SEAL The Deal (3 page)

“Not from over here.” She could tell he was enjoying laying it on thick, and she was powerless to stop him. She had to act now or she’d be completely lost.

Devon shot up to her feet. “Enough! Nick. Go outside. Make yourself useful. I’m sure there are some weeds to pull or some walkways to rake.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He took his mug and swaggered outside into the afternoon sunlight. She found herself still gasping for air at the sight of him making his way lazily across the parking lot.

Devon’s heart rate was thumping wildly. A bead of sweat trickled down between her breasts.

Whatever it was she’d dreamed about five years ago was still there. Lurking. Waiting to pounce.

Chapter 3

Nick drank his coffee and looked out over the tattered nursery. Dark green cloth covered the nursery’s frame, letting only bits of light through. Nick found it depressing. He couldn’t honestly understand what Sophie saw in it, except for the location—those beautiful hills beyond. He’d loved hiking Bennett Peak. Those had been happy days.

He continued to look for something that would explain why Sophie loved it so much. The state of disrepair would certainly telegraph to anyone that the nursery was a failing enterprise. He thought it was odd that now she was finally going to sell it, now that she was dying.

Sis, you should have done it sooner. You could have had a life.

But he knew that line of thinking was off-purpose. It wouldn’t help him navigate the shoals of his own feelings, where the deaths of their parents still lay lurking in the deep. Sophie had been his lifeline whenever he felt morose or defeated in spirit. No matter where he went, his sister had always been the one he came home to, and now he would be completely alone.

Better buck up and get used to it. You can’t afford distractions. Distractions get you killed. Make you do stupid things.

He walked under the shade, brushing the tops of green and red lettuce starts with the tips of his fingers. He looked at chrysanthemums getting ready to burst forth in fall colors of burgundy, gold and yellow. Fruit trees were beginning to lose their leaves. Rose leaves were yellowed and the roses sparse, crumbling beneath his fingers as he touched them.

He turned to face the opened doorway of the nursery office, and could barely make out Devon’s red suit glowing from the shadows inside. Something about her brought out the worst in him. He had to admit, he’d been a complete dick. Yes, she had caught him in a lighter moment, washing dishes, and singing no less, trying to get his mind off his sister’s all too imminent demise and the black hole of her future, but damn, Dev had to go rub his nose in it.

The pea gravel walkways crunched under his weight. Several plant flats were dried and wilted already, and Nick concluded Sophie had not done her morning watering. He found the overhead sprayer, turned on the water, and gave a good soak to the lettuces and the cole crops of broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage first, then went down the rows of other vegetables, annual flowers and some groundcover flats. The air was warming up, so he removed his shirt and worked in his cargo pants.

Next he watered the roses and several fruit trees that looked nearly dead.

He found the musty smell of the wet soil oddly pleasant. After spending months in sandy places overseas, wishing for a swimming pool or long, hot, private bath, he enjoyed the sight and smell of the green vegetation before him, covered in droplets of life-giving water.

He turned around and found Devon leaning against the doorjamb of the office, arms crossed, eyeing him. He returned to his watering and let her look. He wasn’t embarrassed this time. He told himself to ignore her completely and not try to read anything into the little gesture.

Women are dangerous.

Devon watched the manly specimen before her. Not only had he sucked the air out of a room, he could do it to a whole valley. His huge tanned shoulders and muscled arms hoisted the hose and showered water over everything. He took his time. He was meticulous, filling every dry spot with moisture. She could only imagine what kind of exquisite care a man like that could give a woman, if he were of the mind to. If she’d let him.

Of course, that was completely ridiculous thought, but not entirely unpleasant. Didn’t mean she trusted him, but she had to admire the view.

He clearly wasn’t the man she’d expected, washing dishes and brewing coffee. And now he was tending the dying garden of her best friend. She wished she could have helped her friend in the same way. But those days were gone and those words of regret and apology had been spoken, and now it was the end of things. End of their relationship. Now Devon realized that, with Sophie gone, she’d have no one.

