A Sense of Duty: A Former Navy SEAL Falls in Love and Begins a New Journey with his Private Consulting Company: Dark Horse Guardians (34 page)

She opened the folded sheet of paper with the arrest record of Bill Stephens and her eyes began to read line after line of violent acts. Multiple charges of aggravated sexual assault were printed on the page before her. "I'll sign the paperwork for the restraining order." she finally exhaled. Officer Bettencourt prepared the paperwork for the judge. Lara felt a sense of relief as she looked into Bettencourt's serious brown eyes and his handsome somber face. His hand automatically touched hers lightly, as if to say, I'm here if you need me. He slipped his official business card into her hand with the police department phone number on it. His cell number was written in block numbers across the back. "Keep this on you. Program my cell number into your phone. Don't hesitate to call me. I'm available 24/7." There was something kind and sensitive about his eyes.

He walked Lara to the parking lot. She thanked him before getting into the Fiat. "You don't know how much I appreciate this." It was the first time she saw him smile, and she realized at that moment that he was young, kind and sensitive. "You take care, Miss O'Connell."
Before she got into the Fiat, she felt an overwhelming curiosity, "Military background?" She had Randall Bettencourt's attention, "How did you know?" With a slight smile, Lara said, "It's just the way you carry yourself and the level of professionalism you bring to the job…Iraq?" she probed. "Actually both, Iraq then Afghanistan." he answered. Lara asked, "Navy SEAL?" Bettencourt's brown eyes narrowed. "How'd you know?" She smiled, "I just had a hunch." She couldn't help herself, "Do you know Ben Keegan?" Bettencourt smiled, "Chief, hell yeah! We were in the same platoon." Lara also learned that Ben and Randall Bettencourt knew one another from the roadhouse. It was a watering hole for SEALs near and far, a comfortable out-of-the-way place for them to congregate and relax. Again, she thanked him for his help…and for his service. Randall Bettencourt said, "Thank you, Miss O'Connell."

The April sun was sliding behind a very dark black cloud. Rain was coming any moment, but she didn't want the weather to affect her excitement. Now in the midst of launching her new firm, Dark Horse Renovation, Eliot had connected her with the best web designer north of Boston. Things were progressing rapidly. In fact, Lara had five clients, including Eliot, on her schedule for the month of May. April brought a mixture of warm temperatures mixed with occasional inclement weather, but now it was in the form of rain. The yellow Crocus pushed their green chutes out of the warming earth. Then, Tulips and daffodils emerged from their winter sleep. By mid-April, flowering trees started to bloom. The oaks and maples hadn't unfurled their budding leaves just yet, but that would be coming in a week or two. Spring was a gradual process in Maine, but it always had the same effect on Lara, filling her with hope that better days would come. She couldn't imagine missing the majesty of spring, watching the birds return and the Forsythia blooming brightly against the stark landscape of dried mud and naked trees. Early spring always made Lara feel
rejuvenated.

The sky opened up with a sudden spring rain storm. In the city, Lara pulled the Fiat in front of the printer that was producing her business cards and brochures. Although her presence on-line was paramount, she needed to have print media for those who wanted to hold a glossy brochure in their hands to look at the stunning pictures of her design portfolio. She picked up the printed materials neatly packed in boxes and
slipped plastic wrap around them. Then she ran through the rain to stash them into the trunk of her Fiat. As she did so, cars backed up at the traffic light creating a long procession next to her vehicle. Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of the beautiful black 1940's Indian, with Ben straddling it. He was idling next to her car, three feet away, waiting for the light to turn green. She felt as if she might stop breathing. Rain soaked, Ben lifted his goggles. Her eyes met his, blue and filled with pain. Lara abruptly closed the trunk and got into her car. The light turned green. She watched as Ben pulled ahead on the motorcycle and was swallowed up in a mass of traffic. Lara felt her heart breaking. She wanted nothing more than to be on the back of the motorcycle with Ben, feeling the warmth of his strong body and experiencing the overwhelming sense of security that infused her just from touching him.

