Epilogue

EPILOGUE

One Year Later

Jody wasn’t sure why Ben was so insistent on going to the beach. She’d actually planned to take the afternoon off, since he was visiting. He was a freshman at the University of Hawaii down in Honolulu and had come up for the weekend. After everything that had happened last year, and in the months since, Ben had recovered from his pseudo-kidnapping and beating without issue.

Jody had thought she’d do the same, but she’d had nightmares for weeks after. Mostly about running through a huge empty house screaming Ben’s name and unable to find him. But every time she woke up in Baker’s arms, with him stroking her hair, telling her she was safe. That Ben was fine. She was good. He hated seeing her struggling, but he’d been her rock, and she had no idea what she would’ve done without him this past year.

While Jody liked to think Ben visited as much as he did to see her, instead of spending his weekends with his new friends at the university, she knew he came back to the North Shore mostly to see Tressa. The pair was still dating, she was finishing up her senior year, and they were as close as ever.

“Come on, Miss Jody! We’re gonna miss the good waves,” Ben cajoled from near the front door.

Jody rolled her eyes. “I’m coming. Jeez! Keep your pants on.”

Ben merely smiled at her.

She grabbed her keys out of the glass bowl on the counter and headed out the door. Baker had left about ten minutes ago, taking her cooler with him, and said he’d start handing out snacks to the kids.

Jody smiled at her van as she approached. She’d been so relieved that Alex and his cronies hadn’t ruined her vehicle when they’d ditched it at Al Rowden’s request a year ago. They’d punctured the tires, but those were easily fixed. The passenger-side window had also been broken, but again, Baker’s friends had arranged to have it replaced within a couple of days.

Once they were on their way, Jody asked, “How’ve you been doing, Ben? Now that the trial’s finally over?” It had taken longer than both Jody and Baker would’ve liked for Rowden’s case to go to trial, but it was done. He’d fought until the very end, refusing to plead guilty even though the evidence against him, thanks to Baker, was overwhelming.

“I’m good,” Ben said in a casual tone.

“Seriously, honey, how are you?” Jody insisted.

Ben turned to meet her eyes. “Honestly, I’m fine. He got what he deserved.”

“Yes, he did.” Al Rowden would be spending most of the rest of his life behind bars. By the time he was released, he’d be an old man…which was more than all right with Jody. “How’s your mom?” she asked.

“Last I heard, she’s back in rehab.”

Emma Rowden hadn’t had an easy time of trying to kick her oxycodone habit. She’d been in and out of rehab ever since the night the police raided her house. She’d get clean, go into a group home for recovering addicts, then relapse and the cycle would start all over again.

“I’m sorry,” Jody said.

Ben shrugged. “It is what it is.” Then, more quietly, “I don’t think she’s gonna make it, Miss Jody.”

Her heart sank. “Oh, Ben.”

“She’s suffering. Every day is hell for her. I hate seeing her struggle so hard.”

“Yeah,” Jody said sadly.

“She’s not strong enough to fight through it. Sooner rather than later, I have a feeling I’m going to get a call telling me she’s gone. And I’d be at peace with that. Her suffering would be over, at least.”

Jody inhaled deeply trying not to cry. The situation with Ben’s mom was so damn sad. The fact that Ben didn’t hate her was a testament to what a good person he was.

“But enough of that. I’m looking forward to surfing with Baker. He’s still pretty amazing for an old guy.”

Jody chuckled. “Don’t let him hear you say that.”

“Never,” Ben said, sounding genuinely horrified.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Jody was surprised to see it so crowded. “Is there a competition today that I didn’t know about?”

“Not sure…there’s a spot!” Ben said, pointing.

Jody pulled in and turned off the ignition. She got out and was surprised when Ben linked his arm with hers and quickly steered her toward the beach.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” she asked with a laugh. “You’re gonna need your board if you’re going to surf.”

“I’ll come back and get it,” Ben said.

For the first time, Jody started to get suspicious. Baker leaving before them, Ben being adamant about getting to the beach today instead of hanging out with Tressa, leaving his board in the van…it was adding up to something going on that she wasn’t privy to.

As they walked toward the beach, Jody saw a large crowd of people, most of whom she recognized. All of Baker’s SEAL buddies were there, as were their wives, with Kenna looking as if she was about to give birth at any second. Charlotte, Monica’s daughter, was toddling precariously with her dad right at her heels, waiting to catch her if she fell.

Along with the SEALs and their families, Jody saw Kal, Lani, Brent, Rome, and Felipe. Even Tressa was there, along with some of the parents of the other kids she watched over while they were surfing.

“What in the world?” she asked, looking up at Ben.

“You’ll see,” he told her with a smile.

Baker approached them and Ben relinquished his hold on her arm.

“Thought you were never gonna get here, Tink,” Baker said.

“If I’d known there were shenanigans afoot, maybe I would have hurried a bit more,” she retorted.

He grinned, leaned down and kissed her briefly, before pulling her toward the waiting crowd. Without pause, he escorted her to “her” picnic table and turned both of them to face everyone.

“I’m gonna keep this short and sweet because the waves are bitchin’ today, but thank you all for coming. We all know what Kaimana Spencer did at this beach over six years ago. He sacrificed himself to save the life of another. He was giving, selfless, and a hero in every sense of the word.”

Baker turned to Jody, and she couldn’t help but tear up. He put his hand on her cheek and spoke again. This time it felt as if they were the only two people in the world. “From here on out, this is Mana’s spot. And yours.” Baker gestured to the picnic table behind her, and Jody glanced at it in confusion. It looked just like it always did…except now it had a metal plaque screwed into the top. She leaned forward and read:

While doing what he loved. Surf on, brother.

“Out of the water, I am nothing,” ~Duke Kahanamoku

The tears in her eyes spilled over and fell down her face.

“He’ll never be forgotten. Ever. His legacy will live on forever,” Baker said as he pulled her into his arms.

Jody hung on tight, not taking her eyes off the plaque.

Everyone around them cheered, and Jody struggled to get herself together. “Did you arrange this?” she asked Baker.

