooled the air.

Pandora said, “We should get back to the car.”

“What’s your hurry?”

“I-it’s cold.” At first, she’d been exhilarated by their fun, but now she was somewhat ashamed. Almost as if being in such a clean, family-friendly place might mark her a fraud. But was she? She’d worked hard to get to the healthy emotional zone in which she now resided. Didn’t that count for something?

She wiped tears from her cheeks, glad for the darkness so Calder wouldn’t see.

“You okay?”

“Sure.” She hoped her exaggerated nod read as convincing.

“It’s all right, you know.”

“Wh-what?”

“If the sight of moonlight on the ocean moves you.” He reached his hand toward her, brushing first one tear-stained cheek, then the other with the pad of his thumb.

His touch affected her far more deeply than it should have. Embarrassed, she looked away. “I’m fine—the wind blew sand in my eyes.”

“Locational hazard....” His soft tone told her he knew she was lying. The fact both mortified her and filled her with hope he’d never guess just how much their shared moment had truly meant. Whatever their future, she’d always associate him with the moment she realized her efforts really were finally making a difference. Soon, she’d not only have her daughter returned, but her dignity.

* * *

MIDWAY THROUGH CHANGING Quinn’s diaper at five-thirty the next morning, Calder was startled by Pandora’s appearance at his side. Apparently she’d felt as awkward about her choice of late-night attire at their last meeting as he had. Not that he hadn’t been appreciative of her miles of creamy skin, but her current chaste, white cotton pj’s were infinitely less seductive.

“What’re you doing up?” he asked. “We were trying to be extra quiet to let you sleep.”