CHAPTER FOUR #2
Pierce took the seat behind the wheel, and she sat in the seat across from him.
As the boats began their slow journey back to shore, Charley couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at her lips. Maybe being stuck out here wasn’t the worst thing in the world after all.
The first few minutes of the ride were quiet until Pierce spoke up.
“So, what were you doing all the way out here by yourself?” he asked as he turned to look at her.
At first, she hesitated, not really wanting to talk about her grief. But she didn’t want to lie, so she decided to be honest. “I was spreading my dad’s and brother’s ashes.”
Pierce’s expression softened. His light brown eyes showed understanding. “I’m sorry for your loss. That must have been tough.”
Charley nodded, feeling her eyes begin to fill with tears. Thankfully, she was able to keep them at bay. “Thank you. It was hard. But it was the right thing to do. They both loved the ocean.”
“So, you’re from the area then?” he asked.
“Yes and no,” she said. “I was born and raised here, but then moved to the East Coast about four years ago. I just moved back a couple of days ago because of work.”
“What is it that you do?” he asked.
“I’m the Executive Director of the Jacob Hardesty Foundation, which is opening here on the West Coast. It’s a charity foundation for veterans, military service members, and their families.”
Pierce’s eyebrows shot up. “I’ve heard about that. Everyone’s been talking about it. It is definitely needed.”
“That’s great to hear,” she told him. “I would ask you what you do, but I think I know.”
He cocked his head to the side and grinned. “You think you know?”
She pointed at his dark blue T-shirt with the trident pin on it, the word “Instructor” under it. “It’s a little obvious between your shirt, the other guys wearing the same, and the zodiac.”
He grinned. “Well, maybe we are just wannabes.”
She laughed. “Yeah, I don’t see that, especially in this town. Well, unless you want to get your ass kicked.”
Pierce barked out a loud laugh. “You do have a point there. And you are correct. We were just out on the water with some recruits.”
The more they talked, the more Charley couldn’t help but notice how easy it was to talk to Pierce.
He had a calm presence that put her at ease, even in such a vulnerable moment.
She also couldn’t ignore the growing attraction she felt towards him, which was very unexpected and confusing given the circumstances.
She found herself wishing the ride was longer.
Minutes later, they pulled up to the dock at the marina. Pierce and the others helped secure her boat.
She grabbed her bag and stepped off the boat. Pierce followed her. She turned toward him. “Thank you again. And I’m sorry if I messed up your schedule.”
Pierce waved her off. “No worries. I’m just glad we were there and could help.”
She smiled. “Well, I guess I’ll let you guys get back to your recruits. It was nice meeting you, Pierce.”
He grinned. “It was nice meeting you, too, Charley.”
“Thanks again.”
“Anytime,” he said. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
Charley nodded as she watched him jump back onto the zodiac.
She waved to the rest of the group as they untied and pulled away from the dock.
As she turned and started walking to her vehicle, she couldn’t stop the thoughts running wild in her head.
He was really nice and definitely good-looking.
His personality kinda reminded her of Ace and his team back in Virginia Beach.
She also wondered if their paths would ever cross again.
“I hope so,” she muttered to herself as she smiled.
◆◆◆
As he pulled away from the dock, Pierce couldn’t help but turn and look back at Charley as she walked up the dock and disappeared into the parking lot.
There was something about her that intrigued him. He couldn’t deny that he was attracted to her, which was shocking because he hadn’t felt that way in years. Not since everything happened with Brittany.
He shook his head as he tried to push any thought of that bitch away.
Dating hadn’t been on his radar since his ex-wife had cheated on him.
Since then, he had poured every ounce of himself into his job and shut out anything that might distract him.
That was until about half an hour ago when he met Charley.
She was cute and surprisingly very easy to talk to.
Even though he had just met her, he could already tell she was different—a good different. There was a quiet strength in the way she carried herself and a kindness that didn’t appear forced or fake. She was genuine. She seemed to be the kind of person who cared without expecting anything in return.
As a SEAL, he had a knack for reading people quickly.
His and, at times, his teammates’ lives depended on it more times than he could count.
And his gut told him Charley was the real deal.
She seemed like someone who, despite whatever life had thrown at her, hadn’t let it harden her.
He admired that more than he cared to admit.
As the boat picked up speed, he was snapped out of his thoughts. He slipped on his sunglasses to shield his eyes from the dipping sun.
He had work to do, recruits to train, and a life he thought he was perfectly content with. However, as they sped away from the marina, Pierce found himself wondering what it might be like to let someone in again.