Chapter Nineteen

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One month later . . .

I was exhausted and jetlagged and still didn’t quite feel like myself as I deplaned the C-130 from our three-week deployment to Iraq. I hadn’t been myself since the moment I left Rebekah sleeping in that bed and tried to get on with my life without her.

It had become blaringly, painfully obvious to me that I was falling in love with her, but I hadn’t pursued her anymore. She’d made it clear she didn’t want that and I didn’t want to push something on her that made her uncomfortable.

I had heard from Tex that James passed away while we’d been deployed, and I hated that I hadn’t been able to go to the funeral. I would’ve given anything to be there to hold her and comfort her, but at least she had a new family now in the Keegans, and I knew they would support her when I couldn’t. I did send flowers though. Three dozen white calla lilies—James had told me once those were Rebekah and her grandmother’s favorite. No card. I didn’t want to make it any harder on her, but I did want her to have something beautiful on what I knew had to be the hardest day of her life.

Behind me, Lucky and Kid joked about something, while Tito and Red talked in low voices as we walked down the plane steps toward the flight line.

Suddenly, Red paused in front of me and I nearly slammed into his back.

“Watch it, bro,” I grumbled.

He shot me a look with a lifted brow then tilted his head toward the crowd of waiting family.

“Wha—?” I froze when I saw what he was pointing at. Or rather, who. I blinked, sure my mind was playing tricks on me, even as my heart began to gallop hard enough to bruise my ribs.

Tito nudged me. “Go.”

I skirted them and bounded down the steps, dropping my duffel on the concrete as I sprinted toward her.

It took her a second, but the moment Rebekah spotted me, those big, baby blue eyes softened with emotion and she took off in my direction.

We met in the middle and she leapt into my arms, clinging to my neck as I lifted her off the ground.

“Oh, my God. What are you doing here?” I pulled back and looked at her face in wonder. “How did you know—?”

“Shut up and kiss me first.” She grinned.

“Yes, ma’am.”

It was like coming home to have her lips on mine again and I could hardly believe she was there. All too soon, I had to put her down. I threaded my fingers through her hair, cupping her cheeks and gazing into her eyes.

“What’s happening here?” I asked.

She put her hands over mine, lacing our fingers together. “I came to answer your text in person.”

My brows curled in confusion. “What?”

She laughed. “Your text. The one I never answered?”

“Oh . . .” People milled all around us, hugging and cheering, and in my peripherals, I watched my team reunite with their families and move away. “And?”

“And our time together meant everything to me, too. I just couldn’t leave my grandpa. You understand, right?”

“Of course, baby.”

Fat tears filled her eyes. “Thank you for the flowers, by the way. They were beautiful.”

“You knew?”

“Of course, I knew.” She squeezed my fingers. “Nobody else would be that thoughtful or wonderful. Nobody else ever has. Not to me.”

“Baby—”

She shook her head, cutting me off. “I couldn’t leave him. He was the only family I had . . . or that I thought I had. Until now.” She smiled up at me. “I’ve got a whole new family and they’re wonderful.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Tex is like the big brother I never had and I love Melody and the girls.”

“You finally got to meet them?”

She pulled back and drew me away from the crowd. “I took some time off after the funeral and stayed with them for a while to get my head on straight and get to know my family.”

I caressed her cheek. “That’s great. I’m happy for you.”

She ran a hand down the front of my uniform as if noticing it for the first time, her eyes darkening with concern. “And you? You’re safe? Everything is good?”

“I’m fine. A quick mission, in and out.”

“And Bubba?”

“He’s on the mend back home in Texas.”

She nodded, brushing my lapels as if needing something to do with her hands. “I’m glad.” Her eyes met mine. “I can’t thank all of you enough for what you did for me to keep me and Granddad safe. I owe you my life.”

I cupped her jaw. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“Because it was your job?”

“It was my job, but you don’t owe me because you’re my girl, Rebekah. No matter what.” I ducked my head and nuzzled her jaw. “So . . . if you’re here . . . can I assume . . .?” I kissed her just behind the ear, making her shiver.

She clutched my biceps, her golden curls bobbing as she nodded. “Yes.” She met my gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t say more sooner. I couldn’t. I wasn’t sure. It was all so confusing and then losing Grandpa . . . the grief was so overwhelming.” She leaned into me and I caught her and held her to my chest. “But I realized something during the last few weeks . . .”

“Yeah? What’s that, baby?”

“That I want to be with you.”

“You do?”

She sniffled and nodded. “Yeah.” She lifted her head and looked me in the eye. “If you still want to be with me.”

A stupid grin split my face. “More than anything. God, I’ve been miserable this last month, thinking I had to let you go forever.”

Her smile matched mine. “Forever is a long time.”

“Too long.” I leaned down and kissed her because . . . well . . . because I had to. I couldn’t wait one more second. “So, what now?” I asked when I drew back. “How long do I have you for? When do you have to go back to Biloxi?”

“Funny thing . . .” Her hold tightened around my waist.

“What’s that?”

Those blue eyes that slayed me dove right into my soul as she stared up at me, her heart right there for the taking. “I’ve been thinking . . . I’ve always wanted to open a café by the ocean. Maybe call it Maverick’s? What do you think?”

My eyes popped open as a laugh escaped me. “I think that’s perfect, baby. Absolutely perfect.”

This woman of mine. I could hardly believe my luck.

I thought I’d rescued her, but in reality, she’d 100 percent rescued me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.