LITMIR.BIZ

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Riley was the reason I asked you to come along,” Hailey said, as she began sliding cookies into the boxes she’d take with her to the homecoming.

      Rachel’s throat tightened. “Did he, uh, ask about me?” she questioned, trying to sound casual while feeling something that resembled hope. She knew Hailey and Nate emailed each other when they could. Maybe he had mentioned that Riley had mentioned her … and what was she, in seventh grade?

      Her sister shook her head, not looking up. “No, I just thought it would be a good idea. Seeing a familiar face.”

      Pathetic. Man, she was pathetic. When had she picked up this fascination with a man who’d never glanced her way?

      “I think I’ll pass,” she told her sister, as she busied herself returning the butter and eggs to the commercial refrigerator. Rachel loved this kitchen, had spent great nights here talking with her mom and sister about everything from future careers to boys.

      Although she and her sister didn’t have the same longing to run the family B&B that had spanned several Sutherland generations, they weren’t able to give up the place either after their parents’ death. Hiring a management company to take over the running of the business freed them up to finish college and pursue their careers.

      Two years ago though, falling revenues and several poor reviews online had Rachel booking a quick flight to her hometown. As a marketing exec, she understood reviews were the lifeblood of the small business. She’d found her childhood home in hopeless disrepair. Seeing the upholstery—chosen specially by her mother—now stained and ripped, sent Rachel back to Missouri to make the riskiest move of her life. Riskiest? Who was she kidding? Her actions were the only true chance she’d ever taken in her life.

      She quit her job, cashed out her 401k and liquidated the CDs covering six months’ salary just in case. Rachel Sutherland was a woman who believed in saving for “just in case” moments in life. A lot of them. Then she blew it all on upgrading the kitchen. Merely the first step in their goal to return The Sutherland Bed & Breakfast to its former glory.

      Her sister glanced up from the red, white and blue bow she was tying to the box. “Just think about how sad it is to come home after six months and not have anyone waiting for your return. He’s got to be lonely.”

      “Ha,” Rachel said with a scoffing little laugh. “That man is a dog. You remember those SEAL Night speed dating parties we hosted? Riley never missed one. I personally witnessed him score phone numbers with at least three women per night. Trust me, he will not be lonely this evening. In fact, there might be half a dozen women waiting for him to debark. Talk about awkward.”

      “Disembark,” Hailey corrected. “And what if you’re wrong? It’s dinner. What’s one dinner out of your life to make a man feel he’s glad to be back home?”

      “When did this become dinner? I thought I’d simply be meeting him and handing over a box of cookies.”

      Hailey smiled. Sweetly.

      And Rachel felt herself cave. Although she didn’t have far to fall into the cavern of curiosity she had where that man was concerned.

      “Okay, but the first hint of another woman, I bolt.”

      RILEY SPOTTED the Welcome Home signs from deck. The music and cheers would be next. He’d done this drill before. Dress uniforms, manning the rails.

      The pier below was dotted with families; excited children, women holding up babies, anxious girlfriends. Riley turned away.

      No one would be waiting for him with a warm smile, a hug or promise in her eyes for an all-night welcome reception. He believed in clean breaks and no loose ends, and that’s how he’d left San Diego six months ago.

      He’d volunteered to disembark last. Men with wives, new babies … they should have first shot at their women. As they approached the pier, the anticipatory mood on board was growing. None more ready to get on that pier and into the arms of the woman he’d left behind than his best friend, Nate Peterson. Riley watched as Nate scanned the crowd, saw the tension evaporate and a smile spread across his face when the man obviously spotted his wife.

      A year ago, Nate would be the first at the party. Hell, Nate was the party. Now the man was a homebody.

      And for a moment Riley almost envied him.

      Then thankfully that moment passed. The world was a buffet filled with beautiful women. Why would he limit himself to one?

      “See you, buddy,” Nate called, as he hoisted his duffel bag over his shoulder.

      And that’s the last he’d see of his friend for at least a week, he’d bet.

      Riley watched as each Team Member left. Some left with salutes, others with pats on the back.

      “Bunch of us are heading to The Bowery tonight,” Ethan Morales, another single man from his Team, said. But as a second generation Navy man, Ethan still had a family eagerly waiting for him on the pier.

      “Sounds good,” he replied to Morales’s back. The Bowery was known for its locally brewed beer, loud music and the women looking for fun. It was the first place Riley hit after a long training run or a deployment. Guess tonight would be no exception.

      Riley picked up his duffel bag. He’d delayed his departure long enough. Most of the happy families and reunited couples should have moved on by now. Good. He hated the feeling of being an intruder into those private moments. In the past, a few of the men had even felt obligated to invite him to their homes. He hated putting his fellow officers and friends in that position, especially since he knew it was the last thing they wanted to do. Now he regretted accepting Nate’s offer of a ride home.

      Overhead the sky was blue. The day perfect for a return from duty. Hopefully he’d given Nate and Hailey enough time alone on the pier. Riley took a few steps, and stopped.

      His throat dried.

      There, not ten feet away from him, stood Rachel Sutherland, looking hot, tired and like someone who’d been waiting a while. A discarded ribbon was wrapped around her wrist and she snacked on … a cookie?

      She also looked like the best thing he’d seen in about a hundred and eighty-five days, but then what else was new? Rachel always looked like the best thing he’d ever seen.

      He loosened the tight grip of the handle on his duffel bag and aimed in her direction. Riley watched as her eyes widened when she spotted him. Rachel brushed the crumbs from her hand then angled her head, checking left and right.

      What an ass he was. Had he just assumed she was here for him? When had the woman ever regarded at him with anything other than distaste? Clearly she was searching the crowd and waiting for someone else. Maybe one of the SEALs that hung around The Sutherland after their Meet A SEAL nights? Something a lot like irritation mixed with envy hit him in the chest. Who the hell had been making a play for Rachel when he wasn’t watching?

      Too late to change course now. He continued forward. Riley would be polite and move on so she could greet the man she was here for. Strange, he’d never thought of her as a Navy woman. She’d never given any of the SEALs who’d been at The Sutherland anything other than that polite smile. Not one of her smiles had ever broken into something more warm, more genuine. At least not for him.

      He found himself almost wanting to hang around to meet and shake the hand of the man who’d managed to get something other than a “no” from Rachel Sutherland.

      She’d stopped scanning the quickly clearing pier and stood straighter, meeting his gaze. His breath hitched, and he realized he wanted to lose himself in those green eyes of hers. Beautiful green eyes that were, for the first time, truly inviting. The coldly reserved Rachel Sutherland who ran the speed dating parties with a watch and a whistle was gone. She even flashed him a tentative smile.

      Rachel wasn’t here waiting on some other guy. No, she had stood there for over an hour waiting for him.

      Something deep and elemental

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