Chapter 38

Evelyn

This is ridiculous.

“Can I take it off yet?” I ask and move my hand toward the blindfold already.

“Nope,” Shawn growls and pushes my hand back down.

“Come on, it’s not fair,” I complain. “Tanner’s not wearing a blindfold.”

I know I sound just like a five-year-old, but I can’t help it.

The day started with Shawn telling me he had a surprise—and to make sure it doesn’t get spoiled, he said I’d have to wear a blindfold. Since we have Tanner with us, I know it can’t be too adventurous.

It won’t involve getting naked in the spa or undressing each other in a deluxe hotel suite somewhere. Unless my imagination works over time.

Maybe we’re going to a fancy resort and he’s booked Tanner into one of those kids clubs these places offer.

As soon as I have the thought, I dismiss it. Shawn would know I’m still a bit wary of letting Tanner out of my sight after the incident at our wedding.

James.

Last I heard from him, he had admitted to trying to kill Shawn, and that he had kidnapped Tanner. Apparently, all for what he called love.

Initially, Shawn didn’t want to give me details. But I’ve got my ways and means. In the end, he gave me the summarized version—minus the gory details.

Turns out James had been in love with me since the first time I met Shawn. Strange way to show love—try and kill someone and then kidnap my son.

I sigh.

“Not much further babe, I promise.” Shawn squeezes my hand. He obviously misunderstood my sigh. No point confessing what I was really thinking. We don’t speak of James any more in our house, not even Tanner.

“It better be worth it,” I grumble and know I can’t master sounding annoyed.

Because I’m not annoyed. How could I be? I mean, I’ve got the love of my life right by my side again. And what wife doesn’t like to be spoilt and surprised from time to time?

“What’s Tanner doing?” I think I know the answer before Shawn gives it to me.

“Playing on his little electronic device.”

Normally, I insist Tanner doesn’t take it when we go on a road trip, but Shawn insisted we make an exception today.

“So, if I ask him to tell me what he can see…” I don’t finish the sentence.

“Not a chance,” Shawn laughs.

I feel him slow down. Either we’re getting close, or he’s getting ready to stop for a traffic light or a stop sign.

What surprise could he have planned, this wonderful husband of mine?

A trip to an amusement park? Unlikely. If it were an amusement park there would be no need to blindfold.

What else is there? He didn’t ask me to take an overnight bag or anything.

In the end, I give up. I guess I’ll just have to sit, grin, and bear it.

“Here we are,” Shawn declares, and I’m about to pull my blindfold off when he stops me again. “Wait, let me help you out of the car.”

Really?

He puts his arm around my waist, and with wobbly feet, I take hesitant steps toward something. I could be approaching the edge of a cliff and have Shawn push me over.

What am I thinking? This is Shawn, not James.

“Here we are,” Shawn says and pulls off the blindfold.

Bright sunlight assaults my eyes, and I blink a few times to be able to see properly. It takes a few seconds for the message to get from my eyes to my brain and process.

It couldn’t be, could it?

“Welcome home.” Shawn hugs me before I watch him pull out a set of keys.

“Where are we, Mom?” Tanner tugs at my hand.

“This, sweetheart, is where your dad and I used to live before you were born.”

I watch Tanner’s eyes grow as big as saucers. He seems to have some trouble comprehending this statement.

“Really?” His little face drops a little.

“What’s the matter?”

His huge eyes lock onto mine.

“If you lived here before me, that means there won’t be a room for me in there.”

Poor Tanner. I love the logic of a six-year-old.

You just have to look at the outside of the house to know it’s huge. It’s two-story. But I guess Tanner can’t see this.

“Do you want to go and check it out?” Shawn comes up behind him and ruffles his hair.

“Tanner’s worried there’s no bedroom for him,” I explain, and Shawn grins at me.

“Go inside and have a look. I think you might find your room upstairs, as well as a games room.”

Tanner takes off. He doesn’t need a second invitation.

“When…how…I…” I’m finding it difficult to string more than one word together.

Emotions are flooding through me. I can’t believe Shawn has done this.

“Come with me,” he takes my hand, and I follow him up the white gravel path.

We stop at the ‘for sale’ sign, which Shawn pulls out of the ground. He takes it up to the front porch and puts it down.

On the porch awaits one of those swing sweats. He pulls me onto it.

“When I first came back to the US and after seeing you on television, I came here, thinking this is where you must be. I mean, this was the address I had been given. Anyway, when I came here, I saw the ‘for sale’ sign. I spoke to the agent and bought it.”

I’m not sure if I should laugh or cry.

“But, why?” I’m still not sure I completely understand.

“I knew I had to have it.” He pauses and looks at me. “It’s hard to explain. But it was the only connection to my old life. And when we got back together, I waited for the right moment, which is now. Take it as my wedding present.”

Instead of an answer, I lean forward to kiss him.

When I pull back, I look out over our house. We were happy here, before Shawn went to Afghanistan.

“I have also been giving some thought to what I might do with my time,” he leans in to nibble my ear. “You know, when I’m not being your sex slave.”

I giggle at this. It’s such an absurd thought. Briefly, I picture Shawn running around the house with nothing but a loincloth, obeying my every command.

“And?”

“With all that I’ve gone through, I want to set up an outreach program to SEALs who’re going through PTSD. I think I can offer them a lot and be a sounding board for them.”

I look at him thoughtfully. It’s just like Shawn to want to do something to help others. He’s always thinking of others and not of himself.

“That sounds great.”

“And of course, there’s Tanner’s baseball team that needs a coach, and a wife who’ll need help with stuff.”

We both laugh at this.

“As long as we’re together, things will be just fine,” I say and kiss him again.

“Mom, Dad!” The front door bursts open, and Tanner appears. “You’ve got to come and look at this.”

Before we can respond, he’s dashed back into the house.

“We better follow before he gets upset,” I say and stand up.

Hand in hand, we walk to the front door. Before I can cross the threshold, Shawn scoops me up and carries me into our house.

He puts me down inside. I gasp as I look around.

“When did you do all this?”

Instead of a shell of a house, I find an almost fully furnished one.

“Do you want a tour?”

I nod and follow him up the stairs where Tanner is already waiting. I can’t help but wonder what other surprises he’s got in store for me.