For Logan, Saturday was no different than any other day for him. He was up at the crack of dawn running on the beach then swimming back to the house. As usual, the children were waiting for him on his deck.
“Uncle Logan, can we have pancakes this morning, please?” Anora asked as soon as he was in hearing distance.
It took him a minute to mentally check the contents of his pantry, to be sure he had all the ingredients, before he said, “We can do that.” He then remembered that Teagan had made chocolate chip cookies the other day. “Do you think Aunt Teagan has any of those chocolate chips left? They’re really good in pancakes.”
Anora’s eyes grew huge. “You put chocolate chips inside the pancakes?”
“You’ve never had them that way before?” He said as he stepped onto his deck.
“Never.” Both children said at the same time.
“Mom never let us have much stuff with sugar in it,” Brann explained. “Especially for breakfast. That’s why we love it here with you. You buy chocolate cocoa puffs and let me eat them for breakfast.”
“I never ate a pop tart until we moved to North Carolina.” Anora gave him a big smile. “And we get to pick what we eat here.”
Brann added to the diatribe, “Yeah, Mom used to make us eat green beans and broccoli—”
“And spinach,” Anora cut in and made a gagging noise.
“We used to have to eat a lot of chicken and rice.” Brann stuck out his tongue in disgust. “I like going out to dinner. I get to eat hamburgers or whatever I want.”
That confirmed it. He and Teagan were going to have a discussion about healthy food choices for children. They were obviously doing it wrong. Logan suddenly wondered what else they were doing wrong.
Mentally shrugging, he’d committed to making pancakes with chocolate chips, if there were any left. “Who wants to go check the pantry at Aunt Teagan’s and see if she has any more chocolate chips?”
“I will.” Brann shot off toward the other half of the duplex. As he ran through the house, Logan looked up at his building and wondered for the first time if the inside could be reconfigured? Maybe they would start with just one door that went between the two sides. He added that subject to his agenda for dinner that night with Teagan.
When Brann returned empty-handed, and with an unhappy face, he wondered what was wrong. “No chocolate chips?”
Brann pouted. “Aunt Teagan is—"
The door opened.
“Aunt Teagan is what?” She asked. “Awake?” She suggested. “Up and moving?” She bent slightly to look into his eyes. “Feeling better?”
“You said I couldn’t have the chocolate chips.” Brann crossed his arms over his chest and pouted.
She pulled the bag from behind her back. “You didn’t tell me why you wanted them. Nor did you ask if you could take them. I might’ve had plans to use them in a desert this weekend.”
Without moving his head, the boy’s eyes met hers. “I’m sorry, Aunt Teagan, I didn’t know.”
“You didn’t ask, either.” She pulled up the stool next to him at the breakfast counter. “I didn’t know if you were just going to take them and sit out on the deck and eat them all by yourself, or if you are going to feed the seagulls—please never do that. Human food isn’t good for them. And chocolate chips aren’t good for growing boys to eat for breakfast.”
Anora, who had been standing by quietly watching the entire scene, jumped in to explain, “Uncle Logan sent him over there to get the bag if there were any left. We’re going to put them in the pancakes this morning.”
Teagan looked up at Logan as he prepared the dry ingredients. “Is this true?”
“Yep. I think Anora covered all the high points.” He dropped the eggs into the bowl and started whipping. “Would you like to stay for breakfast? That is, if you like chocolate chip pancakes.”
Teagan threw her arms around both children and pulled them in for a hug. “I do like chocolate chip pancakes.” She looked from one child to the other. “Maybe he’ll let us make happy faces with the chips.”
Emoji’s? She wanted to use his pancakes to make emoji’s? What the hell. If it made the kids smile, he didn’t care if they used them to spell out words.
Whenever Logan was off, whether it was Tuesday or Sunday, they tried to do family type activities, at least until Teagan had to return to work. Their current plan was for the children to complete one entire week of school before she started to work full time at the New River Naval Air Station.
Then life would grow exponentially more difficult.
Thankfully, that day, they were together and the sun was shining.
They built a castle out of the wet sand close to the water line. He and Teagan had been teaching the children about the tides. Since they’d never lived near or on a beach before, they had to learn about how the water covered most of the beach at high tide and how dangerous it could be for them if they didn’t move closer to the house. Brann was getting the concept, but it just wasn’t registering with Anora. Fortunately for them, it was low tide most of the afternoon those days. High tide happened around nine o’clock in the morning and after the children were in bed.
