11. Jack

11

JACK

T he next morning, I pull up outside the Search and Rescue center. I've switched my cheap rental for a four-wheel drive pickup. It's a ridiculously big car, but hey, I'm in America now, and these mountain roads call for big tires. Now that I'm staying for the full three months, and longer if I can convince Suzie to have me permanently, I need a better set of wheels.

My chest is light as I take the stairs two at a time and head into the center. The doors slide open, and I stride in and go straight to Suzie's desk. She stands up when she sees me, and I present her with a bunch of flowers. "You still like lilies?"

She takes the flowers and smiles, but it's not as warm as I would like. "They're lovely. Thank you."

She's still holding something back. I can't blame her. It's going to take a while for her to trust me again. Trust has to be earned, and I'll show up every day until she realizes I mean to stick around this time.

I follow Suzie into the kitchen where she rummages in the cupboard for a vase.

"What time's your break? I'll take you to lunch."

She runs water into a large vase and arranges the lilies in it. She's not looking at me, and a stab of fear pricks my heat. What if she regrets yesterday? Maybe she was caught up in the passion of the moment and didn't mean anything she said.

I grab her around the waist and spin her to face me. She gives a shriek of surprise, but I need to see her eyes to know what she's thinking. "I meant what I said yesterday. I'm going to marry you, Suzie, as soon as you'll let me."

Her expression softens, and I kiss her on the mouth. Heat sizzles between us, and the kiss deepens. My dick stirs to attention, and I press it against her so she feels how much I want her.

Suzie pulls away and takes half a step back but stays in my arms. "If you keep doing that, I'll get fired for doing something indecent in the workplace."

Her teasing tone eases my anxiety a bit, but her eyes dart to the left. There's still something she's holding back.

"Am I moving too fast? It's a lot I know, but we've wasted three years. I don't want to waste any more time. I know what I want, Suzie, and it's you."

Damn, I'm coming in too hard and too fast, which was one of my strong points in the military but probably not a way to be with a woman.

"It's just a lot, Jack. I don't hear from you in three years, and then you turn up and say you want to be with me. I mean, you're from England. Where would we even live?"

If that's all she's worried about, then it means she's considering it.

"Wherever you like, love. We could stay here if you want, or we could go back to the UK. We could travel and see the world if that's what you want to do. Spend half the year here, half the year in England. I need to introduce you to my mum and show you Cornwall where I grew up."

She takes another step back, and I don't like the expression on her face. Her arms drop from around me, and she presses herself against the small counter in the kitchen. "I can't travel like that, Jack."

She wants to stay here. I get it. Her sister's here, her job. "We'll stay here if that's what you want, love. I have money from the military. I was never around to spend much of it, and I invested it, so you don't have to work if you don't want to. You can go back to Uni, finish your degree…"

She's shaking her head, and I'm running on again. I take a breath and calm my racing heart. I need a slow approach if I'm going to get her on board. "We don't have to think about it now. I'll be happy wherever I am, as long as I'm with you."

Her brow furrows, and she's about to say something when there's a noise behind us. I spin around, and a woman who looks a lot like Suzie but with darker hair hurries into the kitchen. She's clutching a small child to her chest, and there's worry etched into her features.

"Sorry Suzie. We were on the way to the park and he threw up, so I brought him straight in."

The boy holds out his tubby hands, reaching for Suzie.

"Mommy," he wails.

Shock freezes my body.

Suzie rushes to the woman and takes the boy out of her arms. He clings to Suzie, crying while she rubs a hand over his back. "My tummy feels funny."

A heavy weight sinks in my stomach. Suzie has a child.

The boy lifts his head, and the sandy mop of hair falls over his face as he peers at me with wide blue eyes. Soft baby-blue eyes. It's like I'm staring at one of the photos my mother keeps on her mantelpiece. I'm staring at a toddler version of myself.

Shock ripples through my body like an explosion. "Suzie…?"

Suzie looks to the other woman, whose face is distraught. "Sorry, I didn't know he'd be here."

This must be the sister, and they've obviously talked about me. She backs out of the room. "I'll, um, wait out here."

She exits the room, leaving me with Suzie and what I have no doubt is my son.

My son . The thought sends new shock waves roaring through my chest.

"Why didn't you tell me?" My voice comes out harsher than I intended, and I try to quell the feelings bubbling up inside.

She puts the back of her hand to the boy's forehead. "I couldn't find you, Jack."

There's no accusation in her tone. It's a fact. And she's right. I disappeared; how could she find me? She's not denying it either. The boy is mine. He's ours. We have a son.

Suzie dives into the cupboard and pulls out a plastic bowl. "Do you feel like you're going to be sick again?" she asks the boy.

"I don't know. I ate too much candy."

Suzie purses her lips together, no doubt cursing her sister. She kisses the top of his head. "Let's get you home just in case."

He clings onto her, peering at me over the top of her shoulder. His big curious eyes indicate he must be wondering who the hell I am.

I have so many questions, but this isn't the time to ask them. She has to look after her boy, and I need time to process all of this.

So much for honesty between us. Suzie's been keeping this guy a secret since I got here. She could have told me yesterday, and she didn't. I've been a fool, thinking I could sweep in and pick up where we left off.

Suzie's got a life here, a job and a son. She doesn't want me swooping in and causing chaos for him.

I keep my expression neutral the way I've been trained to do so she doesn't notice the turmoil that's going on inside of me.

"We'll talk later," she says to me over her shoulder.

She's distracted, worried about her boy. I nod and hold the kitchen door open for her and the boy as they go out.

"What's his name?" I call after her.

She pauses and half turns. Her expression is sad and soft. "George." Then she turns and bustles into the comms room, grabbing her purse and asking colleagues for cover.

George, an English name, royal and classic, like the history she was studying. It's also the name of the pub we met at: The King George.