Page 85 of Home Again

Five weeks later

Sebastian hadn’t expected to be back in Louisiana so soon. He knew he was going to need to be here for the trials, but here he was. He couldn’t believe everything that had happened since Hurricane Helen had hit. He grinned as he looked down at the group text that Blessing had sent all of them. The woman he’d met at the airport so long ago was kind of spooky. But, she’d been right; he actually had found his home, just not the way he’d expected.

He scrolled through to the next text and saw the one sent directly to him from his fellow SEAL, Kyle Jones out of Coronado. The man had sent him a picture. Kyle was actually smiling, and the woman in his arms was beautiful. It looked like life had turned around for both of them.

He looked up when the door to the carriage house opened.

“Dammit, Gianna, don’t tell me you drove straight through!” He strode across the little living room and hauled her up against him, his body trembling with worry. “You weren’t supposed to be here for two more days.”

She giggled up at him. “I didn’t drive, Jada did. It’s all good.”

Sebastian leaned around her to look out the door. He didn’t see anyone. “Where is she?”

“She’s at Jimmy’s Po-Boy’s and getting some beignets. She’s going to go spend some time with Ophelia and stay at the big house.”

Sebastian frowned. He wasn’t sure how he felt about Jada horning in on his time with Gianna, but he was getting some extra days with her, so there was that.

“So, did you get everything straightened out with the lawyer?” she asked.

Sebastian ran his fingers through his hair and blew out a breath. “I’m not sure how this is going to go, but yes I did. He said it was all pretty straightforward and wasn’t a problem. I have the letter and the transfer deed over there on the counter. Are you sure they’re going to be okay with it?”

Gianna giggled. “They’re going to be fine with it. And if they’re not, they can sell the damn place.”

“I’m really sick of lawyers,” Sebastian muttered as he stared down at Gianna’s lips.

“And cops, don’t forget them.”

“How about the district attorney’s office?” Sebastian said. “I’m sick of the A.D.A. and the D.A.”

“I vote for being sick of the F.B.I.” She grinned.

“But seriously, do you think Philly and Neil are going to be okay with this? Maybe I should have just given them money.”

Gianna turned around and closed the door. She grabbed Sebastian’s hand and practically dragged him to the sofa. “Sit down,” she commanded as she shoved at his chest.

He sat down, and then she straddled his lap. “Now listen to me.”

“I’m listening.”

“Remember how upset you were when I told you about how much your Grinch of a grandfather was paying Neil and Ophelia?”

Sebastian nodded. “That’s why when I came into all that coin it only seemed fair to cut them in on it.”

Gianna rolled her eyes. “I said for you to listen. You’re talking.”

He smiled again, his eyes twinkling as he gripped her ass. “Okay, I’m listening now, I promise.”

“How many years has Ophelia loved and honored this place?” Gianna asked softly. “Ophelia caretaking this home, and Neil caring for the land?”

“Over thirty,” Sebastian whispered.

“And you remember Neil telling you that his dad used to work part of this before it all got bought up by the Durands, right?”

Sebastian nodded.

“This is what you want to do, isn’t it?”

Sebastian nodded again.