Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Chapter 1

Chapter One

SIX WEEKS LATER …

A ddie gritted her teeth as she tightened her hold on the phone, fighting to keep her voice even. “I wish I could just drop everything and leave for San Diego this minute, but I can’t. This afternoon a trove of executives from Watermill, Inc. are due to arrive for their conference.”

“Are you talking about those water filter guys?”

“Yep,” she snipped. “It’s the conference I’ve been planning for six months.” She hoped adding that tidbit drove her point home. She couldn’t just up and leave. Sure, she was excited about the baby, but she had responsibilities.

Pops let out a long sigh. It had the same effect on Addie’s nerves as a pick axe scratching metal. “Isn’t there someone else who can fill in for you?”

Addie barked out a laugh. “No, there isn’t.” Technically, Pops was her grandfather, but he was more like a father. He and his late wife Lou Ella raised Addie and Corbin, her older brother, when their parents were killed. She loved Pops more than anything, but he was the most stubborn man on the planet. This conversation was irritating the heck out of her, especially with everything else she’d dealt with this morning.

“It would be nice if you could be here to support your brother and Delaney.” Pops lowered his voice. “Corbin’s putting on a good face, but I can tell he’s worried about the pre-eclampsia.”

Addie pushed a curl away from her eye. Arguing with Pops was as futile as having a shouting match with a fence post. “I thought Delaney was doing better.”

“Her spirits are good, but she’s really swollen. The doctor’s got her on some medicine to stabilize her blood pressure in the hope that she can carry the baby until at least thirty-five weeks.”

“That’s two more weeks, right?” They’d all been super worried about Delaney. She and Corbin had been through the wringer. They deserved some happiness in their lives. Please let Delaney and the baby be okay, Addie prayed silently.

“Yes.”

No way could Addie take off work right now. As much as she wanted to be there, it was smarter to wait until the baby was born and then go and visit for a few days. After this week’s conference, there was a lull of about two weeks before the next rush was scheduled to begin. Addie planned to go to San Diego then. The baby and Delaney would be okay. They had to be!

She pulled the phone away from her ear when she saw her assistant Sadie rushing towards her. The look of panic on Sadie’s face caused Addie’s chest to tighten. What was it now? It had been one of those mornings where everything had gone wrong. Half the staff had called in sick. The drain in the sink of the main kitchen was clogged, and it took forever to get a plumber to come out. There was a mix-up with the shuttle service picking the water filter executives up from the airport. Addie called to confirm the appointment, but the office manager had no record of it. The woman went on to add in a snippy, condescending tone that all of her shuttles were booked. It had taken Addie two, long hours of frantic calling to find replacements. When she finally got all the fires put out and had a minute to take a breather, Pops called, hounding her about going to San Diego.

“The caterers are here. They’re setting up in the Alpine room,” Sadie said breathlessly.

Addie groaned. “No, that’s not right. They’re supposed to be in the Skyline room. We’ve already set up the computer equipment for the presentations in the Alpine room.” It had taken several hours and a carload of computer geeks to get everything working correctly. No way were they going to tempt fate by switching rooms.

“Who’s supposed to be where?” Pops questioned.

“That wasn’t meant for you. I was talking to Sadie,” Addie explained. She felt like a ping-pong ball zigzagging between two different conversations.

“How’s Sadie doing?” Pops asked. “I saw her mother at the grocery store the other day. She said Sadie had just gotten engaged to Buddy Franklin.”

Seriously? Pops wanted to talk about that right now? Addie huffed a breath. “Yeah, Sadie’s doing great.”

“No, I’m not,” Sadie countered, wide-eyed. “We have to get the caterers squared away.”

“Did you tell them to set up in the Skyline room instead?”

“Yes, but the woman in charge of the catering insists on being in the Alpine room because it’s closer to the kitchen.” Sadie rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

Addie fought the urge to scream. Sometimes running a resort was like refereeing a bunch of children with sulky attitudes. She gritted her teeth. “The caterers will set up where we want them to. End of story.”

Sadie grimaced. “All right. I’ll let you tell her that. She’s kind of intimidating.”

“Intimidating my foot,” Addie muttered, her blood running hotter.

“What’s going on with your foot? Speak up. It’s hard to hear you.” Pops’ voice was laced with irritation.