They played in the water for hours. Logan had been working with Brann on his strokes, trying to make him a stronger and faster swimmer. Anora was still a little young, or so Logan thought, to be swimming out in the ocean over her head.
He had arranged with Erin, the babysitter, to come by and spend some time casually with the children before she was thrown into the situation of caring for them, alone, for several hours. He had shared with her that he and Teagan were their godparents and had taken custody and guardianship of the children after their parents had been killed. He wanted her to be sensitive to the unusual situation.
A small group of teens, both boys and girls, approached from down the beach. They were laughing and tossing a football around, even among the girls who seemed as athletic as the boys. Their deep tans and surefootedness were indications they were locals or spent a lot of time on the beach. A tall brunette in a ponytail peeled off as they approached Logan, Teagan and the kids.
“Hi, I’m Erin Hendrix.” She had on tan shorts and a white tank top, but he could see a dark bathing suit underneath. “I’m hoping I have the right house. Teagan?” She held her hand out to shake.
“You’re in the right place,” Teagan said with a smile as they shook hands.
Erin turned her attention to him. “And you must be Lieutenant Colonel Jackson.”
“Thanks for stopping by. I thought it might be easier for kids to meet you first when we’re here.” He pointed to each child as he introduced them. “This is Brann and Anora.”
Erin instantly dropped to the sand and engaged both children in a giant game of tic tac toe. Both he and Teagan sat back and watched their interaction.
“She’s really good with them,” Teagan whispered.
“She came highly recommended by one of my captains who lives a mile down the beach,” Logan explained. “He used her to babysit his nieces and nephews when his family came to visit for a week. Luckily for us, Erin only lives five doors down. She just turned sixteen and is headed into her junior year at the local high school, so she’ll be around for the next two years.”
Two years. That suddenly seemed like a long time. Yet not long at all. They’d need to find another babysitter in two years. Anora would only be six so that meant they’d need to find babysitters for…how old were kids when they didn’t need babysitters anymore?
Fuck.
There was so much he didn’t know about raising children. Why the fuck had Gabe chosen him as godfather? Maybe he needed to start seeing the counselor Teagan took the kids to. Maybe he and Teagan needed to see her together, like couples counseling. Another item for tonight’s agenda.
“Colonel Jackson, Miss Williams.” The mention of his name brought him out of his thoughts.
Teagan smiled up from her lounge chair at Erin. “Is everything okay?” He heard the slight tension in her voice, but Logan was sure no one else would have caught it. He’d come to know her slightest inflections.
“No, ma’am.” Erin pointed down the beach where her friends had headed. “Brann and Anora seem to be getting a little tired. They’re acting a little hungry, too. Do you want me to make them some lunch?”
“No.” Teagan slid from her chair. “I think they’ve had enough fun in the sun for now. Thank you so much for coming. We’ll see you tonight.”
Erin gave them a big smile and a wave. She hugged both children and promised to see them in a few hours before she jogged down the beach.
“Anora, Brann, let’s go in and make lunch,” Teagan called from the deck where they’d both gone when Erin took over kid-watch.
After lunch they all collapsed on the couch to enjoy the air conditioning and watch a Disney movie. Halfway through, Anora fell asleep, snuggled under blankets.
“This is a baby movie. Is it okay if I go play on my computer?” Brann asked.
“Do you want me to download more games?” Logan suggested.
“I need to learn to play the ones I have and get better.” Brann looked tired as he dragged his way up the stairs.
“I think I’ll go shower and start getting ready for tonight.” Teagan stood and stretched, once again giving him a glimpse of that colorful belly button tattoo. She glanced at Anora sound asleep on the couch. “She’ll be fine. I’ll let the video keep running in case she awakes.”
“You kicking me out?” Logan stood.
She cocked her head to the side. “Yes.”
Running her fingertips over his whiskers, she added, “I don’t like whisker burn. It takes too long to heal, especially on skin in sensitive places.”
“Are you telling me I’ll get lucky tonight?” Oh, Christ, please say yes.
Her smile was salacious. “No. I’m telling you I might get lucky tonight.” She stretched up and kissed him. Barely a touching of lips but he felt it throughout his entire body.
After she sauntered up the stairs, his gaze pinned to her perfect backside, sure she added more sway than usual, he let himself out quietly and all but ran to his side of the duplex.
