SEAL The Deal (13 page)

Sophie yelled from the house. “Hours for the sale should be like ten to three? What do you guys think?”

Nick turned to Marc and they shrugged in unison.

“I’m thinking all day,” Nick hollered back, “like ten to five. And you’re placing the ad for Sunday, too?”

“Nope. I say we sell it all on Saturday. Sunday maybe we can use the guys to haul off what didn’t sell, and get everything cleaned up and cleared out,” Sophie shouted out the door. “Devon, that work for you?”

Devon nodded and picked up the hose to begin her chores.

She welcomed the almost mesmerizing sound of the water as it sprayed out and gave glistening sustenance to the plants underneath. She’d never wanted a yard and had an upscale townhouse in a trendy part of Santa Rosa, close to dozens of boutique shops and gourmet restaurants. But she felt the pulse of living things as she tended Sophie’s garden. In only a few days all of this would be gone. A few weeks and Sophie would be gone as well. Thinking about life’s fragility and the temporary nature of things gave her a hitch in her throat.

Nothing lasts forever.

Virgins don’t stay virgins forever. Friends die.

Devon got a call from her manager an hour later.

“You working today?” he asked.

“Sort of. Helping Sophie get ready for the cleanup and big plant sale this weekend.”

“That’s the nursery property on Bennett Valley?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve gotten a couple of voicemails from a Mr. Silva—“

“He has a lot of nerve. Tried to show the property yesterday, brought his client and everything without calling ahead of time.”

“He says you aren’t returning his calls. He wants to present an offer with me and make sure I get it to the seller, bypassing you. So, Devon, I gotta ask, what’s going on? You two have some history?”

“Sophie has some history with him. It’s a long story, but Sophie doesn’t want him on the property.”

“She can’t exactly do that, if it’s listed. He’s talking discrimination, due to his Hispanic surname. His client is minority as well.”

“He’s bad news, Joe.”

“But we can’t violate the law just because someone’s a creep.”

“I put a notice in MLS about showings starting Monday. If that doesn’t work, I’ll just withdraw it until Monday.”

“I think I’d rather have you do that. Put a note it will be re-listed on Monday. But keep that Agency Disclosure on you at all times. Sounds like he might force the issue.”

“Force the issue on a dying woman, Joe. There has to be a law protecting Sophie from harassment.”

“Then you call the police, understood? Next time he shows up there, you inform him that’s what you’re going to do. I’m going to call him back right now and tell him the same thing.”

She hung up and removed her gloves. Dashing into the office, she got her laptop out and logged in, pulling up the MLS information on the property. She checked her briefcase for a change order form and found one wrinkled and folded at the bottom. Taking the paper and pen, she bolted to the door to look for Sophie, and ran straight into Nick’s chest.

His familiar smell, the rivulets of sweat coming down the side of his neck, and in damp patches under his arms, added to the sheer masculinity of his size compared to hers. He’d grabbed her waist, which was good since she probably would have lost her balance.

The paper was jammed between them and the pen went flying. She got her balance, and scurried after it.

“Excuse me,” she said as she walked around him. “Need to find Sophie.”

“She’s over by the water tank, but Dev—“

She didn’t want to wait or look at him, and walked a determined straight line towards the tank. Not seeing her friend, she walked round the side and caught Sophie in an embrace with Marc.

Before they could see her, she backed up and again came in contact with Nick’s granite torso.

“I tried to tell you,” he whispered.

Devon’s cell phone rang again and she swore.

“Joe, I’m getting a change order signed right now. I’ll change the status in two minutes. Be patient with me,” she said to her manger again.

“Not why I called, Devon. Forgot to remind you tonight is the company awards dinner. I’m just making sure you’re coming. You’re getting an award, you know.”

At first the thought of the awards dinner turned her stomach, but suddenly the distraction of being anyplace but here at Sophie’s, in Nick’s company, felt welcome.

“I’ll be there.”

“You bringing anyone?”

“Nope,” she said as she watched Nick’s sweat-stained back retreating from her, “I’ll be coming alone tonight.”

Chapter 15

Devon left just as the sun was sinking low in the sky, casting a golden glow over everything, even the dilapidated but remarkably sparse greenhouse site.

