Page 55 of Luck Be Mine
Cait pulled the blinds in her office at QM and let the sunshine in, trying hard for an attitude shift, but struggling. The day rose with the perfectness of warm, inviting San Diego weather, but the loveliness couldn’t pierce her mood.
Words flooded her mind, sharp, swearing ones. She hated Hunt’s bat phone with a passion. The thing had a sixth sense for the worst possible moment, buzzing in the dark just as she’d tucked herself into his arms after incredible sex – and without fail, killing the rare weekend they managed to plan together.
Today was their first anniversary. December 14th. One year. They’d booked the Coronado Regency Patton to recreate their wedding night without all the injuries. Dinner, massages, and nothing else but quiet and privacy, a luxury for two people who spent more time apart than together. Her wedding memories were full of holes, blurred by pain, medication, and depression. She wanted one perfect night to override them.
It was a victory to reach this day, still standing, married, and in love.
Then the damn phone rang.
A knock on her office door made her jump, and she shoved her emotions aside and put on her doctor’s face. Turning, she saw who it was and gave up on hiding anything.
Elizabeth Greer stood in the doorway. Since Cait started at QM, she’d become a trusted ally. Always impeccably dressed, today she wore a steel gray sheath dress with a matching jacket, her hair in a sleek ponytail, makeup refined, and nails a soft gray. Was it camouflage to hide the grief of a Gold Star Mother?Maybe. But she could raise a brow and move mountains without saying a word.
“Liz, what do you need? Somebody hurt?” Cait smoothed her olive camp shirt over her gray pencil skirt.
Elizabeth grabbed the doorknob. “No, I threatened them after last time. It’s not what I need. Come with me.”
Curiosity pricked through Cait’s sadness. She followed her into the hall. Elizabeth shut her office door behind them. They passed the clinic’s double doors and the closed med bay before stepping into the day room.
Muted carpet hushed their steps, but the murmur of voices leaked through. The big space held a small kitchen, a cluster of sofas and recliners around a TV, and two big tables for meals, meetings, and poker nights. The scent of food sealed the deal. Something was going on.
Elizabeth stepped aside revealing tables set with tablecloths, dinnerware, and a small cake with a card propped in front.
Ten men lounged on the sofas, a muted Hawaii Five-O rerun playing. She knew them all, bantered with them, patched them up, played poker beside them. They rose as one, the TV snapping off. From the opposite door came Quaid, Mackey, and Harrison
Harrison crossed to her side and patted her shoulder. “Happy anniversary. I’m sorry the Navy has such bad timing.”
She laughed quietly. “They really do, don’t they?”
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, it’s why I’m divorced. Come.”
In the kitchen, Niles Benton, Quaid’s silver-haired butler, moved with the precision of a boot camp sergeant. Rumor had him retired from MI6, and Cait suspected he had other talents she’d rather not confirm.
Elizabeth followed behind. She always tried to stay in the background. Cait grabbed her hand and pulled her forward.
Her friend put an arm around her. “It’s not the five-star chef from the Regency Patton, but Niles gets close.”
“I can’t believe you did this. Thank you.” Cait moved to the table.
Harrison pulled out a chair to seat Elizabeth.
Mackey slid out her chair. “Happy anniversary, Doc. Not quite as fun as ‘glad you’re not dead’ day, but it’ll do until your husband gets home.” She read the note propped in front of the cake.
He might be gone, but you’re not alone.
Overwhelmed, she touched Mackey’s arm. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For the job, the friendship, and your protection.”
Mackey pulled out her chair. “You’re welcome. Sit.” The other men sat, too.
Cait took a deep whiff. “It smells wonderful.”
Quaid joined them. “Let’s eat, my friends. It’s a good day for a celebration.”
Niles moved through the room with understated elegance, serving seared salmon with a light dill sauce, roasted asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, and warm bread that made the room smell like a bakery.