Even though he and Teagan had been out to supper dozens of times together, Logan was nervous as he shaved for the second time that day. She was beyond special. He couldn’t imagine his life with any other woman. He also couldn’t imagine his life without her.
She was already in his life every day.
In every way…almost.
Like a wife…almost.
As a man, he wanted her in every way. As a highly sexual man, he could think of many ways he wanted her… Staring up at him with half closed eyes as he drove into her, seconds before she came and screamed his name. On her hands and knees, looking back over her shoulder as he took her from behind. On her knees, his cock in her mouth, glancing up at him with those beautiful blue eyes.
She was his…almost.
He had never claimed a woman before through sex, but it seemed the only thing that was left for them to officially become a couple. He wanted them to be together, forever.
Logan loved the life he’d found with Teagan, Brann, and Anora. He wanted this to last forever. He loved all three of them.
In that moment, he’d just discovered the fact for himself. Sometime over the past two months, while they were playing house with the children, dealing with Marsha’s murder, her real estate, moving everyone to his house, he’d fallen in love with the tenacious blonde with a heart so big she’d taken on two children…and him.
He had no doubt there’d be rough sailing, but they’d tackled everything thrown at them so far and come out on top. They could do this, together, forever.
That night was the start of everything new. Or maybe it was just the next logical step. At least it was for him. He couldn’t imagine a life without Teagan in it, even after the children were grown and gone.
That meant he wanted her in his bed. Tonight. Always.
Living at the beach meant dress was beyond casual for any restaurant. Shirts and shoes were required, but even those definitions were lax. As he slid into clean jeans that had faded with years of washings, he decided to go a hair above his usual polo shirt and grabbed a Colombia cool-tech shirt. It was a lightweight button-up that felt like silk on his body.
With one last glance in the mirror, Logan turned to head over on the well-worn path to Teagan’s front door. He glanced at the adjoining wall, trying to figure out where to put a connecting door. He’d call Tad, the contractor who had worked on the house before. Maybe he’d have an idea.
“Beautiful.” It was all he could manage to say. Teagan was gorgeous in a light blue sundress that showed off her deepening tan and the tops of her perfect breasts. He hoped to be able to taste them and more in just a few hours. A white belt cinched around her waist that tucked in enough to highlight her curvy hips. The skirt dropped halfway down well-developed thighs.
Naked thighs.
Naked legs.
Bare feet inside strappy sandals. And her toenails were painted a light blue to match the dress.
As his gaze slowly came back up her outstanding body, he wondered what kind of panties she wore. Thong? Lacy? He didn’t care if they were one hundred percent cotton and covered her from the bottom of her butt cheeks to her bellybutton. If he had his way, they wouldn’t be on long enough for a second thought.
Her hair was down, his favorite way, although he’d never told her that. She’d dressed up, for him.
“You are absolutely the most beautiful woman I’ve seen in years.” It sounded cheesy, even to his ears, but it was the truth.
“You clean up pretty good yourself, Marine.” Her smile dazzled him all the way to his soul.
“I’m just a banged up old jarhead, so fucking proud to be seen with you as my date tonight.” Another truth that he doubted she’d believe. “Let me just go in and say goodnight to the kids, then we’ll leave.”
What should have taken two minutes, became ten, but they finally closed the door to two happy children and a competent babysitter.
Logan took her hand as they walked to his SUV. As soon as he’d started the car, the phone rang.
“It’s Tony Alvarez. Is it okay if I take it?” This was her night and he wanted her to understand that short of a national disaster, she was his focus.
Ring.
“Answer the damn phone. He might have news.” She sounded as excited about that possibility as he was.
After clicking the button on his steering wheel, he announced, “Hey, Tony. I have you on speaker with Teagan in the car.”
“Wonderful.” He hesitated. “Are the kids with you?”
“No. For once, it’s an adults-only supper.” Logan reached over and took Teagan’s hand.
“I have a few updates I knew you’d be interested in. First, I wanted to let you know that Ashley Helms, Marsha’s sister, was supposedly with friends at a private yoga retreat the whole weekend, including the day of the murder when she showed up at her sister’s house. She held to that bull shit story even after we showed her the video. She claims that isn’t her. It must be someone else.”
Tony released a long sigh. “The woman in the video looked strung out and haggard. The Ashley Helms we met with looked healthy, well dressed, and surprisingly clean. She claims she’s serious about changing her life and that rehab is working this time. Her counselor said the same thing.”
