Page 22 of SEAL's Sunshine
The men chuckled. Everyone at the table with the exception of Chrissy had experienced the joy of the MRE. The woman was lucky she’d avoided that pleasure.
“So I guess that’s why you’re always hungry?”
“We burn a lot of calories. Even when we’re not working we’re working out, staying on top of things.”
“I hadn’t thought about that. Maybe I need to add more than just yoga to my workout schedule.”
Cam leaned over and whispered into her ear, “I wouldn’t change a thing.” Miranda could feel the heat creeping up her cheeks. If her mother had been there she’d have been mortified, but she was more comfortable around all of these new friends than her family and didn’t care. That made her think of her mother and the text message and voicemails she hadn’t answered. Shit. Then again, if there had been an actual problem, she would have called again.
As if she’d triggered it with her thoughts, her phone rang. She didn’t have to guess it was her mother. The only other people she heard from were Meghan’s brother Charlie, and Cam. It wouldn’t be either of them, so that left her mother.
“I’m sorry, I need to take this. I’ll just step outside.” She grabbed her purse and answered the phone as she made her way between the tables and stepped outside.
“Mom?”
“Thank God. Why haven’t you answered your phone or messages, Miranda? You had me worried sick.” The first response she thought of would not be acceptable to Cherise Stanhope.
“I’m sorry. I let you know I got here okay. Then I was just hanging out with Meghan and Chrissy. I left my phone charging in the other room and didn’t see your messages until a bit ago.”
“That’s not acceptable young lady. You know better.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry. Is everything okay? Did something happen?”
“Everything is fine except for not hearing from you.”
“Mom, I’m not twelve. You need to lighten up a bit.”
“But you’re my baby girl. You’ll always be my baby girl. And you were almost killed.” And there was the crux of the problem. Miranda wasn’t sure if her mother would ever get over the fact she’d been taken hostage. But in order for Miranda to move past it, she needed her mother to as well.
“I know, but I’m fine. I’m with friends and three Navy SEALs. I don’t think I can get much safer than that.”
“I don’t know…”
“I do, Mom. I’m okay.” Cam startled the crap out of her when he came up behind her and put his hand on the small of her back. It shouldn’t have freaked her out, but since she hadn’t heard him approach it triggered a fight or flight response and she brought her heel down hard on his instep. Those self-defense classes had come in handy. Except it was Cam. Thank goodness he was wearing his heavy boots.
“What was that? Are you okay?”
“Yes, Mom. Cam just came out to check on me. See you have nothing to worry about. I bet I can’t go to the bathroom without someone checking on me.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“Mother.”
“Okay, I’ll admit maybe that was a bit over the top. But I couldn’t talk to your father. He was with the president yesterday and you weren’t answering your phone. So, I just kind of panicked.”
Hearing the worry and sadness in her mother’s voice made Miranda feel guilty, and her mom was good at making her feel that way. She’d had many years of practice, but this time, she wasn’t going to give in to it.
“I’m sorry, Mom. But I’m sure dad is fine and I’m fine. I’ll call or text you tomorrow. Try to have a good day. Don’t you have a garden club meeting or something?”
“No that’s not until tomorrow. But I’ll find something to do.”
“Good. I love you. Bye.”
“I love you too, Miranda.”
“Wow, is she always like that?” Cam asked as she tucked the phone into her bag.
“Unfortunately, yes. Although, she’s gotten ten times worse since the incident.”
