Page 181 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs
She’d learned from Corbin, her older brother, that Maddox had retired from the SEALs and now worked for the same private security company as Corbin. That news didn’t come as a surprise. Corbin and Maddox were as tight as brothers. In fact, it was through Corbin that she’d met Maddox. An unbidden image of Maddox Easton flashed before her eyes. Unruly hair, almost as curly as hers, deep blue eyes that held a mischievous twinkle, prominent dimples, and his larger-than-life smile. The captivating Southern twang that made her go weak in the knees. She appreciated Maddox’s zest for life and how he never took himself too seriously. The longing for Maddox was so strong, she could taste it. Her throat was drier than sandpaper as she swallowed, trying to clear her brain. It was over between her and Maddox. She’d made sure of that. The all-too-familiar regret pinged through her as she sighed heavily. Yeah, she was an idiot!
“If you were here, you could see Maddox yourself.”
A surprise laugh tickled her throat. “Okay, now I’m connecting the dots. You don’t want me there because of Corbin and Delaney, you’re trying to get me back together with Maddox.” The thought sent traitorous tingles circling through her. Instantly, she was irritated at herself. Curse her treacherous body! She’d always been super attracted to Maddox. It was better that it was over between them. She couldn’t live in constant fear that something might happen to Maddox. Sure, he’d made it out of Syria alive, but that didn’t mean he’d make it out of future scenarios. She wasn’t brave enough to love a man like that. She needed stability—a guy she could count on to bethere. Not some foolhardy ex-Navy SEAL off chasing danger, so he could delude himself that he was making the world a better place.
She’d made the only decision she could, and she had to stand by that. No matter how much it hurt.
“You miss him, Addie. You’re just too dang stubborn to admit it.”
She was surprised at the mist that rose in her eyes as she flexed her jaw. “I don’t have time to talk about this right now.”
Pops’ voice grew intense. “Then I suggest you reexamine your priorities and make time. Nothing in this life is guaranteed, Addie. It could all be over tomorrow. Look at poor Delaney, hoping and praying that all will be well with her and the baby. You have to let the people in your life know you love them. Life can change on a dime.” His voice quivered as the words lost their air.
Addie knew Pops was talking about Lou Ella, his late wife and Addie’s grandmother, who’d spent the last few years of her life in a care center battling Alzheimer’s and then, in a cruel twist of fate, died of brain cancer. Gram’s death had left a Grand Canyon-sized hole in all their hearts, but that had nothing to do with Maddox. “I’ve gotta let you go, Pops.”
“I’m not done talking?—”
“Bye. Love you,” she squeaked, ending the call.
With a heavy sigh, Addie shoved her phone in her pocket and rubbed her sweaty palms against her slacks. Would she run into Maddox when she went to San Diego? The thought rattled her to the core and excited her more than she cared to admit.Enough thinking about Maddox!Geez.She was getting all worked up at the mere mention of his name. Not good! She couldn’t go down that rabbit hole again. Supposedly time was the cure-all and would help ease the hurt. She grunted. Yeah, that wasprobably true. In about thirty years or so, she’d be completely over Maddox.
Okay, time to focus on the task at hand. She straightened her shoulders and walked briskly towards the Alpine room. The catering lady had better watch out because Addie wasn’t taking any prisoners today!
An hour later, Addie was rushing across the foyer of the Bear Claw Ski Resort. She was headed to a local printing shop to pick up the name tags and lanyards for the water filter execs. Sadie had offered to go, but Addie needed a break from the hustle and bustle of the lodge. Just as she reached the double doors at the entrance, a man called her name. She stopped and turned. “Jordan? What’re you doing here? I thought you’d be getting ready for your cruise to the Bahamas. Aren’t you flying to Florida tomorrow?”
Jordan Phelps crossed the distance between them with a few long steps and embraced her in a quick hug. “Yes, I’m headed back to New Jersey in a few hours and then Piper and I will leave in the morning.”
She looked behind him. “Is Piper with you?”
“No.”
He glanced around. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”
Addie groaned inwardly. Of all the days for Jordan to show up unannounced. The executives were due to arrive in less than two hours. It was tempting to tell Jordan that she didn’t have time to talk right now, but the words died on her lips. She and Jordan had a long history together. In fact, Addie had been the one who introduced him to his wife. Piper and Addie had been close friends ever since they met several years ago at a support group for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients.
It wasn’t in Addie’s DNA to turn her back on a friend. She forced a smile. “Sure. Are you hungry?” Her stomach growled asshe asked the question. She’d planned to grab something to eat while she was out. Now, there’d be no time for that.
“No, I’m good.”
“Okay, let’s go out on the terrace. You can get a drink from the café and I’ll grab a sandwich to eat, while we talk. I’m starving.”
He nodded.
“I was headed out to grab some things for a conference,” she explained. “Let me call my assistant and ask her to pick up the items for me.”
“I don’t mean to intrude on your day,” Jordan protested.
She waved a hand. “No worries. Sadie can handle it. I just need to call her right quick.” She reached in her purse for her phone.
Jordan nodded again, but she could tell from his distracted expression that he’d barely heard her. She laughed inwardly.Same old Jordan, his mind always somewhere else. Lanky with blonde hair and dark eyes, framed by trendy glasses, he reminded her of an absent-minded professor—brilliant, but caught up in his own world. A pharmaceutical scientist with a background in biochemistry, Jordan was the most intelligent person Addie had ever met. The last time she’d seen him, he was on top of the world, telling her that the new drug he was developing at his research facility had the potential to reverse Alzheimer’s. Had anyone else made such a bold claim, Addie would’ve laughed. With Jordan, it was different. He’d made it his life’s ambition to eradicate Alzheimer’s. He’d lost his mother to the disease. She was in the same care center as Addie’s grandmother, which is how she and Jordan first met. They’d formed a strong bond of friendship that had turned into something more. Once Maddox stepped into the picture, however, everyone else, including Jordan, paled in comparison.
After Addie’s call to Sadie, she and Jordan went to the café where Addie selected a pre-made chicken salad sandwich and bottle of water. Jordan also grabbed a bottle of water. Next, they went to the terrace and sat down. Addie unwrapped her sandwich and took a large bite, relishing the creamy taste of the mayonnaise combined with the crunchy walnuts and tangy grapes. “I’m so glad you stopped by,” she began. “It’s always great to see you. I just wish Piper had come with you.” As fond as she was of Jordan, she was closer to Piper.
Addie reached for her water and unscrewed the top, taking a large swig.
She looked across the table. Jordan had pushed his bottle of water aside. Hurriedly, she took another bite and put the sandwich down, feeling a smidgen of guilt for being so concerned about eating when it was clear that Jordan wanted to talk.
“How’ve ya been?” she prompted. It was then that Addie got a good look at Jordan. His face was pale and drawn, worry lines carved deep around his eyes and mouth. A sense of alarm shot through her. “Are you okay?”
