Page 22 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby
My words seem to strike a chord with him because he finally gives in. I can see it from his body, the relaxing of his muscles as he accepts.
“Okay.”
I’m going to be living with Jacob.
Chapter nine
JACOB
“Iwant to move in with you.”
My first reaction to Allison’s words had been shock. Having her come up with the suggestion was surprising, and despite my initial resistance to it, I had somehow found myself eager for the moment it became a reality.
It is barely dawn but I’m already up, waiting to hear her voice. I go back to bed but it's impossible to fall asleep. Knowing all that waits for me are the nightmares of my past—more horrible than ever before, because instead of just the fellow SEALs I’ve failed, I see war zones with my baby sister in them…
I drink strong coffee, avoiding sleep for as long as I can.
Once Maddie is up you can call Allison.I tell myself, reluctant to let my enthusiasm show.
Maddie chooses today of all days to sleep in. When she still isn’t awake by eight, my impatience gets the better of me and I dial Allison’s number.
“Hello Jacob.” She picks up on the first ring, but her voice is hoarse from sleep. “Is anything wrong?”
“No…not at all. I called you to confirm our arrangements for today. When do you think you’ll need me to come over with my truck?”
“You can start coming over now. I have most of what I need packed away.”
Yes!I resist the urge to pump my fist in the air. “Okay, I’ll be on my way soon.” I promise.
* * *
Bringing in everything Allie needs—not all of her things by any stretch —requires multiple trips with my truck; her car not quite measuring up to the task.
Before she can start unpacking, we first have to clear all of the stuff in the room that will be for Allison—a task which takes far more time than I had anticipated. Allison had started the task by herself, but she accepts my help the moment I offer it.
“This is the last load. Trust me,” she promises for the fifth time. “Just a little bit to the left, yeah, perfect.”
“Are you sure this is everything this time?”
“Yeah. I’m pretty sure. Thank you, Jacob.” I am attempting to shift one of the last boxes out of the way when she turns around to face me. We all but crash into each other, her tiny frame putting her at shoulder level to me, which results in her head bouncing off my collar bone; an occurrence that is equally painful for the both of us.
“I’m sorry, Allie…” I start to apologize but she cuts me off.
“Nope. I ran into you just as much as you ran into me. So let’s shake on it and call it quits. Okay?”
She extends her hand my way with a playful smile, and I take it, grinning just as widely as she is. A warm look is followed by a indecipherable glance directed at me. She looks nothing like thecold and unapproachable person I remember, and before I think it over, my mouth is moving and I'm commenting on it.
“You are different now. More playful, and I don’t know, just carefree, I guess.”
Her jaw drops at my words.
Surprised?
“This is you literally rewriting history. I have always been funny and carefree. You were the one who couldn’t take a joke to save your life.” She refutes vehemently.
Allison, being sarcastic is not being funny. It’s grating.
“You can’t accuse me of being the one who was a stick-in-the-mud. If I don’t say anything, this is the history Maddie will hear.” She groans.
