Table Of ContentSEAL of Refuge
SEAL of Refuge
Guardians of Refuge, Volume 1
Alyssa Bailey
Published by Desire West Publishing, 2020.
SEAL of Refuge
(Guardians of Refuge Book 1)
Alyssa Bailey
USA Today Bestselling Author\
All characters and storylines are fictional, created by the author and are not based on any person
or event, historically or at present. This book is for adult readers 18 years and older.
Guardians of Refuge
Copyright © 2020 by Alyssa Bailey
Table of Contents
Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
SEAL of Refuge (Guardians of Refuge, #1)
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
About the Author
SEAL of Refuge
Alesha Campbell loves her island home in Southeast Alaska. Still, after a sudden break up with
her egotistical boyfriend, she’d feared she might not find a husband until she met Navy SEAL Zayden
Wellesley. The widowed commander extricated her from a sticky situation and stole her heart.
The Navy offers commander Zayden Wellesley the career opportunity of a lifetime. He accepts.
On a recon trip to Alaska, he meets the woman he never knew he needed and sets about wooing her.
Things are going well over the short trip except for one little snag: He neglected to inform her he had
roommates. Now he has returned to Cache island with three surprises.
Zed planned to tell Alli before she found out on her own; however, his roommates had other
ideas. And Alli is not happy.
Can Zayden save his career and his budding relationship without upsetting the delicate balance he
was already maintaining?
Praise and Awards
Amazon #1 in Historical Romance and Romantic Suspense
&
USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR
ALYSSA BAILEY
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING about Alyssa Bailey
“Alyssa is an amazing author who captures the reader from the very beginning, holding them until
the end and making them crave more. Can’t wait for her next book!!!” –
~ Bhanington reviewer for Booksprout “The O’Connors Series”
I loved this second book in the Clearwater ranch series. You don't need to have read book one to
enjoy this book. Sawyer is in love with Camille. Unfortunately, circumstances worked against them
and they were separated from each other. Camille comes back home with her children and they get
back together. This is the epitome of an Alyssa Bailey book. There is a strong male character and
there is an old fashioned feel to their relationship. I loved this story and I can't wait for the next book.
I give this an enthusiastic 5*.
~Marybeth Amazon Reviewer
“THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK I’ve read by this author and I absolutely loved it. Has a great storyline
that you can get right into from the very beginning and I got so engrossed with this book that I lost
some sleep as I didn’t want to miss anything at all. I especially liked and loved the characters in this
book, they really made the story in my opinion... The author has done such a fantastic job with this
book and I will definitely be coming back for future books in the future especially this series. I would
definitely recommend this book to everyone.”
~ Carrie-Ann Amazon Reviewer “Safe and Secure Series”
“I love this series and couldn’t put any of them down before the ending. Fabulous read!!!
~Sunny- reviewer for Booksprout “The O’Connors Series”
Acknowledgment
Alaska is the setting for this book, where an estimated 1 in 10 citizens are veterans. I am proud of that
fact. My husband, Army Retired, and two of my children have served proudly. I also remember that
their families serve as well, sometimes supporting in the wings, sometimes at the head of the line. The
sacrifices are many, but we are a tough breed.
To all those who have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms and way of
life we enjoy, I thank you. To those who have answered the call and have made the ultimate sacrifice,
I am in your debt. And for all those who understand what it means to say,
“I will not fail.”
Thank you.
Prologue
“What do you mean you have to quit this week? Like tomorrow?”
Commander Zayden “Zed” Wellesley rubbed the back of his neck in aggravation. Not for the first
time, Zed wondered why the good Lord would give him three incredible children but take their
mother away long before she raised them. He was an elite member of the military, a Navy SEAL. It
was typical to divorce at least once and often more times before suffering the loss of a spouse. For
seven years, he’d been one of the lucky ones.
The military had trained him to respond in every contingency, except the loss of his wife. There
was no training to prepare you for that disaster, no SOP manual written to address it. Likely because
there were no standard operating procedures when handling the inexplicable pain that followed that
devastating loss.
“Yes. I’m sorry, but I’ve been accepted to John Hopkins University for the nuclear biology
program. Someone dropped out. I can use my scholarships, making it affordable, but I have less than
two weeks to get it all together, sir.”
“Right, meaning you’ll be here tomorrow, and that’s it. Well, we need more scientists, so you’d
better go.” He released an exaggerated sigh before giving her a big smile. “All right, kiddo, do you
have any suggestions for a replacement?” he asked as he raked fingers through his military-style hair,
glancing around his semi-clean kitchen trying to think.
“I wanted to tell you first, sir, then I would check for a replacement.”
“Okay, thanks and congratulations!”
“Thank you, sir. And... I’m sorry.”
“You’re a smart young lady. Grab the brass ring when you can. Life is short and changes quickly.”
Zed rubbed his face in frustration before picking up the phone in his office to dial the base,
waiting for his friend and co-worker to answer.
“Mason.”
“Hey, it’s me, Zed. What’s your Commander calendar look like today?”
“Sounds serious.”
“Could be, but not urgent.”
Zed ran his hand through his hair. He reached down and rubbed his neck while he waited for his
friend to respond and that irritated him. Tells that he’d all but eradicated until three years ago taunted
him at the most inopportune times. He’d let his guard down to deal with more immediate issues. In the
field, he rarely faced an issue he didn’t have an immediate contingency plan for, but at home, that was
another matter entirely. He brought his hand to his side in a jerky motion. At this rate, I’ll be bald
with a raw neck.
Zed listened to the telltale sounds of his long-time friend, Commander Ryder Mason, as he tapped
on the computer keys. He was likely opening the appointment calendar their shared aide sent him
every morning. “Good til two. Let’s grab some chow.” He paused, “unless it’s classified?”
“It’s personal, tied to work. My personal life ceased to be classified the moment I had to parent
my family alone. I’m starving.”
Over large steaks and baked potatoes with the requisite salad, they talked.
