Page 42 of Married to a SEAL

“Are you okay?” Brent asked, looking alarmed. Brent was one of the biggest, toughest guys on the team—the resident “bad boy” until he’d met Ella. But he seemed to have a soft spot for a woman in distress.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve just been so overwhelmed with everything. It all happened so fast, and even now that I know he’s okay and coming home, I’ve just been kind of a mess.”

“Patrick will be back on his feet in no time,” Brent said. “He’s tough. The toughest. And hell, I know he’d want us looking out for you while he’s not here. One of us can come by every night if you want.”

“That’s sweet,” Rebecca said, “but we’ll be okay. The kids are in summer camp, the nanny will be back next week to watch the kids when I’m working, and hopefully we’ll be able to visit Patrick up in Walter Reed after that.”

“And a man on the team will be here every night,” Brent said. “Whatever you need, one of us will help out until Ice is back.”

“He’s lucky to have all of you. We’re lucky to have you.”

“Damn straight,” Brent said, and she laughed despite herself. “Walter Reed is a good place,” he said. “If he can’t be discharged from the hospital yet, that’s the best place for him to be. The doctors just need to make sure he’s stable enough to fly back. You’ve spoken with him?”

“Yes, he called earlier. He actually sounded better than I thought, all things considered. I was half-tempted to fly over there right away to see him, but I’ve got the kids and have been feeling a little sick lately.”

“Hell. I never told you congratulations,” Brent said, running a hand over the dark stubble on his jaw.

“Patrick told you I’m pregnant?”

Brent chuffed out a laugh. “At the barbeque. I have to admit I wasn’t expecting that. But you’ll have one lucky kid.”

Rebecca smiled. “It was a surprise, I’ll admit. The best kind of surprise. We haven’t told our kids yet. Once Patrick is back, we’ll tell them together.”

“I won’t say anything,” Brent assured her.

Happy shrieks coming from the kitchen caught her attention. “I better see what they’re up to. Or if Mike needs rescuing,” she added with a laugh. “With those huge ice cream sundaes he brought over, I’ll never get the kids in bed tonight.”

“That’s where we come in,” Brent said. “I’ll toss around a football with Logan. I’m sure Mike can play hopscotch or something with Abby,” he said, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement as he sauntered into the kitchen.

“Hopscotch?” Mike asked, looking mock-chagrined. He polished off the rest of his sundae and tossed the empty container into the trash.

“I love hopscotch!” Abby said. “We can use chalk to draw a picture in the driveway.”

Mike shot Brent a look. “I’m getting you back for that one. After Abby and I play, it’s all you. And I’m taking pictures of it to send to Ella and every single guy on the team. Maybe I’ll even upload a video to YouTube for the entire world to witness.”

Brent smirked. “In your dreams, Patch.”

“Why are you calling him Patch?” Abby asked. “His name is Mike.”

“It’s his SEAL name. My dad’s name is Ice!” Logan said. “That’s cooler than Patch.”

Brent chuckled as Rebecca began to clear the table, collecting the remains of the melting ice cream sundaes.

“Kid, I’m wounded,” Mike said, sinking down into a chair. He crossed his legs and leaned back, looking amused.

“Do you have a nickname, too?” Logan asked Brent.

“Yep. It’s Cobra.”

“Wow. That’s cooler than Patch, too.”

Brent smirked as Mike clutched his hands to his heart in mock-agony. “Tough crowd tonight. Next time I’m bringing Kenley,” he said, referring to his fiancée. “Maybe she can up my cool points or something.”

“Can I get you guys a drink?” Rebecca asked, glancing at the two men sitting at her kitchen table. It wasn’t the same as having Patrick here, but it was amazing how all the guys on the team came together and looked out for one another. Kind of like having one big extended family. They’d been watching her last year when she had a stalker after her.

And now?

She appreciated their support even more.

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