Chapter One
If the fracture in Rockford “RJ” James’ spine had been twelve inches higher, he wouldn’t be on a boat, fishing with three of his former SEAL brothers in the Texas Gulf.
He’d be six feet under.
Last Thanksgiving, at his buddy Dean’s suggestion, the two of them had swapped seats with the new members of their SEAL team because the tadpoles had been superstitious about their seats. RJ hadn’t thought twice about exchanging spots, but ever since the ensuing crash…that was all he thought about.
Even though that move had broken RJ’s back and cost him his naval career, the young SEAL seated in his original spot had paid a much higher price…it had cost Troy his life.
RJ had been born under a lucky star and it had followed him his whole life, including that day. It had intervened. Twice. Not only had he survived, but the spinal injury he’d incurred hadn’t led to paralysis. If the fracture had been a millimeter lower? Different story.
Thankfully, he was in Harland County, Texas, working at ESI—Eagle Security and Investigation—a company owned and operated by a former Delta Force buddy. Mac was a stand-up guy and working for him, along with a few SEALs and D-Force guys RJ had served and bled with, was like trading one amazing team for another.
“Loser has to cook the fish,” Cooper Thompson said, regaining RJ’s attention.
He blinked and the boat, along with his three buddies, came back into focus.
“Hell, no.” Dean Huntington shook his head, distaste wrinkling his face. “That’s liable to be you, Coop, and I sure as shit don’t want you cooking our catch.”
After the chopper crash, Dean had also been medically discharged from the Navy and had arrived in Texas almost five months ago, two and a half months before RJ.
Cooper waved his middle finger before casting his line into the Gulf, while a chorus of chuckles filled the air. “Abby likes my cooking.”
“Your wife doesn’t count.” Dean shook his head. “Besides, she’s pregnant and has admitted to us she’ll eat anything right now.”
RJ still couldn’t believe Cooper had put the moves on the sister of one of their Delta buddies, even though Abby had always had a thing for him. She was a huge improvement from Cooper’s first fiancée. The woman had dropped the guy when his friend had needed her most. Coop’s trust in women had spiraled. But Abby was a gem. She was loyal and would always stand by Cooper’s side, through thick and thin.
So, it was a great match, and Cooper deserved some happiness. The fact that his buddy was also going to be a father by the end of November—and was excited about it—proved how right Abby was for his friend.
Like RJ, Cooper had been adopted, and since both men’s adoptive parents had passed away, they’d decided to search for their birth parents. That was two years ago. Unfortunately, his buddy’s outcome had been far from the heartwarming reunion he had experienced.
RJ’s birth parents had been sixteen when he was conceived, and although the high school sweethearts had given him up, they’d actually stayed together, gotten married, had two more children and had been searching for him for over three decades.
Three decades…
RJ still couldn’t believe it.
The reunion had been far from awkward. He’d clicked instantly with his biological family, so much so that he’d stayed on their Iowa farm while recuperating from the crash. But he’d missed his brothers. Missed the team. Missed helping others, and as soon as he was able to travel, he had lined up doctors and physical therapists in Harland County and headed to Texas.
He’d arrived just in time for Cooper and Abby’s wedding and toward the end of the evening, he’d been a bit…overzealous in his trust of the abilities of his mending body.
It wasn’t his finest hour and he preferred not to think about it…or her. Or the possibility that he’d let her down.
Gabe chuckled. “It’s true. She admitted it.”
RJ’s heart rocked in his chest until he realized his buddy’s remark was about Abby not…her.
“Well, to my sister,” Gabe corrected. “And Rylee told Lyndsey and me when we had dinner with her and Dex the other night.”
Rylee and Dex. That duo was even more shocking. The fact that another of their Delta buddies had pursued Gabe’s kid sister and was still breathing was a miracle.
Man, RJ would’ve given his right nut to see that happen. Gabe was nothing if not super protective of Rylee. The former Chief Petty Officer was also the sheriff of Harland County, so committing murder would probably be frowned upon. That had worked in Dex’s favor.
Perhaps RJ wasn’t the only one born under a lucky star.
Almost twenty months ago, Gabe Bryson had left the teams to join ESI, but had somehow instead ended up as the local sheriff.
It was fitting, though. Gabe possessed previous law enforcement experience and lived and breathed duty. It sucked that they didn’t work with Gabe, but they met once a week for breakfast, along with the D-Force guys. And when their days off coincided—like today—they often hung out and gave each other grief.
“Besides, loser cleans the fish, Coop.” Gabe smiled from his starboard side perch, his pit bull, Chief, laying quietly by his feet. “And I’ll cook ‘em.”
After spending several years in the Navy with the guys, RJ could attest to the fact that the former Chief Petty Officer was the best cook of the bunch.
“Thank Christ,” Dean muttered, casting his line.
“Yeah, we wouldn’t want you cooking, Dean.” Cooper snorted. “The last time we had to call 911.”
RJ laughed, recalling the incident back at Coronado.
“That’s because you marinated the steaks in pure oil, and it dripped into the open flame.”
Cooper winced. “Not my fault you didn’t wrap foil around the grates. And it wasn’t pure oil. There was vinegar and seasonings, too.”
“Not enough.” Dean set his pole in the stand and shook his head. “It’s your fault for using too much damn oil.”
“You hear that, Chief?” Cooper frowned, glancing across the boat at Gabe. “He is at it again. He never wants to admit when he’s wrong.”
Gabe shook his head. “Don’t drag me into this conversation.”
“Yeah, it’s pure bullshit anyway,” Dean muttered. “I always own up to my mistakes.”
Cooper snorted. “Delusional. I don’t know how Loni puts up with you. You’re a lucky man.”
That brought a smile to Dean’s face. “I agree. I am damn lucky.”
RJ agreed, too. Dean’s girlfriend was not only an award-winning baker, she was brave and tenacious, facing possible permanent blindness with a strong spirit. She was also gorgeous, with long dark hair and bright blue eyes like her twin sister…whom he tried not to think about.
“So am I.” Now Cooper was grinning.
Even Gabe smiled. “Me, too.”
“Yeah.” Cooper nodded. “The three of us were lucky to find amazing women.”
“And are smart enough to hold on to them,” Gabe added.
Cooper’s attention shifted to him. “So, now it’s RJ’s turn.”
He gripped his fishing pole in one hand and held up the other. “No. It’s not. I’m happy for the three of you, but I don’t have time for a woman. All my focus is on work and getting my body back up to par.”