Free Hot SEALs: Reclaiming the SEAL (Kindle Worlds) (Lost and Found Series Book 11) by J.M. Madden Page B

she brought before waving it away. “I can walk to the car.”
    She gave him a look but complied, handing him his crutches with a smile. Within just a few minutes they were cruising down the interstate toward the coast, windows down to enjoy the cooling evening. Gabe was curious but didn’t say anything. It was too nice just being out of the facility.
    Eventually she pulled off the road to a little roadside snack shop. He remembered they had been a couple years before, on one of their dates. After giving her his order, Gabe walked to a bench that overlooked the beach.
    The waves crashed against the rocky shore and Gabe wished he could be out there in it. Unfortunately, he didn’t see himself training with his team for a very long time.
    If ever.
    Julie handed him his chocolate waffle cone and sat beside him to eat her own. “So, how are you doing, really? Please don’t tell me fine again.”
    Gabe sighed. He didn’t know if he wanted to articulate his fears. That might make them too real. But, this was Julie. “I’m not doing as well as I’d hoped,” he admitted. “I thought this would be one of those things I just powered through, but it’s not working that way. The pain is more than I ever expected and I can’t exercise it away.”
    Julie nodded, leaning against his shoulder. “Your bone is growing back and filling in. It is painful. Unfortunately, it will be painful for a long time.”
    The doctor had told him that, too. Just today, actually.
    “I get to go home soon. He thinks within the week. Then I’ll have outpatient rehab.”
    Julie’s brows lifted in surprise. “That’s excellent! I’m surprised you didn’t tell me that first,” she laughed.
    But Gabe didn’t feel like laughing with her.
    “I’m worried that I won’t be able to go back to the Team.”
    Julie’s expression turned serious. “I think you’ve known that was a possibility since you were injured. It was a devastating injury, Gabe.”
    “Yes,” he agreed. “But I guess I never really believed it until now. My body has never let me down before. Through BUD/S and all the years in the field, my body has been a machine. I don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t be a SEAL.”
    Making a face, she turned to stare at him. “Are you serious? You can be anything. Just because your leg can’t take the rigors or being a SEAL it doesn’t mean it can’t take the rigors of other jobs. I mean, SEALs are in a class of their own.” She waved a hand in frustration. “I’m not explaining this very well. SEALs actually do go on to other jobs, you know, and kick ass. Did you plan on being the Bull Frog?”
    Gabe laughed outright at that. “Hell, no. Being the oldest active duty SEAL has never been my goal, but I did want to do more than I’ve done.”
    Julie made an understanding sound. “Careers change, though. Mine just changed when I quit Petrovic’s, and it will change again when I finally leave Walter Reed. I’m not sure where exactly I’m going to settle, but it’s neither one of these places. They’re fine for the short-term, but no more than that. I’d like to work in a rehab facility like you’re in now.”
    And she would fit in perfectly at one, he knew.
    Gabe considered her words, though. He hadn’t planned on being a SEAL forever, but more because of their shortened life expectancy than anything. He didn’t plan on being shot, he just kind of expected it. It was the nature of the beast.
    “Honestly,” she continued, “if I have a say in this, I would choose for you not to be a SEAL.”
    Blinking in surprise, Gabe turned to her, for the first time truly thinking about what it had done to her, watching him fight over the past few months. She had never said a word, though, just supported him through every phase of his recovery. “Really?”
    She nodded, the wind toying with her hair. “Yes. I think being a SEAL contributed to Butter’s death and obviously, your injury. If you could find another job that didn’t