Her Adoring SEAL (Midnight Delta Book 3) Page 2

  “Hi, I’m Jack Preston.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the other SEAL eyeing every move he made. But he gave most of his attention to the young woman in front of him. He watched as she considered whether to take his hand. When she finally touched her fingers to his, he could swear he felt a jolt of electricity. She took in a deep breath, and a flush suffused her face, and her eyes dilated.

  “Elsbeth Hildago.” Her accented voice flowed like warm honey through his system.

  “Beth, remember, you need to say your name is Beth Ochoa from now on. Beth and her family are the reason you’re here, Jack,” Clint said, breaking the spell.

  “Beth or Elsbeth?” Jack asked the woman in front of him.

  “You may call me Beth,” she whispered. Her Spanish accent made her voice sound like a melody.

  Beth pulled her hand away and gripped it tightly with the other in her lap, but her gaze never wavered from his.

  “How much have you been told?” Clint asked him.

  “I know I’m now part of Midnight Delta.” Jack still couldn’t believe it.

  “Our captain was looking for different places to hide members of her family. Places the corrupt members of the DEA, or any other agency, wouldn’t find them. Your stepfather’s ranch in San Antonio is damn near a fortress.”

  Jack settled back on his heels and gave Clint a knowing smile. He’d been courted for his family’s wealth and property in the past, this was nothing new.

  “Hell Archer, my family will be more than happy to make our ranch available for your operation. You don’t need to suddenly change your protocol and bring me onto the team. Whichever military personnel you bring will be welcome, it sure as hell doesn’t need to be me.” Jack shook his head in amusement, and lifted his duffle to leave.

  “Preston, if we didn’t believe you were the SEAL for the job we would have done exactly that. We checked you out. Your record is exceptional. We want and need someone like you to join us.”

  Jack scrutinized Clint’s face and saw nothing but honesty in the man’s expression. He believed him.

  “Beth, this is the man I told you about. I trust him implicitly. You’ll be going with him. I wish you could stay with Lydia or your mother, but we know it will be safer if we split up your family. The rogue DEA agents aren’t going to be looking for individuals. After what happened with the US Marshals, you’ll be safe with Jack at his family’s ranch.”

  Beth’s face held a sense of desperation. It was clear she was scared, and was looking to Clint for comfort. What kind of relationship did the two of them share? If it was intimate, why was she so scared of his touch?

  “Only if you promise me Lydia will go with you. You’re the only one who’ll make her listen. She never takes care of herself.”

  “She’ll go with me and I’ll make her listen, even if I have to sit on her.”

  “Where will you go?”

  “Some place safe. This should all be over by the time your father testifies.”

  “I won’t see my family for that long?” Her bottom lip trembled, but then, she straightened her shoulders and looked at them. “Don’t worry, I will do whatever is necessary. I won’t be a burden to you. I promise.”

  “Of course you won’t,” Jack assured her. Clint caught his eye and gave him a nod.

  “My bag is packed. When do we leave?”

  “You can go in and say goodbye to your family. Please don’t tell them you’re going to San Antonio,” Clint asked.

  “I won’t. You can trust me.” Beth got up and left the room.

  “How bad is the situation?” Jack asked Clint.

  “It’s bad. They’ve been in a safe house. Lydia was in the hospital recovering from her third bout of pneumonia, and somehow the Mexican drug cartel managed to turn one of the US Marshals, and he made an attempt on her life. “

  “Why is the military involved?”

  “We were originally involved because a congressman was implicated in the case with the cartel and the DEA. When their father testifies here in Texas, it will come out. The senator from Texas knows this, and he pulled some strings to get us to guard the family. Now the Marshals have fucked up, we’re back in it.”

  “Damn.” Because of his stepfather, Jack knew how complicated and nasty politics could get. He was impressed the senator had stepped in.

  “We don’t expect Beth to be targeted. So far, they’ve set their sights on Lydia, and as much as I hate it, we’ll continue to use her to flush them out. What’s most important for Beth is keeping her out of sight, and in an environment where she feels secure.”

