Chapter 33
Six Weeks Later…
“It went surprisingly well. Dr. Sloane makes me feel safe and I think I processed through some surface level things today. I know it was only my third session, but I really feel like I’m getting somewhere. Seeing Addie take therapy in stride really made it easier for me to put in the work, you know?”
Declan had helped finish up the rebuild of the bakery a week after Addie came home. Sebastian had been nervous seeing how his brother would treat Em, but the two of them clicked instantly, with Dec loving Emma’s fast wit and take-no-nonsense attitude. He would have been a little sad that his other brothers weren’t able to stay and meet her, if not for the fact that Dec immediately started a new sibling group chat with Emma included. They were planning on heading to Tennessee in a few weeks once Addie was done with school for the year, and for the first time since Sebastian got out of the military, he was looking forward to traveling home.
Emma had been so overwhelmed with the joy in having her daughter back that she didn’t even realize there was something happening behind the large construction tarps on the outside of her store. The first night he walked her back over to the bakery after it was finished, she’d cried. He panicked at first, thinking she didn’t like the fixtures or the appliances he picked, even though they were all top of the line. She’d pointed to the new shop sign Seb had designed as a little joke, but Emma said it couldn’t be more perfect. Her bakery was now called Sprinkles, and she’d been back every day after the grand reveal, planning her reopening and redesigning her menu. Of course, his favorite was the Suits Special: a cortado and sprinkle cookie combo.
Although her apartment was also completely redone, Emma decided that she and Addie would stay at Seb’s place. His heart exploded when she reminded him how she was all-in for making their little family work. Seb knew Emma would eventually rent out the apartment to someone who needed it, but for now, she was busy getting back into the groove of owning the bakery.
“I’m so proud of you for seeing her, Em. You are the strongest woman I’ve ever met, and such an amazing example for Addie.”
“Seb…” Emma nodded towards the bakery door, where Gunner was standing with a woman who looked scared out of her mind. Sebastian’s jaw dropped as he saw what the woman was holding in her arms: a tiny baby, maybe just a few weeks old.
“I’ll be right back, Sprinkles.” Sebastian placed a kiss on the top of her head, laughing as he felt her hand squeeze his bottom. “Hey now, we’re in public.”
“My bakery is hardly ‘in public’. And everyone here knows I love you.”
Seb walked towards the entrance, his eyes bouncing between Gunner and the mystery woman.
“Reap, you’re back,” he extended his hand out to his friend.
“Yeah, ready to start back at work, if you’ll still have me.”
“Don’t be silly, of course you still have your spot here with us. I’m sure you already know this, but the guys are all over in Silver Springs, setting up the space.”
“Hawk told me when I mentioned I was finally ready to fly back.”
“I found a building with apartments up above, so everyone on the team has a place to stay if they want it. You’re included in that.”
“Thanks, Cap. And listen, I wanted to thank you for the beautiful flowers you sent to mom’s house, and to her celebration of life.”
“It’s the least I could do. I know it wasn’t unexpected, but it’s still a loss. Are you sure you’re ready to be back here?”
“Hi, Gunner.” Emma walked up, unknowingly interrupting their conversations, and placed her arm around Sebastian’s waist.
“Emma,” Gunner gave her a tight smile. “I’m glad to see you’re okay.”
“Getting there, anyway,” she smiled up at Seb.
“And I hear congratulations are in order. Already planning the nuptials, or are you guys going to take it slow?”
“If this guy had his way, we’d have been married the same day he popped the question,” Em laughed. “But I’d like to wait a while. We’re just trying to figure out life with Addie and supporting her through this enormous change. It feels like we should enjoy being engaged for the time being.”
The woman at Gunner’s side shifted the sleeping baby to her chest and smiled up at Gunner.
“Oh my goodness, I’m being so rude,” Emma said. “Hi, I’m Emma! This is my bakery.”