He shrugged. “Ben had the idea, I just ran with it.”

“I love you,” Jody told him.

“Love you back. Now…kiss me, then go mingle with your friends.”

“Our friends.”

“Yeah,” Baker agreed.

She went up on her tiptoes, but Baker met her halfway as he always did. He kissed her long and deep, not caring that they were in front of all their friends. Jody felt off-kilter by the time he lifted his lips from hers. He smirked and brushed a finger over her cheek.

“I know that look,” he said quietly.

“Yeah, it’s the look of you getting me all hot and bothered before you head off into the ocean,” Jody quipped.

Baker simply smirked wider.

“I met Baker at this exact spot,” Monica said from next to them.

“Yeah, you saw my tattoo and it freaked you so much, you fell on your ass,” Baker retorted.

“This was also where Baker pulled his scary-guy routine and warned me if I hurt Midas, I’d be in big trouble,” Lexie said, grinning. She and Midas had finally tied the knot a few months ago in a quiet ceremony. His parents and siblings had all been there, and the party Kenna had thrown for them afterward on the beach at her condo was large, loud, and extremely fun.

“Lots of memories here for sure,” Carly said as she joined the others, Elodie, Kenna, and Ashlyn at her heels.

“On that note, I’m goin’ out into the waves with Ben,” Baker said. He kissed Jody’s forehead, then jogged toward the parking lot to grab his board from his car.

“I think we scare him,” Ashlyn said with a smile.

Everyone chuckled.

“You all right?” Elodie asked. “We weren’t sure surprising you with this was a good idea, but Baker insisted that you’d be okay with it.”

“I’m definitely okay with it,” Jody said immediately. “I have no doubt Kaimana would’ve done great things in this world. He would’ve been remembered for his kind soul and amazing energy. My greatest fear has always been that he’ll fade from people’s memories, and now he won’t. Anyone who sees this will read his name, and that act alone will keep him from disappearing forever.”

Carly’s eyes filled with tears.

Jody eyed her suspiciously. “Um…are you pregnant, Carly?”

The other woman looked surprised for a moment, then she laughed. “Can’t hide anything from you, can I?”

Immediately, all the others were congratulating the other woman while hugging her.

A short while later, the surfers were all in the waves and the others were getting ready to leave when Elodie came up to Jody.

“How’d you know?” she asked with a wistful look in her eyes.

“Carly’s not usually so emotional. Besides, she’s been telling us for months that she and Jag have been trying to get pregnant. Honestly, it was a wild guess.”

Elodie nodded.

Jody reached out and put her hand on her friend’s arm. “It’ll happen for you and Scott. I know it.”

Elodie sighed. “It’s been over a year,” she said with a shake of her head.

“Don’t give up,” Jody said sternly.

“I’m not, it’s just…It’s frustrating. The next step is seeing a fertility doctor. If that doesn’t work, we’ll look into adoption. There are a ton of kids out there who need a foster home too. We don’t need a child to be a family, but I know Scott really wants one.”

Jody gave her a hug. “You and Scott will be the best parents. No matter if that’s a baby of your own, or a teenager who needs a safe place to land.”

Elodie gave Jody a small smile. “Ben’s a good kid.”

“Yeah, he is.”

“He’s lucky he has you.”

“No, we’re the lucky ones,” Jody said.

Elodie’s husband came up then, putting his arm around her waist. “You ready to go?”

“Only if you promise we can stop at the Dole Plantation on the way home and get a Dole Whip.”

“I wouldn’t dream of passing that place without stopping,” Mustang said with a smile. He gave Jody a chin lift and said, “See you soon?”

“Of course. I’m guessing we’ll all be gathering at the hospital for the birth of Kenna and Aleck’s baby sooner rather than later,” Jody said.

“Very true,” Mustang said. He gave Jody a short hug, then headed for the parking lot with Elodie under his arm.

An hour later, it was just Jody left on the beach, sitting on Mana’s picnic table, staring at her man as Baker walked up the sandy beach toward her.

She stood and held out a towel for him and watched as he dried himself off. He’d pulled his wet suit down to his waist, and Jody couldn’t help but stare. He might be fifty-two, but Baker still made her knees weak.

“You stare at me like that any longer, I won’t be responsible for my actions,” Baker warned.

Jody rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You know you’re hot,” she told him.

“Don’t give a shit about that. Only care about you loving me,” he retorted.

“Well, lucky for you, I do.”

“Good.” He reached into the small pocket in the side of his wet suit and got down on one knee right there in the sand. He held up a beautiful one carat or so ring, with small diamonds surrounding a flawless topaz gem in the center. “It’s Mana’s birthstone, I figured it was appropriate. Will you marry me, Jodelle? I’ll never let you down. I’ll bend over backward to keep you safe and content. I’ll—”

Jody didn’t let him finish. She threw herself at him while exclaiming, “Yes!”

He caught her and fell onto his back in the sand, laughing.

“Shit, Tink, I almost dropped the ring!” he complained with a smile.

Jody lay on top of the man she loved more than she ever thought possible. “This is the best day ever.”

“Yeah,” he agreed as he slipped the ring down her finger. Then he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.

“Hey, you two, Sex On the Beach is a drink, not something you should do literally,” Ben said, the humor easy to hear in his voice.

Jody reluctantly pulled her lips from Baker’s and held up her hand. “He asked me to marry him,” she told Ben with a huge smile.

“Congrats!” he said. Though he didn’t sound all that surprised. He obviously knew what Baker had planned. “Tressa and I are gonna head out.”

“Are you going to be home for dinner?” Jody asked as Baker helped her stand.

“Are you making lasagna?” Ben asked.

“Uh…yes?”

“Then I’ll be home for dinner,” he said with a smile. “Can Tressa come too?”

“Of course,” Jody told her. “You’re always welcome.”

“Thanks,” Tressa said.

As they walked away, Baker said, “He’s gonna marry her.”

“Yup,” Jody said without feeling the least bit of angst about that.

“Love you, Tink. I’m never gonna let you down. Ever.”

