Cole Read Online Free Page B

know by tomorrow afternoon.  The owner’s out of town and unreachable today.”
     
    “Can you give us some information on the owner?”
     
     
    “He’s requested complete anonymity.  He likes to fly under the radar.”
     
    “I can completely understand that.  Especially in today’s world of sharing everything online.”
     
    “Me too.  OK, gentleman.  I have to get to another appointment.  We’ll be in touch.”
     
    “Great.  Look forward to your call.”
     
    Rachel pulled away in her Lexus SUV and Jax and I jumped into the Jeep to head back to his house.
     
    “So what did you think?”
     
    “It’s good, Jax.  I think it could be a perfect fit.”
     
    “I know that.  I’m not talking about the property.  I’m talking about Rachel.”
     
    “Professional.  Seemed nice.”
     
    “Come on, man.  She was into you.  I could see right through those sunglass lenses.  She was eyeing you up.”
     
    “Really?  I didn’t notice.”
     
    “You never notice.  You could have the Swedish Bikini Team giving you a private, nude hands-on synchronized swimming lesson and you wouldn’t notice they were into you.”
     
    “I’ve always been that way.  I only see the girls I’m interested in.  Everyone else kind of just becomes background blur.  Plus the Swedish Bikini Team doesn’t much seem like my type.”
     
    “Really?  I thought that was every guy’s type?”
     
    “Yeah, maybe when I was 16, but not anymore.  I need a woman with a brain.  Someone who I can talk to.  An equal.  Somebody I can grow with and maybe even start a family one day.”
     
    “Geez, dude.  It’s not even 11am.  Since when did Cole go and get all romantic?”
     
    We laughed.
     
    “You know, man.  Being in that desert changes things.  It changes you.  The only sense of normalcy was watching the sunset every day.  It somehow kept me sane.  Especially after what happened.”
     
    “Any news on that?”
     
    “Not yet.  I’m waiting on a decision.  I’ve spoken to Commander Stone a few times.  He’s really fighting for me.  He got me the best shrinks.  The ones who usually recommend against separation.  Even at his rank and his position within the SEALs it’s out of his hands.  Not his call.  Now it’s just a waiting game.”
     
    “I’m rooting for you, bro.  Jasmine too.  I went in her room last night to tuck her in and she was praying beside the bed.  I asked her what for and she said so that Uncle Cole can get back to doing what he loves.”
     
    “Man.  That little girl of yours is amazing.  I’m going to have to take her for ice cream again.  Three scoops this time.  And of course she gets to choose the flavors.”
     
    Jax laughed.  I followed suit.
     
    “Don’t be rotting my baby’s teeth out.  It’s going to be hard enough to keep all her chompers when she starts training at your gym.”
     
    “Let’s not jinx it.  Hopefully it all works out, but I’m not celebrating until our first paying customer walks in the door.”
     
    “What?  We don’t count?”
     
    “Of course you guys count, but you guy’s got my back no matter what.  This time I need to prove I can do it on my own.  Run something myself.  Make it with my own two hands.”
     
    “What about your team?  They could call you back to active duty at any time.  It’s just the matter of approval and a phone call.  To be honest, I’m a bit surprised you’re taking on this gym project.”
     
    I didn’t say anything.  At least 20 seconds passed.
     
    “Everything Ok?”
     
    I said nothing.
     
    “Cole, are you with us?  Earth to Cole.  Come in buddy.”
     
    “I’m here.  It’s just that I’ve got some inside intel.  My paperwork isn’t looking so good.”
     
    “Are you sure?”
     
    “Yeah, the resource is solid.  She handles all the cases that go through.  It’s hard to put a guy like me back in the field.  And there’s no way I’m working a desk