Small Town SEAL's Saving Grace_An Older Man Younger Woman Romance Read online

  “Number 5. My dad and I always put out water and some food for the stray animals in the neighborhood. My dad is in the Navy so he doesn’t have a lot of extra money. One day I fell off my bike and hurt my leg really bad. I was lying in the street and one of the dogs I had seen by our house drinking the water came to me and sat next to me. I got up and walked my bike home. He walked with me the whole way until I reached the front door. I told my dad and he said a friend in need is a friend indeed. Now we try to put out more water and also get some animal food donations from the neighborhood. The animals are also calmer now and they make the neighborhood feel more friendly and safe.”

  “Number 4. My dad and I were planting onions in our back yard last spring. Most were the same size, but there was one that was really small. I asked my dad if I should throw it away. He said no. They all get a chance. It really showed me that you should give everybody a chance no matter how they start out in life, what they look like, or what their circumstances are. Sometimes we all just need that one chance to do the things we dream of.”

  “Number 3. On Fridays, when we have ice cream, my dad always lets me pick the flavor.”

  The crowd laughed in between sobs. Husbands and wives turned to each other and nodded in approval. Something so simple, but so powerful, as deferring the choice of ice cream.

  “Number 2. Two is stronger than one. Whenever my dad talks about our family he reminds me that the two of us together are stronger than either of us by ourselves. It’s a simple lesson, but my favorite.”

  “Number 1. Even when I do something wrong, my dad reminds me that we can fix it and no matter what he still loves me and will always love me. Even when I make mistakes.”

  “Thank you.”

  The whole room was silent with the exception of the sniffles you could hear from a number of the parents. Then one woman stood up and started clapping. Then another. And another. Soon the whole room was giving Jill a standing ovation. I really couldn’t believe it. Her father had taught her the SEAL values we learn during training so I knew she wouldn’t lie or cheat, but if I hadn’t known her personally I would have had a hard time believing a 12 year old wrote that list. Incredible.

  I give her a pat on the head and a one armed hug as she sits back down next to me.

  “Well, who’s next?” Tara had also clearly been emotionally moved by Jill’s speech. She looked back down at her list and announced the next name.

  The rest of the day consisted of lunch, a kickball game of parents versus the kids, and some classroom presentations. It was fun to see all the families interacting and everyone having such a good time, but even so I knew this life wasn’t the one for me. I had been too deep fighting battles for too long. Too jaded. Too cynical.

  At the end of the day we thanked Tara and made our way to the parking lot. I had backed into a spot that provided a clear and fast exit. My training was instinctual at this point. Just as we were arriving at the Jeep I hear the chirp of an electronic keychain unlock the doors to a car a few cars down from ours. I look up and see what appears to be a familiar face from the side. It was just a profile view, but I was sure.

  “Grace. Hey.”

  “Caleb? Uh. Hey. What are you doing here?”

  “Parents day. This is Jill.”

  “Hi Jill. Nice to meet you. I’m Miss Compton.”

  “Hi Miss Compton. Pleasure to meet you.”

  Grace shoots me a sideways glance. A stare that could cut glass.

  “You left the reception without saying good-bye. I didn’t get a chance to get your number.” I say.

  Grace pauses. Still staring at me. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

  “Why not? I thought you had a good time.”

  “I thought I had a good time too. Now I’m not so sure.”

  “What?”

  “Sorry. I have to get going. Nice to meet you, Jill.”

  Grace jumped into her car and pulled away. I was left wondering what had just happened. She had been so warm and enjoyable just two days before, and now she was an ice queen.

  “Is everything OK, Uncle Caleb?” Jill asks.

  “Always. Now how about we get some ice cream?”

  “OK. Do you want to pick the flavor?”

  I smile. “We’ll go to the ice cream cone place. That way we can both pick.”

  CHAPTER 3

  My phone vibrates with an incoming text.

  Incoming in 10.

  I look at the number. Jeremiah.

  Time for some fun. Roger. Permission to board. Send.

  My phone vibrates almost instantly. Permission to board my own ship? How quickly you forget.

  I laugh. He’s right. When you board a Naval ship you’re supposed to ask, “Permission to board,” in a strong a confident voice. It’s a question you don’t ask as a question. But how can I give him permission to board when it comes to his own house? It’s his and it’s not a ship. Two strikes for my attempt at humor.