“I know,” she told him. “You think we can go home and celebrate the fact that we’re engaged?”

Jody had never seen Baker move as fast as he did after that question.

She laughed and felt lighter and happier than she had in years. Before they left the beach, she ran her hand over the plaque on the table. “Love you, Mana,” she whispered. Baker squeezed her hand in support, and she smiled up at him. “Let’s go home.”

“Home,” he echoed.

1.5 years Later

Jody stood in Jonny’s backyard overlooking Waimea Bay. He was a former professional surfer Baker knew, who’d graciously allowed them to use his yard as a venue for their wedding ceremony. Jody was extremely curious as to how the two men had met, but she had a feeling neither would admit to the real story, so she let it go.

Neither she nor Baker had wanted anything big or fancy. A gathering of their close friends, overlooking the spot where Kaimana loved to surf and where he’d watched competitions with the hopes of someday being among the participants.

They’d planned a short but heartfelt ceremony. This wedding was as different from her first as she could get. No huge church. No big reception. No fourteen-member wedding party. No expensive dresses, tuxedos, and people she didn’t know watching her vow to obey and honor her husband.

It was noisy. Kenna’s five-month-old baby boy was crying and Monica’s daughter was babbling nonstop to anyone she could get to listen. Lexie had shared that she was pregnant with a baby girl, and Carly was so pregnant, she was about to pop. Jody prayed she wouldn’t go into labor right there on the manicured lawn. Ashlyn and Slate had brought the eight-year-old girl they were fostering, who was doing her best to make sure Charlotte didn’t fall over as she toddled all over the lawn while babbling to the adults.

Theo had come with Midas and Lexie, and he was currently sitting under the patio with a piece of paper and his pencils, drawing. Jody had met him several times now, and she was always impressed all over again with his talent. He was a little antisocial, but no one minded in the least. He had a huge heart and was always welcome at their get-togethers.

The best thing about the day was that everyone was at ease, having a good time, and dressed casually. The latter was the one thing Jody had insisted on.

She was wearing a yellow sundress with little cap sleeves, the skirt falling to her knees. She had on a pair of white flip-flops with a large yellow flower at the toes. Jody had left her hair down, and when it kept blowing in her face during the ceremony, Baker had moved so he was standing next to her instead of in front of her, wrapped her hair in his fist, and held it out of her eyes as he gazed lovingly down at her.

He looked exceedingly handsome in his black board shorts, white shirt, and a pair of black flip-flops on his own feet. Jody had to keep pinching her arm to reassure herself that this really was her life. It wasn’t as if she had low self-esteem, she was just still in awe that someone as wonderful and hot as Baker was with her.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the officiant said. Jody had met him right before she and Baker walked together across the lawn, toward the spot at the edge of the yard with the best view of the bay, where they were saying their vows.

The hand in her hair tightened when Baker tilted her head back and lowered his own. As she always did, Jody went up onto her tiptoes to meet him halfway. His free hand wrapped around her, holding her steady, and Jody wrapped her own around his neck.

She’d received many wonderful and toe-curling kisses from Baker in the last year and a half, but this one seemed to outdo them all. Maybe it was the cheering and whistling from their friends in the background. Maybe it was because it was their first kiss as man and wife. Maybe it was because Jody had never been happier in her entire life. Whatever the reason, she knew she’d never forget this moment. Ever.

Baker had just lifted his head to smile at her when the heavens decided to open up. Rain fell in sheets, but Jody was feeling too happy to care.

Their friends laughed and all made a beeline for the large covered patio on the back of Jonny’s house. But Jody and Baker stood in each other’s arms, oblivious to the rain that soaked their skin in seconds.

Baker smiled wider. “Happy wedding day,” he told her.

Jody tightened her arms around his neck. “My husband.”

“My wife,” he countered. Then he shook his head. “Honestly never thought this would happen to me. Figured I’d die serving my country.”

“I’m glad you didn’t.”

“Me too,” he said with a small grin. Then he sobered. “All the shit I’ve seen and done…you’re my reward.”

“Baker,” Jody whispered.

“It’s true,” he insisted. “You’re too good for me. I know it, my friends know it, but I don’t give a shit. I’m never gonna do anything to fuck this up. Ever.”

“I know. Me either,” she told him.

He leaned down and kissed her briefly once more.

Jody sighed in contentment. She turned her head and looked over Waimea Bay. The waves were huge, most likely because of the storm that had rolled in. “I feel as if he’s here,” she said.

“He is,” Baker agreed. “I’d like to think this is Mana’s way of telling you he approves of me.”

Jody tore her gaze from the waves and looked up at her husband. “He would’ve loved you for me,” she reassured him. “Even at seventeen, he was protective. He always worried about me being alone after he graduated and moved out.”

Baker nodded, then took a small step back from her. His hand fell from her hair and the wet strands fell over her shoulders. Jody looked up at him in confusion a heartbeat before he took one of her hands in his and wrapped the other around her waist. Then he began to dance with her. In the rain, with their friends watching from the shelter of the patio, with the waves crashing far below.

She didn’t think it was possible, but Jody fell more in love with Baker at that moment.

They danced their first dance, soaking wet, with the wind and rain beating against their bodies, and nothing in Jody’s life had ever felt more perfect.

Two Years Later

Jody stood with Baker’s arm around her shoulders, watching Ben. They were at Ka‘ena Point and Ben was spreading his mom’s ashes in the ocean. Emma Rowden hadn’t had an easy life in the last two years. She’d tried so hard to kick her drug habit but in the end, had been unsuccessful.

Ben, being the amazing kid…no, young man he was, had done his best to keep his mother in his life. Even after all she’d done to him, or more correctly, all she hadn’t done, he’d still found it in his heart to forgive her and keep in touch.

Tressa stood about ten feet behind Ben, giving him privacy, while at the same time providing him the support he needed. They were closer than ever. Tressa had started attending the University of Hawaii after graduating from high school, and Jody had a suspicion she was spending more time at Ben’s apartment near campus than she was in her own dorm room.

