Uniform Desires (Make Mine Military Romance) (49 page)

“Sophie, you got Howler Monkeys around here?” Kyle asked her. Sophie nearly dropped her spoon of oatmeal and darted a glance at Devon, whose cheeks immediately warmed in embarrassment.

The catcalls and whistles were making her nervous. Nick wrapped his big arms around her waist and kissed the side of her face. The whole table watched his affection for her, studying every detail unabashed.

Are they like this all the time? Isn’t there anything they don’t know about?

“I think I heard an old hound dog howling last night,” Cooper added.
 

“No, Coop, that would be the sounds of my tractor giving up the ghost of its formerly inoperable self,” Sophie interjected.
 

“Yup, Coop sure knows how to make the equipment purr,” Rory added.

“How’s Libby feeling?” asked Nick as he returned to his breakfast.

“Puking 24/7. But I don’t care. On the bathroom floor or anywhere, she’s still the sexiest damn lady I’ve ever met in my life,” said Coop.

After breakfast, Sophie checked the Craigslist as well as the Press Democrat ad and found everything was up, as planned. Kyle and Fredo had no sooner placed the closing sale sign at the end of the driveway when an old Jeep turned up the drive and beat them to the office.

A young woman with long blonde hair with an infant sleeping in a sling across her chest followed by her skinny husband exited the Jeep.
 
They began to wander through the greenhouse and protected plant area, looking over the signs on the rototillers and stopping to examine the tractor. Sophie joined them. Devon was right behind her.

“You’re our first customers today. Lots of great deals. What can I help you find?” Sophie asked.

The husband shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and shrugged. “I used to come in here and drool over this place. I’ve heard you’re preparing to sell. Would you consider working out something with us?”

Sophie and Devon exchanged looks as if Divine Intervention was a fact.

“We would, as a matter of fact,” Devon began as she grabbed Sophie’s arm in an effort to silence her. “But we’re asking one point one. That’s a very fair price, and we were hoping for multiple offers.”

The couple looked at each other for a moment, and then the woman spoke up. “My grandfather has just passed away and left me some money. It’s always been our dream to ours to own a nursery, especially here in the Valley. We have a good amount of cash to put down, but we’d need a loan or have to have you carry a note for the rest of it, depending on your sales price. Is that possible?”

“Getting a commercial loan would be nearly impossible, I’m sorry to say,” Devon returned. She told the couple what their asking price was.

“We’d have over half in down payment,” the girl said, juggling the baby in her sling.

“I’ll take the difference in a note,” said Sophie.

Devon nailed her with a stare telling her to shut up. She continued, “If you qualify, it looks like Sophie would consider it.”

Before a handful of people arrived at the sale, Devon had written a contract for the nursery. Although she knew darned well there were many hurdles and inspections to sort through, Sophie was showing them around as if everything was final. Devon knew she’d have to counsel her friend to be careful not to place too much weight on the young couple, whose funds were not even verified. Devon had seen it dozens of times before.
 

Sophie had also promised the tractor and several pieces of equipment, furniture and statuary inside the office to the young couple, placing red SOLD stickers on them. Devon drew her aside.

“You’ve got to stop this, Sophie.”

“I can give it away if I want to.” 
“But that’s not the point. We’re here—everyone’s come here to help you liquidate, earn enough money to buy you some time. You remember our discussion about the Notice of Default?”

“I saw that in the contract.”

“We had to disclose it. We have to disclose it to anyone making an offer.”

“Not the asshole next door. Can’t wait to see his freakin’ face—”

“Sophie, listen to me. You’re not being smart. Don’t count your chickens until they hatch. Let’s be conservative.”

Sophie angled her head and gave a wry smile. “That what was going on all last night?”

Devon was embarrassed again. It did draw her back to the lovemaking and how he commanded every cell of her body. It was hard not to grin. She tried and failed. “Okay, so your brother is a good kisser.”
 

The two women shared a laugh.
 

“I’m so happy for you, Devon.” Sophie gave her a hug. “I’ve never seen him so totally bonkers. He’s running into things and can’t concentrate. You’ve done a good job tying him up with those golden handcuffs Marc keeps telling me about.”

“Well, we’ll see. We’re taking it one day at a time. First thing is to see this job done here, and get you into escrow, raise some cash, and make sure everything stays on track. That’s my job. You’re going to have to listen to me and let me handle this sale for you. Don’t get your hopes up too much, okay? I don’t want to see you disappointed.”

“Hell, Devon, all I got left is hope.”

Sophie’s coral lipstick looked ridiculous this morning, Devon thought. She’d applied more makeup than she’d remember seeing Sophie wear ever, especially her attempts to cover the grey bags under her eyes.

“No, you’ve got us. All of us.” Devon pointed to the shirtless SEALs who were escorting customers, carrying flats of plants like waiters in a fancy restaurant.

By noon, Rory and Marc were out by the highway, swinging their shirts and directing traffic up the driveway. A steady stream of cars were directed and parked all over the property. The event was starting to take on a carnival atmosphere. Country western music blared, waters and sodas were generously handed out, and sales went through the roof.
 

A television truck from a local station made its way up the driveway and a camera crew filmed the event. The SEALs posed behind dark sunglasses for the woman reporter who also interviewed them. The reporter didn’t bother to interview Sophie, even though she tried to interject herself.
 

Devon had posted the work crew antics on her Facebook page, sending a link to her office inviting other agents to stop by. She continued taking picture of the crowds and uploading updates throughout the day. The numbers continued to grow until nearly everything was cleaned out.
 

