him in her room. I think that’s one of the hardest parts for me. He never got to know what an incredible child he had.”
“I admit, I didn’t hear most of your conversation at breakfast, but how did the boy-girl movie turn out? Or did you decide twelve wasn’t the perfect age to start dating?”
Holly laughed. “Heard that part huh?”
“Some of it.”
She shook her head. “I swear, I understand why women with children dye their hair. Mine is either going to go gray from worry, or I’m going to pull it all out in frustration.”
“Ah, the teenage years. Hormones run amok. I wouldn’t go back if you offered me a million dollars.”
“Me, neither.”
There was a pause in the conversation before she set her fork on the edge of her plate and looked at him.
“Earlier, you said I wasn’t looking for a husband. What makes you think that?”
“You need a beard as much as I do,” he said, and paused to take a long sip of water. “Your brothers keep trying to fix you up with guys. As a guy, I can promise that they’ve done their homework on these potential dates. They would only be trying to get you on dates with men they’ve determined are good husband material. They want you married, or at least settled, so you’re off their to-do list, as you say. Until you have a man who appears to be long-term, or a husband, these fix-up dates will continue. See what I mean?”
She nodded. “I do, darn it, and you’re right. I hate they’ve painted me into corner. I have to do something, don’t I?”
“Only if you want the prescreened, brother-approved blind dates to stop.”
“Hmm.”
As dinner progressed, they talked about their lives and careers. Benjamin deflected any and all questions about his youth, instead refocusing the discussion to be about her brothers and the hijinks that took place growing up as the only girl with three brothers.
He shared what he could about his job and what his normal day was like, the constant PT, target practice, water exercises, but omitted anything that dealt with actual missions.
When he paused, she blew out a long breath. “Whew. I’m tired just thinking about your life.”
“It’s muscle memory training really. When we’re on mission, the team has to act, not think about how to act.”
She wrinkled her nose. “The good thing about your life is you can eat all the carbs you want, knowing you’re going to work them off.”
He laughed. “Yeah. That’s why I became a SEAL…to eat whatever I want.”
After laughing with him, she tilted her head toward the refrigerator. “Since we’re talking about carbs, what would you say to a couple of ice cream sundaes for dessert.”
“I’d say, please and thank you.”
He stood when she did.
“No, I’ve got this,” she said as she began to gather the dirty dishes.
“Absolutely not. You cooked. The least I can do is clean up.”
Together, they cleared the table. He loaded her dishwasher while she put away the leftover food and got out all the makings for sundaes. After ice cream with hot fudge and nuts was heaped into bowls, they retook their seats and dug in.
“What a perfect finish to dinner,” he said. “I really appreciate it.”
She smiled and opened her mouth to reply, but from the living room came a loud cry.
“Mom! I’m home. Wait until I—”
Holly stood, and he followed her to his feet.
“Well, hello,” an attractive older woman said as she followed the pre-teen girl into the dining area. “I’m Holly’s mother, Patricia.” She extended her hand.
“Benjamin Blackwell,” he said, taking her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Patricia said, with an eyebrow lift aimed at her daughter.
“Who is he?” Holly’s daughter gave him the side-eye. Her lips were taut across her teeth.
Holly put her arm around her daughter. “Katie. This is my, um, friend, Benjamin. Ben, this is my daughter, Katherine Elizabeth.”
“Nice to meet you,” Benjamin said. “What a beautiful name.”
He’d gotten a glance at Katie when he’d seen Holly and her at breakfast. However, he’d been too fascinated by the mother to pay the daughter much mind. Now he could see that Katie—or was it K.E.?—was a stunningly beautiful child. He could see some of Holly’s facial features on her daughter’s face, but there were other aspects, such as the face’s shape, that did not come from Holly, or, now that he’d met Holly’s mother, from that side of the family. He suspected the daughter looked a lot like Holly’s late husband.
“I’m surprised to see