Page 135 of Luck Be Mine
Doogie made eyes at the two of them. “I was there when you two first met. Our groom had managed to get sliced up by the Taliban and had an open gaping wound on his ass. Our intrepid doctor had her hands all over said ass to figure out his treatment.”
The room laughed so much, Doogie had to wait a few minute.
“You remember?” He widened innocent eyes at Hunt.
Hunt sighed with the humor Doogie had intended. “I have the scar to prove it. Yes, I remember.”
Somebody, maybe Tommy, hollered from the crowd. “Want to show us?”
“No, he does not,” Cait shouted back. “It’s mine. He shows nobody but me.”
“Woohoo.” Too many of the crowd were contributing to the storyline.
Doogie quieted everyone. “The thing is, she kept sparking off him – a static charge – and she had to keep stopping to rub her hands.”
Cait blushed. “He’s not wrong.”
In hopes of shortening the story, Hunt added his two cents. “It was about then I sent Doogie and Carter back to base to leave me in misery.”
“Oh, you weren’t in no misery, my friend.”
The snorts and hoots edged into raucous laughter.
“But, in closing, I’d like to say, they both were taken with each other right off. Here we are, six years later, celebrating a life and a future together. So, everyone raise your glass to that spark and the love that went with it.”
Doogie raised his glass.
“I’ll drink to that.” Hunt took a sip and kissed Cait. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Doogie wasn’t finished. “SEAL Team to the Better Together bench. LC, that means you. Bring Mrs. LC, too.
Hunt held out a hand. “Come, Doc. We might need this picture for blackmail later.”
Cait smiled, gazing around the room as if committing the moments to memory. The DJ kicked back in with a playlist of nineties party songs.
“More cake, too?”
“Sure, honey, and then let’s blow this joint so these people can really party.”
“I’m going home with you.”
“God, I hope so.”
Introductions, more memories, goodbyes, another plate of food, s’mores, a last piece of tiramisu…hugs, clothes changed, and more goodbyes.
Two hours later, sparklers lit their path as the bride and groom escaped the party to end all parties.
Chapter Twenty-One
◊ The “I’m Never Going Camping with You Again” Honeymoon ◊
Pleasantly tired, Cait leaned against the passenger door of Hunt’s truck, tapping her foot with anticipation. The party was over, the radio off, and his hand warm in hers. A beautiful day, wonderful friends, memories for life. Except Saturday traffic had other ideas. Ten days before Christmas, cars clogged the roads and delayed her single-minded goal: to get her husband in private.
“Not far now, honey.” His grin carried secrets. He’d insisted on planning this mini honeymoon himself. She’d only been allowed to pack casual clothes and trust him with the rest. Hunt loved surprises. She loved the way his eyes lit when he sprung them.
The truck turned off the main road, tires crunching gravel. Darkness hid the scenery, but she caught woodsy scents in the cool air. “Where are we?”