With Sophie’s blessing, the listing had been temporarily withdrawn. Then she sneaked off to leave without saying goodbye. Nick knew he was part of the reason she’d pulled away from all of them, so he caught her just before she left.

“Devon, you still sore with me?”

“Shouldn’t I be?”

“I think we should talk about it.”

“Yeah, whatever
it
is,” she said sarcastically.

“I still think we should talk.”

“Well, I’ve got dinner to go to and you have all your buddies arriving at any moment, so we’ll both be busy.”

“Are you coming back here tonight?” he asked. He wished she’d asked him to go with her.

“I’m wondering if I should. But I promised Sophie.” Her eyes held pain and sadness, or was it fear? He’d been hoping that keeping his distance would soften her stiffness, but he could see it hadn’t.

“Well. It makes a difference to me. I want to talk to you.”

“Fine. I’ll be back here around nine or so. Will that fit into your schedule?”

“Don’t do this, Devon,” he begged.

“I’m slowing things down, just like you wanted.”

“Right.” He stepped back and waved to her. “Have a good time, then. See you later. And please be safe.”

He watched the Lexus as a cloud of dust trailed behind it all the way to Bennett Valley Road, and then disappeared into the early evening. Part of him wanted to go follow her. He hoped she’d be safe.

It hadn’t been more than a few minutes when the boys from Coronado showed up. They’d managed to drive straight through. They were hot and dusty from the long trip, and Nick was glad Devon wasn’t around for the room full of eau de armpit. She’d been so quiet and into herself that no one, not even Sophie, had been able to engage her in conversation. He wondered how she’d handle the crowd when she got back.

The parking lot looked like a Hummer road rally. Kyle’s black one was pulled in right next to Nick’s. There were two others, plus Fredo’s beater, which was the only vehicle that looked like it belonged at the nursery.

Sophie eyed the beater with lust. “Now we’re talking. This is a truck you can actually use for work.”

His LPO shook Sophie’s hand and stepped aside, waiting for the rest of the team to do the same. Cooper’s six foot four frame towered over her, but his voice was gentle as he told her he was the fixit man.

“Sophie, Cooper was born under a tractor. He sleeps with parts,” Nick informed her.

“But I like my wife’s parts way better,” Coop said. He got some catcalls and punches in the arm for that remark.

Fredo stepped forward, “Yeah, some of those parts is toys, too.” He grinned and greeted her. “I’m Fredo.”

“Sophie, this here is Malcolm, we got Rory here, Ty, Armando and Grady.”

“Geez,” Sophie said. “Is San Diego still safe when all you guys are up here?”

“Think the question is, are the ladies of Sonoma County safe with us here?” someone quipped.

The general mumble and laughter were just what Nick needed to feel around him. Things would finally be okay.

Pizza delivery was arranged and the group began to set up sleeping bags around the living room. Malcolm and Tyler took over the office. Sophie had a fire pit out back and a hot tub off the back deck, so several guys were soaking while others had pulled up black plastic five-gallon plant containers and wine barrel halves to sit by the fire.  Fredo was giving Cooper a hard time about the news his wife, Libby, was pregnant.

“I was wondering why it took you a whole six months to knock her up, man,” he said.

“I was practicing for the kill shot, Fredo. You know I have to practice.”

“Training is everything. Here’s to being perfect,” Malcolm Jones said and raised his long-necked beer to the stars. Those who could clinked glass on glass.

Sophie was resting against Marc’s chest in a lounge chair. Marc was without alcohol, but sipped on mineral water like Coop, who never drank.

Nick went over plans for the next day, using the list he and Sophie had created. Within ten minutes all the assignments were delegated.

“So Nick, where’s your lady?” Fredo asked.

“She’s not my lady, you dickhead. She’s Sophie’s best friend.”

“So, where is she?” Cooper asked.

Marc piped up. “She’s at a company dinner.”

“She’s being given an award,” Sophie added.

“Really? That’s cool.” Fredo said.

Soon the fire pit in the center of the back yard began to die down to orange embers, illuminating their faces like the pits on the beach in San Diego they frequented with their families. They’d brought several cases of beer, and nearly all of them were gone already. Bottles littered the ground, but Nick knew they’d be stacked and stowed before the team hit the sack.

