The Navy SEAL's Christmas Bride by Cora Seton
Blurb
Navy SEAL Dan Hemmins goes head to head with soldier Sarah Metlin to prove once and for all that women can’t possibly qualify for an elite branch of the military, but when Sarah proves she’s not just one of the most qualified warriors he’s ever met, she’s also one of the smartest and sexiest, too, he’ll do whatever it takes to get closer to her, even if he has to challenge her to another contest…or three…or five!
Chapter One
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“Want to race?”
“In snowshoes?” Mason Hall held up one of his feet. “Sounds like a good way to break a leg.”
“I guess so.” Dan Hemmins sent his host an apologetic look and continued to pace beside him along the snowy track that looped through the woods. Fresh out of the Navy after twelve years of service in the SEALs, he’d arrived in Chance Creek that morning for a week-long stay at Crescent Hall, and he hoped his time on the quiet Montana cattle ranch would soon help soothe his need for constant excitement. “Guess I’m feeling antsy. I’m not used to taking it easy.” He appreciated Mason taking time out for this tramp around the property. Even though Christmas was looming near, a rancher’s chores never ended, and the place was chock full of company.
“I understand. Why don’t you tell me more about your business plan?”
Dan hadn’t served directly with Mason Hall, who had also been in the SEALs, but they’d met each other a number of times over their years in the military, and they’d kept in touch. Dan had planned to go home for the holidays when he left the Navy to stay with his parents temporarily, just until he sorted out where to settle down and start his extreme training camp, but that had all fallen apart when his parents’ house sold suddenly after sitting on the market for months. They were too busy moving to host him for Christmas, so when Mason told him he had a spare room and was welcome to join his family for the holiday, he’d decided to check Chance Creek out. He figured Montana might make a great location for an adventure training facility, and secretly he hoped Mason would see the merits in his plan and decide to either invest in it, or possibly even join him as a partner.
“There are lots of guys who don’t want to join the military, but do want to try out the experience to see how they measure up. Those are the customers I’ll target. I’ll create all kinds of programs to cater to their interests. One camp will simulate the physical conditioning program we all did when we became SEALs. Others will concentrate on survival skills. As I get a feel for what people want, I’ll tailor my programs accordingly.” He glanced at Mason, wondering if his sales pitch was doing the trick. He couldn’t run this kind of business alone. If he couldn’t find a few more SEALs, he was sunk.
Their snowshoes thwapped as they stepped through the snow, but otherwise the cold, crisp December morning was as quiet as the Afghan desert he’d left only weeks ago. Dan caught himself scanning the forest for signs of threats, then shook his head to make himself stop. There wasn’t any danger here.
“It’s hard to turn it off, isn’t it? That instinct to keep tabs on your surroundings?” Mason said. “I still do it and I’ve been home for half a year.”
“I guess it never goes away, huh?”
“Not entirely, but it does get better. A nice, calm Christmas here on the ranch will help sort you out.”
“I sure hope so.”
“A SEAL-style training camp is interesting.” Mason changed direction, heading eastward. “Are you looking for partners?”
“I am. You interested?” Dan brightened. Maybe he’d sold his idea better than he’d thought.
“Probably not, but I might know someone. A soldier.”
Dan grimaced. “I was hoping for SEALs.”
“Wait and see before you judge,” Mason said. “You might be surprised.”
“Wait and see? Is he coming here?”
“That’s right—coming for Christmas, but it’s not a he; it’s a she. Sarah Metlin. She’ll arrive this afternoon.”