Ben stood, and Tressa immediately went to his side. From Jody’s vantage point about thirty feet behind them, she could see they were having an intimate conversation.

“I hate this for him,” Jody said softly.

“I know,” Baker said, holding her tightly.

When Ben had asked her if she thought the Point would be a good place to spread his mom’s ashes, she’d agreed wholeheartedly. When he’d picked up her belongings from the last halfway house she’d lived in, and where she’d been found by one of the other residents, there had been a letter addressed to him.

Ben had let Jody read it, and it was one of the saddest things she had ever seen.

Dear Ben,

I know I haven’t been a good mother, and I’m so sorry. You deserved better. I will be forever grateful for Jodelle. She was there for you when I wasn’t. I know you’re going to do great things. It’s not fair of me to ask, but maybe you’ll think of me once in a while. Remember the good times we had when you were little. We struggled, but I realize now, too late, that we were happy.

I’m proud of you. You’re the best thing I ever did in my life, and I almost screwed that up too. I did screw it up. Again, I’m sorry. Thank you for forgiving me. It couldn’t have been easy, but know it means the world to me.

I’m just so tired, Ben. So damn tired. I can’t fight anymore. Don’t be sad. This is what I want. I just want the pain to stop. Go be awesome, son. I have no doubt you will be.

I love you. I didn’t always show you the way I should’ve, and I’ll always regret that.

Love, Mom

Somehow, Emma Rowden had gotten hold of a lethal dose of methamphetamine. As far as Jody knew she hadn’t ever taken the potent drug. But she’d purposely injected double the dose even a hard-core addict would normally use to get high.

Ben had been sad, but not really surprised. He was aware of how hard his mom was struggling because he’d continued visiting her every now and then.

Jody watched as Ben blew a kiss to the ocean, then turned and headed toward where she and Baker were standing.

“You okay?” Jody asked quietly.

“Yeah,” Ben said.

It was obvious he wasn’t all right, but Jody didn’t call him on the lie. The quartet walked the two or so miles back to the parking lot in silence, each lost in their memories…good and bad.

That night, Tressa stayed for dinner. The mood had lightened and they played a few rounds of Uno. By the time Tressa left to go home to see her folks, it was late. Ben would be driving back down to Honolulu the following afternoon. He had plans to surf with Baker in the morning, then they’d all go to lunch with Tressa and her family, before the college kids went back to school.

After saying good night, Ben headed to his room, a room Jody hadn’t changed since he left for university two years ago.

Baker headed to bed after checking the locks on the doors and windows, as he did every night without fail. Seeing him carry out his routine made Jody sigh in contentment. Her man never stopped looking after her. She was as much in love with him today as she was over two years ago when he refused to leave her alone in the house with Ben there. Protective to the core, that was Baker.

After tidying the kitchen, Jody headed to bed herself. She stopped outside Ben’s door on the way, knocking softly.

“Ben? You awake?”

“Yeah.”

Jody cracked the door and peeked inside. Ben was sitting on the edge of his bed, still in the clothes he’d worn all day, staring down at the letter his mom had written him. Jody’s heart nearly broke.

She went inside and sat next to him, putting her arm around his broad back. She didn’t speak, just hugged the man-boy she’d come to love as if he were her own.

Ben turned, hitching his knee up on the mattress, and wrapped his arms around Jody, buried his head into her shoulder, and cried.

Jody held him as tightly as possible, doing what she could to comfort him. Emma Rowden wasn’t a good mother. She hadn’t lied in the letter she’d written to Ben. She should’ve protected her son. Should’ve done whatever she had to do in order to make sure he was safe. And she hadn’t. But that didn’t mean she didn’t love him, or that Ben didn’t love her.

Ben cried on her shoulder for several minutes before his sobs finally tapered off. He sat up and wiped his tears on the sleeve of his shirt. “I’m sorry,” he said softly.

Jody put her hands on his face and shook her head. “Don’t ever be sorry for showing your emotions, Ben. Never be sorry for that.”

He nodded, and she dropped her hands.

“I love you,” Jody told him. Ben’s gaze came up to meet hers. “You’re amazing, and your mom was right, you’re going to do awesome things in this world.”

“Thanks,” he said. “I love you too, Miss Jody.”

Jody smiled. She would never get tired of hearing him call her that.

“Get some sleep. Baker’s gonna want to kick your butt in the waves tomorrow.”

Ben rolled his eyes and used his palms to wipe off the remnants of tears on his cheeks. “As if.” Then he leaned forward and hugged Jody once more. A long, emotional hug. “Thanks for everything. I mean it.”

“Of course,” Jody said into his hair. “I’ve said this before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but oh well. I might not be your biological mom, but you’re like a son to me, and you’ll always have a place here, Ben. Always.”

He nodded and pulled back. Jody took that as her sign to go. She stood, squeezed his hand, then headed for the door. She pulled it closed behind her and, knowing she was going to lose it, made a beeline for the one person who could always make her feel better.

The second Baker saw her enter their bedroom, he threw back the covers and came to her.

Jody wrapped herself around him as if she was going to fly into a million pieces and he was the only person who could hold her together. Without a word, he led her to the bed and somehow got them under the covers without letting go.

Jody cried then. For Ben. For Emma. For the pain they both suffered.

“He’ll be okay,” Baker said in a low voice after she’d somewhat gotten herself pulled together.

“I know,” Jody mumbled into the bare skin of his shoulder.

“He’s got you. And me. And Tressa and her family.”

“I know,” Jody repeated. Then said a little roughly, “I hope Al’s having a horrible time in prison.”

Baker chuckled. “It’s not exactly a five-star vacation home, Tink.”

“Still. I want him to be hungry. And cold. And wondering where he went wrong in his life. I want the other prisoners to treat him like shit, and for him to be lonely and terrified that someone’s gonna jump him every second for the rest of his life.”

“Damn, woman,” Baker said.

“You’ve got connections. You could make that happen, right?” she asked, looking up at Baker.

“I can, but I don’t need to. He’s already feeling all that and more.”

“Promise?” Jody asked.

“Promise,” Baker said firmly.

