Page 53 of Married to a SEAL

“Manned the fort?” she asked with a laugh. “It’s a house, not a Navy base. And really, wouldn’t that be manning the ship or something? Commanding a SEAL team?”

“Leading those guys on a mission is nothing compared to chasing around a couple of kids.”

“Seriously. They should make that part of your SEAL training—chasing a toddler around for twenty-four hours.”

“We’ll have our chance,” he commented dryly. “And watching Evan attempt to change a diaper this morning? That was something else.”

Realization dawned on her at the way Patrick had shooed her out the door this morning when Evan and Alison had arrived. Patrick had insisted that she needed to go out with her best friend. She hadn’t given it much thought since Alison had a one-month-old baby, and Rebecca figured she deserved a break.

“Alison didn’t tell me about the party tonight or your plan,” Rebecca continued. “Oh, I’m going to kill her, too.”

Patrick looked over at her in amusement. “I hope you know a good lawyer.”

“I just might,” she said, grabbing her purse and opening the passenger door. “And believe me when I say she shows no mercy in the courtroom.

Patrick chuckled and opened his door. He usually insisted on helping her out of the car, but when the kids were with them, Rebecca had said they needed his help instead.

He’d begrudgingly agreed.

They got the kids in the door and walked through their quiet house to the backyard, where a barbeque was fully underway. Patrick’s large hand rested on the small of her back, guiding her forward as their kids ran off to play. She felt a brief flash of nervousness mixed in with excitement. They’d only gotten together once since her husband had recovered from his injuries—a bonfire down at the beach where they’d told everyone they’d gotten married. Patrick had been in physical therapy recovering since then.

And now that he was back with his team?

He’d be training with them again Monday morning. Deploying again soon. Sent into harm’s way.

“You okay?” Patrick asked, ducking down.

“Yeah. Just nerves.”

His cool blue eyes searched hers. “The accident was a fluke—it could’ve happened to anyone. I don’t want you to worry about me. You’re pregnant,” he said, his eyes softening.

“I know. And no, an accident like that couldn’t happen to anyone. Most men have to worry about bad guys shooting at them or blowing them up.”

His face was unreadable as he watched her. But his eyes showed concern. Patrick was good at what he did—he led an elite SEAL team. But after her first husband had been killed in a horrific car crash, widowing her, what were the chances she’d marry a man sent off to war all the time? Who went on secret missions he couldn’t even tell her about?

It was hard to imagine a more dangerous career.

Patrick’s life as a SEAL was who he was though. He’d given himself to the Navy—and he was good at his job. Just like he’d never ask her to give up her career as an attorney, she’d never ask him to give up his.

Christopher manned Patrick’s usual place at the grill tonight, and a grin spread across his face as he caught sight of them.

“They’re here!” he whooped. “Announcing…Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Foster!”

“Hoorah!” one of the men shouted out amidst other whoops and hollers.

“To Ice and Rebecca!”

The backyard broke into applause, and Rebecca blushed beside Patrick, his arm wrapped around her. Although she was used to standing up in front of an audience in a courtroom, arguing for her clients in front of a judge, all the attention from their friends put the focus on them in an entirely different way.

Patrick ducked low, his lips hovering near her ear. “You bring new meaning to the term ‘blushing bride.’” His low voice rumbled right though her, and she felt herself flushing for an entirely different reason.

“Oh, stop,” she chastised, glancing up at the amusement in his eyes. “It must just be the heat.”

“I love the way you still blush around me,” he murmured, his voice gravel. He gave her a soft kiss as the rest of the backyard cheered.

“Way to go, Ice!” someone shouted.

“About damn time you two tied the knot!”

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