The SEAL's Valentine (Operation: Family) (11 page)

Mackenzie still sniffled and her eyes were red, but she’d soon enough recover. It was her son who had Brynn worried.

Tristan put his hands in his pockets. “That could’ve gone better.”

“Tell me about it. Welcome to my daily nightmare.”

“What’re you going to do?”

On her way to the sofa, she shrugged. “Beats me. Think I should take him to a counselor? He has been through an awful lot.”

“True, but when he’s with me, he’s fine. My gut feel is that he’s terrified of losing you to his little sister.”

“But that’s silly.” Brynn placed Mackenzie in her play seat, then tidied to help settle her nerves. “How could he not know I love him? I tell him all the time.”

“Want me to talk to him?”

“Would you mind?”

He flashed her a faint smile before charging up the stairs.

* * *

W
HEN
SOMEBODY
KNOCKED
ON
HIS
door, Cayden threw his batting mitt at it. “Leave me alone!”

The door opened anyway. But it was Coach Tristan and not his mom. “Can I come in?”

“I guess.” Cayden sat crisscross applesauce on the bed. He knew he was too old for kindergarten stuff like that, but it made him feel better. Like back when he was little and everything was okay. His dad was still alive and his mom only had one kid to pay attention to.

“What’s up?” Tristan sat on Cayden’s toy chest.

“Nothing. I just hate my stupid sister.”

Nodding, Tristan picked up the autographed baseball Cayden’s dad had given him that’d been signed by most of the guys on his famous team. “I used to hate mine, too. There were a bunch of times she’d get a fancy dress or something girly like that and I wouldn’t get anything. It wasn’t fair. But now that I’m older, I get that girls need different stuff than guys. Right now, Mackenzie needs more because she’s a baby. You had your turn to be the baby, but now it’s her turn. As her big brother, your job is to help watch out for her and take care of her. But how are you going to do that if you hate her?”

Cayden shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Mom doesn’t love me and she’s gonna make me live in my pirate fort, because all she does is make stupid baby noises at Mackenzie.”

Tristan studied the ball. “Sounds to me like you might be jealous. Kind of like I am of you having this awesome ball.”

“Am not!”

“Just sayin’...”

“Well—” Cayden hit his pillow “—it’s not fair Mom spends every second with the baby. What about me?”

“Do you know how many of your practices and games she goes to? Almost every one. And I’ll bet all your baseball gear cost way more than Mac’s diapers.”

“I s’pose.” Cayden didn’t want to think about any of that. He just wanted to be right, because that’s what felt best.

“And remember that awesome birthday party your mom threw for you?”

“Yeah,” Cayden argued, “but you made my fort! She didn’t love me enough to do that!”

“Okay, whoa.” Tristan stood and he was so big he looked a little scary. “You need to knock it off. Back then, your mom could hardly cook you dinner, how was she supposed to build a fort? You know I think you’re amazing, Cayden, but honestly? You’re acting like a spoiled brat. I’m sorry you lost your dad—really, I am. He was an awesome guy. But that doesn’t give you the right to go around being mean to your mom who loves you. If anything, you should be extra nice to her for all she does.”

“You better stop or I’m going to hate you, too!” Cayden jumped off his bed and ran for the door, but Tristan caught him.

“No more running. You’re going to stick around and face your problems like a little man.”

“I hate you!” Cayden hollered, but then he was crying and hitting Tristan’s legs, but even then Tristan didn’t stop hugging him.

“That’s okay,” Tristan said. “If it makes you feel better to hate me, go right ahead.”

Cayden cried worse than his baby sister and when Tristan still didn’t stop hugging him, that made him feel good.

His bedroom door creaked open and his mom walked in. “Everything okay?”

He let go of Tristan to run to her. “I’m sorry,” he said with a giant hug. “Please love me and don’t leave me like Dad did!”

“Oh, sweetie, I will always love you. You mean the world to me.”

“More than Mac?” He looked up at her and sniffed.

“It’s different. Like when you get a new toy, it’s fun. But that doesn’t mean you don’t still love your old toys just as much, because they’ve been with you the longest.”

“Oh.” Cayden kinda understood.

Tristan cleared his throat, then set Cayden’s baseball back on the shelf. “I should, ah, probably get going.”

