Her Kind of Man: Navy Husband / A Man Apart / Second-Chance Hero

“To do what?” Shana asked, but her question went unanswered as Jazmine hurried toward the phone.

“You should take a day just for the two of you,” Catherine suggested, apparently listening in on their conversation. “You’ve been here nearly every day for weeks.”

“New business-owners don’t take days off,” Shana said. It was true that she’d spent every day at the restaurant, although she’d taken brief breaks and nearly one whole Sunday the week before. She’d felt like a new woman afterward. The thought of one entire twentyfour hour period when she didn’t have her hands in pizza dough or her face in a three-gallon container of ice cream sounded heavenly. Getting away was just the respite she needed.

“It isn’t for you as much as your niece,” Catherine continued. “Kind of a reward for doing so well.”

Shana knew she was right. Against the odds, Jazmine had succeeded in adapting to a new school and a new home, and she’d made friends.

A few minutes later, Jazmine set the phone aside and raced over to Shana. “Uncle Adam suggested visiting Victoria, B.C.,” she said breathlessly. “I’ve never been there and he said it’s a wonderful day trip.”

“That does sound nice,” Shana said wistfully. She was astonished at the way Adam’s suggestion reflected her own earlier musings about Victoria. It was almost eerie.

“He wants to talk to you,” Jazmine said. She ran to get the portable phone and handed it to Shana.

Shana walked into the back room, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She’d moussed it into submission that morning, but whole sections were already attempting a breakout.

“Hello,” she said and hoped her voice didn’t betray her feelings. She thought about this man far too often and had an intense love-hate relationship with him that he knew nothing about. She was attracted to him and yet she didn’t want to be. The fact that he—

“Shana?” Adam said, cutting into her thoughts.

“I’m here,” she said primly.

“That’s a great idea of Jazmine’s. You can come, can’t you?”

“To Victoria, you mean? Ah…”

“We’ll make it a day trip. I’m off until Thursday. I’ll pick you and Jazmine up, then we’ll take the Fauntleroy ferry over to the Kitsap Peninsula, drive to Port Angeles and take another ferry across the Strait to Victoria.”

“I…I’m—” Shana hesitated when she saw Jazmine staring at her with pleading eyes. She’d folded her hands as if in prayer, and Shana’s resolve weakened. “I’ll need to check with Catherine before I take a whole day.” Shana instantly felt guilty; she’d invested her life savings in this business and she shouldn’t be running off for a day of fun. She should be at work.

“Ask her,” Adam urged.

Shana turned away from the phone and came face-to-face with Catherine, who had her hands on her hips. “Go. I’ll manage just fine. It’s only one day, for Pete’s sake.”

“But…”

“Aunt Shana,” Jazmine said pulling on her arm. “Just do it. We’ll have a blast.”

Shana wasn’t nearly as sure. That night, long after Jazmine was in bed and she herself should have been, she e-mailed her sister.

Sent: June 24

From: Shana@mindsprung.com

To: Alison.Karas@woodrowwilson.navy.mil

Subject: Jazmine, Adam Kennedy and me

Dear Alison,

As you probably already know, I’m going off on a day trip to Victoria, British Columbia, with Jazz and Adam. Basically I got talked into it, and I’ll give you three guesses whose fault that is. Your daughter could talk circles around Larry King. Mark my words, that kid will have her own talk show one day.

Yes, Adam Kennedy will be there, too. I don’t mind having him around anymore. I put up a good fight, let him know I wasn’t interested in a relationship and even made a point of telling him about Jazz playing matchmaker. He listened politely and agreed with everything I had to say. The least he could’ve done was argue—just kidding! Without even trying, he’s worn down my defenses. I have to admit I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve spent with him. Twice now, after he’s visited Jazz, he’s stayed for a cup of coffee and we’ve talked. There hasn’t been a hint of romance, although, yes—I’m attracted. I definitely feel we have some chemistry, but I’m too preoccupied (and too scared!) to do anything about it.

Okay, I’ve bared my soul. It’s your turn. What’s up with you and this Commander Dillon? I know you, Ali. You wouldn’t have mentioned him at all if you didn’t care, so I repeat—what’s up?

It’s almost eleven and I should be in bed. Adam’s arriving very early. I offered to drive over to his place, but he said it was no trouble coming to get us.

Write soon. Jazmine and I both look forward to your e-mails.

Love, Shana

Less than twelve hours later, Shana was on a midmorning ferry that had left Port Angeles for Vancouver Island. An excited Jazmine jogged up and down the outside deck while Adam and Shana drank cups of coffee inside. They were seated on wooden benches, across from each other.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she muttered. The alarm had rung at four that morning and they were on the road by five.

“Did you see the Olympic Mountains?” Jazmine dashed inside shouting—as if they could possibly have missed them. “I learned in class that some of those mountains have never been climbed or explored.”

This was news to Shana, but she wasn’t much of an expert on Washington State history or geography.

“Do either of you know about Point Roberts?” Adam asked when Jazmine threw herself down on the bench, sitting next to Adam and across from Shana.

Both Shana and Jazmine shook their heads. “Never heard of it,” Shana said.

“It’s a little piece of the United States that is geographically part of Canada.”

“What?” Jazmine frowned. “I don’t get it.”

“The United States and Canada are separated by the 49th parallel at Washington and British Columbia. There’s a small point of land that drops below it. That’s Point Roberts. Maybe we can go there sometime.”

“So it’s in Canada but not really?”

“Take a look at a map and you’ll see what I mean.”

While Jazmine walked over to examine the wall at the other end of the ferry, where a map of Washington was posted, Shana sipped her coffee and smiled at

Adam. “She idolizes you, you know.” Adam shifted on the hard bench and crossed his arms. “As it happens, I think the world of her, too.”

It was confession time for Shana, although what she had to say was probably no secret to Adam. “I was jealous of that in the beginning.”

Adam’s gaze held hers. “And now?”

“Now…” She hesitated. “I appreciate the fact that she has you. She needs a strong male figure in her life, especially with her dad gone.”

“She’s come to love you, too, Shana. And it’s all happened in remarkably little time. That says a lot for you, I think. You’ve been patient with her and you’ve managed to find just the right approach.”

His praise brought a sheen of tears to her eyes. Embarrassed and wanting to hide the effect of his words, Shana quickly blinked them away.