Page 28 of A SEAL’s Vigilant Heart

Chapter Eight

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“Breakfast in bed? I must have really scared the hell out of you last night,” she said in a teasing tone.

“You did,” Mason said as he set the tray on her lap and fluffed one of his pillows behind her head. “More than that, you made me ache for you. Now eat up, then we’ll talk.”

Sophia looked down and saw he’d made her French toast, and he’d picked a lily out of their yard and put it in a vase. The man was always making her feel special. “There’s too much food you’re going to have to share.”

He grinned.

“I think you planned that.”

“Maybe.” His smile got bigger. Then she noticed the second fork and she laughed.

“You’re a good cook, Gault,” she complimented.

“Thanks.” He set down his fork.

“I’m not done,” Sophia protested as he took her fork out of her hand.

“You stopped eating five minutes ago. You just want to avoid talking,” he said as he took the tray off her lap and set it on their dresser. He came back and bracketed her with his arms and looked into her eyes.

“You were a good daughter. Your mother told you so.”

Sophia let out a sigh. “I feel better knowing she thought so. But–”

“But what.” Mason tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“But I still don’t feel it in my heart. I should have done better.”

“Can you do me a favor?”

“What?” she asked cautiously.

“Close your eyes.” He waited until she did.

“Can you imagine yourself sick? Out of your mind with pain?” She grabbed his hands, hard. “Day in and day out the pain gets worse, and you can’t take care of yourself. The only person you have to depend on is Billy.” Sophia gasped. She could see it so clearly.

“Tell me. Tell me what you see,” Mason asked.

“Poor Billy. He hurts so much. I see him so sad such suffering.”

“You mean you?”

“No, Billy. I ache for him. He hates to see me like this. I feel so bad for him.”

“But what about you?” Mason persisted.

“I don’t care. I so appreciate him, and I hate to see him so sad.”

“But aren’t you mad when he yells at you?”

“Of course not! This is too much to ask,” Sophia said vehemently. Her eyes popped open. She met Mason’s soft gaze which was filled with understanding.

“You were in one of the worst situations imaginable. That’s why they arrange for people to have days off, relief workers who can come in and take over for a while so the primary caregivers can take a break.”

“I still took breaks when I shouldn’t have, and I still lost my temper.”