“Already?” Cayden asked.

“I need to help my mom with some stuff. But you remember what we talked about and be good for your mom, okay?”

Cayden nodded. “I will.” Rushing to his friend Tristan, he crushed him in a hug, too. “I love you. You’re the most
awesome-est
coach
ever.
”

“Thanks, bud. I think you’re pretty awesome, too.”

Chapter Eleven

I love you
.

The whole trip to his mother’s Tristan’s stomach flamed with nerves. The last thing he needed was for an amazing kid like Cayden to put his trust and love in him, because clearly Tristan was lousy at being a dad.

He’d been trying to get ahold of Jack for a week, and always just missed him. Tristan was sick of Andrea giving him the runaround, and when he and his mom headed out there next week, he planned on setting some new ground rules. He’d been more than accommodating when it came to letting his ex run off with their son, but he’d be damned if she’d now keep him from even talking to Jack on the phone.

In the house, he found his mom in her crafting room, hot gluing rhinestones on a doll skirt.

“Rats,” she said without looking up at him. “You’re home way earlier than I would’ve liked.”

“Please, stop with the matchmaking. It isn’t going to happen—especially after what just went down.”

He now had her undivided attention. “What did you do?”

“Nothing. Cayden was in a snit, so I offered to talk with him. He broke down and just when I finally felt like I’d broken into his shell, he goes and tells me he loves me.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” She sipped from her bottled water.

“Not just bad, but catastrophic. He’s already lost his dad. If he’s now looking to me as a father figure, that can’t be good for him. I need to get back to my base. How’s he going to handle two men vanishing from his life?”

She returned to gluing. “You know what my answer would be, so why are you even bringing this up?”

“Oh—” He laughed. “Let me run right out and buy Brynn a ring, resign from the navy and we’ll all live happily ever after, right?”

“Works for me.” She’d finished one doll skirt and started a new one. “I know just the right people to help with the wedding cake and flowers.”

“Would you listen to yourself? You sound crazy. I already married once and when I made those vows, I meant them.”

“Of course you did. But nothing lasts forever. Just like you never imagined Andrea leaving you, I never thought your father would be taken from me so young. But, honey, that’s life. You have to grab happiness wherever and whenever you find it. I’ve seen the way Brynn looks at you and you look at her. Trust me, the fuel’s already simmering. All you have to do is add a spark and
boom.
Fireworks—which reminds me, have you thought about asking her to be your official date for the Fourth of July?”

Tristan shook his head. “Did you find my secret beer stash? You sound tipsy.”

* * *

“
T
HANKS
AGAIN
FOR
DOING
THIS
,”
Donna said at the Shreveport Regional Airport. “A week’s parking would cost more than our whole trip.”

“Aw, for all you’ve done for us lately,” Brynn said, hugging Donna at the curb, “this was the least we could do, right, Cayden?”

He nodded, but looked near tears. “You’re only gonna be gone a week, though, right, Tristan?”

“That’s it, buddy.” He ruffled Cayden’s hair, then gave him a hug. “Think you can take care of things here while I’m gone?”

“Yeah.” After a yawn—he’d fallen asleep in the car—he crossed his heart. “I promise to get your newspaper and mail every day.”

“You’re a good boy.” Donna hugged him, too. “All right, we’d better get going. Georgia said the last time she visited her grandkids in Miami, it took a while to get through security.”

Tristan teased, “That’s because she probably talked the ears off of every person in line.”

“Don’t be fresh.” Donna landed a smack to the back of his head. “Now hug Brynn and let’s get going.”

A feeling ranging between panic and anticipation ran rampant at Donna’s suggestion. Though obviously, Tristan’s chaste hold was purely for his mother’s benefit, Brynn couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like experiencing the real thing. The closest she’d come was when he’d carried her into the hospital the night she’d given birth to Mackenzie. Brynn had to admit to having felt safe in his arms.

“Have a safe trip.” On impulse, she pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I hope you have a wonderful time with Jack.”

“Thanks.” He held on longer than was probably necessary, but Brynn wasn’t complaining. As if wanting to say more, his gaze searched hers, but then he released her, turning to Cayden, “Take care of your mom and sister, okay?”

“I will.”

“All right, then...” Tristan grabbed his mom’s suitcase. “Guess we’re off. See you in a week.”

