SEALs of Honor: Markus by Dale Mayer Page A

hungry. She was also afraid it had been too long and she’d have trouble keeping it down.
    Back at the table, she watched the waitress deliver two large cups of coffee.
    “Are you ready to order?” she asked.
    Markus nodded, his gaze on Bree. “Two of the big breakfast plates, please.”
    The waitress disappeared with a smile. She probably figured Markus would clean up what Bree couldn’t eat, but it was going to be the other way around.
    “Are those two plates just for me?” she teased.
    “If you need them to be, then, yes.”
    She laughed. “I need to make sure the food stays down first.”
    “Did the protein bars give you any trouble?”
    She shook her head.
    “Right, so chances are you’ll be fine.”
    She glanced around to see the same collection of hard working souls that she’d seen plenty of over the last few weeks dotted by the never-ending stream of tourists during summer. Thankfully. Those were the bread and butter people to the area. She couldn’t imagine how these businesses survived with just the locals for customers. Of course the oil and gas industry helped a lot.
    The coffee was too hot to drink. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, waiting for it to cool.
    “You ignored my comment.”
    She knew he meant her father comment. “You’re a bulldog. Do you ever let up?”
    “It’s a valid comment.”
    “It is. But I’d hate to go home with my tail between my legs.” Still she’d been considering it. There’d just been no time to think the issue through.
    “It’s all in the attitude. This is hardly a failure. You’ve survived – once again. Now maybe it’s time to get back to the land of the living.”
    She opened her eyes and considered his words. “I’m too tired to even think about this right now. I have a few priorities like getting some sleep then going to the bank and the store for a change of clothes.”
    He nodded. “True enough.”
    “And you – are you going back to wherever you came from?”
    He smiled. “In a few days I will be.”
    Of course he would be. She’d rather he stayed close, but that was more because she’d started to rely on him. He made her feel secure, protected. Getting over having him there for her would take time. Regardless of how she felt about it… She liked him. He was a nice guy. A hell of a protector.
    “I think I recognized him,” she said abruptly.
    He froze, then leaned across the table. “Who?”
    “The guy that took off.” She considered what she’d seen.
    “How could you?”
    “His profile.”
    “Did you actually get a chance to see anything? It had to have been a split second.”
    She nodded. “I have a very good memory but never thought to say anything about it before this.” She shrugged. “I didn’t understand what the connection was at first. I think I saw him at the diner. With the other kidnappers.”
    “Think?” he pounced.
    She leaned back. There hadn’t been much time to consider it. “You’re right. It was more of an impression. And that isn’t reliable.”
    “No, but instinct can’t be discounted. It’s just not enough to pin something on someone.”
    She nodded. “Good point.” She chewed her bottom lip and wondered if she was completely bonkers.
    “If you think you see him again, don’t approach him. Just point him out to me, got it?”
    “Got it.” She cheered up at the idea of seeing Markus again. She’d really hoped it wouldn’t be a one-off. She liked him. Like really liked him. And life needed to be enjoyed. Because it was too damn short.
    That meant nothing in terms of a relationship though. He was good looking and a good person. There would be someone in his life already. He might even have remarried. Then, he deserved to be happy. And he was the marrying kind.
    “Do you understand?”
    Holding her cup and blowing on it, she studied him over the rim. “I won’t do anything stupid.”
    “Good.” He settled back into the seat, a calmer look on his face. “Just remember