Chapter Twenty-Nine
EMERY
REID HAS BEEN skulking around the cabin all morning. He hasn’t spoken two words to me since his nightmare. Frustration surges through me, and I find myself catering to him the way I have in past relationships. Offering to do things for him, rubbing his shoulders to soothe his nerves.
It’s when I set a piping hot cup of coffee in front of him, and he doesn’t look up that I decide I have to say something.
“Reid,” I say slowly, perching on the chair next to his. He’s sitting in his favorite armchair that faces a large glass door overlooking the marsh. It’s taken me a few weeks to notice but this seems to be the place he comes to think.
He flicks his eyes up to me and then back at the marsh.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask, reaching for his hand. When he doesn’t react, I let my hand fall away.
“Not particularly,” he snaps.
I sigh, sinking further into the chair. I let the silence hang between us for a few minutes before I speak. He doesn’t move and he doesn’t look at me, and even though I know this is about his dream, I can’t help but feel like I did something wrong.
“Reid, do you remember the other day at the Net when you said you wanted us to be together?” I ask gently.
He looks at me then before planting his elbows to his knees and burying his face in his hands.
“And I told you if it is going to work, you have to let me in? Not shut me out. You have to show me who you are.” I move from the chair and kneel in front of him.
Reid lets out a sigh before bringing his eyes up to meet mine. “I remember.”
“I’m here right now, baby. But I can’t stay if you won’t talk to me.” I put a hand on his knee, and he covers it with his own, keeping his gaze focused on the floor.
“I have nightmares. Since I’ve been back. They’re brought on by stress, and they’re horrific. I have a hard time bouncing back from them.”
“That much I got,” I say, letting out a slow breath and waiting for him to continue.
Reid lets out a groan and rubs the back of his neck. “This one was awful.”
“Okay,” I say, squeezing his knee.
“I was a SEAL again. And you were there…and I couldn’t save you.” His voice cracks, prompting me to climb into his lap.
He opens his arms and when I nuzzle into him, he holds me tight. “They’ve been coming back a lot lately. And it scares me.”
“Can you identify the triggers?”
He doesn’t answer immediately, his hand tracing the length of my spine in gentle strokes. “No,” he finally says, but I get the sense that’s not true.
“And in the past, what have you done to work through this?”
He lets out a deep, relenting breath. “There are groups. Support groups, therapy meetings. In Beaufort.”
“You need to go.” I pull back from his grip, studying his face. “Take the day and go, Reid.”
“I—I can’t. I don’t want to leave you alone.” His voice is thick with something I don’t recognize before I realize it’s fear. He said he couldn’t save me in his dream, and he won’t leave me now.
“Reid, this is important. I’ll be okay. I’ll stay close to the house, and I’ll be fine.” I tip his chin upward, so his eyes meet mine. “Go.”
He leans in, kissing me softly, and little fireworks go off in my belly. This is a breakthrough.
REID LEAVES SHORTLY after breakfast, hoping to catch a midday meeting in Beaufort. He tells me he might meet up with some old unit buddies too and to call him if anything comes up.
My plan for today is to do some laundry, putter around his house, and start my paper on the turtle findings so far.
It should keep me occupied while he’s gone.
I pop some headphones in and get started, first with the laundry.
I feel a sweet tug in my chest at the idea of our dirty clothes mixing in the washer.
Something tells me that would be new for Reid.
I think I like it. The idea of us being together—as long as he keeps letting me in.
I make myself a packet of ramen noodles, and I’m just sitting down to start my paper when a knock at the heavy front door startles me. I glance down at my phone—only one o’clock. The knock sounds again and my pulse hammers in my ears.
Fuck.
Reid does have a peephole, unlike the door at Blackbird Cottage, but if I approach, there’s a chance that whoever is on the other side will see me from the windows.
My phone buzzes once with a text. I flick my eyes to it.
Lena.
I tap the text.
Lena: Surprise!
Another text.
Alan: Let us in!
It takes me a minute to realize that’s who’s knocking on the door. I hop off the counter stool I’m sitting on and dart through the living room, my socks skidding on the hardwood floors.
“Em! We know you’re in there!” Lena’s voice calls from the other side.
I swing open the door.
“Oh my God! What are you two doing here?” I shriek, holding my arms open to them.
“We thought it would be fun to come and check out your sleepy little town. You know, since you never call us,” Lena exaggerates, leaning her head on my shoulder. “Summer sessions are on a one-week break, so I left Dave with the kids and we hopped a flight.”