What did it mean that Brynn already looked forward to picking him up?

* * *

“D
AD
!”

Tristan might be a big strong SEAL, but the sight of his son running toward him made his eyes sting like hell. “Hey, bud! Lord, I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you, too!” After a long hug for his dad, Jack embraced his grandmother before taking them both by the hand, leading them across a wide, tree-filled front yard and into Andrea and Peter’s ranch-style home. “Come see my room! And the pool! And Peter bought me an iguana! I named him Charlie!”

“I don’t know if I’m brave enough to see that,” Donna said.

“Come on, Grandma! He only bites if he’s hungry.”

She laughed. “Well, in that case, I hope you fed him today?”

“Yeah, I did.” He opened the door, shouting, “Mom! Peter! They’re here!”

The house was all right. Beige carpet, beige walls and comfortable leather furniture with colorful throw pillows. Oversize windows looked out on a backyard pool and on a fireplace mantel were too many pictures of family fun. Jack and Peter playing catch. Jack and Peter riding an amusement park roller coaster. Peter holding Jack’s birthday cake while Tristan’s son blew out his five candles.

“Tristan. Donna.” Andrea approached from what he guessed was the kitchen. Peter was close on her heels. “How was your trip?”

“Good,” Donna said. “Although I still miss the days of getting a nice meal on flights.”

“Me, too,” Peter said. “When I was a kid, all those little dishes fascinated me.”

“Come on, Dad!” Jack tugged Tristan’s arm. “I want you to see Charlie.”

“Go ahead,” Andrea urged. “Donna, you, too. Peter and I are just finishing up some appetizers for a small party we’re hosting in your honor. We thought you might enjoy meeting some of our friends.”

“Not really,” Tristan said under his breath.

His mother elbowed his ribs. “That sounds nice. You two go ahead with your preparations and we’ll have a nice visit with Jack.”

Tristan had played with Jack and his pet for a solid hour, yet the whole day still felt surreal. As much as he loved his son, part of Tristan traitorously felt closer to Cayden. Every other word out of Jack’s mouth was something to do with Peter, and Tristan’s chest ached with loss. Oh, he’d always love his son with every breath of his being, but their relationship would never be the same. Tristan was man enough to realize Peter was doing a good job of surrogate parenting and for that, he was grateful. Peter hadn’t been the ruin of Tristan and Andrea’s marriage. For that, Tristan only had himself to blame.

That said, the main reason for this visit—aside from seeing Jack—was to follow Brynn’s advice and make it clear to Andrea that he wasn’t giving up on forging a meaningful bond with his son.

* * *

“
Y
OU
’
RE
AWFULLY
ANTSY
TONIGHT
.”
Vivian used her phone’s camera to snap a pic of Dominic on third base. For a Tuesday night, the Mud Bug’s practice was running painfully long. “Missing your eye candy?”

Brynn adjusted the sunshade on Mackenzie’s carrier. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t act all innocent. You miss Tristan.”

“I do not.” Brynn could deny it all she wanted, but the truth was that she missed him and his mother. Which was silly. Aside from her rich fantasy life, she and Tristan had never shared so much as a meaningful glance. Or had they? And she’d been too wrapped up in single parenthood to even know?

Cayden’s behavior had been a thousand times better since he and Tristan talked. Just one more way she was indebted to him. But was that the same as being attracted to him? It’d been so long since she’d been in the dating market, how was she even supposed to know?

“Then what’s up with your jiggling knee? You usually only do it when Cayden’s at bat, but tonight, you’ve been at it for two hours.”

“Not that it’s any of your business,” Brynn said, “but I applied for a job today. I’m waiting for a call.”

“Really?” Vivian leaned in closer. “I thought you were loaded now that Mack’s name had been cleared? Why do you even need a job? Especially with a newborn?”

Where did Brynn start to explain? “I had wealth snatched away from me once and I don’t trust it. If it’s still there when it’s time for the kids to start college, then great. Until then, the only person I want to depend on is me.”

“I suppose that makes sense.” Vivian fingered the lace trim on Mac’s pink T-shirt. “But still, what’re you going to do with this little angel? The cost of day care would eat whatever you make.”

