CHAPTER 25
“Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Grande. Virginia Starr-Grande.” Ginny tried the two names out aloud to see how they felt.
Thom cocked one brow high and bobbed his head. “A hyphen. Nice. I like it.”
“Really? Because I’m not so sure.” Ginny screwed up her mouth in indecision.
Thom broke into a smile. “Baby, I don’t care what name you choose to go by as long as you’re my wife.”
“Aw. You’re so sweet.” The champagne she’d started drinking at noon had begun to go to her head. She leaned against Thom, happy for more than one reason that his arms were wrapped around her.
“So does that mean I’m forgiven?” he asked.
“Yes. Of course. Jeez.” She had to admit the story he’d told her had sounded pretty nuts at first, but seeing Rocky using a cell phone borrowed from Brody’s brother to call his family to tell them about what had happened had gone a long way to add legitimacy to the three men’s tale.
So had the fact Thom looked as if he hadn’t slept all night and was downing water like he hadn’t had anything to drink in days.
The guys had also been on the phone with Jon Rudnick, Thom’s former teammate who’d left the Navy and opened a private security company, to see what he could dig up with his resources.
Meanwhile, the SEAL she’d been introduced to as Will had whipped a laptop out of his car and was currently camped out on a table on her parents’ lawn while surrounded by more SEALs, all looking very serious.
“What’s going on over there?” she asked, tipping her chin in their direction.
“Will’s tracing our cell phone signals to see if the guys who had us have moved.”
“He can do that?” she asked.
“You have no idea.” Thom laughed at her obvious surprise before getting serious. He pressed his lips together. “Are you really okay? Are we okay? I know I scared the hell out of you and I can’t possibly apologize enough for that.”
“We’re good.” She pressed closer feeling playful fueled with champagne and her new-bride happiness. “Very good. I’ll prove it to you later, husband.”
“I look forward to it.” He glanced around them before dipping his head. Holding her chin between his thumb and forefinger, Thom lowered his head and pressed a heated kiss to her lips. When he pulled back he said, “And might I add I’m very happy this thing is going to end early tonight.”
“Me too.”
“But, eventually, we’re going to have to talk seriously about things.”
“Things? What things?” Ginny had been too serious for too long now, with Thom’s constant deploying, and the wedding plans and then his disappearance. She didn’t want to have to be serious again anytime soon.
“For one,” he began. “Why did you assure me your mother was okay with you moving when she’s not? You should have told me.”
She shook her head. “It was my problem to handle, not yours.”
“No.” He formed the word while shaking his head. “That’s not how—”
“Not how this works. We’re a team,” she talked over him, quoting his words back to him, knowing the sentiment by heart by now. He’d said it at least twice already, maybe more.
Thom pressed his lips together. “It’s true.”
“I didn’t want to worry you before you went away.” Ginny had been more concerned about Thom coming back with his team in one piece than about her mother being a little upset she was moving away.
He tilted his head. “Give me some credit, baby. I’m a little tougher than that.”
She lifted her brows. “I could say the same thing to you about me. I can handle this.”
Eyes focused on her, he finally tipped his head. “Okay. Duly noted.”
“Thank you. And how’d you find out she’s unhappy anyway?”
“Besides her icy response by the buffet when Grant mentioned us living in Virginia, you mean?” He laughed. “Your father told my father.”
“Really? Hmm.” Their fathers were bonding. Interesting. She’d think more about that later. “Now, I have a question for you.”
With his warm hands still wrapped around her waist, where she hoped they’d stay for a long time, he said, “Okay, shoot.”
“What’s with the full moon?” she asked.
“What?” He looked confused.
“You asked me to choose a wedding date near the full moon. Why? I googled my butt off trying to find out what the significance was but I couldn’t find anything. Well, actually I found a ton of stuff but nothing that I thought had anything to do with you, so why? I mean this party is basically going to end at sunset, so it’s not like we’re going to enjoy the moon or anything.” As he grinned she frowned. “Please tell me before the curiosity kills me.”
He chuckled. “I believe curiosity could kill you. Ginny, really, it’s not a big deal.”
“Then tell me.” She was moments away from stomping her foot in frustration.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll make you suffer—”
“Thom!”
“Okay. Okay.” He grinned. “Darkness is a SEAL’s best friend. The full moon, not so much. Too bright. So we’re less likely to be scheduled for an op then.”
“Oh. That’s it?” she asked, frowning.
“Yeah. That’s it.”
“That doesn’t sound top secret to me.”
He laughed. “It’s not.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you didn’t ask.”
Ginny sighed. “I see being married to you is going to be an adventure.”
“Right back at you, baby.” Thom smiled.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I was talking to Debbie and we decided it would be nice if we could all spend Thanksgiving together. You, me, her, the kids. We could even invite your parents down. And mine. We’ll be settled in our new place by then.”
Thom swallowed hard enough she saw his throat work. “Yeah, sure. That’s a, uh, good idea.”
“Right? I’m so glad you agree. I thought so too. I’m excited.” Ginny smiled, already planning the menu in her head.
“Yeah, uh, me too.” He pulled her closer to him and blew out a big sigh and her marital bliss bubbled over.