  Exactly 10 minutes later the gate opens and Jeremiah walks in. I stand in the threshold of the front door in my bare feet.

  “Welcome home, brother.”

  “Good to be back. How’s Jill?”

  “Out like a light.”

  “Great.”

  “How was the mission?” I ask.

  “In and out. Mission Accomplished.” He says.

  “As they all should be. Congrats.”

  “Thanks. Beers in the fridge?”

  “With your name on ‘em.”

  “Perfect.”

  We sit in the living room. I know Jeremiah can’t tell me everything, but he tells me enough to figure out he was cleaning up the coast off Somali again. Those pirates were getting better and better. The cargo ships were trying new methods and routes, but those waters are like the Wild West. Anything goes, and when the pirates do take control of a ship they know the carriers don’t want an international incident. Better to hand over the cash and avoid the embarrassment. Unfortunately for the pirates the Navy, and in some extreme cases the SEAL teams, were cleaning up those waters. It would take time though and there would always be some young gung-ho guy willing to risk it all for the chance at a fortune.

  “Enough about work. How was Jill’s Parent’s Day?” He asks.

  “It was great. She really brought the house down.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “They had to give a presentation about 10 things that are special about their parents. Her answers were very well thought out. Really touching. Parents were captivated. The emotional answers had them crying. The funny little anecdotal answers had them laughing. Everyone was waiting with baited breath to hear what she had to say next.”

  “She really can write that one. And she likes to present too.” He praises.

  “That’s an understatement. I’m no expert, but I think there’s a real talent there. I think she could even lead SEALs into battle with one of her speeches.”

  Jeremiah smirks.

  “Thanks, but let’s keep her out of harm’s way for now. I’m already absorbing enough trouble for the two of us.”

  “Good point.”

  “Anything else happen while I was away?”

  “Nah. Who was that girl from the wedding?” I ask.

  “Which one? The one you locked onto all afternoon?”

  “Yeah. That one. What’s her story?”

  “Name’s Grace. I don’t know too much about her. She’s Emily’s friend from somewhere I guess. I met her once before at a happy hour.”

  “She works at the school.”

  “Yeah, that sounds familiar. I kind of remember her talking about kids during that happy hour.”

  “As in from her school or that she has some?”

  “Well, hoping from the way you two were attached at the hip on Saturday, I would say from her school. Why?”

  “We were having such a good time at the reception and then she disappeared. Today when I bumped into her she seemed really cold and distant. It was weird.�
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  “Did you call her out on it?”

  “No. I couldn’t. Not in front of Jill.”

  “Good idea. What’s your next move? Or is there a next move?”

  “Good question. I need to track her down.”

  “She’s probably Facebook friends with someone you know.”

  “Facebook? Really? Come on, man. I’m not going to ask a girl out on the Internet. I’m going to find her and speak to her in person. Like a man.”

  “Well put. And you’re right. Just goes to show what I know these days after being out of the singles world for so long. Technology shouldn’t be used as a crutch.”

  “Amen, brother.”

  “So, you’re going to show up at her school?”

  “That might be my only option.”

  “Or you can wait for Emily and Ethan to get back from their honeymoon and ask them for an introduction or the best way to approach her.”

  “Also an idea. I’ll give it some thought.”

  “And my thoughts right now are limited to putting my head down on a pillow and calling it a day.”

  “Good idea. Catch you in the morning.”

  CHAPTER 4

  For the first time I can ever remember I was overthinking an easy decision. I was interested in Grace. I should just go where I knew she was and speak to her. Call me old-fashioned, but that’s the way to do it. No games. Just two adults face-to-face.

  Jeremiah agreed to give me a ride to the school when he went to pick up Jill. I could track down Grace and then call Jeremiah later for a ride home.

  We pull up to the school and I jump out of the Jeep.

  “Good luck, Petty Officer.” Jeremiah says.

  “Who needs luck when you have SEAL training.” I fire back. We slap hands and off I go.

  The final bell would ring in less than 10 minutes. I decided to wait on the side of the school in the bleachers at the recess basketball court. No point in bringing attention to myself or questions for Jill as to why I was hanging around the school.

  About 10 minutes after the bell the buses had loaded and taken off. The parents who had formed a single file line in the parking lot had finished picking up their kids and were also gone. I was impressed. I always thought of schools as chaos. This one was a well-run machine.

