Men of Courage

By Rebecca Hartt

A mission-gone-wrong ended Taylor Rex’s career as a Navy SEAL. With all his dreams swirling down the drain, the last thing Taylor expects is for the dog foisted on him by a former classmate to alter his life for the better. But Taylor’s in for an unexpected awakening.
This touching glimpse into the life of an injured Navy SEAL showcases Rebecca Hartt's skillful storytelling, while introducing the heroes her highly acclaimed Valor series: Returning to Eden, Every Secret Thing, and Cry in the Wilderness.

Meet the world's bravest men and the women strong enough to love them. Together, they face overwhelming odds while leaning on God for courage and conviction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca Hartt
• Release date: Sep 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781938732294

Rebecca Hartt

Rebecca Hartt is the nom de plume for an award-winning, best-selling author who, in a different era of her life, wrote strictly romantic suspense. Now Rebecca chooses to showcase the role that faith plays in the lives of Navy SEALs, penning military romantic suspense that is both realistic and heartwarming.As a child, Rebecca lived all over the world. She has been a military dependent for most of her life, first as a daughter, then as a wife, and knows first-hand the dedication and sacrifice required by those who serve. Living near the military community of Virginia Beach, Rebecca is constantly reminded of the peril and uncertainty faced by US Navy SEALs, many of whom testify to a personal and profound connection with their Creator. Their loved ones, too, rely on God for strength and comfort. These men of courage and women of faith are the subjects of Rebecca Hartt’s enthusiastically received Acts of Valor series.

Book preview

Men of Courage

A Novella by

Rebecca Hartt

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This book is a work of fiction and is a product of the author’s imagination or is used fictitiously. Names, characters, and incidents in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone, living or dead, bearing the same name or names. All incidents are pure invention from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2019 by Marliss Melton

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

First James-York Press electronic edition: Sept 2019

Williamsburg, VA

Edited by Julee Schwarzburg and Penny Doyle

Cover Design by Chauncey Burgazli

Digital Layout by BB Ebooks

ISBN-13: 978-1-938732-29-4

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Epilogue

Excerpt from Danger Close

More by Marliss Melton

About the Author

Chapter One

Am I being followed?

Swiveling her head, Becca Winslow glimpsed a tall figure dart out of view at the far end of the grocery-store aisle. A tingle of alarm raced from her fingertips to her scalp. She’d felt the same way two days ago when she’d stood on her doorstep and realized her house had been broken into; then again just yesterday when a beat-up Chrysler had followed her in both directions to and from church.

It was probably her imagination. Both crowded and solitary places tended to fill Becca with fear, no thanks to an attack she’d suffered in college. But years of counseling, her faith in God, and the comfort of a therapy dog had all but cured her of her condition. Still, ever since she’d come home to find her kenneled dogs in an uproar and the glass pane in her front door shattered, she’d worried her agoraphobia might be coming back.

Determined not to let that happen, Becca decided to put her fears to rest by pursuing the elusive figure. Her uncle, the county sheriff, had assured her the person who’d broken into her house, taking nothing, had likely been the troubled teen living down the road. Therefore, no one was stalking her. She didn’t need to be afraid.

To prove that to herself, Becca pushed her cart into the next aisle, only to draw up short at the sight of a tall stranger. With his back to her, he didn’t notice her staring at him. His black hair, broad shoulders, and arms roped in muscle lent him an air of danger. As he turned his head slightly, she glimpsed a strong jaw in need of a shave.

Braced for the least sign of hostility, Becca cautiously approached him. The man’s T-shirt and shorts looked like he’d slept in them. He took a six-pack of protein shakes off the shelf, dropped it in his basket, and headed away from her, limping as he pushed his cart. Becca’s gaze dropped in surprise to the prosthetic foot, strapped to his right ankle.

Wariness melted into curiosity as she watched him swivel toward the checkout lines. An unfettered view of his profile brought a gasp of recognition to her lips.

Wait, wasn’t that Taylor Rex, her old high-school crush?

The glow of warmth that his name engendered faded abruptly as she realized what Taylor’s return to the town of Louisa meant. The former high-school football star and hometown hero had been gone for the last ten years. Everybody knew he was a US Navy SEAL. On a brief visit home a few years ago, he’d been offered a spot in the Christmas parade, riding on a float with the current football team. The whole town had turned out to cheer him for his service to the country. The hearts of Louisa County residents beat with patriotic fervor because Taylor was one of them.

Until now. His sudden reappearance paired with his physical handicap suggested an appalling circumstance—Taylor’s glory days were over.

Stunned and utterly dismayed for him, Becca trailed after him, her anxiety forgotten. Watching him pile his purchases onto the conveyer belt, she noted the changes in him.

His handsome face, previously open and inviting, appeared both guarded and haggard. Jet-black eyebrows, pulled into a scowl, formed a V over his deep-set eyes. His mouth, amid the stubble that darkened his jaw, was crimped with either pain or irritability. Stark cheekbones and a body that was all brawn and bone testified to recent weight loss. Still, there was no mistaking his identity. It was definitely Taylor—only he’d changed, and no wonder.

Would he remember her if she said hello?

She’d never been invited into his circle of friends in high school, but not for lack of trying. Taylor was older by a year. His popularity with both the staff and the students was something a pudgy intellectual like her could only dream about. As their all-star quarterback, he’d earned Louisa High School football team their one and only state championship. He might remember Becca from their few advanced classes together, but he’d never given her the time of day, so probably