Devon watched Sophie walk unsteadily, but on her own, through the vacant racks and inspect the black plastic that used to be covered in five gallon containers of cuttings she’d started and plants she’d started from seed. She knew the reality was sinking in that her dream of supporting herself by creating a boutique nursery was nearly at an end. She leaned against a post and wept. Marc came to her side and carried her into the house.

Devon announced they’d made nearly fifteen thousand dollars, which would be more than enough to cover four months’ payments, late fees and reinstatement costs that Sophie had finally confessed were piled up, including the Notice of Default she’d received the day she’d called Nick for help. Devon knew he was relieved that he wouldn’t have to add any money from his own savings in order to buy his sister more time.

The SEALs were going to leave tomorrow, so they ordered takeout and everyone ate together at the large plank table one last time. It had been a very successful day. They were all in good spirits, but Sophie couldn’t eat and went to bed early, saying her farewells and thanking the Team guys for all their hard work. Marc joined her for a bit, and then came back out.

Kyle’s phone went off. He answered, and then quickly held it away from his ear. Someone on the other end of the line was yelling at him. He put the phone on speaker and set it on the table for everyone to hear.

“And I couldn’t believe when he walked in and showed me this goddamned Facebook posting by this Devon Brandeburg. You know this person?”

“Yes, Chief. She’s right here. You want to talk to her?”

“Fuck no! Don’t you guys understand this little caper is a shitfaced idea?”

“Just helping out Nick’s sister.”

“Fuck Nick’s sister.”

A collective “wooo” went through the group.

“Sir—”

“You listen to me, Lansdowne, you get your butts back to Coronado and I don’t want to see anything else on the Internet or anywhere. What about face recognition software do you not understand?”

Devon panicked. Had her postings gotten them all in trouble? It had never occurred to her. Of course, they would have to keep a low profile, and that’s exactly what they hadn’t done today.

“I’m sorry sir. We didn’t know about that.” Kyle made a face at Devon in mock anger. He waved his hand to indicate he was just joking. “And we didn’t ask for the TV crew either.”

Several of the guys began shaking their heads as they anticipated the reaction they got.

“What? What the fuck? You had TV cameras out there? Are you fuckin’ insane, Kyle?”

“Sorry, sir. We didn’t give our names. We wore sunglasses all day. I doubt they’d be able to identify us from our naked torsos.”

The expletives on the other end of the line were escalating. Devon heard rustling and what sounded like furniture being forcibly moved. Then she heard a tinkle of shattered glass.

“He break a window?” she whispered in Nick’s ear.

“Chief, you okay?” Kyle asked.

“Oh I’m okay. I’m just fine, but your fuckin’ frog statue is in pieces.”

“I’m sorry it got knocked down. We’ll get you another one.”

“Don’t fuckin’ bother, Lansdowne. It didn’t fall. I threw it.” He abruptly disconnected
 
the phone.

“Looks like we need to take up another collection,” Rory said.
 

Nick explained to Devon, “We bought a frog for Chief Timmons, when we joined Team 3. We’ve had to replace it now I think four times.”

They built a bonfire again out back by the hot tub and water tank, and Devon sat on Nick’s lap as the Team sat around the fire and told stories about the customers and the day. One by one men peeled off, said their goodbyes to Devon and Nick, and hit the rack for the long trip home tomorrow.
 

Left alone with Nick under the night sky, she realized she wanted to discuss future plans.
 
Although she didn’t want to initiate it, she had to.

“You never said when you were going back. I’m guessing you have to leave tomorrow as well?”

“Yes.”

Her insides tightened. She was glad she’d have to throw herself into making sure the escrow went smoothly. It might help with the missing him part. She wanted him desperately to say something she could hang on to.

Her wish was granted.
 

“Devon, after this closes, I’d like you to come down to San Diego and stay for a little while. Try the place on. See if you could find yourself—” Nick’s eyes sparkled.

She leaned into him and kissed him on the lips.
 

“Find myself what?” she teased. She wanted to hear him say it. Her sanity depended on it.

“See if you could wrap your head around maybe being with me.”

She could tell he was struggling with the words. It delighted her to needle him further.

“But Nick,” she said as she slid her hands down to his crotch. “I’ve already
been
with you. Almost more times than I can count. I think that part of us works just fine.” She kissed him again and saw him crack a smile.

“Little did I know when I met that kid with the braces and scrawny arms that I’d feel this way.”

“Feel what way, Nick?”

He sighed. “Devon, I’m in love with you.”

She wanted to wait, to savor the echo of those words in the night air. But she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Thank God!! ‘Cause Nick, I fell in love with you five years ago. My brain just figured out what my body knew way back then. And nothing would give me more pleasure than to be with you in San Diego.”

“I warn you, it’s a different world down there.”

“I’m up for it. As long as you’re there.”

“I don’t deploy for six months, but I start workup in sixty days. Doesn’t give us much time to—”

“It doesn’t matter. We have what we have. I’ll get the property closed, and then I’ll come down and—”

He cut her off with another kiss. “And then we’ll see what happens.”

The End

About Sharon Hamilton

Sharon’s award-winning spicy Navy SEAL stories in the SEAL Brotherhood series have consistently made best sellers lists and review sites. Her characters follow a sometimes rocky road to redemption through passion and true love.
 

Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you’ve read before, since they don’t go to ground and can walk around in the full light of the sun.
 

Her Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won’t find any of these beings in any Sunday school class.