  I walk inside the school to the reception area. The receptionist was packing up. It looked like she would have been gone if I had waited another 30 seconds.

  “Sir, can I help you?” She says.

  “Yes. I’m looking for Miss Compton.”

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “No. This was the best way to get ahold of her. If you can page her she’ll know who I am.”

  The receptionist gave me the once over. I could see she wasn’t really sure if she should proceed or not.

  “It’s not my usual M.O. to just drop in, but if you’ll please forgive me it will just be this one time.”

  She gives me a long stare. She puts down her bag and picks up her phone’s receiver.

  “Mister…?”

  “Caleb Callahan.”

  “Mr. Callahan, if you’ll please just wait outside in the lobby.”

  “Of course.” I walk outside the glass that separates the reception area from the lobby and take a seat. I can imagine her taking the call. The ball was in Grace’s court now.

  It seemed like I sat in that lobby for at least three minutes. Three minutes is a long time when you’re a guy in a school waiting on someone to call someone else who that first someone isn’t even really sure they should be calling.

  “Mr. Callahan.” The receptionist calls.

  “Yes.”

  “Miss Compton will be here shortly. Would you like something to drink? Coffee, tea, or water maybe?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “OK. I’m sorry, but I must be going. There are some magazines in the rack next to your seat if you care to read while you wait.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Have a nice evening.”

  “You too.”

  And then I wait. And wait.

  Then I hear footsteps coming down the hall. It sounds like heels. They come closer, but I can’t yet see who it is as the glare is reflecting off the glass right into my face.

  “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up at my work. A school.” Grace says.

  “It was the only option I had.”

  “And what makes you think I’m interested in talking to you.”

  “That’s what I came here to figure out.”

  “You mean to tell me you don’t know why?”

  “That’s exactly why I came here.”

  She stares me in the eyes. I think she was trying to determine if I was sincere or full of baloney. “Sometimes I don’t know if men are clueless, not very smart, or just underestimate women.”

  “Come again?”

  “You really don’t know what I’m talking about?”

  “No. That’s why I came here. We were having such a fun time on Saturday and now you act like you hate my guts.”

  “And you don’t know why?”

  “Again. No.”

  “Let me enlighten you, Mr. Callahan. If that even is your real name. Women don’t take too kindly to men lying. The worst part is you didn’t even need to lie.”

  “Lie? What are you talking about?”

  “Do we really need to carry on this charade?”

  “I didn’t know we were.”

  “At least one of us is. A liar that is.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about and we’re getting nowhere. Could you please just tell me what is bothering you? I really want to know. I came all the way here to know.”

  She continues staring me in the eye. Surely she could see I was sincere and had no idea what she was talking about.

  “Ok. Let me enlighten you. When you tell a girl you’re single, never married, no kids, and a Navy SEAL then two days later she catches you red handed with a daughter and a parent file that says you’re married and you work a desk job for the government it’s pretty much strike one, strike two, and strike three. You’re out!”

  My neck goes limp and my head drops to my hands with my knees on my thighs.

  “I don’t have time for liars and I certainly don’t have time for manipulators or heart-breakers.”

  “Is that what this is about? You think you have me all figured out because you saw me in a parking lot and you read a file?”

  “I saw it all with my own eyes.”

  “And seeing is believing, right? Well not if you’re only seeing what you want to believe and not what’s the truth.”

  She says nothing. Still looking at me distrustfully.

  “Sure on the surface things may have looked one way in the parking lot. Even in the file you saw. But you’re mistaken. Is the file you looked in Jill’s?”

  She doesn't answer.

  “Answer me. I’m not here to turn you in for snooping. I’m here to set things straight.”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes, it was Jill’s file?”

  “Yes.”

  “I have no idea what’s in this file you speak of, but did it show a picture of her father? His height and weight? When he was born? His other family members? His friends? Maybe if you had dug a little deeper you would have come to a different conclusion. A conclusion where we wouldn’t have to be here now in this school talking to each other this way. But you didn’t. You saw what you wanted to see. You didn’t see the truth. And now we both suffer for it. Next time maybe you should trust people a little more, especially when your first impression was a positive one. Good-bye, Grace.”

  I stood up and walked out the front door.

  No need to call Jeremiah for a ride. I was fuming. I would walk home. I needed time to calm down.

  CHAPTER 5

  “How did things go with Grace?” Jeremiah asks.