  “Yeah, I noticed she’s as skittish as a newborn foal.”

  “She and her family were kidnapped a few months ago by members of the cartel. Lydia almost died from the beating they gave her. Beth was subjected to abuse as well. She wasn’t raped, but she was violated, and she’s scared of men.”

  “My mom is at the ranch. She’ll be a good person for Beth to talk to.” Jack thought back to his younger years with his mother and birth father. Yeah, his mother would be the perfect person to help Beth.

  Both men looked up as she walked back into the room.

  “I’m ready.” She’d been crying. But she bravely looked at the two of them, ready for whatever came next.

  ****

  Jack Preston was so big. It was the first thing she noticed about him, but then he had crouched in front of her, and she started to see other things. His white-blonde hair, the laugh lines around his blue eyes, and he was younger than she originally thought.

  But now they were in the big truck driving from Dallas to San Antonio, he seemed to take up all of the space in the truck. She’d been zoning, gazing at the scenery and thinking about Lydia. Somebody had tried to kill her sister while she was in the hospital. It was surreal.

  “Beth, are you all right? You’re awfully quiet.”

  She looked over at Jack Preston, and for the first time she noticed she was alone in the truck with him. Suddenly, it was hard to breathe. It seemed like his big presence was taking up all of the oxygen. She gasped, trying to suck in air.

  “Beth, are you okay?”

  He was taking an exit off the freeway. She was having trouble even noticing the wildflowers along the highway. The world seemed to be turning into a long tunnel. Oh God, she was having a panic attack. She saw a diner from a long way off, it was a pinpoint in her narrow vision. Had the truck stopped?

  She finally felt a breeze, and she started to hear a voice.

  “Just breathe, Beth. Breathe the air. Can you smell the flowers? Just breathe, sweetheart. In and out. Breathe with me, in and out.”

  The breeze carried in the scent of the Texas wildflowers she had come to love. She felt a warm touch, so light, caressing up and down along the inside of her wrist in time with her breathing.

  “In and out, Beth.” Things began to come into focus. The windows were rolled down. They were in the parking lot of a diner. She looked over and saw Jack, his eyes held nothing but calm, none of the pity she’d gotten used to.

  “There you are.” He smiled. “Are you hungry? I sure am.” Just like that, he made it seem like a panic attack was no big deal. She looked at his big hands holding her forearm, and he was still stroking her wrist. She looked up into his eyes, and he gave her a warm smile.

  “You have the softest skin.”

  “You’re touching me,” she whispered, continuing to look into his eyes, and not feeling an immediate need to pull her arm out of his hands.

  “Yes, I guess I am.”

  “Nobody touches me.”

  He cocked an eyebrow in question.

  “Well, I never let any man touch me. How did you do that?” She looked back down to where his fingers still stroked her wrist. It felt good.

  “Maybe a part of you knows you can trust me. At least this tiny little bit.”

  She looked back at him and got lost in his smile.

  “That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Clint told you
I was trustworthy and you trust him, right?”

  “Oh, that must be it.”

  His stomach rumbled and he laughed. She gave a tentative smile. “Stay right there.” He got out of his side of the truck, and before she could blink, he was at her side helping her out.

  “I hope you like Texas barbeque, because this is some of the best in the state.” She wasn’t sure she did, but she liked the fact she wasn’t feeling uncomfortable with him anymore, so she was willing to try his barbeque.

  Chapter Three

  It seemed to take forever to get to the house after they went under the arch proclaiming Glendora Oaks Ranch.

  “How big is this ranch anyway?” Beth asked Jack.

  “It’s been in my stepfather’s family for generations. It’s ten thousand acres.”

  “That must be a lot of responsibility.” Jack gave her an approving look.

  “It is good you understand. Most people see it as a pile of money. Richard, my dad, and his son, David, understand they are accountable to the people who depend on them. They’re good men.”

