Free Her Adoring SEAL (Midnight Delta Book 3) by Caitlyn O'Leary

riding lesson.  It was the second one they were going to have since she had gotten home from the hospital, and she knew only something important would have made him miss it.  She was nervous, so she was out in the garden with Boone.
    The dog barked his welcome, and she looked over her shoulder to see Jack walking over towards her with a strained smile.  She gave a tentative smile in return, and stood brushing the dirt off her jeans.
    “Sweetheart, I have some good news and a change in plans.”
    “So no bad news?”  She knew Jack, he would try to protect her.  He wouldn’t want to worry her.  There was some bad news hidden somewhere.
    “The good news is you’re going to be able to see Lydia sooner than we thought.”
    “Is she all right?”
    “She’s fine.  They’ve decided to move the trial from Texas to California.  So all of you are going to be moving.  Lydia is going to San Diego, your parents are going to Los Angeles and we’re going to Santa Monica.”
    “I’m still not good with the geography of the United States, but aren’t all of those places in California?”
    “Yes.”
    “I thought we’re supposed to be kept far apart.  This doesn’t make sense.”
    Jack took a deep breath.
    “What aren’t you telling me?”
    “It’s because they can keep more Navy personnel guarding all of you if you’re in the Southern California area.  They wouldn’t put you in harm’s way.  If they say it’s okay for all of you to be in the same area until the trial, then it’s okay.”
    “Can I talk to Lydia today?”
    “Better than that.  You’ll get to see her tomorrow.”
    He was trying too hard, and Beth understood why.  She appreciated his efforts, but she was tired of it.  If she didn’t start standing up for herself she was always going to be treated like a delicate little girl.  Stepping forward, she rested one hand on his broad chest and pushed a wayward strand of straw colored hair from his forehead.
    “Tell me the truth, I’m a big girl, I can handle it.  Why do we have to leave the ranch?”
    He took in another deep breath.
    “Somehow the people at the hospital found out your real name.  It’s now in the hospital records that Beth Hidalgo was a patient there, not Beth Ochoa.”  She reeled backwards, but he caught both of her hands.
    “What?  What is it Beth?”
    “It’s my fault.  When I first woke up, they asked me my name, and I told them my real name.  I did this Jack.  I messed up.  Madre de Dios .”
    She turned her head away in shame.
    “Look at me Beth, it’s not a problem, we adapt.”
    “It is a problem.  I am an idiota .”
    “Stop it.  You’re not an idiot.  You’d been unconscious.  You were in a lot of pain, and the doctor was asking you questions.  Chances are I would have done the same thing.” 
    She stopped and looked at him.  He looked sincere. 
    “Really?”
    “Really.  I’ve had drugs for wounds and they’ve made me disoriented.  It’s tough to fight the effects.”
    “You’ve been wounded?” Beth asked, zeroing in on the most important thing he’d said—at least to her.
    “Just a couple of times, and they weren’t bad.  I’ve been lucky.”
    Beth thought it would be rude to ask what happened or where he was injured, but she wanted to know. 
    “We leave tomorrow?”
    “No, Beth, we leave immediately.  Your location has been compromised.  Dad is going to take mom on a vacation for the next couple of weeks just to be on the safe side.  She and Rosa are inside packing.”  Jack let go of one of her hands, and brushed her bottom lip where she was biting it. 
    “Sweetheart, you’re biting so hard you’ll bleed.”
    “I’ve ruined everything.  I need to go in and say good-bye.”
    “I’ll go with you, and you haven’t ruined anything.  Mom is over the moon at the idea of a vacation with dad.  She said she’s been trying to get him away from work for two years.  She’s going to kiss you.”
    “Mmm