Hot SEAL, Labor Day by Cynthia D’Alba

Chapter 9

The next morning, Sawyer knocked on her door. When she opened it, he kissed her, handed her a cup of coffee, and waved as he jogged down the steps.

“I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Want to finally do the Lakefront Circle? Maybe go on a hike?”

She took a sip of coffee and nodded. “Sounds perfect. I’ll see you later.”

He blew a kiss and jogged out of sight.

Ana sagged into a chair on the porch. The sun was still low in the sky. A bright yellow ribbon burned across the water from the base of the sun. Somewhere, a bird chirped happily. A butterfly flittered across her porch, landing momentarily on the railing before taking off again. The scene was almost idyllic. She hated to mess up this perfect picture, but she should probably check her emails while Sawyer was gone. When she’d walked with Sawyer to the office to return his fishing gear, she’d noticed a “business area” with a computer and printer for guests. She’d finish her coffee and get dressed. Then she’d face her dragons.

Mandy was behind the desk in the office when Ana entered.

“Good morning,” Mandy said. “Everything okay with the cabin?”

“It’s perfect,” Ana replied. “This morning, the sun shining across the water was almost too ideal, as though someone painted it just for me.”

Mandy smiled. “Aaron and I are so lucky to live here. We talk about it often. What can I do for you today?”

“I wondered if I could use your business area to check my emails?” Ana tilted her head toward the computer and printer in the corner.

“Sure. Help yourself.”

“Thanks.”

Ana sat and booted up the computer. After opening a web browser, she opened a tab for an incognito window, and closed the original tab. Now, she was supposed to be untraceable online. She guessed that would remain to be seen.

Her inbox was stuffed with over a thousand messages. Of course, many of them had come in before she’d left and she just hadn’t felt like dealing with them. However, one that’d come in on Friday did. It was from the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. She clicked it first, and gasped as she read. She was being invited to serve as Artist-in-Residence for May of the following year. Stunned, she sat back in her chair. This was incredible. She wondered if Randall had read this yet as he’d been cc’d on the invite. She filed the message in her “invitations” folder and would respond when she returned.

Then she scanned through the long list of messages from Randall, Geoffrey, and her mother. She started with the earliest ones from last Friday.

Basically, her mother’s messages started out with concern. By Sunday’s message, she was demanding that Ana call Randall or Geoffrey, which was interesting. Not call home, but call her manager. Yesterday’s email from dear old mom was short and curt. Call Randall or else. Ana laughed to herself. Or else what? Cut her off?

First, she had a trust fund that would be hers when she turned thirty-three, or got married, whichever came first. The wording in the trust was ironclad and there was nothing her mother could do to change it. Second, she made enough money with her career that money wasn’t an issue, making her mother’s threat the limp noodle of threats.

Randall’s messages began demanding to know where she was when she didn’t respond to his email nor answered her phone. By Monday, all his messages were in capital letters, going so far as to threaten to fire her as a client. If that was meant to scare her, it didn’t. In fact, she mostly shrugged at the threat. She was more important to him than he was to her, or at least the many offers of representation she’d had from other agents suggested that.

There was one email from Geoffrey that’d arrived on Sunday. It read…

Ana –

I’m not sure where you are, but I’m worried about you. You haven’t been yourself lately and of course I noticed. I think I caught you off-guard with my marriage proposal, but I’m not sure why. I’ve mentioned our being together for the long haul, and I thought you understood what I meant. I want you to know that both my dad and your mom are thrilled by the idea of us marrying. In fact, I’m pretty sure you mom has reserved the Penthouse Restaurant for the Friday before Thanksgiving for our wedding. She’s so thoughtful like that.

I know you haven’t said yes yet, but we both know getting married makes sense. No one can understand your career with its stresses more than I can. Dad has mentioned that once we are married, he would be happy to let me take over more of your management. Additionally, as Dad will be sixty-five this year, he’s talking more about completely retiring after we wed and handing over the company reins. My dad and your mom thought my managing your career as your husband was an excellent idea as I’d have more of an invested interest in your success.

We have been friends for years and I think the best relationships are based on friendship. Love will grow in the right setting, and I’m sure you will come to feel for me what I feel for you. We share a mutual respect for each other and the industry. Marrying our careers makes logical sense. Passion doesn’t rule our lives nor our decisions, which is good. Passion will fade after marriage. A friendship is forever.

