Tate (Lighthouse Security Investigations #6) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,2

of Nathan’s sister, the beautiful girl he loved when he was young and full of ideas about the life he wanted to lead. The girl he was sure he’d marry one day. Settle on part of the ranch. Build a house. Raise a family.

A sigh left his lips as his thoughts turned.

Home was also time spent alone in the mountains, sitting on a rock outcropping and surveying the expanse of land, wondering what else was out there in the world. Excitement. Adventure. Big cities. Big oceans. Ports of call. And when the call to duty sounded, he and Nathan joined the Navy, but his dreams of the future were always of hearth and home. Those ideas were what kept him grounded when missions took him around the world and danger lurked in the shadows. What would I have done differently if I knew what was hiding in the shadows? Dreams change, and the young become less idealistic, forging new paths and new places to lay our heads.

A former SEAL now employed as a Keeper for Lighthouse Security Investigations, he made his new home in Maine but still loved being able to travel the world. A few weeks ago, he was in French Guiana on a rescue mission and had just finished a security detail in Texas. He enjoyed his post-military life, especially being able to take this detour to celebrate his mom’s birthday by returning to his childhood home for a visit.

As the plane began its descent into the Denver airport, he smiled as the ground rose to touch the wheels of the plane and the pilot executed a smooth landing. His fellow business class passengers were checking their phones and watches, putting away their computers, and pulling out their itineraries for the next leg of their journey.

For him, it would be a quick flight on a much smaller plane to Rawlins, Wyoming.

Thirty minutes later, he was back in the air, once more staring out the window at the familiar landscape below of forests and mountains, grassland and scrub brush. This time, the smaller plane flew closer to the ground and the cars and trucks on the little roads were easily visible. Less than two hours later, he walked through the small airport, out into the bright sunshine.

Home for a few days. Minutes later, with his duffel bag in one hand, he grinned at the sight of another high school friend, now brother-in-law, Thomas. Dropping his bag, he clasped Thomas’ hand in his before pulling him in for a back-slapping greeting. Thomas was not as tall as Tate but muscular with a ready smile and friendly demeanor.

“Jesus, man, my sister must be feeding you well.” Tate popped Thomas on the stomach, laughing as the other man jumped away, rubbing his midsection.

“Fuck, Tate. Working the ranch, I’ve got no time to get fat.” Grinning, he wiggled his eyebrows. “But then, Caroline learned how to cook at your mama’s knee, so she always takes good care of me.”

“Hell, I can’t wait to taste their cooking again.” Tate reached down and grabbed his bag, hefting the large duffel. Years of hauling heavy loads as a young man and then as a SEAL enabled him to shoulder the heavy bag as though it were weightless. Walking alongside Thomas, he easily spied the family ranch pickup truck, faded blue with the logo for Double T Ranch on the side, dirt on the tires, and dust covering the back. “I see Dad’s still got the pickup running.”

Thomas chuckled, shaking his head as they both climbed inside. “One of the reasons your dad’s ranch makes money is that he doesn’t waste it on stupid shit. As long as a truck, tractor, or any piece of machinery can run, he keeps it going.”

Right on cue as he turned the switch, the old truck fired to life and, spinning the steering wheel with a practiced hand, Thomas pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road. They quickly left any semblance of civilization behind. The family ranch was about thirty miles south of Rawlins and they drove on a two-lane highway, cutting through the hills and valleys.

Thomas kept up a running monologue about the ranch, his kids, and any gossip about people Tate used to know. Settling back in the seat, Tate listened with enjoyment, not surprised to find that many of his high school friends were now running their family ranches or businesses. Boys he played ball with were now married with kids, much like Thomas. Girls