Page 33 of No Going Back
And that was the exact opposite of a complaint.
He lay with Branna spooned in front of him, watching the sunrise out the bedroom window. Contentment filled him.
He hadn’t been able to settle since leaving the military. While he loved construction and renovation jobs, nothing had clicked. He hadn’t found a place he fit or people he fit with.
Epic might have been right all along. Which he would never say out loud. Although Sean wasn’t sure he’d been ready to settle earlier. Transitioning from the military to civilian life often took a toll on soldiers, and he’d been no different.
They’d all been assigned therapists during the check-out process, and Sean had kept in contact with his. The monthly check-ins with Dr. Elder had helped more than he’d expected. The man would be happy to know Sean figured he’d found his place.
He’d also be thrilled that Sean had opened up enough emotionally to fall in love. Because he was totally in love with the woman in his arms.
He could see them waking up in this bed and watching the sunrise, then making slow and sleepy love when they were eighty.
As if she’d heard his thoughts, Branna squirmed backward into him with a small sleepy hum. His hand tightened on her soft breast, and her lips curved into a smile.
But she had to be sore after the night they’d had, and he could control himself.
Probably.
Jabba barked on the other side of the door, deciding for him. He kissed her shoulder and whispered, “Go back to sleep. I’m going to take Jabba outside.”
She murmured something and burrowed into her pillow. Sean grinned and slipped out of the bed. He grabbed some clothes and moved into the hallway to get dressed.
Jabba sat, head tilted to the side. He patted his head. “Sorry, bud, we’re going to let our lady get some sleep.”
He let Jabba out the back door and watched him play, but he didn’t move off the porch. He wanted to be close in case Branna woke with another nightmare.
When the dog was tired out, they moved back into the kitchen and Sean went through the fridge and cupboards, getting a feel for the food available. He decided to make a frittata and some biscuits for the morning.
His mom’s recipes. He had so many good memories of learning to cook with her. A typical Italian mama who loved her family, loved to cook, and loved nothing better than to combine them both.
Margaretta Falcone would be pleased that he not only remembered her recipes but that he was cooking them for the woman he loved.
He could imagine her face lighting up when he told her he’d fallen for Branna O’Dea. His mom and Siobhan O’Dea would have been giddy. Achille and Seamus, too. They’d have toasted them with pints of Guinness.
“What’s got you smiling this morning?”
Sean grinned at Branna, who was smiling back at him. “Probably the same thing that has you smiling.” His hands were in the biscuit dough, so he waited for her to come over to kiss him. “Morning.”
She kissed him again. “Good morning. What are you making? Wait. Is that your mom’s frittata I smell cooking?”
He grinned. “Sure is. Almost time to pop in the biscuits to go with it.”
She leaned against the counter. “I’d forgotten you could cook. Margaretta was the best at teaching. We’ll have to make her lasagna one day.”
So many good memories. “I’d like that. They’ve stocked the kitchen pretty well, but I don’t know if they’ll have Mom approved stuff. We’ll have to check. How are you feeling this morning?”
Branna laughed. “Spectacular. You?”
“Right there with you. But I meant your ankle and emotionally. It’s been a rough couple of days.” He’d thought about not bringing it up, but then it became the cliché of the elephant in the room. “My therapist says it’s better to keep talking about things so we don’t bottle it up until we explode. That okay?”
She nodded. “Sounds like a smart therapist. I’m feeling okay. Much better after talking to Marcus and the FBI agents last night.”
“Me too. Glad to have them on the case.”
Another nod. “I feel kind of weird, though. Like I should do something to solve the case or find Prince. Anything. This whole thing revolves around me, but I don’t have an active part in it for now.”
“I never thought of it like that. You’re right. It is a little weird. I’m hoping someone picks him up soon. We haven’t really talked about options. We just followed the next step. I know I pushed you to come with me here to Vermont. How are you feeling about being here?”