Page 241 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“Okay, you love him. From what Corbin says, Maddox is madly in love with you. What’s the problem?”

Tears gathered in Addie’s eyes. “Everything.” She clenched her fists. “How do you do it?”

“What?” Delaney frowned.

The intensity of her feelings shook her body as she rattled out the words. “You and Corbin have a baby together. How do you live each day, not knowing for sure when he walks out the door to some dangerous situation that he’ll come back?” She looked at Delaney, desperation clawing at her. She needed reassurance, something she could hang onto.

Understanding seeped over Delaney’s features. “I don’t,” she said simply.

Addie’s heart dropped through her chest and spilled onto the floor in a tattered heap. “That’s what I was afraid of,” she said hoarsely, looking down at the bed.

Delaney reached for her hand. “Addie, look at me,” she commanded.

Despite her best effort to hold them back, tears dribbled down Addie’s cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, “you must think I’m a complete idiot.” She gritted her teeth, hating herself right now. She hated her fear, hated her weakness. And hated that she couldn’t be more like Delaney.

“No, I don’t think you’re an idiot at all. Of course I worry about Corbin. I’d be stupid not to.” She paused. “The thought oflosing Corbin tears me up inside. Don’t you see? None of us has any guarantees. Any of our lives could end tomorrow—today, including yours, Addie.”

“Yeah, believe me,” she chuckled darkly. “I’ve got that reality cemented in my brain after Jordan’s death.”

A shadow crossed Delaney’s features. “As you know, my growing up years were rough. Before I met Corbin, I feared I was so damaged by my past that I’d never be able to love anyone again.” Her eyes misted. “I was at my lowest when Corbin entered my life. Not only did he save me physically, but also emotionally. My life started anew when I met Corbin.” A tender smile curved her lips. “Then I met Wallace, you, and now we have Hope.”

Delaney’s eyes held such wisdom that Addie felt like she was seeing into her soul.

“Yes, Corbin and Maddox have dangerous jobs.” Delaney let out a sardonic laugh. “Life is dangerous.”

“Amen,” Addie quipped.

“You can’t spend your life mourning the hypothetical. You need to learn to be happy in the moment, for those moments are the stuff life is made of.”

Addie jerked, remembering the card on her refrigerator. “What did you say?”

“You need to learn to be happy. Trust Maddox. Trust yourself.”

Be happy. It always came back to that. “I don’t know if I can do it,” she lamented. “I’m not brave like you. I can’t knowingly enter into a relationship that’s so risky.” She shuddered. “As much as I want to, I just don’t think I can go there.”

Delaney gave her a wise smile. “That’s just it, Addie. You keep talking about your relationship with Maddox as if it’s something that’s going to happen in the future. The truth is you’re already there.”

“Huh?”

“You’re in love with Maddox.”

“Yes,” she said, feeling like she was stepping into a trap.

“It has already happened. You’re in a relationship with him now. You keep questioning if you’re brave enough to handle whatever may come—dreaming up all types of scenarios in which you lose. We have a saying for that in the South. It’s called borrowing trouble.” She gave her a pointed look. “Stop borrowing trouble.” She shrugged. “So you’re afraid? Big whoop. We’re all afraid.” Her voice quivered with intensity. “Do you not think I was scared out of my mind to give birth to Hope? I was a high-risk pregnancy.” Her eyes softened. “No amount of fear could compare with the joy I felt when I held my little girl in my arms for the first time. The bravest of heroes are scared. They push forward into action, leaving the fear behind. Then comes the victory.” She gave Addie a pointed look. “Are you happy without Maddox in your life?”

“No, I’m absolutely miserable,” she muttered.

“You can’t imagine your life without him, right?”

“Right.”

She smiled. “There you go. That’s your answer.”

There was a knock at the door. They turned as a nurse entered the room, holding Hope in her arms.

A sense of awe came over Addie as she looked at the red-faced bundle, swaddled in a pink blanket. She stood and scooted her chair back. “She’s beautiful,” she uttered, looking at Hope’s squinty, determined face. She was unprepared for the swift feeling of love that rushed through her.

Hope went stiff, belting out a whiny cry.

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