A SEAL at Heart by Anne Elizabeth Page B

before, but Clarissa’s issue had at first been complicated by recovery from a broken jaw. She still didn’t talk at school or home, but so far her progress had been astounding.
    “Yes. Bye.” Clarissa waved, opening the door and letting sunlight into the room. Framed by the fuzzy yellow sunlight, she glowed. The halo of light made her look angelic and far too vulnerable. Laurie hoped there was someone special watching out for that sweet girl.
    There’s never a quick fix , Laurie thought. She sat at her desk and let her worries swirl around in her head. Long shadows climbed the corners as the sun slipped away to set on the horizon. Too soon, it was only she, alone and surrounded by four walls.
    Her eyes wandered to the picture of her and her father. They were standing next to her first telescope. The size of it dwarfed her, but her dad would cradle her in his arms as they examined the heavens. All those constellations… He’d whisper the myths into her ear, sharing those special secrets and transporting her imagination to another realm.
    Closing her eyes, she tried to hold on to the precious memory. Slowly, though, it drifted away. The warmth and happiness were replaced by anger and frustration. His neglect and her childhood fears rose momentarily like bile in her throat.
    “Nothing is ever easy with SEALs.” Her words barely rose above a whisper, but they eased the pain like an ill-fitting bandage.
    Turning her attention to the file on the desk, she made a few notes in Clarissa’s file. Nagging doubts taunted the edges of her mind, worries that she wouldn’t be able to fully heal Clarissa or Jack. They were both so solitary, as if the whole world were a series of grave threats to be faced alone. Jack needs more help than you can give him. Wake up, ducky, and let go of him. She steered her eyes to her little apartment door.
    But what if I’m all either of them has?
    ***
    Someone jumped on the bed, startling Jack out of his dream.
    He swiftly flipped the figure onto its back, pinning down the intruder’s arms to their sides. He opened his eyes wide and stared unknowingly at Laurie’s startled face for a few seconds until recognition dawned. He finally loosened his grip and she wiggled free. “Sorry,” he murmured. “I’m not used to being surprised when I sleep.”
    “Yeah, I wasn’t thinking about that. I’m good, though. All in one piece.” She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his worried lips. How had she forgotten that SEALs were loaded weapons and it was better to throw a pillow from the safety of the doorway and duck for cover than it was to try to wake them with a simple touch like a normal human being? Perhaps he’d get used to her presence over time. “Let’s start over. What a lovely surprise to find you in my bed. I am a very lucky Alice.”
    “This is some nice digs, but it isn’t a wonderland. Also, I hate to break it to you, but you’re thinking about Goldilocks.”
    “So, you’re what… a bear?” She laughed. He was too quick for her.
    “Yes, but I’d rather be the wolf. The better to eat you with,” he said, and then he rolled her underneath him. There was something in his eyes, a serious quality that held her attention.
    “What were you dreaming about?” Touching his chin, she rubbed her fingers up his jawline. “Jack, do you remember?”
    “Yes.” He rolled off of her. They lay side by side in silence. The minutes stretched between them until finally he answered. “My childhood.
    “When I was six years old, my father woke me up at five in the morning. He wanted me to sit with my mother so he could run to work. He said he would only be an hour. I remember hearing the door close and the lock slip into place. I got out of my bed, bringing my favorite blue blanket with me. It had soft stuff on the edges. My mother made it for me for my third birthday…”
    Jack took a deep breath and continued the story. “The air was cold. My feet were covered in footie pajamas