I understand from your mother that you will come into your trust upon marrying or turning thirty-three. Marrying me in only a couple of months would free up your trust to buy us a home in the building where your parents live. Your mom says there is a condo on the floor just below them, so she thought it would be ideal.

As far as children, I know you’d like a child, and I’m fine with that. However, I think waiting a few years would be the prudent thing to do.

I hope you are away giving my proposal and our life together serious thought.

As your mom told me, your marrying me would be the best business decision for your career and she looks forward to welcoming me as her son-in-law.

Fondly,

Geoffrey

Ana leaned back in her chair, stunned and angry. How dare her mom accept a marriage proposal for her, and then have the audacity to reserve a venue for a wedding that would never happen. The idea of being married to Geoffrey made her throw up a little in her mouth. The idea of kissing him like she had Sawyer made her nauseous. And sex? Lord help. She suspected he had a penis, but she also suspected his father controlled it.

And marrying him being the best career decision? Her mom probably did say that. After all, her mom had discouraged Ana from dating in college, pushing her to focus on what was more important than any relationship…her piano.

Still, the idea of Geoffrey Blagg as her husband was, well, unthinkable. She liked Geoffrey and they were friends, but beyond that? Nope.

Her problem was she knew the kind of pressure Randall and her mother would put on her as soon as she resurfaced, and she suspected they were already applying the same pressure to Geoffrey. Sadly, Ana had a history of giving into them. Not this time, she vowed.

The next email was a complete surprise. She hadn’t even known her father had an email address.

Hello Kitten

Her heart melted a little. Her dad had always called her Kitten, to her mother’s displeasure. Sometimes, Ana wondered if that’s why he kept it up all her life.

I’ve heard the screams and rants of frustration from your mom with your “unscheduled vacation,” but after so many years, I’ve gotten used to them. What I haven’t gotten used to, and never will, is not talking to you. I don’t know where you ran off to, and I don’t care. All I care about is that you’re safe and having some fun, for once in your life. I will never win Father of the Year, but I will always love you and want what is best for you.

Now, having said all that, I am hearing discussions about you marrying Randall’s son, Geoffrey. I have no objection IF you love him. Marriage has its ups and its downs. Without love, life as a couple would be miserable. And before you question me, yes, I love your mother. She was the most dazzling woman I’d ever met. Sophisticated. Classy. I knew her family had money, but that never meant a thing to me. I wanted her. Of course, you are aware that she was pregnant with you when we married. Her parents were furious. They had picked out a more suitable man for her. I was not their choice, but I’m sure none of that is a surprise to you. The minute I saw you, all red and crying in the delivery room, I knew what love was, but I also knew what fear was. I knew I always had to be there for you. I hope I have been.

Back to marrying Geoffrey. Ask yourself these questions.

Does your heart pound when you see him? Does your breath catch when you look at him? Does your stomach have butterflies around him?

Does he make you laugh? Has he made your cry? Laughing is good. Crying is not.

Does he make you feel like you’re the center of his world? Do you feel special when you are around him? Do you feel safe? Do you feel like he would protect you from the rest of the world? Does he stand with you against the world? Do you feel like he’s the one and only for you?

Do you trust him? Not just with your heart, but with all your secrets too?

Does he put you first?

I’m your father, so I’ll pretend you know nothing about sex, but does he make you swoon? Do you hate when the night ends and you have to go separate ways? Do his kisses make you question all the men who came before him?

This is how I felt about your mom. I knew from the moment I met her. There were no questions for me that she was the one I wanted, even if she did come with parents from hell. (Don’t tell your grandmother I said that! On the other hand, she’s never thought I was good enough for her daughter, so to hell with her! Tell her anything you want. Ha!)

If you don’t feel this way about Geoffrey, don’t marry him.

I know your mother thinks this is the perfect solution, you marrying the son of your manager, but I’m not sure. I’ve not voiced my concerns to your mom since you know that once she gets her mind set on something, she won’t let it go.

If you come back and you don’t want to marry Geoffrey, I will stand with you on this.

If you come back and you want to marry Geoffrey, I will proudly walk you down the aisle.