“Hi.” The woman’s voice was soft and Seb couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow as he watched his friend place a supportive hand at the base of her back. “I’m Lily, Gunner’s wife. And this is our daughter, Sage.”
Sebastian stared in disbelief. “Reap? What the hell? Your wife and daughter?”
“You heard her correctly, Cap.” Gunner’s arm wrapped around Lily’s shoulder, tucking her into his side.
“Congratulations, you two. And here you let me go on and on about our engagement, when you had such amazing news yourself! Come sit down and tell us everything!” He knew Emma wanted nothing more than to wrap them in a hug, but she was being cautious with Gunner. He hadn’t warmed up to her in the time he’d been in Bell Ridge before heading to be with his ailing mother, and his friend was clearly hiding something with his return.
Sebastian led the group to the table where he and Emma had been enjoying lunch, nodding as he passed John Boone walking with his daughter towards the exit.
* * *
John left his family and headed towards the door, Katy holding on tightly to his hand. He had promised her an afternoon in the park, and she wasn’t about to let him forget.
Katy was pulling him towards the gum ball machine Emma recently added with his daughter in mind, when a woman walked directly into him. Bright blue eyes blinked up at him and a familiar feeling settled in his gut. John wrapped his hands around the woman’s arms, keeping her steady when it looked as though her legs threatened to give out.
“Ms. Cooper? How are you?”
“D-deputy Boone, please call me Abby. Sorry about that. I was just getting a cup of coffee. I’ve never been here before, trying to venture out and push myself to try new things after…well…I was having a hard time deciding. And now, I’m rambling. Sorry. ”
“Abby, please stop apologizing.” He wanted to ask her how she was doing, how her injury was healing, but that felt too invasive. He’d only been with her that short time between the attack and when the ambulance got to her, but it was enough to make him feel responsible for her safety. The thick turtleneck-type shirt she was wearing covered her entire neck, preventing John from discreetly examining the place where she had been injured. So instead, he smiled and looked up at the menu board. “Hmmm…I definitely recommend the hazelnut cappuccino. It’s my go-to, and it’s delicious.”
“Chocolate cookie, too!” Katy chimed in.
“Those are both brilliant suggestions, although I would have guessed you were more of a black coffee guy. And chocolate cookies are my favorite. I’ll give that order a try. Thank you both.”
“Of course. If you’re staying, my family is over there.” He pointed to the booth at the front window. “I could introduce you.”
“Oh no! No, I mean, that’s so sweet of you, but I’m not staying. I have to get to work, finally setting up my classroom and getting back into the swing of things. I’m just trying to figure out a new routine, after, well, God, you of all people know.” Her eyes looked down at her feet as she clasped her hands tightly in front of her. “And besides, I’ve met your family before. Your mom was always so sweet to me when I would help my dad or Sam at the farmer’s market before I left for college.”
Jesus. Her nervous rambling had him wanting to give in to this crazy desire he had to hold her in his arms. John wanted to really see how she was doing, but it would be beyond inappropriate, and he didn’t want to make her feel any more anxious than she already was.
“Oh, that makes sense. Of course.” He sighed, settling on what to do instead. “You’re doing good, you know that, right? For what happened. It’s going to take time, but you’re doing good.”
She nodded and gave the deputy a smile so beautiful he felt his heart skip a beat. What the hell was going on with him, and how the hell was he going to put a stop to it?
Ready to find out how Gunner ended up returning to Clarence County with a new wife and baby in tow? Secretly wondering what the town of Silver Springs has in store for our five handsome ex-SEAL friends? Be sure to read Silver Linings, the first book in the Silver Springs Series.
Excited for the oldest Boone brother to find his happiness? Curious about how Abby copes with trying her best to heal from her attack, all while starting a new job when she can’t stop thinking of the deputy who saved her life? Be sure to read Johnathan, book 4 in the Men of Clarence County Series.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Sebastian. If you enjoyed this novel, please consider leaving a rating/review on lokepub.