Montana SEAL (Brotherhood Protectors #1)(15)

Sadie touched his arm. “Hank, I can handle Ray. You don’t have to.”

Hank stood for a moment longer, giving Ray a narrow-eyed glare. “Hurt her, and you’ll answer to me.”

Ray raised his hands. “I wouldn’t hurt her. She’s my bread and butter.”

“Then let her have the space she needs.”

“But I need…she needs to sign this contract before the studio decides to go with another actress. She’s not the only one they had lined up.”

“Then it wasn’t meant to be.” Sadie stepped up beside Hank. “Ray, I’ll think about it.”

“But—”

“You heard the lady,” Hank crossed his arms over his chest. “She’ll think about it.”

Ray’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I’ll be here for a couple of days.”

“And I’ll be thinking about it for a couple of days. You might as well go back to LA. I won’t be pressured into making a decision during the time I’m here in Montana.”

“And how long do you plan on being in Montana?” Ray persisted.

“I don’t know.” Sadie waved her hand. “A week, maybe two.”

“Hi, I’m Daisy. Would you three care to sit down?” The pretty, young waitress smiled at them and leaned closer to Hank, a conspiratorial gleam in her eyes. “You’re scaring the customers.”

Hank shot a glance around the nearly empty diner and frowned at Daisy.

She winked. “Okay, so you’re not scaring the customers, you’re scaring the cook.”

Sadie gave Daisy a thankful smile. “Yes, please. Hank and I would like a table for two.” She gave her agent a pointed stare. “Ray was just leaving.”

“If that’s the case, you’ll want your check.” Daisy pulled a slip of paper from her apron and handed it to Ray. “If you’ll step up to the register, I’ll happily take your money.” Her smile was infectious, but Ray wasn’t any happier about being separated from Sadie and herded out the door.

“Sit anywhere you like,” Daisy called over her shoulder as she led Ray to the cash register. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Sadie chose a booth in the far corner and sat with her back to the door. Hank sat opposite her.

Sadie pulled a menu from behind the napkin holder and stared down at it. “So you see, my life can be complicated, and not really my own.”

“It doesn’t have to be that way.”

“As long as I’m a celebrity, it will be this way.” She laughed, the sound not at all cheerful, more tired and resigned.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” Hank’s jaw tightened. “The dream you left Montana to pursue?” Weren’t those the words she’d used when she’d turned down his proposal? She wanted to follow her dreams, and he should follow his.

Sadie nodded. “Yes. Acting was something I always wanted to do. Playing great roles, making people laugh, cry, feeling the pain of the characters in the story, was a dream come true.”

“But the other stuff that comes with being famous?” he prompted.

She shrugged. “Normally, I can deal with it. But every once in a while, I need a break.”

“Like now.”

Again, she nodded. “Like now. Making two movies in one year may not sound like much, but it’s emotionally and physically draining. I need a chance to recuperate. To be away from the crush of people, away from LA.”

Daisy walked Ray to the door, and then joined Sadie and Hank at their table, pulling out her order pad and pencil. “Now that you’re settled, let me say welcome home.” She grinned at them both. “I remember you two from high school.”

Sadie’s brows wrinkled, and Hank stared at the pretty brunette. “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember you.”

She laughed. “You probably wouldn’t. I was a kid back then. You were a senior when I was a freshman, and the only girl Hank could ever see was Sadie.” Daisy sighed. “Not that I blame you. Sadie, you’re our Hollywood legend. And Hank, you’re our hometown hero.”

“I’m not a hero,” he muttered, his gaze shifting to the window. An image of Lt. Mike throwing himself onto that grenade flashed through his mind and his hands tightened on the plastic-coated menu. “There are others more deserving of that label.”

“You’re a hero to us,” Daisy said with a nod. “Eagle Rock’s never produced a Navy SEAL.” Her expression turned serious. “Thank you for your service.” She raised the pad and pencil. “Now, what can I get for you two?”

They placed their orders and waited until Daisy walked away.

Sadie’s lips twitched on the corners. “How does it feel to be a celebrity?”

“I’m not. You’re the celebrity.”

“You’re a Navy SEAL. In my book, that trumps Hollywood, any day.”

Her words were meant to cheer him, but Hank couldn’t help the stabbing pain in his chest. If the medical review board decided his injury was sufficient to medically discharge him, he’d be out of the Navy. He’d be just Hank from Montana. “Being a SEAL doesn’t make me special.”

Sadie reached across the table, laying her hand over his. “Who you are makes you special, Hank. You became a SEAL because you already were special—loyal, dedicated and strong. I could see that before I witnessed your graduation from BUD/S training.”