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Eva liked the layout and openness of each of these cabins. It didn’t feel cookie-cutter. Her house on the beach was built similar to several along the same stretch. It probably did save the builder money and time.
He ‘usually stayed here’ and Mama had said something about Lily in regard to Miles’s cabin. Eva might be sick.
“Are you never gonna move back home?” Walker asked, his hat clenched in his hands as the men always removed their hats inside, just like her dad and uncles would. Being around the Colevilles made her miss her family.
“Not in the foreseeable future.” Miles held his brother’s gaze. “I love you all and miss you, but being a SEAL is my calling in life.”
They studied each other. The tension grew, and Eva couldn’t help but wonder if this was about Miles not coming back to his family or not coming back for Lily. What if some of his brothers wanted Lily to be their sister-in-law or maybe to be free so they could pursue her?
“Mama’s texting that lunch is ready,” Easton interrupted.
Eva regarded Miles as they walked off the porch and back toward the main house for lunch. Was his ‘girl back home’ just an excuse he gave to keep all the women off of him? No, there was a Lily. His brothers had all mentioned her. Did Lily not care that Miles wasn’t moving back home anytime soon? Why didn’t they marry? Why hadn’t she moved near his home base? Her mind spun with questions, and she refused to voice any of them.
Lily felt like the elephant in the room between them. Still, Eva had to keep reminding herself about the woman. Miles seemed completely invested in Eva. Maybe she was reading it wrong again. He was focused on her as a bodyguard and she kept believing he was staring at her, giving her longing looks, laughing at things she said more than his brothers and family did.
Before she ate, Eva hurried upstairs and changed into a pretty pale blue sundress, ran a brush through her hair, and put on some lip gloss and lotion. Makeup seemed overdone in this fresh air location, and when Miles gave her the most appreciative glance as she walked out of her bedroom door, she didn’t think he cared about makeup.
Lunch was delicious—taco salad—and loud with Easton and Walker telling her stories about their rodeo successes and showing her videos. They were good guys, and funny, but she was partial to Miles even though she shouldn’t be.
After lunch, Millie insisted she and Miles lay down for a spell. Miles protested he hadn’t taken a nap since kindergarten, but Millie shooed them up the stairs. “You told me as a SEAL you have to get sleep when you can. You’re safe here, you can’t do anything to track down the bad people after our darling Eva, and you both look dead on your feet.”
She walked them up to their rooms, so Eva didn’t get the chance to speak with Miles alone. That was for the best.
She fell asleep quickly but woke to voices and movement in the hallway. Similar to this morning, she heard the low rumble of their voices but couldn’t discern the words. Straightening her sundress and smoothing her hair, she hurried to the door and swung it open.
Miles and Clint were both in the hallway, no hats, but they were very similar looking in their T-shirts, jeans, and cowboy boots. The blue eyes all the Coleville boys had inherited from Jared were appealing.
She’d thought Clint looked like a cowboy poster last night. Miles looked even better in the gear.
“Morning, sunshine,” Clint drawled.
She patted her hair again. “How long did I sleep?”
“Probably not long enough,” Miles said. “Last night was traumatic, and you didn’t sleep in much this morning. You’ve been impressively brave and resilient.”
“Thank you.” Eva felt the sincerity of his compliment all the way through, backed up by a meaningful look in his blue gaze.
“How are you feeling?” Miles asked.
“Good.” She looked between them, sensing that tension she’d felt last night. “What’s on the agenda now?”
“I’m going to thump a Navy SEAL in the barn.” Clint pumped his eyebrows.
Miles chuckled. “Actually, I’m going to thump the almighty sheriff and not even get a felony for assault and battery.”
“You’ll try, little bro.”
“And I’ll win.” Miles folded his muscled arms across his chest and gave her a searching look.
Eva had the oddest reaction to this fight, that look in his blue eyes, the obvious strength in his arms. Her stomach hopped happily at the thought of Miles fighting for her. Was that what they were fighting about, or was it for Lily? She had the feeling that at least one of the brothers was interested in Lily. Eva wanted to see the woman, not keep her faceless. At the same time, she never wanted to meet Lily with no last name and no face. If she liked the girl, she’d feel even more guilty. If she didn’t like her, she’d wonder why Miles would be committed to her.
“Can I come watch?” she asked.
“I think you’d better, so you know who to turn to in an emergency.” Clint offered his arm. “The future champion will escort you.”
Miles guffawed. “You haven’t beat me in years.”
“Future champion. I’ve got skills you’ve never seen before,” Clint flung back.