Jody nodded. She’d never asked about his connections, but if Baker said Al Rowden was suffering, she knew without a shadow of a doubt, he was. “Good.”

“Bloodthirsty,” Baker mumbled as he gathered her against him once more.

“He hurt Ben,” she said simply.

And it was that simple. No one hurt the ones she loved. She’d do whatever it took to protect Ben. It didn’t matter that he was twenty years old now. It wouldn’t matter when he was thirty or forty. She’d always want to protect him. “I love you, Baker,” she whispered into his skin, running a finger over one of the tattoos on his chest.

“Love you too, Jodelle. You gonna be able to sleep?”

“Yeah,” she said with a small nod. “And even if I couldn’t, you’ll be here.”

“Damn straight,” Baker mumbled.

Jody squeezed her man and sent a silent prayer to Kaimana, thanking him for sending both Ben and Baker to her. She was certain he’d had a hand in bringing them into her life. She fell asleep in the arms of the man she loved, having no doubts whatsoever that he loved her just as much in return.

Four Years Later

Jody was so proud of Ben, she thought she was going to burst.

Today was his graduation ceremony from the University of Hawaii and he was going right into grad school, studying marine biology. Jody knew he was going to achieve all his goals and would get to spend his life working on the ocean that he’d learned to love at a young age.

She and Baker had come down to Honolulu and spent the previous night in a hotel, so they wouldn’t have to fight morning traffic and risk being late for the ceremony. Baker had splurged and gotten them an ocean-view suite, and while they didn’t make love every day, not even close, they hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other last night.

Her husband still made her feel as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world, even though she’d put on a few pounds over the years. He’d worshiped every inch of her body, whispering words of admiration and praise as he sent her over the edge with his mouth and fingers before entering her and making her orgasm once more, while taking his own pleasure.

They were about ready to leave when a knock on their hotel door surprised Jody, as she wasn’t expecting anyone.

Baker didn’t seem startled in the least as he strode over and opened the door. Ben walked in—and Jody couldn’t help but frown.

“What’s wrong? I thought you were going to the ceremony with Tressa?”

“I am. I wanted to talk to you first though,” Ben said.

That didn’t exactly lessen Jody’s trepidation. She looked at Baker in concern, but his face was blank. “Oooo-kay,” she said nervously.

Ben glanced at Baker, and her husband nodded at him reassuringly. That was the first clue that Baker was in on whatever was going on.

“Come sit,” Ben said gently.

Jody went over to the couch and sat, holding her breath that she wasn’t about to hear something bad. Like Ben wasn’t actually graduating, or that he and Tressa had broken up—which would totally break Jody’s heart—or that he was running off to join a traveling circus or something.

For the first time, she noticed that Ben was holding a piece of paper. He stared down at it and fingered it nervously before taking a deep breath and meeting her eyes.

“I talked to Baker about this, and he thought it was a good idea. But if you don’t think so, if you aren’t happy, you have to be honest with me. I’ll be all right either way…but I just wanted to do something to let you know how much you mean to me.”

Just like that, Jody calmed, her focus on reassuring Ben. She hated seeing him this nervous. She reached out and put her hand over his. “Whatever it is, it’ll be all right,” she said gently.

Ben’s lips twitched. “You don’t even know what I’m gonna say and you’re trying to comfort me.”

Jody shrugged. She was. She couldn’t deny it.

“Right, so…you know I never took Rowden’s name when my mom married him. It wasn’t really my choice either way, my mom just never did the paperwork to change it and that asshole she married didn’t want to adopt me. So I kept my mom’s maiden name. She never told me who my biological father was, and he never really mattered to me anyway. But I started thinking…and I got an idea. It might be stupid, and you might not like it, but…I thought maybe I’d change my last name to Spencer.”

Every muscle in Jody’s body went tight. She blinked, not sure she’d heard him correctly.

“As I said, I talked to Baker, and he told me about how you didn’t want to change your last name when you guys got married, because of Kaimana. Because that was his last name, and it felt as if you were losing a part of him if you changed yours to Rawlins. And since you’re the only mom I have left, I wondered if you might be willing for me to share your and Mana’s name. When I get married, I’m hoping my wife will change her last name to mine. And our kids will have it too. I filled out the paperwork.” He gestured to the piece of paper in his hand. “But haven’t filed it yet, because I wanted to get your permission and blessing first.”

Ben’s words were rushed there at the end, as if he wasn’t sure what her reaction would be and wanted to be sure to get his entire argument out before she said no.

But Jody had no intention of saying no. No one in her entire life had done something for her that touched her so deeply. Baker hadn’t had any issue with her keeping Spencer as her last name, but the thought that Ben wanted to take her name floored her.

She stared at the young man in front of her for a beat, then promptly burst into tears.

Ben looked freaked out, but Baker didn’t hesitate. He sat down on Jody’s other side and pulled her close. Jody leaned against him, hiccupping with the force of her sobs.

“Jesus, Tink. Take a breath.”

She tried, but Jody was simply overwhelmed.

“Is that a yes? Or a no?” Ben asked hesitantly.

Jody pulled herself out of Baker’s arms and threw herself into Ben’s. “Yes! Oh my Gosh, yes! I can’t…that’s…I don’t know what to say!”

Ben hugged her tightly, then gently gave her back to Baker, as if he didn’t know what to do with a crying woman.

It took her another few minutes to completely get control of herself, but Jody couldn’t stop smiling. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined this moment.

“I’m gonna file this paperwork next week then,” Ben said, sounding much more relaxed and like himself as he stood.

Baker pulled Jody to her feet, keeping his arm around her waist.

“You better get going,” he told him. “You wouldn’t want to miss your own graduation.”

“Right,” Ben said. He hugged Jody again. “Love you, Miss Jody,” he said softly. Then he pulled back and headed for the door.

Jody’s eyes filled with tears once more, but she battled them back. Today was a happy day, and she didn’t want to cry anymore. The second the door closed behind Ben, Jody turned to Baker. “I can’t believe you knew about that and didn’t warn me!” she said as she slapped him lightly on the chest.