  “Why aren’t you working with them?”

  “I had a different calling. I felt this need to serve and they understood. Richard always supported me. I’ve been very blessed with this new man my mother married.” The way he said it made Beth wonder if perhaps the first man in Jack’s life had not been a blessing.

  Finally, they made their way around a gentle curve, and she gasped as she saw the beautiful ranch house in front of her.

  “We’re home.”

  A woman was waiting on the wraparound porch, her long white-blonde hair made it clear she was related to Jack. She leaned against one of the posts near the top step. Jack escorted Beth up the stairs.

  “Mom, this is Beth Ochoa. This is my mom, Grace Preston.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Preston,” she said as she held out her hand. Grace carefully stepped forward and wrapped Beth in a warm hug.

  “Welcome to our ranch, Beth. I am sure we are going to be good friends, and please call me Grace.”

  “Mom, where’s your cane?”

  “It’s right by the door, you worry-wart. I knew I was going to have your strong arm to lean on for the rest of the day, so I left it there.” She gave her son a breathtaking smile.

  She turned to Beth. “I’m lucky to have three men who I can lean on, so I rarely need to use my cane. Come into the house with me. Jack will take your things to your room. It’s been a long drive, and you might want to nap. Whenever you’re ready, Rosa will start dinner.”

  “I don’t want you to wait dinner for my sake.”

  “It’s not a problem. If we’re hungry, we’ll snack,” Jack assured her. “Go and take your time, Beth. Mom and I always find something to talk about.” He winked at his mom and she chuckled.

  ****

  A few hours later, Beth met Grace’s husband, Richard, and his son, David. Where Jack was light, these men were good looking with dark skin and hair, and they made her nervous. Jack had noticed it. He arranged for her to sit next to him at dinner.

  “Jack told us you’re here undercover,” David said.

  “I guess I am. It sounds more romantic than it really is. I’m not allowed to discuss it really.” David tilted his head and gave her a crooked smile.

  “Okay, what can you tell us? Before all this happened were you in school? You don’t look old enough to be a career girl, and if you were married I’m sure your husband wouldn’t let you out of his sight.”

  Beth always felt uncomfortable answering questions about herself, even before the mess with her father. She tried to give as few details as possible.

  “I help out with my father’s business here and there, and I spend time at the recreation center with my special kids.”

  “Special kids?” Grace asked.

  “Just some kids that need a little extra tutoring.”

  “What a wonderful way to give back. How many children do you work with?”

  “Just a few,” Beth answered slowly.

  “Do you teach them to read?”

  “I help them with whatever they need.” Beth looked down at her plate and toyed with her food.

  “Well, that’s wonderful. Not a lot of people give back these days.”

  “It’s really not a big deal. I have a sister who is three years older, and she is getting her masters in computer science. She double majored in computer science and in criminology. Now she is the interesting one.”

  “It seems to me like you’re both pretty fascinating.” Grace smiled warmly.

  “Have you ever been on a working ranch?” David asked. “I can show you around tomorrow.”

  Beth concentrated on the Spanish rice she was eating, and tried to think of a way out of the invitation.

  “David, give the girl a little bit of time to acclimate,” Grace chided. Beth was able to swallow.

  “Just remember, when you need a tour, I’m your man. Jack probably doesn’t remember the difference between a horse and a cow.” Beth looked up, surprised this man would be putting down his brother. But when she saw his face, she realized he had been teasing.

  “Watch it, cowboy. I can still ride circles around you.”

  “Bullshit. You’ve gotten soft.” That was followed by laughter even Beth had to join in on. The idea of Jack having gone soft was ridiculous. She liked how the family interacted.

  “Jack, tell me more about the rescue efforts in Las Flores,” Richard requested.

  “The devastation left by the earthquake was horrific, Dad. But it was great seeing how many relief agencies came in the first week. Then I was stunned to see how quickly it started to dwindle.”

  “It was all over the news the first week, and then we didn’t hear anything,” David concurred.