“I appreciate all you guys coming to help out.” Nick said.

A series of grumbles and expletives littered the evening air. But there was no objection. A road trip was always something the guys enjoyed.

“Like I told Nick several times, I was willing to pay for a motel. You don’t have to hang out here.”

“Shit, Nick never told us that,” Kyle blurted out. There was multiple agreement. Sophie cast a panicked look to Nick, who waved it off as a joke.

“No, Fredo here was the only one who wanted the motel, but he was outvoted,” he said.

Emma demanded Sophie go to bed, and came out with the wheelchair. Marc picked her up and carried her to the back bedroom. Emma followed huffily, pushing the empty, squeaking wheel chair and scraping it on the woodwork as she rounded the corner.

Several low whistles traveled through the crowd.

“Marc’s being a real hero. He know what he’s doing?” Kyle asked Nick with concern.

“I’m cool with it under the circumstances,” Nick answered. “Distraction can be a good thing for pain.”

That had a sobering effect on the group.

“So, Kyle, I was surprised Timmons let you all come up here together.”

“You complaining?”

“Not at all.”

“I have to check in with him tomorrow night. He doesn’t know Tyler and Malcolm came. I’ll let him know then.”

Marc returned and grabbed a beer, taking up a seat by the fire.

“Guess who else wanted to come?” Fredo asked.

Nick stared back at him.

“Gunny and Sanouk,” Fredo said. Former Gunnery Sergeant, “Gunny,” ran a no-frills, rusty old gym in Coronado where the team guys like to hang out. He had recently been reunited with a son he had fathered in Thailand, the first he’d ever met of his many offspring that littered the globe. Gunny was known for doing the right thing and marrying the woman first before he’d have sex with her. But, while he believed in marriage, he didn’t believe in divorce.

“Sanouk’s mother’s coming out, and it’s got Gunny in several shades of panic. He’s even hired cleaners to polish up his gym,” Coop informed him.

“No shit. This must be serious,” said Nick.

“He’s got a little time to make it right. Gunny’s not doing well, Nick,” said Kyle.

“Sorry to hear that.”

An hour later, Nick heard Devon’s car pull up front and soon she walked through the back door, clutching a large crystal shard on a pedestal in her right hand. She was done up in the little black cocktail dress Nick remembered peeling off her the night before. He blushed as he looked at her delicate ankles and toes strapped up in the high heels he vividly remembered slipping off her sexy feet. Her dark brown curls cascaded over her head, held up with little crystal clips that sparkled in the moonlight. Nick could smell her perfume and wished he’d been allowed to accompany her. She was a goddess, a vision. His gut was filled with regret at how they’d left things earlier. And she was scoring major points with the guys.

Instantly, all the men rose to attention. It made Devon step back in a brief moment of panic.

“Wow. Easy there,” she said. Nick loved the nervous lilt to her voice when she was on new territory. “Should I be scared?”

“Devon this Kyle, my LPO—Lead Petty Officer, sort of our leader,” Nick said. He hoped he’d get a smile from her, but she remained cold.

Kyle stepped forward, extending his hand. “Only when we’re getting shot at and shit. Around women, they’re all on their own. Nice to meet you, Devon.”

“This is Cooper. He’s our medic,” Nick said.

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“There’s that term again. What am I fifty years old?” Devon had gotten all prickly.

Nick knew her nerves were getting the better of her.

“You have a problem with your age, Dev?” Marc asked.

“Devon. It’s Devon.”

Several of the guys chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” she demanded. Nick was in a bit of pain, seeing the pit she was digging.

Kyle gave his silver-tongued version of the facts, which was something he was really good at. “Devon, it’s a term of respect. We call each other’s wives ma’am, their mothers, their sisters, all ma’am.”

“And we don’t talk to their daughters if we can help it.” Jones said.

That brought laughter again.

“Whatever,” Devon said as she cut off their laughter with a little nervous one of her own. “Please, don’t stand up for me. I’m not the queen here. Sophie is.”

The men sat. A somber tone had permeated the group. Nick knew they were all assessing, evaluating, checking their surroundings, and looking for signs of something from each other.