But be sure, Kitten.

I love you.

Dad

Ana wiped a tear from her eye. Her father had never talked to her like this. He’d always let her mother drive their marriage, but now she thought she understood why. Her father loved her mother. It was a shocking revelation.

She hit reply for the first time today.

Dad

Your words meant a lot to me. I’m safe. I’m fine. I’d rather not say where I am, but I’m relaxing and enjoying every day. I’ll be home soon.

Love

Ana

Sawyer had been right about her checking in. She needed to call home and let them know she was fine, but needed a little time alone.

“You okay?” Mandy asked from the desk.

Ana wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and sniffed. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

“It’s not Sawyer, is it? He hasn’t done something to upset you, has he? I mean, I don’t know him well, but he’s been coming here for a couple of years and seems like a decent guy.”

Ana looked over at Mandy and smiled. “Not Sawyer. He’s kind of perfect, you know?”

Mandy chuckled. “Well, don’t let my husband hear me say this, but whew.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “You should see him without all the facial hair. Dreamy.”

“He’s pretty dreamy with it,” Ana said with a grin.

“That’s true. Did you two have fun last night at the concert?”

“Gosh, yes. Did you and your husband go?”

“Of course. I never miss Molly and the Moonshiners when they’re in town.”

“Local group?”

“More like a California group. They travel up and down the state and have developed quite a following. Want a water or something while you work?”

Ana closed the web browse window and stood. “Thanks, but no. I’m done for now. Appreciate your letting me use the computer.”

“Sure. Anytime. The cabin working out okay?”

“Perfect, thanks.”

“Well, if you need anything, just give me shout.”

Sawyer was jogging into the parking lot as she exited the office.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said. He slowed and jogged in place. “You wouldn’t know of a sexy woman who’d like to go for a bike ride this afternoon, do you?”

Ana’s heart leapt. Her breath caught in her throat. A million butterflies launched themselves in her stomach. The palms of her hands began to sweat.

She smiled at this gorgeous man, this perfect man, standing in front of her. “I think I might. Check cabin ten for a passenger volunteer.”

He laughed, his white teeth flashing in the bright sun. “I hear there’s a real hottie staying there.” He pumped his eyebrows. “Think she’d be interested in a hot, sweaty SEAL?”

She swallowed against the lump that formed in her throat. Hot, sweaty and sexy. “Hmm. She might be. Want me to walk with you to ask her?” She stepped up to him and lifted her face for a kiss.

He didn’t hesitate to lean down and kiss her. He tasted salty, but even then, she thought him the best thing that’d happen to her in a long time.

“I suggest a shower first,” she said with a grin.

“What? You think I smell? C’mon here closer.” He reached out for her, the sweat on his arms glistening.

She laughed and danced away. “No way. I’ve had my shower, and I don’t want a second one.”

He leered at her. She giggled and took off running toward her cabin, Sawyer on her heels. Of course, he could catch her without much effort on his part. Still, he played her game and chased her all the way back to cabin ten.

“Well, if you’re going to be that way,” he said as she bolted up the stairs to her porch. “I’m going to go take a shower alone. I would’ve invited you along, but not now…that you’ve hurt my sensitive feelings.” He pulled his mouth into a frown and sniffled.

She laughed. “Go. Shower. I need to take Barbie down for her new shoes. Maybe you could pick me up and we could do Lakefront Circle today?”

“That sounds like a great plan.”

They spent Tuesday riding around the lake, stopping from time to time to take in the views and admire the large, impressive houses along the lakefront. They found a small grocery-slash-deli on the far side of the lake and picked up a couple of sandwiches, chips, and soft drinks.

Sawyer talked her into hiking up a trail to an overlook to eat lunch. While she playfully moaned the whole way, Sawyer laughed and pushed her to keep up with him. But she was fully aware he could leave her in the dust on the hike if he’d wanted to.

And that was a huge difference between Sawyer and Geoffrey.

Sawyer encouraged her, which motivated her. Geoffrey thought he was motivating her to do better when he pointed out all her faults and errors. That didn’t inspire her. Those comments only angered her.

