Page 5 of SEAL's Providence
“Just don’t have too much fun or you better call one of us to come and get you.” Ry forced out an enormous sigh then grinned.
Tempest laughed and elbowed Josh’s side. “I think it’s an excellent idea. We’ll set it up soon.”
“Sounds good to me.” Providence nodded, thentook a sip of her margarita. Thankfully, the butterflies had stopped fluttering around in her stomach. Her usual calm settled over her like a well-loved blanket.
“I know Grace will be up for it as long as Lucky’s home to watch Hope. So far, she’s only let family babysit. Not that I blame her,” Tempest said.
Providence nodded. “I agree. With everything they went through, I’m not surprised. Bless their hearts, and not in the sarcastic way.”
Tempest had shared everything Grace and Lucky had gone through when they rescued Hope. She’d been taken by child traffickers in Marikistan, and they’d gone undercover last fall to bring her home. It was a nightmare they’d been fortunate to escape.
Thankfully, this one had a happy ending. Providence doubted she’d let the little one out of her sight, either. It was another reminder of why she’d stayed single. She’d learned early on how quickly one horrific event can tear a family apart.
“It’s chow time. Get your lazy asses moving. Come and grab it while it’s hot,” Lucky shouted.
“C’mon, girl. If we don’t get over there before these pigs, they’ll eat it all.” Tempest grabbed Providence’s arm and herded her toward the picnic table.
It had so much food on it, Providence wondered how it didn’t collapse. Bowls of salads and vegetables. Bread and every condiment known to man. Tempest hadn’t been kidding. There was enough meat on that table to equal a cow, and on top of that were were the platters of chicken. Somehow, Lucky fit an overflowing platter of ribs to the table, too. The man had to be some kind of closet Tetris master .
“You weren’t kidding when you said there’d be tons of food,” Providence said.
“Right? It shocked me the first time I came. The massive amount of food these guys can put away is mind-blowing,” Tempest said as she reached for the salad tongs.
Grace winked as she and Hope cut in front of Tempest.
“Chimkin,” Hope said, pointing at the food.
Grace smiled. “Yes, baby. I’ll get you some chicken. How about some fruit too?”
“No.” Hope’s little face scrunched up. “No, chimkin.”
Tempest grinned and leaned toward Providence. “Grace couldn’t wait for her to talk. Now Hope’s favorite word is no.”
“Your time will come, Tempy, and I’ll have thelast laugh.” Grace put a piece of chicken on Hope’s plate and added some fruit and green salad.
“Is she gonna eat all that?” Providence asked.
“Hell no. But I’ll eat what she doesn’t.” Grace laughed. “It’s how I keep my girlish figure.”
“Momma, I’s hungry.” Hope tugged on the bottom of Grace’s shirt.
“Let’s get you in your chair and we’ll eat, okay?”
“Yay, chimkin.” Hope jumped up and down.
“As if.” Tempest rolled her eyes at her sister.
CHAPTER 2
TONY
Tony stood off to the side of the deck and watched Providence. Josh had pointed her out to him on base a few times, but he’d never been close enough to see her features. Now that he had, he couldn’t drag his gaze away to save his life. The teasing he’d have to put up with on Monday at work would be worth every minute.
Providence and Tempest were still talking as Tempest fixed a plate for herself. They hadn’t heard him approach, and he surprised them when he grabbed a plate and leaned toward the doctor.
“Need a plate?” He hid his grin as she turned and met his gaze.
“Ah, sure, thank you.”
