Free Nashville SEAL: Jameson: Nashville SEALs by Sharon Hamilton Page A

wrapped her arms around his neck and played with the collar of his shirt.
    Nick gave Lizzie a big hug,” You come on back when he goes overseas. You and Charlotte are welcome anytime. He patted Charlotte’s back. “You were a trooper. Thanks for taking such good care of Lilly.”
    Charlotte buried her head further until Jameson tickled her, and they all heard her giggle.
    “Thanks, man,” Jameson said, extending his hand. “Judging from how well all this went, I’d say we’ll be frequent visitors.”
    “No problem.”
    The announcer gave the call for their flight to board. The small airport security screeners were empty, so the three of them slipped through, waving on the other side. The propjet was several yards away from the terminal. A brisk warm wind struck up as they mounted the portable stairs to the cabin.
    Charlotte was supposed to be a lap child, but the plane wasn’t full, so Jameson took the seat across the aisle, and although Charlotte protested, she sat obediently next to Lizzie. He loved the fact that Charlotte had shown preference for him lately, making up for lost time. He also loved the fact that Lizzie didn’t appear to be jealous.
    His daughter reached over the aisle to hold his hand. “Charlotte, honey, the attendants have to go up and down the aisle, so we can’t do that very long. But I’ll hold your hand until then, okay?”
    “Okay, Daddy.”
    Immediately an attendant was in front of them, frowning. “I’m so sorry, guys.” The handholding was over. Charlotte settled in against her mother. Jameson looked at his two beautiful women, as his chest filled with pride.
    When they were in the air, he adjusted his seat and heard the words to his song, She’s Got My Eyes . The melody bounced around his brain, bringing a smile to his face as he drifted into a deep sleep he sorely needed.
    Jameson checked in with Sr. Chief Collins at Coronado as Kyle had instructed to make sure all his paperwork was in order for his first deployment. The small office was sparsely decorated, but something was new. He had a green frog statue holding a surfboard sitting above the military green letter-sized three-drawer file cabinet.
    “Is this the legendary one from Gunny’s?”
    “No. That one is a shrine to the old fart. I doubt Amornpan will ever let it out of that case. And now that she and Timmons are an item, well, it’s only fitting, right?”
    “I believe you’re right, sir.”
    “It would take an earthquake,” he knocked on the back of his wooden straight-backed chair, “to dislodge that damn thing.”
    Jameson eyed the creature, then Collins’ face, and then back at the frog.
    “I can see Kyle didn’t tell you. The wives felt sorry for me and they bought it. Christy and her group of lovelies. And now I live in mortal fear I’ll have the same luck Timmons did.”
    Jameson stifled a guffaw.
    “What’s that, son?”
    “Well, knowing Christy, I’ll bet she got a hell of a deal and already bought its replacement.”
    Collins looked up at the tall green frog admiringly. “I suppose you’re right. All the same, I’m getting some super glue just to make sure.”
    “So, I’m good to go then? Don’t want to have any snags at the end. I’m ready to jump in.”
    “You young married guys—can’t figure you out. Why go to all the shit places in the world, getting chafed, shot at, for little or no pay, when you got a nice little wife and daughter at home. You’re one in a million, Jameson. Usually this is a single man’s game.”
    “Hell, sir, I just dig jumping out of airplanes at midnight.”
    “I know, I know. Heard it before. Just to see if I can do it. Kyle tells all you guys to answer that question the same way.”
    “It’s that and the Brotherhood, sir.”
    “You can’t say that. You barely know them.”
    “Trust me, sir, I’m a good judge of character. You forget what I used to do. I’ve been able to sort out the drunks from the troublemakers, the sinners from the saints.