Chapter 23

Dustin had his arm around Kelcee’s waist as he escorted her into Sandoval’s. To her surprise, he led her to a private room in the back, normally reserved for private parties. She glanced around the gang of friends and a couple strangers gathered at the long table.

A red rose lay across the placemat at the head of the table where Dustin sat her. “Kelcee, you know Owen and our beloved Junebug.” He pointed as he worked his way around the table.

“Yes.” What was Owen doing here? Had he been helping out at the ranch, too?

“This is a very special guest.” Dustin smiled broadly and patted his heart. A dark-haired woman with eyes like his patted her heart in return. “My mom, Linda Franks, who’s exhausted from a spur-of-the-moment flight here.”

Linda dabbed her eyes. “I’m so happy to see my son again.” She shot an admonishing look at him. “It’s been a long time, but we’ll talk about that later.” She winked at Dustin. “I’m thrilled to meet the woman who’s captured his heart and helped him heal.” Her bright smile warmed Kelcee.

Dustin kept moving around the people at the table, giving her little time to wonder why his mother was here. “ZQ, JJ, Clint, and Fran. You’ll remember Jesse, who took care of you after you were run over.”

“I’ll always remember his kindness.” Was this her birthday and she’d forgotten?

“Mark, Nina, and my buddy Dusty in his SEAL cap. Gina, my physical therapist, who could certainly help you with therapy once the cast comes off.”

Gina was a slender blonde with chocolate eyes and a warm smile. “So, you’re the woman who’s been beating up on Dustin? How nice to meet you. Thanks for all the hard work you’ve put into his recovery.

“He can be a bit of a grouch. You do know that.” She winked and laughed. Kelcee liked her personality right away.

Pitchers of sangria sat on the table. Little Dusty had his own small pitcher of grape juice with orange and lemon slices floating in it. Platters of food were brought in and they ate family style. The conversation was easy and the laughter loud. Dustin seemed at ease, although Kelcee caught the corners of his mouth tensing a time or two.

Dustin asked the waitress to hold off on bringing in the dessert. He stood and the room grew quiet. “Everyone, I have a few things to say. All of you have helped my adjustment from hospital life to normal life. I’m grateful.” He rubbed his hand across her shoulder.

“I’ve decided once I get some minor surgical treatment done, I’m taking my medical discharge from the Navy.” He looked at Kelcee. “Close your mouth, love, I know it’s a shock. It’s something we should have talked about, but the thought of leaving you was too much for me to handle. I need you in my life. Not just in letters or on Skype or a few months a year, but every day.”

ZQ coughed.

“Well, unless I’m doing work for ZQ.” He winked at her and she understood what that meant. He was joining Black Eagle Ops. “I’m thinking of opening a small, one-man architectural firm here in Warrior Falls.” Heads nodded in agreement.

This was all too much to understand, to wrap her mind around at once. “You…you’re not going back to Coronado?”

“No.” He slipped a small box from his pants pocket and dropped to one knee. “Kelcee, I love you. I’ve loved you since my first day here in town when I ran into your jasmine wall of attitude.” He flipped the box open to reveal a round diamond flanked by channel-set dark blue sapphires, the color of his eyes. “Will you do me the honor of marrying me? Of having my children. Of growing old with me?”

Now the setup made sense. The private room, everyone they knew, the rose at her seat, and his mother. He’d planned this well. He’d created a memorable event for his proposal. She placed her hand on his cheek and he turned into it, kissing her palm. Tears of happiness flooded her eyes. She did love this man, her protector, her survivor. “Yes! Oh yes, I’ll marry you!”

Dustin took the ring from the box, kissed it, and placed it on her finger. He stood and pulled her out of her chair. “I’ve got witnesses, Kitten.” He waved an open hand to include the entire room. “You’re mine and we’re getting married.” Cheers and clapping accompanied his kiss of pure possession. Damned if her garter belt didn’t ping against him again.

Once the kiss finally ended, he turned her toward the group as she frantically tried to cover her errant garter. His arms went around her waist, drawing her back to the solid wall of his chest. His hand brushed hers away and covered what she was trying to hide. “Friends, SEAL brothers, I present to you the future Mrs. Dustin Sloan Franks.”

“We need a date,” ZQ demanded. Trust the commander to always try to run the show.

Kelcee couldn’t take her eyes off the ring and kept fingering it. Dustin leaned and whispered in her ear. “The blue sapphires are my eyes always watching out for you, protecting you.” She nodded. What a beautiful sentiment.

“A date?” ZQ pushed further.

“New Yearth Eve,” little Dusty chimed in. “On accounta…on accounta I alwayth get to thtay up late on New Yearth Eve.”

What a perfect idea. Starting a new year out as this man’s wife. “I like what Dusty said. He can be our ring bearer.”

“New Year’s Eve! Well, land sakes, we can’t plan a wedding in three months.” Fran jerked toward Clint for his opinion.

“Our girl can have whatever she wants, Sugar Loaf. You, Junebug, and the bride will get your heads together, make calls back and forth to Linda, and plan something beautiful. Won’t they, Owen?”

Owen shook his head once. “And the honeymoon cruise is on me, if the groom can handle bein’ on water.” He threw his head back and laughed.

Kelcee pivoted in Dustin’s arms. “If we don’t soon get out of here, this gang will have our whole wedding planned.”

“I will love you forever, Kitten,” and she joined in so they spoke their private oath together, “until my final heartbeat and the one after that.”