Baker grinned. “He wanted me to keep it a secret. So I did,” he said simply.

That was so like her husband. He’d promised years ago to never let his secrets and what he did touch her, and they hadn’t. Not once. Last month, he’d retired from his job with the government. It took longer than he’d wanted, but he would no longer be going on trips overseas to “visit” with nefarious people to make deals and exchange information. He still used the dark web to find intel, but Jody was relieved he wouldn’t have to do the trips anymore.

“I’m thinking you might want to fix your face before we leave,” he told her gently.

Jody chuckled. She was sure she looked a mess. She went up on her toes and kissed Baker. It wasn’t a short kiss either. When she pulled back, they were both breathing hard. Baker glanced over at the bed, and Jody laughed out loud. “No time for that, sorry,” she said.

“Glad we’re staying another night,” Baker said with a shrug and a grin that made Jody’s toes curl. “Go on, Tink. We need to get out of here so we can get a good seat.”

She nodded, picked up Baker’s hand, kissed the palm, and headed for the bathroom. When she looked back right before she entered, she saw Baker hadn’t moved. He was still standing where she’d left him, staring at her with a smile on his face. When he caught her gaze, he gave her a small chin lift.

Jody could only smile back and marvel for the four millionth time over how lucky she was.

Six Years Later

“So, after six years…” Elodie said, then paused and looked up at her husband, who was standing behind her with his arms around her waist and his chin on her shoulder. “We’re finally pregnant!” she announced.

Everyone went crazy. Yelling and cheering, surrounding Elodie and Mustang and hugging them exuberantly.

Jody stood back and took in the scene with a huge smile on her face.

“They’re seriously happy,” Baker said from behind her. He was standing much as Mustang had been, his chin on her shoulder, his hands clasped around her belly.

“Yeah,” Jody agreed.

“Mustang’s fuckin’ scared out of his mind though,” Baker added.

Jody looked up at her husband. “You knew?”

He simply raised a brow in response.

“Of course you knew,” Jody said, answering her own question.

“Triplets,” Baker said softly.

Jody spun in his arms. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. It’s gonna be a high-risk pregnancy. After four years of fertility treatments, this was gonna be their last attempt before they went the adoption route. The doctors implanted six embryos with the hope of at least one of them being viable.”

“Three,” Jody breathed. “Holy crap.”

Baker chuckled and his chest vibrated under her hands. “Yeah.”

They were standing in the middle of the grassy area behind the Coral Springs Condos. Kenna and Aleck still lived in the same condo with their now five-year-old son. They still had regular get-togethers, and now that everyone had children, the gatherings were even crazier than ever.

Lexie’s son was almost three and her daughter was now four, and the latter was best friends with Kenna’s son. Monica and Pid had two daughters, and a son who was born last year, and they both claimed they were done having children. Carly’s daughter was four and a half and her son was six months old. Ashlyn and Slate had fostered over two dozen kids in the last four years, and had just finalized the adoption of their latest fosters, a set of siblings who were ten and eight.

So yeah, any get-togethers they had now were full of laughter, sometimes tears, and lots and lots of love. And through all of them, Elodie and Mustang had smiled and wiped faces and chased toddlers, treating everyone’s kids as if they were their own. But Jody, and everyone else, knew how hard it was for the couple. They’d wanted children for so long, but it hadn’t happened.

They’d endured four years of fertility treatments, along with disappointments so crushing, Jody had begun to worry for Elodie’s mental health. So the news today that she was finally pregnant was overwhelming and joyous.

“I’m so happy for them,” Jody said. “Although three? At once? Oy!”

“That was my thought too. Good thing they have lots of friends to babysit and to help when things get too crazy.”

Jody nodded, her thoughts already turning to what she could do to help the couple.

“Should I be concerned about those wheels spinnin’ in your head?” Baker mumbled.

Jody smiled up at him. “Maybe,” she said honestly.

“If there’s anything in my life I regret, it’s not giving you babies,” Baker said.

Jody’s heart melted. “We would’ve made beautiful kids,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” Baker agreed. “But the good thing about our friends having the kids and not us, is that we can give them back at the end of the day when they’re cranky, or hyped up on sugar, or exhausted.”

“Oh, yeah, totally agree,” Jody said.

“Get over here, you two!” Lexie called out. “We’re gonna do a group picture!”

“How long do you think it’s gonna take this time?” Jody asked Baker quietly as they turned to join the group. They’d begun taking the group pictures every time they got together. Jody forgot who suggested it, but everyone had agreed they wanted to document the progress of their “little family.”

“Too fuckin’ long,” Baker said under his breath.

Jody couldn’t help but laugh. Trying to get everyone to stand still and all look in the same direction was almost an impossible feat, but that was part of what made the pictures so awesome. There was always a baby crying, or someone looking the other way, or making a weird face.

As they huddled together, Jody got the chance to talk to Elodie for a moment. She gave her a big hug. “I’m so happy for you,” she told her.

“Me too,” Elodie said. “But what if—”

“No. No what-ifs. Positive thinking, always,” Jody scolded.

“You sound like Scott,” Elodie said with a smile.

“Always thought your husband was a smart man,” Jody quipped.

Elodie hugged her again. Then whispered in her ear, “It’s triplets.”

Jody smiled. “I know,” she whispered back.

Elodie rolled her eyes. “Should’ve known. Baker knows everything.”

She nodded. “You’re going to be fine. As are your babies. Mark my words.”

“All right, everyone! Smile at the camera!” Kenna yelled.

Jody felt bad for Robert, who had finally retired from working as the concierge at Coral Springs but was still invited by Kenna to attend their get-togethers. He reveled in being a sort of grandfather figure to everyone’s kids and never hesitated to volunteer to take the group pictures. Theo was also there, off to the side, drawing as usual. To no one’s surprise, he got along so well with the children. He tolerated them using his drawing pencils and papers, but the adults usually tried to bring crayons and their own paper so the kids didn’t bother Theo too much.

Baker came up behind Jody and took her in his arms again, sighing in her ear as the usual chaos began and Robert tried to get everyone to smile at him at the same time.