He’d been smiling when he turned around and caught her watching him. He’d told her he liked watching her, too, but of course she’d rejected him, and the idea. But now, just the way he turned back to his work, the light dancing through the fine water mist in the greenhouse, watching this hunk of a guy tend to his sister’s heart project, the thought he might like to watch her seemed just fine.

Sighing, she removed her jacket, unbuttoning each button slowly as she watched him. He was extra attentive to the flora. Devon guessed he didn’t really care if she watched him or not. Or, maybe he just hadn’t noticed she was still doing it.

She laid the red jacket over a wire table. Her white shell underneath was damp from the heat. She blew down her front, holding the thin material between her thumb and forefinger, fluttering it, sending little waves of cool air to her face, and then walked outside in his direction.

Devon felt like she was a moth to the flame. He was the first man she’d ever met who literally pulled her in his direction. The hissing of the silver droplets of water mesmerized her. Watching the cords of muscles flex and extend under his smooth flesh made the tats seem like cartoon characters that had come to life. It also made her want to touch him.

She was within four feet of him when he turned quickly, hose in hand, and sprayed her. She jumped, shrieking, and saw that now her shell clung, revealing the white lace bra underneath. Then she saw her favorite pair of red patent leather shoes covered in droplets of water. She was headed straight for anger, thinking he’d surely done the maneuver on purpose. But he stopped her.

He’d released the hose, but it was still spraying everywhere, including hitting her with a second wave.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were there.” He was searching for a towel or something to dry her off and found a dirty rag. She got her heels unstuck from the muddy gravel ground and backed up with her hands out in front of her.

“No! Stay away. I’m fine.”

Like hell she was!
Her favorite shoes were ruined, her hair and chest soaking wet. She must have looked like a drowned rat. He’d humiliated her. And now he was going to try to make some lame excuse it was an accident?

Mister Masterful.
Bull
shit
.

She didn’t trust his pained expression. This overly-confident-testosterone-stuffed-performance-enhanced-self-proclaimed superhero was mean to women. That was a fact. He didn’t play fair. And here she’d been about to apologize to him for being such a cold bitch. She would never utter an
I’m sorry
in his presence.

Ever.

She nearly made it across the driveway to the office when Sophie arrived in her Subaru station wagon. But she wasn’t driving. Some guy with arms almost as big as Nick’s was at the wheel. Sophie slowly got out of the car on the passenger side, and leaned against it. She was out of breath and very pale. Devon was shocked to see the change in her friend since she’d seen her only a week ago.

But then Sophie smiled that little wicked smile she used to do when she was well. The smile that told Devon they were about to have an adventure, or get into trouble, or do something they’d laugh about for years.

“I see you’ve started to play with my brother. Don’t try to take him down. He’s bigger.”

Nick was having trouble turning off the water in the nursery. The faucet shut-off had dropped to the ground. Water spewed everywhere. He swore, grabbing repeatedly, but the hose seemed to have a mind of its own, walking like a cobra, drenching him and everything around him. He finally found a wrench and shut off the valve, hanging the limp hose on the overhead spray rig. He emerged soaking wet, shaking his head.

The other guy was having a hard time containing himself. Finally he began to howl, doubling over.

“You shut the fuck up,” Nick said with a scowl.

The other guy was really enjoying this. “Leave you alone with a woman, and what do you do? Make a damned fool of yourself.”

Nick glared at him.

“Never thought I’d see the day when a hose would get the better of you.”

Devon’s anger subsided a bit as she saw her attacker was bearing the brunt of so much laughter. She could almost enjoy watching it, seeing how embarrassed he was. Some small revenge.

Devon carefully helped Sophie into the house without getting her too wet, while the two men stood outside. She could hear Nick trying to explain himself. Every other word was damn, fuck or freaking.

“So you two are alone for an hour, and you immediately get into a water fight. Just like when we were kids.”

“No, Sophie. It wasn’t like that. He—”

“He likes you. Can’t you see that?”

“What? He just sprayed me with water.”