Addie rubbed her forehead, thinking how she should’ve just stayed in bed this morning. “Sorry, Pops. Things are nonstop here right now. I’m gonna have to call you back later.” She looked at Sadie. “I’ll be right there.”

Sadie threw her hands in the air.

Addie held up a finger, her voice ringing with authority. “Tell them to wait for me,” she ordered.

Sadie nodded and hurried away.

“I love you, Pops. Bye.”

“Wait a minute!”

“Yeah?”

“I thought you’d like to know that Maddox stopped by yesterday to check on Corbin and Delaney.”

The air left Addie’s lungs as her pulse ratcheted up several notches. It was crazy how the very mention of Maddox’s name sent her heart racing.

“He asked about you.”

Her mind whirled. “Really?” she sputtered and was instantly frustrated with herself for getting into such a tizzy. She swallowed, sucking in a breath. He asked about me! What does that mean? That he still cares? No, he was probably just being polite. If Maddox truly cared, he would’ve contacted me by now. “How’s he doing?” The question left her mouth before she could call it back. She clenched her hand, awaiting the answer.

Pops let out a throaty chuckle. “Pretty good for a dead guy.”

Addie’s forehead furrowed. “That’s not funny, Pops.” Her world had come crashing down when she got the news that Maddox and his fellow SEAL members had gone missing while on a mission in Syria. A few weeks later, they were presumed dead. It was her greatest fear coming to pass. She attended his funeral, mourned his death, beat herself up for breaking up with him. Then, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the news came that Maddox was still alive. Oh, how she’d wanted to run to him then. To tell him that breaking up with him was the biggest mistake of her life. She assumed he’d reach out to her, but she’d heard nothing from him. He’d been back in the states six long weeks and nothing.

She’d learned from Corbin, her older brother, that Maddox had retired from the SEALs and now worked for the same private security company as Corbin. That news didn’t come as a surprise. Corbin and Maddox were as tight as brothers. In fact, it was through Corbin that she’d met Maddox. An unbidden image of Maddox Easton flashed before her eyes. Unruly hair, almost as curly as hers, deep blue eyes that held a mischievous twinkle, prominent dimples, and his larger-than-life smile. The captivating Southern twang that made her go weak in the knees. She appreciated Maddox’s zest for life and how he never took himself too seriously. The longing for Maddox was so strong, she could taste it. Her throat was drier than sandpaper as she swallowed, trying to clear her brain. It was over between her and Maddox. She’d made sure of that. The all-too-familiar regret pinged through her as she sighed heavily. Yeah, she was an idiot!

“If you were here, you could see Maddox yourself.”

A surprise laugh tickled her throat. “Okay, now I’m connecting the dots. You don’t want me there because of Corbin and Delaney, you’re trying to get me back together with Maddox.” The thought sent traitorous tingles circling through her. Instantly, she was irritated at herself. Curse her treacherous body! She’d always been super attracted to Maddox. It was better that it was over between them. She couldn’t live in constant fear that something might happen to Maddox. Sure, he’d made it out of Syria alive, but that didn’t mean he’d make it out of future scenarios. She wasn’t brave enough to love a man like that. She needed stability—a guy she could count on to be there. Not some foolhardy ex-Navy SEAL off chasing danger, so he could delude himself that he was making the world a better place.

She’d made the only decision she could, and she had to stand by that. No matter how much it hurt.

“You miss him, Addie. You’re just too dang stubborn to admit it.”

She was surprised at the mist that rose in her eyes as she flexed her jaw. “I don’t have time to talk about this right now.”

Pops’ voice grew intense. “Then I suggest you reexamine your priorities and make time. Nothing in this life is guaranteed, Addie. It could all be over tomorrow. Look at poor Delaney, hoping and praying that all will be well with her and the baby. You have to let the people in your life know you love them. Life can change on a dime.” His voice quivered as the words lost their air.

Addie knew Pops was talking about Lou Ella, his late wife and Addie’s grandmother, who’d spent the last few years of her life in a care center battling Alzheimer’s and then, in a cruel twist of fate, died of brain cancer. Gram’s death had left a Grand Canyon-sized hole in all their hearts, but that had nothing to do with Maddox. “I’ve gotta let you go, Pops.”

“I’m not done talking?—”

“Bye. Love you,” she squeaked, ending the call.