Jody had no problem smiling. She loved her life. Loved her friends. Every now and then she’d get sad because Kaimana wasn’t here to meet everyone, but Baker seemed to know when she was down and did everything in his power to cheer her up. But for the moment, Jody was content. She looked up at Baker, and he put his hand on the side of her head and bent down to kiss her.

The picture of their get-together was taken at that moment. With Jody and Baker kissing, half the kids not looking at the camera, Carly’s infant screaming his head off, and Elodie and Midas both with their eyes closed. When Jody saw it the next day after Kenna had emailed it to the group, she’d laughed her head off and immediately printed it to hang on her wall.

Ten Years Later

Baker stood against the wall of the reception hall and watched as Jodelle danced with Ben in the mother-son dance. The last ten years had been full of laughter, as well as disagreements, a bit of angst here and there, and more love than he’d ever felt in all of his sixty-two years combined.

God, how in the hell had he gotten to be in his sixties? Most days he didn’t feel a day over thirty…okay, maybe forty. But not sixty-two. He still went surfing now and then, but most of the time he was content to sit on the shore with Jodelle as they watched their kids.

Of course, their kids changed over the years, but there were always teenagers to keep an eye on as they surfed the sometimes dangerous waters. Jodelle still did graphic design work, and she was damn good at it. Baker was constantly surprised at her creativity and how she could create such intricate and beautiful graphics for her clients.

As for him, Baker didn’t think he’d ever be able to completely stop digging for information on people. The satisfaction he got when he found what he needed to help someone, or bring down a bad guy, never waned. Nowadays, he passed along any intel he dug up to someone else to act on, but he still had plenty of connections in the world.

Jodelle looked radiant tonight. She always did in his eyes though. Whether wearing the floor-length, flowy mother-of-the-groom dress she had on right now, or in a pair of shorts and a tank top sitting on top of the picnic table at the beach, or wearing nothing at all, lying replete in his arms. He loved her so much, it was almost scary. Baker wouldn’t change one thing in his life if it meant he’d end up right where he was in this moment.

Ben and Tressa’s marriage vows had been heartfelt and moving, and the party was now in full swing. Jodelle had been beaming all night, and he couldn’t blame her. When the couple had been pronounced Ben and Tressa Spencer, Jodelle lost it, turning to him and crying on his shoulder.

Ben had a great job working with a marine biology research firm, and Tressa was working as a paralegal for one of the many law firms in the city. They’d moved in together two years ago, right after he’d proposed. Baker had insider knowledge that Tressa was expecting, and he couldn’t wait for Jodelle to find out. She was going to be an amazing grandmother, if the way she doted on Elodie’s three and a half-year-old triplets was any indication.

Baker didn’t have any desire to be out on the dance floor, but he loved watching his wife laugh and dance with all of Ben’s younger friends. The photographer Ben and Tressa had hired was going a little crazy with all the pictures, but Baker had no doubt Jodelle would treasure each and every one.

Their little house was full of pictures. Every inch of the walls covered with photos, and there were small picture frames propped on every available surface as well. Older ones of Kaimana and Jodelle, photos from their own wedding, pictures of their friends’ children, and as many of the group shots as Jodelle could find room for. There were also shots of Ben and Jodelle, Ben and Tressa, even Ben and Baker. Everywhere he turned in their house, Baker came face-to-face with love and happy memories.

There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t regret not meeting Jodelle earlier, but he did his best to enjoy every moment with her to the fullest. He couldn’t go back and change anything in his life, but he could damn well make sure Jodelle knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was loved.

For the rest of the evening, Baker kept his wife hydrated, bringing her lots of water as well as making sure her champagne glass never went dry. By the end of the night, Jodelle’s high heels had been abandoned under their table, her hair had fallen from the elaborate updo it had been put in earlier that morning, and she had a flush on her cheeks from dancing and from all the alcohol she’d consumed.

Ben and Tressa had left an hour ago, and now Baker wanted to get his wife to their hotel room. She didn’t drink a lot, but when she did, she tended to lose all her inhibitions—and became absolutely insatiable in bed. Baker was more than ready to get that portion of their evening started.

She snuggled against him in the taxi on the way to their hotel, plastered herself to his side as they rode the elevator up to their room, and the second they were alone, she reached for his tie.

As much as Baker wanted to act on the thoughts he’d had all evening by unzipping her dress and watching it pool around her feet, he wanted to give her the present Ben had asked him to give to her. Ben knew Jodelle well. He didn’t want to make her cry at the reception…any more than she already had during the wedding.

“Let go for a second, Tink. I need to give you somethin’,” he said.

She smirked and her hand snuck down the front of his chest, heading for his cock. “I know what you can give me,” she said suggestively.

Baker chuckled, grabbed her hand, then towed her over to the small couch in the room. He sat her down, then reached for the eleven-by-fourteen wrapped frame Ben had given him earlier. He knew what was in it, and he was ready for Jodelle’s tears when she saw it.

She grinned when she saw the gift and reached for it eagerly. His wife was a sucker for presents. He did his best to give her as many gifts as possible, simply for the joy of watching her open them.

She ripped the white and cream wrapping paper as Baker spoke. “It’s from Ben. He gave Theo a picture from our own wedding and asked if he’d recreate it in a drawing for you.”

Amazingly, Theo Merkl had become one of the most sought-after artists in Honolulu. Years ago, Lexie had started selling some of his drawings so he could have some spending money. She’d began by taking ten of them to a street fair—and had sold all of them within thirty minutes. His popularity had just grown exponentially from that moment until now. The man had an uncanny ability to depict extreme emotions in his works.

He didn’t draw for the money, as he didn’t have a strong grasp on the whole concept of saving and what it meant to be rich or poor. He was happy living his life the way he always had. Lexie and Midas had opened an account for Theo and invested his earnings. As a result, he’d definitely never be homeless again.

