Page 125 of Lucky Charm
He took the bigger one and used a finger to rip the paper. He hadn’t had a wrapped gift since Gramma Juanita.
“What crossed your mind? You froze.”
Because part of courting was opening places inside yourself to the woman you loved, he told her. “Gramma Juanita was the first person to ever give me a gift, and every time was special.”
“That does it then. Presents for you, frequently.”
He pulled the paper away and studied the book. “The Complete Guide to Barbequing?”
She yawned. “We’re going to need a house – with a big kitchen and a porch and a backyard to barbeque.”
“Okay.” He’d never had that in his life – or dreamed of having that.
“It’ll be a place we live for a long time. It’ll be where we store our memories, and we’ll know all our neighbors. We’ll have lots of friends, a couple of kids, maybe, I haven’t figured that out yet, but we need a big yard front and back, flowers and a green, green lawn. And a dog and an iguana and maybe some frogs. And I’ll cook everything I know for you, and there will always be cookies in the cookie jar, and we’ll make it a good, safe place for us to be. Safe Harbor.” She shut her eyes, and he thought she was imagining that place in her head, or maybe she was falling asleep. An Iguana?
“You’re joking about the iguana and the frogs.”
“Oh no, we need pets and iguanas and frogs need homes, too.
He leaned over her again. “Thanks for the cookbook. I had no idea they could contain so much.”
She grinned. “Stick with me. I’ve got you. Open the other one.”
He took the tiny package and made quick work of the wrapping. Inside, he clicked open a blue velvet box. A silver key chain lay on the soft cloth interior. Etched with tall mountains. He lifted it with careful fingers and turned it over. On the back was engravedAlways with You.
“I figured you’d always have me with you this way.” She had opened her eyes, and the love there speared him deep.
He opened his mouth, closed it, opened it, closed it again and finally turned to her, carefully leaning against her. “Thank you. I’ll carry it from now on.”
He helped her shift into bed and followed her in. She reached for his hand. “I love you, Hunt. Today was perfect. Thank you.”
“I love you, too. Always and forever.”
Their underwear ended up on the floor, and for the first time they slept together warm skin to warm skin.
Chapter Twenty-One
December 15, 2019
Day 46
Hunt stood at the window in their suite and watched the sunrise. Ranking this view in the “best place to watch sunrises” category, it didn’t beat an aircraft carrier out in the ocean, but the moment was stunning in its own right and felt fresh and new. The coffee perked, and the smell was aromatic and rich.
Cait remained asleep after waking in the night and needing more meds. He didn’t want to disturb her when he woke, so he dressed and left her sleeping. Pouring a cup of coffee, he savored the first and second sip, knowing he’d would have another cup with Cait – because she was his now.
A light knock on the door caught him by surprise. Sweatpants and a long sleeve shirt combined with bare feet, no shave, and no gun made him feel not ready for company, but he walked to the door, coffee in hand, and checked the peephole. Quaid stood on the other side.
He opened the door. “A bit early for a visit, isn’t it?”
“Sorry, I need to talk to you. I heard you called in a breakfast order.”
Hunt snapped to immediate awareness. The man was agitated and upset. “Come in. What happened?”
Quaid walked to mid-room, an envelope in his hand. “I had this waiting for me in my room when I got in last night. I haven’t slept. Read it over and over and over.” He handed Hunt the envelope.
Hunt turned the paper over and noted the Jalalabad return address. “What is this?”
“A letter. From Reid. Open and read it.”
