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

hmm.”  Jack tugged her hand and drew her towards the house.  That was the thing about him.  He was always on her side, and she was going to be the same way.  She pulled back. 
    “Everything’s fine.”  He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.  Every good intention washed away.  He deserved better than her.  He needed someone who wasn’t broken.  Here he was, having to clean up her screw-up.  But she couldn’t resist the lure of his hug, and she snuggled in.
    He smelled so good, like leather, soap, and a scent that was just Jack.  He was so big compared to her, but she always felt safe when he was near.  She relaxed for the moment and basked in his strength, enjoying it while she could.  Soon enough they’d have to part.
    ****
    “S hoo.  I want to talk to Beth alone.”  Beth loved the look of warm indulgence on Jack’s face. 
    “Yes, Mom.  But remember she and I have to leave in the next hour.”
    “Well the sooner you leave, the sooner she and I will be done.  Now shoo.”  He chuckled and left.
    Rosa already left Grace’s bedroom, so it was just the two of them. 
    “Come and sit down, honey.”  She patted a spot on the bed beside her, and Beth sat down.  She had no idea what Jack’s mother might have to say, but she was ready for anything.
    “I can’t tell you how impressed I am with you.”  Well, anything but that.
    Beth stared at Jack’s mother.
    “I’m serious.  You experienced a terrible trauma, you’ve been on the run, and then there was the damn snake, and yet you’ve kept it all together.  You’re a remarkable young woman.  I only see one problem.”
    Here it comes.
    “You don’t know how special you are.”
    “Grace, I don’t think you’re seeing things clearly.  I still have nightmares.  I’m still scared of so much.  I’m the one who told my real name and now we all have to leave.  I’ve messed up things badly and I’m like a little scared bunny.”
    Grace laughed.  “That’s exactly what I mean.  Real courage is doing things despite being scared.  You haven’t hidden away and stayed in your bedroom.  You have dealt with your fears and interacted with my husband and David, even though they reminded you of your attackers.”
    “Thank you, but you’re giving me too much credit.”  Grace nodded, as if she had made a decision.
    “Has Jack told you my background?  Did he tell you why I walk with a cane?”
    “He told me about his father, but he didn’t tell me about the cane.”
    “Jack’s biological father was very abusive.  He beat me.  He hurt Jack sometimes too, and I wasn’t able to protect him.”
    Beth clenched her fists.  She hated the thought of either Grace or Jack having been hurt, but especially Jack as a small child.  Grace placed her hand over Beth’s.
    “I know.  I know.  But Jack was so strong, so stoic.”
    “Stoic?”  She didn’t understand the word.
    “He never showed he was scared.  Sometimes I think it would have been better if he had, it would have calmed Burt down.  Instead Jack would just stare him down.  It would infuriate my husband.” 
    “What happened then?  What happened to you?  How did you end up injured?”
    “One night he’d been drinking.  I think he’d gotten into an argument while he was out, and lost some money.  He came home so angry, and needed to take it out on someone.  I’d made dinner, but he didn’t like it.  It had dried out because he’d come home so late.”
    Grace gulped.  She looked down and picked at the quilt covering the bed.
    “It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me.”
    “You’re a sweet girl.  I want you to see we’re not all that different.  That you can make a life for yourself no matter what happens.  You’re starting to, but you can have so much more.”
    Beth’s laugh sounded hollow even to her.  She and Grace couldn’t be more different.  This woman was vibrant.  Everyone gravitated towards her.  Hell, Beth couldn’t