There was a waiting list for his creations, but Theo loved drawing for his friends more than anything else. So Baker had no doubt when Ben had tracked him down and given him the picture of Miss Jody, standing with her new husband in the pouring rain, staring up at him with all the love she had for him shining in her eyes, that Theo had probably jumped on the chance to recreate the moment.

Baker watched as Jodelle’s eyes filled with tears as she stared at the drawing. Her fingers brushed over the glass with reverence before she looked up at him with watery eyes.

“It’s us,” she said unnecessarily.

Baker nodded and pulled her against his side as he gazed at the picture. He hadn’t seen it before, and he was just as awed now as he was every time he saw one of Theo’s drawings. The man was a master. He might be mentally deficient, but his talent was unmatchable.

“But look, it got smudged,” Jodelle said with a frown. She ran her thumb over a noticeable smudge in the artwork. It was right over her shoulder, and even through the sheets of rain Theo had drawn, it was easy to see.

Something caught his eye in the wrapping paper on the coffee table in front of them, where Jodelle had thrown it in her exuberance to open the gift.

He picked up the small envelope and handed it to Jodelle. She set the framed picture on her lap and opened it. Pulling out a piece of paper, she read the contents aloud.

“Miss Jody, I figured on my wedding day, a reminder of your own was appropriate. I can only hope Tressa and I stay in love just as deeply as you and Baker have. Love, Ben. PS. I asked Theo about the smudge on the drawing, and he told me that every time he’s around you, he sees a small ‘floating ball of mist’ near you. Said he puts it in all the drawings he does of you. I’ve never noticed it before, but if Theo says it’s there, I’m sure it is.”

Jodelle looked up at Baker in confusion. “Have you noticed it in his other drawings?” she asked.

In response, Baker pulled out his phone. He’d taken a picture of every drawing Theo had given them. They were so good, he wanted to be able to look at them wherever he was, not just when he was at home. He pulled up one of Jodelle holding Elodie’s triplets. Her arms were obviously full, but her head was thrown back as she was laughing hysterically at something someone said. Looking closer, Baker saw a small smudge near her right elbow that he’d never noticed before. He pointed it out to Jodelle, then scrolled to the next picture.

It was of Jodelle with her arm around Ben. They were sitting on her picnic table at the beach. It was drawn from behind and, sure enough, there was a small smudge near her ankle near the bottom of the picture.

Every single picture Baker looked at, Theo had included that small smudge. All of them were located near her arms or legs, which was most likely why Baker hadn’t noticed before. He always concentrated on the happiness and love in Jodelle’s eyes and face.

He picked up the newest drawing Theo had given them and stared at that smudge for a long moment—then suddenly, his eyes filled with tears.

Jodelle didn’t miss his reaction. “Baker?” she asked with concern, putting her hand on his thigh.

Turning to his woman, Baker whispered, “It’s Kaimana.”

“What?” Jodelle asked in confusion.

Baker ran his thumb over the smudge once more. “I know this sounds crazy, but I think this is Mana. He’s been watching over you.”

Jodelle looked at him in awe. “It doesn’t sound crazy,” she told him. “I feel him sometimes. But I figured everyone would say that was just me being a grieving mother.”

A tear fell from Baker’s eye, and Jodelle’s thumb brushed it away.

Then she shifted to her knees on the couch and kissed his cheek. “Don’t cry, Baker. Not about this. I’ve always felt that he’s around. I absolutely love that Theo confirmed it.”

Baker did his best to get control of his emotions. Only this woman could bring that part of him out. He nodded at her.

“You good?” she asked.

Baker sighed and kissed her briefly. “Yeah, Tink. I’m good.”

“Does that mean we can get naked now?”

Baker snorted out a laugh. In response, he stood, reverently placing Theo’s drawing on the table. He took the time to touch the smudge and send a silent message to Kaimana, vowing once more to always take care of his mama, before turning, picking Jodelle up, and heading for the bed.

She wrapped her arms around him and giggled. He dopped her legs next to the mattress and curled a hand around the back of her neck. She rested her hands on his chest and gazed up at him.

“You have a good time tonight, Jodelle?”

She sighed. “Oh, yeah. Tressa was beautiful. And Ben so handsome in his tux. I’m so happy for them.”

“How do you feel?”

She scrunched her nose at him. “About what?”

“Physically, Tink,” he said with a grin. “You feel sick at all?”

“Oh. No. Tipsy, yes. Horny, definitely. Sick? Nope.”

“Okay, good. I’ve got a box of Pop-Tarts in my bag for the morning,” he informed her.

Jodelle beamed up at him. “You’d think I’d have grown out of that by now.”

Baker shrugged. “You do, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll always bring them for you.”

“Always having my back,” Jodelle said quietly.

“Absolutely,” Baker confirmed.

Then Jodelle shocked him by tipping her head back and saying, “If you’re here, Mana, it’s time for you to go for a little while. I’m gonna make love to my husband, and I don’t need you around for that.”

Baker chuckled, but when Jodelle’s gaze met his, he sobered.

“I love you, Jodelle Spencer. So damn much, you don’t even know.”

“I do know,” she countered. “Because I love you the same way, Baker Rawlins.” Then she reached around her back for her zipper.

Baker stopped her immediately by grabbing her hand and lowering the zipper himself. “I’ve been dreaming of doing that all evening, you aren’t gonna deny me,” he said sternly.

“Then get to it,” Jodelle demanded.

“Gladly.” Then Baker got busy making love with his wife.

* *

Thank you all for reading the SEAL Team Hawaii series. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for the state of Hawaii. I’m sure you’ll continue to see Baker pop up in future books, I have a feeling he’s like Tex…always got his nose in other people’s business.

And don’t worry…there are more Navy SEALs lurking in my mind, waiting impatiently for their stories to be told.

Be kind. Read on. And stay strong.

Baker will continue to show up in future books, because he’s just too delicious not to. And one of those book is my new SEAL series, set in California alongside the original SEALs, Wolf and his gang, called Protecting Remi.

I expanded my short story, Finding Peyton, changed the names and some of the details, but the two main characters still meet because they were left in the middle of the ocean…and eventually rescued by none other than BAKER! :)

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