But, in Geoffrey’s defense, he’d learned that from his father, who’d pushed Geoffrey to develop his piano skills. Unfortunately, Geoffrey didn’t have the musical talent to take his piano aptitude beyond mid-grade professional. He would never reach Ana’s proficiency level, which was somewhat of a sore point for him. He swore he didn’t care, but she didn’t believe that for one minute. No one practiced as long and as hard as he did if they “didn’t care” about improving. He’d reached his pinnacle in his twenties. Now, at forty, he had to make himself content with the occasional performance on a local stage and the stream of students who wanted to learn from him. He was an excellent teacher, but sadly, teaching didn’t fulfill him professionally and probably never would.

Sawyer and Ana spent the afternoon riding around and just enjoying the sights, and each other. He got a call from Billy Bob in the late afternoon to tell Ana her car was ready. Sawyer took her over and waited while she wrote a check for the new-slash-used tires. She worried he wouldn’t take a check since so many places wouldn’t these days, but he was happy to take hers, pleased to avoid the credit card fee.

Once they were back at the cabin, Ana knew she had to call home. She trusted him when he’d said he could protect her from anyone learning her location.

“Sawyer?” She looked over at him. His hair was tied back. He was lifting a glass of bourbon to his lips.

He paused the glass and said, “Yes?”

She sighed. “When I was coming out of the office today, I’d been checking my emails.”

His brows rose. “Is that why you looked unhappy this afternoon?” He frowned. “What’d they say? Whose ass do I need to go kick?”

With a chuckle, she said, “Down, boy. No ass-kicking needed, at least, not right now. My manager and my mom are pretty livid.”

“Screw ’em. You’re an adult.”

“I know, but you know how family pressure is, or maybe you don’t.” She grinned. “You did join the Navy after all.”

“I do know about family pressure.” He turned toward her. “What do you need? What can I do to help?”

“I need to call home to at least let my parents know I’m okay. You said I could use your phone.”

He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and punched a few keys. “There. When you call, the number will show as restricted or maybe private. Anyway, they won’t have a way to call back.” He handed her the phone. “I’m going to walk up to the office to give you some privacy and have something delivered for dinner. What about Italian?”

“Italian sounds good,” Her stomach was in nervous knots. She wondered if she’d be able to swallow any food. And if she did, would it stay down?

“Chin up,” he said, taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “You’ve got this.” He kissed her and left.

She stared at the phone in her shaking hand. Sawyer was right. She was an adult fully in charge of her life…starting now.

She dialed her parents’ landline and waited as it rang. On the third ring, the phone was answered.

“Cristiano residence,” the accented voice of their housekeeper said.

“Lulu?”

“Ana? Oh, baby. Are you okay? Your parents are out of their minds with worry.”

“I’m fine. I just needed some time away. Is Dad there?” she asked then added, “or Mom?”

“No, honey. They’re both out right now. Give me a number. I’m sure they’ll want to call you back.”

“No, that’s okay. Just let them know I called, and I’m fine. Actually, I’m more than fine. I’m having a wonderful vacation in…New York City. Doing some shopping. Got a massage. Ate some great food.”

“Well, that sounds wonderful. I know they’ll be sorry to have missed your call. Your mom is all excited about your getting married in November. That’s where she is now. She’s visiting bridal salons, looking for the perfect dress.”

Ana rolled her eyes while at the same time, gritting her teeth. Her mother could infuriate her. Talk about overstepping her bounds.

“You know Mom loves to shop. I’d better run. I’ve got an, um, manicure scheduled in fifteen minutes. Tell them I’m sorry I missed them, but I’ll be in touch later.”

She clicked off with a sigh of relief. One bullet dodged. She’d called home as requested. It wasn’t her fault her mother was out shopping for bridal gowns! Sawyer, bless his heart, had no idea the kind of pressure that’d be put on her to marry Geoffrey when she got back. She had nothing against Geoffrey. It was that she felt nothing for him except professional courtesy.

If she called Randall, would Sawyer’s phone still be masked, or did that undo after one call? She didn’t have a clue. On the other hand, she didn’t want to talk to Randall, so not knowing about masking the phone was excuse enough, in her humble opinion. Besides, her mother would call Randall as soon as Lulu told her about Ana’s call.

She lifted her wine glass to her mouth and drew in a long gulp. Getting that call over with had taken a load off her shoulders. Now, she could relax and have a nice meal with a sexy man.