“So, if that woman in the video isn’t Ashley, then who is it?” Logan asked.
“I don’t believe her for one minute,” Teagan asserted. “She lied to Marsha over and over again. She’d get clean for a week, a month, and Marsha would get all excited that it worked, then in no time Ashley was hanging out with her dealer and getting high and begging Marsha for money.”
“Well, that may be, but she was on the top of her game when we were there, which brings me to the bad news.” Tony hesitated as though trying to pick his words carefully. “As soon as she’s released from rehab, she and her new attorney are filing for custody of the kids.”
“There’s no way in hell she’s going to get them.” Teagan squeezed Logan’s hand. Hard.
“She can try,” Logan warned. “But we’ve had these wonderful children since the day their mother was murdered. Marsha wanted us to raise them and that’s what we’re going to do.”
“Hey, ease off. I’m just the messenger.” Tony claimed. “I’m on your side, remember?”
“I’m sorry, Tony.” Teagan apologized. “I love these kids and won’t let them go, especially not to her.”
“I have a child,” Tony said in a conciliatory tone. “I’d kill anyone who tried to take him away from me.”
“Tony, you said you have other things to tell us as well.” Logan stopped at a traffic light.
“Yeah, since the house is going up for sale, my men ripped out all the overrides on the security system. We don’t want anyone else having access with its new owners.”
“Thank you for doing that, Tony.” Teagan said. “We’ve had a few lookers already but no offers yet.”
“Lookers are good,” Tony commented. “Hopefully you’ll get an offer soon.”
“Thanks,” Logan offered. “Anything else for us?”
“You might want to give Matthew a call. He indicated that his computer specialist found something and was tracking its source but wanted to wait on the information.” Tony sounded a little aggravated that Matt hadn’t been more forthcoming. “That’s all I have for you right now.”
“Thanks so much for calling.” Logan turned into the parking lot of one of the best restaurants on the island. “Please, keep us posted especially about Ashley.”
“Will do. Enjoy your evening.” Tony disconnected.
Logan pulled into a parking space and looked at Teagan. Something inside him screamed that he should call Matt.
“Can we call Matthew before we go in?” Teagan squeezed his hand once again. “I’d really like to know if he’s found out anything.”
Damn. The woman could read his mind. It was just another sign that they were connected, like an old married couple.
“Absolutely,” he agreed as he hit their friend’s number.
“Logan, glad you called.” Matt’s voice sounded serious.
“Teagan and I are sitting here in the car. You’re on speaker. What have you learned?” Logan wanted him to be aware of the situation.
“Clarence, my computer geek, has found some buried files in the storage drives that Teagan sent to me.” Logan slid a glance toward her. “If you didn’t download the entire hard drive, there may be even more.”
“I take it there’s something important in those hidden files?” Teagan asked, a tinge of nerves sneaking into her question.
“Yeah. Like the entire transcript of our Syrian mission, with more words than Lizzie remembered.”
Logan and Teagan exchanged a serious gaze.
“Pictures of the ammo dump, before, during and after it was blown up. It looks as though there was a dedicated camera from one of the overhead satellites,” Matthew continued.
Logan was starting to worry. “Brann now has that computer. We didn’t wipe the drive, just downloaded his games. Is there any way he can get into those files?”
“He’s seven, right?” Matt asked.
“Yes, and not a computer savant.” She giggled. “He knows how to open and play games, that’s it.”
“Let’s do this, Lizzie and I will be down there in two weeks. How about I bring a new hard drive loaded with games. We’ll swap out drives and Brann will have lots more to play with,” Matt suggested.
“Sounds like a plan.” Logan liked the idea and had already been looking forward to spending time with Matt and Elizabeth again.
“We can’t wait to see you guys,” Teagan enthused. “The kids are really excited to show you around, which really means, show you how well they can swim.”
“We can’t wait to hang out on the beach all day and do nothing for an entire week. This’ll be our first family vacation since our family-moon. Please tell me Lizzie and I have our own bedroom…without children.”
Logan and Teagan laughed. They’d already agreed that all the kids would sleep over on Teagan’s side and Matt and Elizabeth would take Logan’s spare bedroom because it had a king-sized bed in it and a private bathroom that was shared by the other empty bedroom.
“Yes. We have everyone handled,” Teagan announced. “See you very soon.”
After they’d said goodbye to their friend, Logan held Teagan’s hand until they sat down in the restaurant.