Sophie sighed and sat on a chair at the table, but her dark purple lips were involuntarily smiling. “Don’t you remember grammar school? There was this one Sunday at church. My friend and I were swinging in the yard between services. These two boys we liked pelted us with plums. Stained our dresses and made us cry. We ran in to tell our teacher who laughed and said, ‘Don’t you know that’s all boys know how to do at this age? This means they like you.’”

It was good to see Sophie laugh. It had been awhile. Devon dared a quick glance out to the parking lot where Nick was wiping away the water on his chest with a rag. She still couldn’t keep her eyes off him.

Sophie had followed her gaze. “Give him a chance. He’s the best thing since the Fourth of July.” She put her palm to Devon’s cheek. “Just a chance. Let him show you what he’s really made of.”

Before she could respond to her best friend, the two men entered the room.

“Ah, Devon,” Sophie began, “want you to meet Nick’s friend, Marc Beale. He’s also one of the guys from SEAL Team 3,” Sophie motioned to Marc, who stepped forward, bowed his head slightly.

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“Ma’am?” Devon sputtered. Nick’s presence was flustering her.

Everyone backed up a step. Sophie rose to get a glass of water at the sink. Devon realized she’d perhaps been a tad loud. But her mouth was running like a wild horse and she was powerless to stop it.

“That’s what they used to call my mom,” she ranted. Devon knew she was doing the crash and burn, but she didn’t care. “Do I look that old?” It came out of Devon’s mouth before she had a chance to swallow it. But instead of being offended, they laughed.

“She’s a hellcat, Nick. No wonder you soaked her. I’d have done worse,” Marc said as he winked at her.

“I didn’t—“

“Enough with all this child’s play,” Sophie interjected. “You guys are totally juvenile. Quit it.” She took several sips of water and swallowed painfully.

What could anyone say to her?

Sophie set her glass down on the drain board and returned to the table. “Although this has given me some fun this afternoon. Something to break up the doom and gloom, but now it’s time for a dose of reality.” Sophie strained on every word. “Get yourselves something to drink and then we need to have a talk.”

Devon watched as Nick’s hands immediately clenched and his jaw tightened.

Marc spoke up. “You need anything at the store? I can run errands for you, since I’m not really part of this little meeting.”

Devon found his cheerful demeanor irritating.

“Sis, why don’t you just put up the closed sign and we’ll walk back to the house, if you’re up to it.” Nick offered.

“No, I like Marc’s plan. I haven’t died yet, and I sure as hell am still open for business. I need some tequila, and I’m afraid I have no beer. You want to pick up something like a pizza, too?” She glanced over at Devon. “But you better bring a salad for Devon, here.”

Nick helped his sister sit down. “Sophie, you’re not supposed to drink with the chemo.”

“Well, that’s what I need to talk to you two about.” With a great deal of pain, she tried to find a more comfortable position, then laced her fingers together, resting her elbows on the plank table.

“Sophie, let me go get some things. You don’t have to pay for any of this,” Devon said.

“Hell, I was hoping my brother would take care of the tab.”

“You got it, Soph,” Nick answered.

“And unless Marc knows about property values in Sonoma County, I think you better stay here and tell me what I can get for the place. If you’re ready, that is.”

Devon hadn’t been thinking. Of course, this was the reason for the little meeting today. How stupid she must seem. “Yes. Completely. Ready.” She turned to Nick, fishing through her purse. “I’d like to cover this,” she began.

He stopped her hand. The feel of his touch didn’t make her jump. His eyes were soft and his voice sent a chill down her spine. “That was really nice, Devon, but Marc and I will cover this. Maybe another time—”

“I’m off,” said Marc. “Your keys to the beast, Nick?” Marc was nervously shifting from foot to foot again.

“There’s a shopping center down Bennett Valley Road about four miles. There’s a pizza parlor there, as well as Chinese and Mexican, and a grocery store. Go knock yourself out.” Nick gave him a couple of twenties.

Marc whispered something Devon couldn’t hear and then left.

Devon sat across the table from Sophie with Nick seated at her right. She swallowed hard as she watched the difficulty Sophie had with doing ordinary things like sitting, drinking water, even talking. She reached over and grabbed Sophie’s hand and let her begin.