Only Mine (Honey Mountain #5)(75)

The front door flew open, and Jaqueline, Drake, and Slade walked in. Wolf had told me he’d invited them today, and I was looking forward to meeting them in person. He was worried about Bullet but wouldn’t talk about it much with me. He’d just say that Bullet had left on a mission, and he hadn’t heard from him and neither had Jaqueline.

Wolf tried to be there for them as much as he could. He’d taken the boys out trick-or-treating and called them several times a week. I’d been in the room on a couple of their FaceTime calls and had met Jaqueline and the boys. She was always so kind, but I saw the sadness in her eyes when we spoke.

“Uncle Wolfy!” Slade shouted and jumped into his arms.

“Hey.” He bent down and scooped him up before Drake dove at him, as well. He held them both in his arms when he pushed to stand. He leaned over and kissed Jaqueline on the cheek as she slipped out of her coat. “I know you’ve all met on FaceTime, but now you can finally meet in person.”

“You’re pretty,” Drake said as he squirmed out of Wolf’s arms, and his brother did the same as he gaped up at me and nodded.

I chuckled and bent down to hug them before pushing to my feet.

Jaqueline pulled me in for a hug. I felt like I knew her better than I actually did because I knew about her husband being gone and Wolf spoke to her often.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you in person, Dylan. And thank you so much for getting that book signed for me by your sister.” She reached for my hands and didn’t let them go. “I think you might be responsible for this one being a little less grumpy than usual.”

Wolf grunted. “Please. I’m still grumpy.”

“I can vouch for that,” Seb said as he came around the corner. He took his turn hugging everyone, and Jaqueline dropped my hands, but every time I looked over, she was smiling at me.

Classical music was playing throughout the house, and Sabine came around the corner to greet us.

“Who wants to see all the holiday trees?” she asked, reaching for my hand.

Jaqueline and I both said we’d like to see them, and Wolf, Seb, Drake, and Slade all grumbled and made their way toward the parlor.

“Mom has twelve trees this year. Each one has a different theme,” Sabine said as she led us through the grand estate. The formal living room had a tall white tree covered in angel ornaments. The family room donned a green pine that had to be at least twenty-five feet tall, drawing the eyes up to the vaulted ceilings. It was covered in Santa and snowmen ornaments with red-and-black plaid ribbon draping around it, layer by layer. I’d never seen anything more extravagant in my life. This house was decorated for the holidays, no matter which way you looked. We made our way to the library, which was filled with floor-to-ceiling cherrywood bookcases, and a dark leather couch sat in the center. In the corner, there was a pine tree that was a few feet taller than me, covered in Navy ornaments. I moved closer, inspecting them, as I’d never seen a tree like this. There were medals hung from the branches, as well, and when I turned them around, they were engraved on the back.

Wolfgang Wayburn.

Some were awards he’d earned for courage and leadership, and some were for specific achievements in battle and training. There were ornaments that were both the Navy and the SEAL logos, and there were ornaments of different countries. When I looked up, I saw Sabine and Jaqueline watching me.

“Those are for every country that Wolf has been to in his travels with the Navy. And then all his awards. Mom does a tree for each of us in different parts of the house, but Wolf’s is definitely the best one. Mine and Seb’s are just filled with silly things like the first car I drove and Seb’s short-term interest in playing tennis. Wolf’s tree really shows you all that he’s accomplished.”

I nodded.

It made me want to know even more about his life before I met him.

But he shared little bits and pieces each time we were together, and I wouldn’t push, which was very out of character for me—but I respected that he protected his former life.

“That’s amazing. He’s quite the decorated officer.”

“My husband says that Wolf is the best he’s ever worked with. And Bullet is tough to get a compliment out of—unless you’re his wife and kids, then he gushes all over you.” Jaqueline chuckled.

I liked that I was learning more about this man every day.

And I only wanted more.





thirty





Wolf





We’d taken the helicopter to Honey Mountain after brunch with my family, and we were heading straight to Ashlan and Jace’s house, as they were hosting this year. Apparently, the Thomas family switched off every year, and Dylan couldn’t wait to get here.

She and Jaqueline had hit it off, which I’d expected. Sabine and Seb were crazy about her, and my mother pulled me aside to ask if we were officially dating today, and my father appeared to like her more than he liked me.

I hadn’t prepared for this.

Hadn’t seen her coming.

She’d weaned her way into my heart, one I didn’t even know was still capable of feeling anything like this.

But I’d fucking fallen into the abyss with this woman.

When I’d get back from a mission, I’d let numbness overtake me. The things I saw. The things I’d done. The things that I’d experienced—they’d required compartmentalization. I’d learned to justify the things that I’d done, knowing they were for my country. There could be no second-guessing, no guilt. All of that curbing of emotions built a bastion inside of me that few could squeeze through. My family, of course, was welcomed in easily, though my mom thought I was closed off my first months back. But somehow, Dylan wormed her way in, and I know I didn’t make it easy for her. And now, I know just how special she is.