Page 54 of SEAL the Deal

He hugged her again and then she knelt and wrapped her arms around Axe. “I don’t know what I would do without you, bud. You’re the only thing keeping everyone in this family alive.”

Axe licked the side of her face and wagged his tail furiously.

“That dog’s a damn good SEAL,” said TJ as he and the rest of the team joined them. Ernie already had his arms wrapped around his wife.

“OK team,” said Ali’s sister. “Maria and I have whipped up some coffee and breakfast inside. If you’ve got any injuries you should head over and see the medics.” She pointed to the ambulance parked a dozen yards away.

“You’re unbelievable, Leonie,” said Ali.

She shrugged. “It’s nothing. I mean, as of next week all you special kids are going to be family. Like it or not I’m lumped with you.”

Jenny laughed as she helped Rick limp across to the back of the ambulance.

“It’s a pretty crazy family,” he said as one of the medics pulled out a stretcher and he eased himself up onto it.

“They’re a pretty tight bunch,” she said. “You’re lucky to have friends like that.” She turned to the medic. “He’s got a gunshot graze to the right shoulder and buckshot wounds to the buttocks and legs.”

“Got it, make yourself comfortable, sir.”

Rick lay down with a pillow under his face.

“How’s our hero?” he heard TJ ask.

“He’ll be okay once the medic pulls the buckshot out of his butt,” replied Jenny.

“Can I have some goddamn privacy?” bellowed Rick.

“Sure thing.” The medic slid the gurney into the back of the ambulance. “Is the lady allowed to stay?”

“Yeah, someone has to hold my hand.”

The doors of the van closed and Jenny sat opposite.

“You attached to these shorts?” asked the medic.

“Not particularly,” replied Rick. He jolted as the medic used shears to cut away his shorts and underwear. “Steady there, bud.”

“You’ve got a lovely butt,” Jenny said with a chuckle. “Well except for the buckshot.”

He felt the medic examining his wounds with a metal probe.

“What are you doing next Wednesday?” he asked.

“Look, we just met,” quipped the medic.

Rick shook his head.

“I’m not sure, why?” responded Jenny.

“I need a date for Mike and Ali’s wedding.”

“You’re asking me to go to your teammate’s wedding with you? Isn’t that kind of a big deal?”

He turned and smiled. “Yeah, it is.”

She leaned forward and kissed him. “I’d love to go.”

“Sir, this might hurt a little.”

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