Page 37 of Married to a SEAL

“Yeah, I just missed him. He called me when I was driving home.”

“What? He shouldn’t have told you that kind of news over the phone,” Alison said, her eyes blazing.

“Believe me, I think Sarah is going to give him hell for that. She was furious.”

“Where is she anyway? I thought you two would be together today.”

“She was driving back to Norfolk I think. She offered to wait around, but I told her I wanted to come check on you. And she drove here last minute anyway to help me with the kids last night. I know she has clients and stuff and can’t just put her entire life on hold. I think she already had to cancel her morning physical therapy patients.”

“Well, I guess it would keep her mind off of things to go into work,” Alison mused. “It kinda sucks either way when you’re waiting for news on something like that.”

“Yep. That’s why I’m here with you. I need to have something to do, to keep me busy, otherwise I’ll completely go out of my mind with worry. But there was no way in hell I could go into court today.”

“All this waiting around is bullshit.”

Rebecca chuffed out a laugh. “So, how’d you talk the hospital into releasing you?”

“The contractions stopped,” Alison said with a grin. “I can’t say I was disappointed to leave. I think being an ER nurse made me an even worse patient.”

“I believe it. Doctors and nurses are always the worst patients.”

“I think the rest of the guys are on their way home already from what Lexi said. Maybe they can help us find out some news when they get back.”

“God, I hope so. I’ve been beside myself with worry. When Ryan first called me last night, I thought—” she cut herself off, her face stricken.

“I’d think the worst, too,” Alison said softly. “I did when Evan was injured. I found out when I was at work, and I could barely breathe. But those guys are strong. Patrick will pull through.”

“Yeah, he will. He has to.”

“I wonder if he’ll ever be able to tell you exactly what happened?”

“I doubt it,” Rebecca said. “Maybe just the basics of how he was injured, but I’m sure we’ll never know the specifics. Honestly, it’s probably better that way. If he comes home—”

“When he comes home,” Alison corrected her.

“When he comes home, I’ll never want him to leave again if I drive myself crazy with worry. And honestly? He’d never be happy with a desk job. Neither would any of the guys on the team.” She blew out a breath. “Sometimes I feel like the less that I know, the better.”

“I know what you mean,” Alison sympathized.

Rebecca’s phone buzzed in her purse, and she frantically grabbed it, her gaze narrowing at the number. “Oh God, I think it’s their CO. Ryan. Oh my God.” She fumbled with her phone a moment before she swiped at the screen to answer it. “Hello?”

“Rebecca, it’s Ryan Mitchell,” a deep voice said. “I just got off the phone with someone at Landstuhl. Patrick pulled through the surgery. He’s in recovery now and groggy, but I understand you should be able to talk to him in several hours after the sedation wears off.”

“Oh thank God!” Rebecca said, tears rolling down her face. “Oh thank you, thank you for letting me know.” She looked toward Alison and mouthed the words, “He’s okay.”

“Yay!” Alison said, clapping her hands together. “Thank God.”

“I’ve been on base nearly twenty-four hours and am heading home,” Ryan continued. “But I want you to call me if you need absolutely anything. Someone else will be in touch with you on how to contact Patrick in Landstuhl. If for some reason you don’t hear from anyone in the next hour or so, give me a call and I’ll find out the details myself.”

“Do they have any idea how long he’ll be there?”

Ryan cleared his throat. “No, I’m not sure at this point. I doubt the doctors know either. Probably at least a week while he recovers from surgery. As soon as he’s stable enough to fly home, he’ll be sent to Walter Reed for rehabilitation.”

“Okay,” Rebecca said, letting out a breath she didn’t even realize she’d been holding. “Okay. I can handle that. Thank you.”

“He’s a strong man, Rebecca. One of the best men I’ve had working under me. Recovery will take some time, but he’ll get there.”

“Thank you again for the update.”

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