“That’s what’s so great about this job. I’d be working with Lindsay Brigham—you know? From garden club? I didn’t know she owns Morgan Hill Nursery. Anyway, she said when her kids were little, she brought them with her, and she doesn’t mind if I do the same.”

Angling closer, Vivian asked, “So you’ve essentially already got the job?”

“There were three other applicants. Lindsay said she’d call tonight or in the morning.”

“Good luck.” Vivian’s tone was sincere.

Twenty minutes later, Brynn’s cell rang and it was Lindsay offering her the job. Brynn was excited, but one thing made the moment less perfect—the fact that she couldn’t share her news with a certain special someone. Tristan.

* * *

“I
ALREADY
TOLD
YOU
, T
RISTAN
.” Andrea jogged faster to try getting away from him. “Jack’s too young to be flying cross-country. Either you come here or he doesn’t see you.”

Her attempt to outrun a SEAL was as ridiculous as her repeated efforts to sway him from his request. “And I told you, unless you want to go back to court, Jack is going to see me every other holiday and at least a month every summer.”

“That’s funny,” she said without laughing as they jogged in place while waiting to cross a busy street. “With your schedule, how are you going to guarantee you’ll be there for him next week? Let alone months in advance?”

She made a valid point, but he wasn’t backing down. His son was too important. Jack had to know no matter what happened between his mom and Peter, that his real dad—the one who’d cradled him the night he was born—would always be there.

“If you were even a little reliable,” Andrea said, “I’d still be with you. But you’re not, and I can’t stand it. Never could.”

“Then why the hell did you marry me?”

She broke down. “I loved you. But you loved the navy more.”

He pulled her against him, holding her until she’d cried out her frustration. “For the record,” he said into her hair, “I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I just—I didn’t know what else to do. A week after high school graduation I was a bluejacket and I’ve been a navy man ever since. I would do
anything
for my country, yet you treat me like I’m a deadbeat bum. Have I ever once been even a day late with child support?”

“No, but—”

“You’re out of excuses, Andrea. Out of guilt I’ve let you call the shots, but no more. I’ve got a friend back in Ruin Bayou who lost her husband and her kid’s a wreck. A boy needs his father.”

“Jack has Peter.”

Looking to the sky to keep from exploding, Tristan repeated, “A boy needs his
father.
We’re going to set up a visitation schedule and if, for whatever reason I have to tweak it, I’d appreciate your cooperation. There are lots of navy wives out there, Andrea, who make their marriages work despite deployment. I’ll take half the blame for our relationship falling apart, but I’m done accepting it all.”

* * *

“
Y
OU
EXCITED
?” B
RYNN
ASKED
Cayden Saturday afternoon on the way to the airport to pick up Tristan and his mom.

“Uh-huh. Do you think Tristan will be able to go to tonight’s game, or is he gonna be too tired?”

“I think he’ll manage.” At least she hoped so. Not only couldn’t she wait to hear how his visit with Jack and Andrea had gone, but she had her own news about her job.

They made it thirty minutes early, so they looked at all the local artwork, then found a comfy seat and people-watched, taking turns guessing where arriving passengers had been.

Finally, Tristan and Donna’s flight arrived and Brynn’s pulse raced like that of an excited child on Christmas morning.

“Tristan!” Cayden didn’t have to hide his enthusiasm. He ran to his friend, nearly knocking him down from the force of his hug. Brynn envied her son, wishing she could do the same. Instead, she settled for a smiling, welcome-home hug first from Donna, then from Tristan.

“I missed you,” he said low enough for her only. Had she imagined it or had his hold been stronger than when he’d left? His lemony aftershave acted like an aphrodisiac. She’d forgotten how heavenly he smelled.

“I missed you, too,” she admitted, shyly ducking her gaze. She wanted so badly to hold his hand on the way to get his luggage, but Cayden had already stolen the honor. She couldn’t be too disappointed, though. Her son’s happiness had always come before her own, but just this once, she wouldn’t have minded stealing some for herself.

Donna chattered away, but Brynn had a tough time concentrating on what she was saying.

While Cayden helped drag Donna’s bag off the conveyer, Brynn hung back with Tristan, wanting to say so much, but in the end, saying nothing at all.

“You got anything going on tonight after the game?”

“As a matter of fact,” she joked, “I’m invited to what I hear is going to be a wild party.”