With a heavy sigh, Addie shoved her phone in her pocket and rubbed her sweaty palms against her slacks. Would she run into Maddox when she went to San Diego? The thought rattled her to the core and excited her more than she cared to admit. Enough thinking about Maddox! Geez. She was getting all worked up at the mere mention of his name. Not good! She couldn’t go down that rabbit hole again. Supposedly time was the cure-all and would help ease the hurt. She grunted. Yeah, that was probably true. In about thirty years or so, she’d be completely over Maddox.

Okay, time to focus on the task at hand . She straightened her shoulders and walked briskly towards the Alpine room. The catering lady had better watch out because Addie wasn’t taking any prisoners today!

An hour later, Addie was rushing across the foyer of the Bear Claw Ski Resort. She was headed to a local printing shop to pick up the name tags and lanyards for the water filter execs. Sadie had offered to go, but Addie needed a break from the hustle and bustle of the lodge. Just as she reached the double doors at the entrance, a man called her name. She stopped and turned. “Jordan? What’re you doing here? I thought you’d be getting ready for your cruise to the Bahamas. Aren’t you flying to Florida tomorrow?”

Jordan Phelps crossed the distance between them with a few long steps and embraced her in a quick hug. “Yes, I’m headed back to New Jersey in a few hours and then Piper and I will leave in the morning.”

She looked behind him. “Is Piper with you?”

“No.”

He glanced around. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”

Addie groaned inwardly. Of all the days for Jordan to show up unannounced. The executives were due to arrive in less than two hours. It was tempting to tell Jordan that she didn’t have time to talk right now, but the words died on her lips. She and Jordan had a long history together. In fact, Addie had been the one who introduced him to his wife. Piper and Addie had been close friends ever since they met several years ago at a support group for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients.

It wasn’t in Addie’s DNA to turn her back on a friend. She forced a smile. “Sure. Are you hungry?” Her stomach growled as she asked the question. She’d planned to grab something to eat while she was out. Now, there’d be no time for that.

“No, I’m good.”

“Okay, let’s go out on the terrace. You can get a drink from the café and I’ll grab a sandwich to eat, while we talk. I’m starving.”

He nodded.

“I was headed out to grab some things for a conference,” she explained. “Let me call my assistant and ask her to pick up the items for me.”

“I don’t mean to intrude on your day,” Jordan protested.

She waved a hand. “No worries. Sadie can handle it. I just need to call her right quick.” She reached in her purse for her phone.

Jordan nodded again, but she could tell from his distracted expression that he’d barely heard her. She laughed inwardly. Same old Jordan, his mind always somewhere else . Lanky with blonde hair and dark eyes, framed by trendy glasses, he reminded her of an absent-minded professor—brilliant, but caught up in his own world. A pharmaceutical scientist with a background in biochemistry, Jordan was the most intelligent person Addie had ever met. The last time she’d seen him, he was on top of the world, telling her that the new drug he was developing at his research facility had the potential to reverse Alzheimer’s. Had anyone else made such a bold claim, Addie would’ve laughed. With Jordan, it was different. He’d made it his life’s ambition to eradicate Alzheimer’s. He’d lost his mother to the disease. She was in the same care center as Addie’s grandmother, which is how she and Jordan first met. They’d formed a strong bond of friendship that had turned into something more. Once Maddox stepped into the picture, however, everyone else, including Jordan, paled in comparison.

After Addie’s call to Sadie, she and Jordan went to the café where Addie selected a pre-made chicken salad sandwich and bottle of water. Jordan also grabbed a bottle of water. Next, they went to the terrace and sat down. Addie unwrapped her sandwich and took a large bite, relishing the creamy taste of the mayonnaise combined with the crunchy walnuts and tangy grapes. “I’m so glad you stopped by,” she began. “It’s always great to see you. I just wish Piper had come with you.” As fond as she was of Jordan, she was closer to Piper.

Addie reached for her water and unscrewed the top, taking a large swig.

She looked across the table. Jordan had pushed his bottle of water aside. Hurriedly, she took another bite and put the sandwich down, feeling a smidgen of guilt for being so concerned about eating when it was clear that Jordan wanted to talk.

“How’ve ya been?” she prompted. It was then that Addie got a good look at Jordan. His face was pale and drawn, worry lines carved deep around his eyes and mouth. A sense of alarm shot through her. “Are you okay?”

