His To Claim. Brenda Jackson
that required their SEAL team to go into action, they had the next six months on leave.
It was six months all of them needed after their last operation. Because of the success of their mission, Americans would be able to sleep safe at night, and to him and his teammates, that was what truly mattered. But for him the battle wasn’t over whenever he returned home. Those were the times he had to fight to reconnect with Teri. “That’s fine,” he finally said, seeing the man’s features relax. He knew the clerk had expected an argument and a part of Mac was raring to give him one, but what would have been the use? “Do you have any idea where she is so she can give me permission?”
“We tried calling the cabin and she’s not answering, so we can only assume she’s out riding. I believe she does that every morning.”
“Does she come here for breakfast?”
“No. She’s in one of the cabins farthest away, one with a stocked kitchen.” And then, as if realizing he might have provided too much information, he added, “That’s all I can tell you. I left Ms. McRoy a voice-mail message. If you’d like to sit over there and wait, I’m sure she will be returning my call shortly.”
“I’d rather wait outside. That way I can walk around a bit to stretch my legs. Can I leave my gear here while I do?”
“Yes, sir, you can.”
Mac handed his duffel bag to the man before turning to walk out the door. He stepped out on the porch and drew in a deep breath, appreciating the moment of breathing in good American air. He’d been in Libya too long and was glad to be home. Only thing, he wasn’t home. It wasn’t even close enough to home to suit him. Getting on another plane within a few hours after getting off one hadn’t made his day or his night, which he was yet to have. He hadn’t slept in over thirty hours.
Glancing around, he saw the changes that had been made since the last time he’d been here on his honeymoon. There was a spanking new barn that was a lot bigger than the last one had been. Even the main ranch house had gotten a face-lift. It was three times the size it was before. He’d noticed the sign that read Under New Management the moment he’d walked into the place.
He was about to step off the porch when his cell phone rang. Recognizing the ringtone, he pulled the phone out of the back pocket of his jeans and clicked on. “Yeah, Bane?”
“You know the routine, Mac. You didn’t touch base with any of us to let us know you’d gotten home.”
He released a frustrated breath before saying, “I’m not home.”
“Why the hell not?” That question came from another team member, Gavin Blake, whose code name was Viper. That meant in addition to Viper and Bane, Mac was on a call with the other two team members he was close friends with, as well: David Holloway, whose code name was Flipper, and Laramie Cooper, whose code name was Coop.
“Because when I got home, I discovered Teri was missing.”
“Missing? What do you mean Teri was missing?” Flipper wanted to know.
“And your answer better be good, Mac. I hope she hasn’t finally taken enough of your BS and left your ass,” Coop added.
Mac rubbed his hand down his face. He didn’t need his teammates to remind him that at times he wasn’t the easiest man to get along with. “Will the four of you calm down?” Leaning against the porch post, he then told them what he knew. At least what his parents had told him. Which hadn’t been much.
“And you haven’t seen her yet?” Bane asked.
“No. I haven’t been here but a few minutes. She’s out riding and since my name isn’t on her registration, they won’t tell me which cabin she’s staying in or give me a key.”
“That’s understandable,” Viper said.
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“Calm down, Mac,” Bane warned.
Now they were the ones telling him to calm down. “I am calm. I haven’t hit anything yet.”
“And you won’t. Listen to what Teri has to say. She must have had a good reason for taking off and leaving the kids with your folks,” Coop was saying.
“Yes, and try to be understanding, no matter the reason,” Viper suggested.
“And another thing,” Flipper, the most recently married one of the team, spoke up to say, but Mac stopped him.
“Hold up. I don’t need you guys giving me marital advice. I’ve been married a lot longer than any of you.”
“That might be true, but you have a tendency to act like an ass at times, like you know everything,” Coop said. “We’ve been gone awhile. Eight months, twelve days and fifteen hours to be exact. Show your woman how much you miss her, love her and appreciate her.”
Mac shook his head. “Like I said, guys, I don’t need your advice. I know how to handle my business.”
“Your way of handling things doesn’t work all the time, Mac,” Viper said. “That’s all we’re saying.”
Mac rubbed the back of his neck and felt a tension headache coming on. He never got headaches. “Duly noted. Now, goodbye.”
“Hey, call us later to let us know things are okay,” Bane said.
Mac rolled his eyes. “I’ll think about it.” He then clicked off the phone.
* * *
Teri had returned to the cabin after her morning ride and was about to go into the kitchen to prepare something to eat for breakfast when she noticed the blinking light on the cabin’s telephone. She thought about ignoring it, thinking it was probably the resort manager giving her a rundown of that day’s activities. However, she felt compelled to answer it anyway. Her cell phone was out of range and wasn’t working. What if it was her in-laws trying to reach her?
Moving quickly to the phone, she picked it up to retrieve the message. “Ms. McRoy, this is Harold at the front desk. Please call me as soon as you get this message.”
Teri pressed the number seven and Harold picked up immediately. “Harold, you called. Is something wrong?”
“No, ma’am. There’s a man here who says he’s your husband and has asked for a key to your cabin. Company policy restricts us from doing that. Said his name is Thurston McRoy.”
Teri’s heart suddenly began pounding hard in her chest. Mac was here? She drew in a deep breath. He must have returned and found she’d left and her in-laws had told him where she was? Had they also told him why she’d taken off? Did he know—
“Ms. McRoy? Is it okay to give him a key with directions on how to get to your cabin?”
She swallowed. “Is he there? If so, please let me talk with him.”
“No, he’s not here inside. He stepped outside.”
Probably to cool off, she thought. Coming home and finding her gone had probably pissed him off. Coming after her would have made him angrier. Then being denied access to her cabin would have made the situation even worse.
“I can go outside and get him if you need to talk to him.”
She drew in a deep breath. Knowing Mac, she figured that would agitate him even more. “No, that’s not necessary. Please give him a key and directions on how to get here.”
“Okay, I will.”
When Teri hung up the phone, she drew in a deep breath.
She wouldn’t have those additional three days alone here after all.
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