Gabe laughed outright at that. “Hell, no. Being the oldest active duty SEAL has never been my goal, but I did want to do more than I’ve done.”
Julie made an understanding sound. “Careers change, though. Mine just changed when I quit Petrovic’s, and it will change again when I finally leave Walter Reed. I’m not sure where exactly I’m going to settle, but it’s neither one of these places. They’re fine for the short-term, but no more than that. I’d like to work in a rehab facility like you’re in now.”
And she would fit in perfectly at one, he knew.
Gabe considered her words, though. He hadn’t planned on being a SEAL forever, but more because of their shortened life expectancy than anything. He didn’t plan on being shot, he just kind of expected it. It was the nature of the beast.
“Honestly,” she continued, “if I have a say in this, I would choose for you not to be a SEAL.”
Blinking in surprise, Gabe turned to her, for the first time truly thinking about what it had done to her, watching him fight over the past few months. She had never said a word, though, just supported him through every phase of his recovery. “Really?”
She nodded, the wind toying with her hair. “Yes. I think being a SEAL contributed to Butter’s death and obviously, your injury. If you could find another job that didn’t require you to be in harm’s way like this, I would be ecstatic. Because I love you. And because I don’t want you to have to face that day after day.”
The thought of making her worry about him every time he went out made him a little sick to his stomach. Julie deserved more than that.
Hell, maybe he deserved more than that.
He thought for a few minutes as he finished off his ice cream, and Julie seemed content to let him. Something she’d said months ago had lingered in his mind, because it had jolted him at first.
“Was your friend Lacey serious when she mentioned that job in Colorado to you?”
Julie paused mid-lick and turned her head to look at him. “Yes,” she said slowly. “She also mentioned that Max was working his ass off and that she would be happy when they hired a few more people.”
Gabe choked out a laugh. “She did, did she?”
Julie nodded and resumed her lick, but he could see tears glimmering in her pale green eyes. Gabe looked out at the ocean again, but didn’t say anything for a long time.
“I need time to think about this, Julie. I need time to come to terms with the fact that I probably won’t be a SEAL again. Can you give me that? I’ll get through rehab and see where I am.”
She gave him that loving, supportive smile he’d come to depend on. “I will always be here waiting for you. And I go where you go.”
* * *
EIGHT WEEKS LATER, Gabe had his answer.
As he looked at the paperwork in his hands, he didn’t know how to feel. Gratified, of course, but incredibly disappointed too.
After weeks of sweating and grunting and building muscle, he was as good as he could be. He had graduated from rehab.
But it wasn’t enough for the Navy.
Yes, he could walk and jog now, just not without pain. The doctor had said that the pain would probably always be a companion, sometimes more, sometimes less. Right now it was a mild ache, as if he’d strained a muscle.
The Navy had offered him a light-duty job. But it wasn’t what he wanted.
Feeling oddly satisfied, he looked down at the paper in his hands again, excitement thrumming through him.
We would like to offer you a position at Lost and Found Investigative Service, starting immediately.
The End…
If you enjoyed Gabe and Julie’s story and would like to learn more about the combat modified veterans that work at the Lost and Found Investigative Service, explore the links below.
And happy reading!!!
The Embattled Road (FREE prequel)
Embattled Hearts – Book 1 (FREE)
Embattled Minds – Book 2
Embattled Home – Book 3
Embattled SEAL – Book 4
SEAL’s Lost Dream – Flynn
Unbreakable SEAL – Max
Embattled Christmas
Loving Lilly
Other books by J.M. Madden
A Touch of Fae
Second Time Around
A Needful Heart
Wet Dream
Love on the Line Book 1
Love on the Line Book 2
The Awakening Society – FREE
Tempt Me
Urban Moon Anthology
If you’d like to connect with me on social media and keep updated on my releases, try these links:
Newsletter
Website
Facebook
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And of course you can always email me at authorjmmadden@gmail.com
About the Author
NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author J.M. Madden writes compelling romances between ‘combat modified’ military men and the women who love them. J.M. Madden loves any and all good love stories, most particularly her own. She has two beautiful children and a husband who always keeps her on her toes.
J.M. was a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio for nine years, until hubby moved the clan to Kentucky. When not chasing the family around, she’s at the computer, reading and writing, perfecting her craft. She occasionally takes breaks to feed her animal horde and is trying to control her office-supply addiction, but both tasks are uphill battles. Happily, she is writing full-time and always has several projects in the works. She also dearly loves to hear from readers! So, drop her a line. She’ll respond.
If you would like to read other Kindle World Stories connected to Cat Johnson’s Hot SEALs, check them out here!!!
AUTHOR: Geri Foster
TITLE: Out of Luck
WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER
AUTHOR: Sabrina York
TITLE: Guard Dog
WEBSITE
AUTHOR: Desiree Holt
TITLE: Wet Heat
WEBSITE
AUTHOR: Kennedy Layne
TITLE: A Mission For Love
WEBSITE
AUTHOR: Susan Stoker
TITLE: Protecting Julie
WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER
AUTHOR: Olivia Jaymes
TITLE: Discarded Heart
WEBSITE
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
TITLE: Her Special Alpha (X-OPS/Hot SEALs Crossover)
WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER
AUTHOR: Marissa Dobson
TITLE: SEALed Rescue
WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER
AUTHOR: Siobhan Muir
TITLE: Rimshot’s Hard Target
WEBSITE
AUTHOR: Donna Michaels
TITLE: Knight’s SEAL (A Dangerous Curves/Hot SEALs Crossover)
WEBSITE
AUTHOR: Becky McGraw
TITLE: SEALed Fate (A Deep Six Security/Hot SEALs Crossover)
WEBSITE
AUTHOR: Elle James
TITLE: SEAL’s Ultimate Challenge (Take No Prisoners/Hot SEALs Crossover)
NEWSLETTER
AUTHOR: Delilah Devlin
TITLE: Through Her Eyes (Uncharted SEALs/Hot SEALs Crossover)
WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER
AUTHOR: Sharon Hamilton
TITLE: Lucas: Band of Bachelors (a SEAL Brotherhood Novella)
WEBSITE
NEWSLETTER
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Other books by J.M. Madden
About the Author
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J. M. Madden, Reclaiming the SEAL