“Hold on, you two flew on a plane together and didn’t kill each other?” I laugh, pulling back so I can look at them. “I don’t believe it.”
“It wasn’t easy,” Alan mutters, stepping inside. “Is this where Coastal Carolina put you up?”
I shake my head, squinting. “Oh yeah, how did you find me?”
“I tracked your location, duh.” Lena rolls her eyes. She steps further inside, looking around. “Nice digs.”
“This isn’t where I’m supposed to be staying… This is Reid’s house.”
Alan and Lena exchange curious looks before turning their eyes back to me—Lena’s full of amusement, Alan’s wariness.
I watch Lena rake her eyes up the length of my body, the sleep shorts and oversized hoodie belonging to the oversized man that lives here.
Her wheels are turning already, trying to figure it out.
“You’re getting laid,” she finally says, a hint of mischief in her voice.
“Maybe I better start at the beginning.”
AN HOUR LATER, we’re perched at a high-top table in the far corner of The Rusty Anchor, the bar I noticed when I arrived in town but haven’t been to until now. I thought it might be safer, filling them in without the listening ears around The Drift Net.
“How long are you guys staying?” I ask, as we get settled.
“Well since Tidehaven has two hotel choices and neither of them are five-star, we’re staying the night here and then going up to Charleston to meet some old colleagues of Alan’s,” Lena says. “Now stop deflecting.”
“I’m not deflecting.” I hold up my hands. “I’m allowed to ask how long you’re staying.”
“Lena just wants the juicy gossip,” Alan says, shooting her a sideways look. “I want to know if you’re doing okay.”
I suck in a breath to speak but before I can, a server comes over with three glasses of water and some menus.
“I’m Georgia,” she says with a smile. “I’ll give y’all a few minutes.”
When she disappears, I sigh. “I’m doing okay.”
“Well, that’s a relief!” Lena says dramatically. “Are you going to tell Alan how you didn’t listen to him at all?”
I kick her hard under the table.
“Ouch!” she chirps.
I ignore her.
Alan eyes me curiously. “Emery…what is she talking about?”
I glare at Lena before turning my attention back to Alan.
“Uh…I sort of took my suspicions to the town council,” I say, instinctively lowering my voice.
Alan’s eyes go wide. “Emery.”
I wince. “I know, trust me. It wasn’t a good choice.”
“What happened?” Alan’s voice rises, coming out like a demand.
“It’s fine,” I say, holding up my hands.
“I just…made the mayor and the council a little mad. Defensive, maybe.” I don’t bother telling them about my injuries or the threats made against me.
He’d insist I leave. He’d report it to the university, or worse, get law enforcement involved. Reid would be so angry.
Reid.
The man I’m trusting to take care of me.
I don’t know, maybe I am crazy. Maybe it’s crazy to trust him over my friends and colleagues who have known me for seven years. But I have never felt safer than I do with Reid.
“Are you in danger, Emery?” Alan looks at me very seriously. “Because if you are…”
“No. I don’t think so. I mean, I’m staying with Reid for a while. Backing off the turtles. I removed all my traps. I’m going to write the paper, but I don’t know what I’ll do with it.”
They’re both quiet for a moment, digesting my words. If they only knew the half of it—they’d be demanding I fly back with them immediately. I won’t do that though.
I feel so different from the person I was when I came down here.
Six weeks ago, I was lost and looking for purpose.
I’ve found that here. And I’ve found something else too.
A strong, sexy, loving man who makes me feel safe—among other things.
I can’t possibly walk away without knowing what will come of both things.
“Em, I’m saying this as your boss and your friend. If you need to get out and come home, all you have to do is call.” Alan covers my hand with his. “It’s not worth putting yourself at risk.”
I sigh, leaning my cheek on my hand. “I know. But you know, these past six weeks have made me realize something. Being in the field, exploring habitats, getting to know the animals again—it makes me feel alive. I hadn’t realized how much I missed being out there.”
“In the slimy marsh muck?” Lena grimaces. “No thanks.”
I bark out a laugh. “Well, I didn’t ask you.”
“I’m glad, Emery. I really am. But just please be safe out there,” Alan says.
“I will, I promise.”
“Okay, enough of this. Can we please order some margaritas and relax?” Lena begs. “I haven’t been kid-free in ages.”
“Sucks to be you,” Alan retorts, nudging me so I’ll agree with him.
I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling, feeling lighter than I have in days. I hadn’t realized just how much I missed my people.
“Margaritas it is.”