She knew Ben had been busy at the campus. He left town briefly a few times. She surmised that he traveled to Langley. He worked constantly, either teaching classes or in his office on the phone and computers with Dark Horse business. Lara had no appetite for food. She purposefully kept her apartment quiet so that she might hear Ben on the other side of the wall. She watched him drive away on the Indian and longed to be with him. She watched as he ordered mulch for the flower garden out front and shoveled it into the garden wearing a T-shirt. She couldn't help admiring his muscled arms and chest
as he expertly prepared the soil. She cried herself to sleep every night missing Ben and Einstein more than she could have imagined possible. Seeking distraction, she threw herself into her business plan with Eliot Stone's expert help.

The Dark Horse Renovation website was launched. In a couple of weeks she would officially have her master's degree tucked away in her filing cabinet. She needed to focus her mind on being self-sufficient, building her own life. But thoughts of Ben constantly invaded her mind every minute of every day. She thought about running to him as she watched him coming and going in his truck. She would stop by Professor Harris' office occasionally hoping to get information about Ben. Rusty and Don Henderson told her Ben stopped by to see them and shared whatever information they had. She even thought about going to the roadhouse, but didn't. She steeled herself every time she had these thoughts. Ben would remain off-limits until he was single. It was too painful to be in love with Ben. The distance kept her safe from getting a broken heart, or so she thought. Her heart was breaking anyway. But, she had a score to settle with Eric Henderson. She would meet with him today about his renovation and the terrible texts and photos that he sent to Sienna.

~Ben~

The past four weeks were the most desolate Ben had ever experienced since the loss of Javier. Losing Lara crushed his spirit. He spent many hours in solitude. Occasionally, he took a motorcycle ride to the roadhouse to meet up with the guys. But when he went there, they asked about Lara. She was setting up a business, too busy to see him. That's what he told them. He missed talking with Lara, being in her presence. He watched her every move from his condo and at the university. He observed her visits with Professor Harris. He would go into Harris' office after she left to find out what she talked about. He secretly followed her as she made trips to Eliot Stone's mansion, or went to dinner and the symphony with him. He followed her to the purple Victorian and watched from afar as Eric Henderson answered the door. She now went there frequently with her own intern, Monique. Ben continued making visits to Rusty McManus and Don Henderson, hoping to bump into her at the shooting range or dojo. It helped him to talk to the men in her life. It made him feel as if he was still connected to her. Plus, he felt Rusty and Don were on his side. They were always supportive and sympathetic, rooting for Ben to get his divorce finalized.

Ben knew that Lara
could
live without him. She was a strong independent woman long before he came into her life, and she could easily make her own way. It was one of the attributes that attracted him to her in the first place. He second-guessed himself over and over about not trusting her with Eric. He berated himself every time he watched her walk out of her condo and drive away in the Fiat. He cursed himself every time he saw her in the hallway at the university and she avoided his eyes. Even Einstein was showing signs of depression. Ben focused like a laser beam on the divorce with Sienna. He would give up William if Sienna would leave his assets alone. He felt he was very close to getting resolution.  He was on the phone with Sienna daily begging her.

~Lara~

As Lara stood before the front door of the beautiful purple Victorian house that Eric purchased, she knew exactly what she had to do and say. She had thought long and hard about it. Expecting her visit, Eric greeted her at the door with excitement, "Come in. Let me get you a drink of champagne, maybe?" Lara forced a smile, "How about coffee?" She walked with Eric through the lovely rooms of the incredible Victorian home instantly knowing the
place had tons of potential. But her
real
business was to take place in the kitchen at the table with Eric. "Let's sit down." she started slowly. Eric made coffee and they sat across from one another at the simple wooden table. "You are my friend, right Eric?" she asked innocently. "Yes, of course." His eyes were fixed on hers. "What sort of friend would send texts and photos like these to Sienna?" As she spoke she opened the portfolio on the table. It contained a copy of every text and every photo Eric sent to Sienna, undeniable evidence. "Where the hell did you get that?" he asked with a shocked expression. "I think the question is:
why did you do this to me and to Ben and to Sienna?"
Lara was demanding in her tone.

