Page 3 of SEAL's Sunshine
Instead, he’d checked on her more than once before they sent her to Germany for further treatment. Then after they got back to the states he’d taken her out a few times, including to Meghan and Rafe’s, one of the other SEAL team members, for their housewarming party. It was awkward at first, but they were so nice, like a huge family of teddy bears, not that she’d ever say it to their faces. Meghan and her friend Chrissy were great too and knowing Meghan had been through a lot of the same treatment at the hands of the Taliban, made it easier.
It was no wonder she was up early, today was extra special. Cam was due back from his three-month deployment, and she was flying to Norfolk to stay with him for a week. It was going to be her first time there. So far he’d come to Atlanta to stay with her, under the watchful eye of her mother.
Rafe’s girlfriend Meghan was supposed to pick her up at the airport since she was due in before the guys landed. Then she’d stay with her until Cam came for her. She really liked him and was nervous she’d do something to ruin it. But if there was one thing she learned it was that if you wanted something you needed to go after it.
“Miranda, honey, are you packed?”
“Yes, Mom. I packed last night. I just have to shower and get dressed.”
Mrs. Cherise Stanhope, ex-socialite, and still one of the most beautiful women Miranda had ever seen, strolled onto the patio with her morning juice concoction in a crystal glass.
“I don’t know how you drink that. It looks disgusting.”
“It keeps me healthy, and it would be good for you to have too instead of that coffee all the time. Besides, what’s wrong with green? It’s a beautiful color. You know, I’ve even got your dad drinking them now.”
“Ugh. You won’t be converting me anytime soon so don’t even try. I love my coffee too much.”
“A little juicing couldn’t hurt. Especially since you’re still healing from that ordeal.”
“I wouldn’t call it an ordeal, and I’m healed, just have to keep up the exercises.”
Cherise sighed as she pinched off a couple of the dying flowers on the potted plant next to her chair. “The gardener is slacking.”
“You’re too picky. The flower wasn’t even dead yet, more like in the wilting stage. You’re supposed to let them die then deadhead them.”
“But then the whole plant looks untended.”
Miranda rolled her eyes at her mother. She wasn’t usually this ornery. It was because her dad was out of the country and she was leaving later. Her mother hated to be alone. Miranda had stayed close to home for college because of that. But she needed to make her own choices now. She was twenty-five years old and had her own life to live.
“Mom, it will be okay. Dad will be back in a few days and I’ll call you as soon as I get to Meghan’s house.”
“Of course it’ll be fine. I’m not worried.” Her mom was a softy, but she hid it well. That was her good old southern charm, everything perfect on the outside, but if you were one of the privileged few, you’d see inside and get the real truth.
“I’m going to shower. Enjoy your drink,” Miranda said with a chuckle. Then she came up behind Cherise and hugged her around the shoulders. “I love you, Mom.”
Cherise patted her hand and smiled. “I love you too. I wish you wouldn’t go. He could come here again.”
“I know, but it’s just for a week.” Miranda had no intention of telling her that she was going on another trip for the Deliver Hope Ministries with Charlie. It could wait until she returned from Cam’s. No need to stress her out more than she already would be.
“Do you want me to drive you to the airport?”
“Nope,” Miranda yelled over her shoulder. “I have an Uber coming to get me.” Cherise said something but Miranda was out of range, and it was just as well. Instead of taking the elevator, she chose to make her way up the stairs, pushing herself and her recovery. She worked hard to get back to where she was before they’d beaten and tortured her almost to death and she was almost there.
The shower helped with her aches and eased some of the tension that had been with her since Afghanistan. More proof of PTSD according to Cam, and it might be, but she wasn’t going to give in to it. After being released from PT, she was told she could ease back into her yoga routine. If anything would help her get rid of the tension, yoga would.
After applying some lipstick and mascara, she was ready to leave for the airport. Grabbing her overnight bag, she took the elevator this time, since the Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport was huge, and she never got lucky with the gate location.
After she gave her mom a hug and kiss goodbye, she was out the door before Cherise could try to convince her to stay home and have Cam come visit again. They’d already beaten that argument to death.
The closer she got to seeing Cam, the more her excitement bubbled inside. But knowing that by this time tomorrow she’d be with him, had her practically vibrating with happiness. It might be silly, but seeing his face made her happy and when they’d kissed the last few times they’d been together it had curled her toes. Since then she’d had quite a few restless nights and lots of cold showers when taking care of herself wasn’t enough.
Chapter 2
The flightto Norfolk was uneventful after she gave in to the first class upgrade her mother had booked. Miranda needed to set some ground rules with her when she went back home. Grabbing the carry-on from the overhead, she waited as the other first-class passengers filed off the plane, and then headed for the waiting area. The walk wasn’t too bad, and she saw Meghan almost as soon as she came through the sliding doors to the main terminal area.
“How was the flight?” Meghan asked as she hugged Miranda.
“Great. No turbulence and no chatty weird men. It doesn’t get better than that.”