  “You were in Las Flores?” Beth asked.

  “He was there right after the earthquake happened,” Grace answered.

  “I didn’t think SEALs did rescue efforts like that.”

  “We don’t normally, but there was a hostage situation we got involved in. After it was resolved we stayed to help.”

  “Then he got his father involved in coordinating donations for the people. Richard is involved in charities so he might be able to help.”

  David snorted. “Don’t let Mom fool you. Dad’s on the board of directors of one of the largest charities in Texas. He can get donations out of a stone.”

  “Was the hostage thing dangerous?”

  “Everything Jack does is dangerous,” David said with a twinkle in his eye.

  “That’s nothing to tease about. Whenever Jack is deployed and I turn on the news I’m worried to death,” Grace said. Richard reached over and put his arm around the back of her chair.

  “You know our son is the best at what he does,” Richard said in a soothing tone. “He can take care of himself.”

  “It still doesn’t stop a mother from worrying.”

  Beth looked through her lashes at Jack. She could easily see him as one of the men who rescued her and her family in the Mexican jungle. He had the same air about him. She felt safe with him, but she knew if the wrong people came around they’d be in trouble. She was amazed she was comfortable with Jack. It was certainly an anomaly. Her reaction to Richard and David was more normal. They made her nervous.

  The conversation changed to the running of the ranch, while Beth enjoyed the meal Rosa had prepared. Grace guided a great deal of the conversation. It was clear the three men at the table adored her. At one point, David said something to make Richard give a sudden laugh and Beth dropped her glass of wine. Nobody made a big deal of it. Jack blotted the liquid, and slowly covered her trembling hand with his. Like in the truck, the small touch helped soothe her.

  As the conversation resumed, he let go of her hand and leaned over to her and whispered, “It will get easier, I promise.”

  God, she hoped so.

  Later that night, Beth took a better look around the room they had given her to stay in. It was lovely, like som
ething out of a movie. Beth took advantage of the little vanity with the padded bench and the three way mirror to brush her hair. It was the first time in forever she was able to look at herself in the mirror without flinching.

  Even before the time in the jungle, she had been afraid of men. She shied away from the whys and wherefores. No point. But something amazing was going on in front of the mirror tonight. Normally she thought her looks were dirty and shameful somehow, but not as much tonight. Today, for a few minutes with Jack, she was a little more like the girl she’d once been. It felt good. Wouldn’t it be nice if she could take back just a little bit of what had been stolen?

  ****

  By the third day, Beth really began to feel comfortable in her new surroundings. The night before at dinner, Jack asked Beth if she knew how to ride a horse. When she said she didn’t, he asked if she would like to learn. Everyone seemed to be staring at her, but it was Grace’s encouraging smile that made her say ‘yes’.

  Now she was on the porch waiting for Jack to take her to the stables. He opened the door loudly behind her, and she turned. She knew he did it on purpose. Jack had an uncanny way of entering a room silently and scaring her, but after seeing her fright, he’d begun to make noise announcing his presence.

  “You ready?”

  “I think so.” Beth paused, and really thought about it. Then said with more confidence. “Yes, I’m ready.”

  They walked down to the corral. Jack shortened his steps and she was able to keep up. When they reached the stable, two horses were saddled and waiting for them.

  “Is this the horse I get to ride?” She looked at the beautiful red horse, and immediately fell in love. She looked at Jack for confirmation. Jack smiled and nodded.

  “You’re such a pretty girl,” Beth crooned, as she petted her neck.

  “Boy.”

  “What?”

  “He’s a pretty boy.” She looked from Jack to the horse.

  “You’re such a handsome boy. Look at you, with your beautiful hair, and your warm eyes. Aren’t you a flirt?” And he was. He was already leaning into her hands obviously enjoying the attention.

  “I should have thought of this, but I didn’t. You’re going to need some help getting onto Bay. He obviously loves you, he’s really well-mannered, and won’t move as you mount him, but I will need to touch you. Is that alright?”