Eric stood up and turned away from the evidence on the table. He ran his hand over his face and Lara knew he was searching for another lie to tell her. But it was futile. Then he switched into apology-mode. "I'm sorry, Lara. I didn't mean any harm. I was jealous. I wanted you to like
me
, not Ben. I made a big mistake." Lara thought he looked like the proverbial boy with his hand in the cookie jar. But, she wasn't going to let him off so easily. "You have no idea the damage this has done. It has created problems for Sienna and her young son. It has created problems between Ben and me. But the person affected most negatively is
you
." Eric was stunned by her words. "Lara, I'm sorry. I wish I could take it back. I don't know what I was thinking." Lara looked at him coldly, "I
do
know what you were thinking. That's the problem, Eric." She tossed the sea glass pendant onto the table and swiftly walked down the hallway and through the front door. Driving away in her Fiat, she exhaled a sigh of relief. She now knew what Eric Henderson was all about. She would still renovate his house, but she would charge him double. And, her design intern, Monique, would be at her side every step of the way. Ben was right about Eric all along. She owed Ben a huge apology.  At this point, she wondered if he would even accept it.

~Ben~

The next morning in his office, out of the blue, Ben received yet another phone call from Sienna. But this wasn't just any phone call.
She agreed to the terms of the divorce. Just like that. She would maintain custody of William, Ben would have visitation in Canada only, and she would release any claim on his Dark Horse earnings. Ben could hardly believe what he was hearing. He was instantly flooded with happiness. As he hung up the phone, his first impulse was to call Lara. But this was something he wanted to discuss with her face-to-face, if she would have him. His first thought was to get to Vancouver as quickly as possible to seal the divorce deal while he had a verbal agreement from Sienna's own lips. If he could get the divorce, he would be free to pursue Lara. He intended to do so as soon as possible. He had waited long enough, dreaming of holding her, kissing her, making a life with her. He would have to take the chance, go to her now, this minute, and tell her the news.

He only hoped she would forgive him for all that went before. What would he do if she gave him the cold shoulder like she did the other day when he saw her on the street? She was three feet away and he was next to her on the motorcycle. She looked at him and turned away. What if she had a better offer from Eliot Stone? What if she was dating Eric Henderson? Ben's mind was racing in a hundred directions as he locked everything up in his office and placed the leash on Einstein. He walked purposefully to Lara's residence, hoping she would be there.

~Lara~

Lara had just stepped out of the shower and still had on her robe. She finished combing her damp hair and was applying a pearly pink lipstick as she heard her ancient doorbell buzz. She wasn't expecting anyone and when she looked out front there was no vehicle. In her bathrobe she slowly walked down the creaky stairs to peek through the porch door. She caught sight of Ben through the wavy glass. Her heart was pounding. She could hear Einstein snorting under the door.

As Lara opened the porch door, her eyes met Ben's as he stood silently before her. Einstein, wild with excitement, wriggled around her legs. Her eyes filled with tears as she dropped to her knees and rubbed Einstein's thick bull dog body. The dog whined with happiness. She held Einstein's face in her hands, "Oh my big English bully, I've missed you." Her legs felt weak as she stood facing Ben with tears streaming down her cheeks. Ben swept her into his strong arms and held her so tightly he lifted her off the floor. She knew strong emotion was traveling through him. Without saying a word, it seemed he could not release her.

~Ben~

Ben was overcome with a multitude of feelings. He held her face with his broad hands and tenderly kissed her, tasting a mixture of mouthwash and tears. Without saying a word, he took Lara into his arms and carried her up the creaky stairs into her condo. Standing in her parlor, Lara's arms immediately moved around his waist and her fingers clutched his back. He closed his eyes as he buried his face in her neck inhaling her scent. All he could manage to say was, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He knew he sounded like a broken record but he couldn't help himself. Lara was sobbing uncontrollably. Ben felt responsible for her tears. He held her for what seemed like twenty minutes. When they separated, he looked into her beautiful green eyes moist with tears. "I can't live without you. I have news about the divorce. I think it's over." He couldn't physically release her. He had waited weeks, longing to talk with her, to touch her, to smell her. He had followed her movements daily, watching as she enjoyed meetings with Eliot Stone and as she walked into the purple Victorian to meet with Eric Henderson. For the last few weeks, Ben felt he was dying from a broken heart. He didn't want to release her from his embrace. He knew he couldn't live without her.