He offered a strained smile. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

She sat up straighter in her seat. “What’s going on? Is everything okay with the new drug? Uh, what was the name of it?” She took another bite of her sandwich.

“PZT,” he inserted.

“Yes, PZT.” It was an acronym for a long, technical word that she couldn’t remember. “I asked Piper how things were going. She said you’re in the final phase of the lab trials and are getting ready to submit an application to the FDA.”

“That’s the plan.”

“It sounds like things are right on track.”

He nodded.

“I’m so glad.” Emotion welled in her chest. “I only wish you’d developed it soon enough to save Gram and your mother.”

Regret flashed in his eyes. “Me too,” he said quietly as understanding passed between them. It had been their frustration over the disease, and how it stripped away the essence of the victims, that had first drawn them together and sealed their friendship. Both knew the depth of loss that came with Alzheimer’s.

“You did what you could. Now, untold others will be blessed.” She reached across the table and squeezed his hand, surprised to find it ice cold. In a deft movement, he flipped his hand over and clasped her hand in his. The close contact made her uncomfortable, but she didn’t want to come across as rude by snatching her hand away.

His eyes held hers. “Thank you.”

She blinked a couple of times. “For what?”

“For believing in me.”

“Of course. I’ve always believed in you.”

A shadow crossed his features. “I know you have. It means the world.”

Something flitted in his eyes—sadness, regret? She couldn’t pinpoint what the emotion was.

His voice grew reminiscent. “I often wonder what would’ve happened … if things had been different,” he cleared his throat, “if you and I had ended up together.”

She stiffened.

He gave her a wistful smile. “Before you fell head over heels in love with the military guy.”

She removed her hand, irritation prickling over her. Was Jordan hitting on her? Surely not! She didn’t know what angle Jordan was playing, but she wasn’t about to apologize for breaking up with him for Maddox. That chapter of their lives closed eons ago, and she didn’t know why he was bringing it up now.

“You’re the only one I can trust,” Jordan continued.

For a second, she wondered if she’d heard him correctly. She gave him a hard look. “What about Piper? She’s your wife … your business partner.” Aside from the fact that Addie knew Jordan and Piper would be perfect together, she introduced them because Piper’s father Hamilton Gentry was a renowned brain surgeon turned researcher. Like Addie and Jordan, Piper lost her mother to Alzheimer’s. Just as Addie figured, Hamilton took a keen interest in Jordan’s work. He secured financial backing from investors and helped Jordan and Piper form a partnership. After Jordan and Piper were married, they, along with Hamilton, moved to New Jersey and opened a research facility.

“Yes, Piper too,” he said absently.

“She loves you very much.” Addie eyed him, daring him to disagree. She was fiercely loyal to her friend and didn’t want Jordan saying anything negative about her.

“Piper’s a good woman.” He hesitated. “She just doesn’t understand.”

She frowned. “Understand what?”

He shook his head, an apologetic smile touching his lips. “Never mind.”

She could feel nervous energy radiating off him. It was both concerning and confusing. What in the heck was going on? “Are you and Piper okay?”

A tight smile stretched over his lips. “We’re great. One of the main reasons I stopped by today is because I’d like to get the earrings and bracelet that match my mother’s necklace. I want to give them to Piper on the cruise. I forgot to pick them up when I grabbed the necklace.”

Relief surged through her. Jordan and Piper were fine. Of course they were! The two of them were the perfect couple—a match made in heaven. Besides, if something had been wrong, Piper would’ve told her. “Shoot. You can get the earrings, but the clasp on the bracelet broke. It’s at Steinway Jewelers being repaired.” She wrinkled her nose. “Sorry.”

He waved a hand. “No worries.”

A coy smile curved her lips as she crossed her arms and sat back in her seat. “So, how did Piper like the necklace?” A month ago, Jordan called saying he was in town. He asked if he could stop by her house and grab his mother’s necklace to give to Piper. Addie was at work but gave him the okay to get them from Pops.

When Jordan’s mother Maxine died, Jordan gave Addie her jewelry. At the time, Addie and Jordan were dating, so it seemed logical that he would give her his mother’s jewelry. Then they broke up and Jordan married Piper. Addie asked Jordan if he wanted to give the jewelry to Piper, but Jordan declined saying that even though the situation had changed, his mother thought the world of Addie and would still want her to have the items.

“I haven’t given Piper the necklace yet. I wanted to wait until we were on our cruise.”

“Good idea. I’m glad I didn’t say anything to her.”

“Me too. It would’ve ruined the surprise.”

Addie made a zipping motion with her lips. “No worries. Your secret’s safe with me.”

Jordan scooted back his chair and stood. “Can we go now? To get the earrings? Maybe we can stop by Steinway’s and grab the bracelet too?”

“Sorry, I can’t leave. I have a group of executives arriving shortly.”

“Is Wallace home? I can just stop by?—”

She winced. “No, sorry, Pops is out of town. Corbin and Delaney are expecting their baby any minute. Pops went to check on them.”

“Oh.” Disappointment settled over Jordan’s features.

“You can take my key and get into the house. The jewelry box is in the top drawer of the dresser in the closet.” She reached for her purse and fished for her keys.

“That would be great.”

“Just leave the key under the mat after you’re done.” She removed it from her keyring and handed it to him.

“Thanks.”

“Would you like for me to call Mr. Steinway and tell him that you want to pick up the bracelet?” She made a face. “That is, if he’s finished repairing it.”

“That would be great. Thank you.”

She also stood. They embraced as he kissed her on the cheek.

“It was good seeing you, Addie.”

“Good seeing you too. Have fun on your cruise.” Was it her imagination, or did she detect a note of despondency in his voice?

Her phone buzzed. She reached to retrieve it, but in the process, accidentally knocked over her purse, sending the contents spilling out. “Dang it!” she muttered.

She bent down to pick up the items. Jordan squatted down and helped her put them back into her purse. Her cheeks flushed over how messy her purse was—popcorn kernels had fallen into her purse at a movie she’d attended a week prior and there were scraps of paper and gum wrappers. To her dismay, there was even a tampon. She grabbed it and shoved it into her purse. “Sorry, you had to see all that,” she laughed nervously as they stood.

Jordan’s features went rigid, fear flashing in his eyes as he looked past her.

She turned to see what he was looking at. The terrace was crowded with people, making it impossible to tell what had jolted him.

“Thanks for everything,” he mumbled, walking away so fast that he was nearly jogging.

Addie sat down to finish her sandwich, her mind replaying Jordan’s strange behavior. Then she remembered she was supposed to call Mr. Steinway about the bracelet. She’d lose her head if it weren’t attached.

She was reaching for her phone when she heard gasps, followed by murmurs.

“Someone’s been hit,” she heard a woman say.

Her heart in her throat, Addie ran through the foyer and out the front doors. She clutched her chest, holding her breath when she saw a group of people encircling a person on the ground. She caught sight of a brown shoe and blue dress pants—what Jordan had been wearing. Dread screamed through her as she stepped closer. It took a second for her mind to register that the broken man on the ground was Jordan. She rushed to his side. His head was covered in blood, his hand cradling his ribs.

Tears sprang to her eyes as she dropped down beside him. “Oh, my gosh! Call 911,” she cried. “Jordan, what happened?”

“He was hit by a black sedan that sped off,” a man said.

Jordan gasped for breath, a dazed look in his eyes.

Addie’s pulse pounded against her head in hard thrusts. Please let him be okay , she prayed. “Hold on. Help is on the way.” A burst of dizziness overtook her, and she had the feeling none of this was real.

The cloudiness dissipated from Jordan’s eyes for a split second as he focused on her. “Addie,” he breathed.

She reached for his hand. “I’m here.” Panic rose thick in her throat as her chest constricted to the size of a pea. “He needs help,” she screamed, looking around wildly.

“Help is on the way,” a woman assured her.

“I’ve—” Jordan made a gurgling sound as his shoulders convulsed.

“Don’t try to talk,” she implored.

He coughed, a thin line of blood bubbling from his lips.

A wave of nausea rolled over Addie. She suspected that Jordan was bleeding internally. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she watched his chest go up and down in a futile effort to get air. Jordan was dying before her very eyes, and she was incapable of helping him.

“I’ve—done—things,” he managed to say.

“Rest. Don’t talk.”

The anguish in Jordan’s eyes seared through her like a red-hot knife.

“Please— ” he coughed “—forgive me.” His eyes glazed, and she felt his hand go slack as life left him.

“No!” she cried, sobbing.