Page 73 of Operation: Chosen

“Let’s let these two get back to holding hands and kissing.” Big E rolled his eyes. “Brendon wanted to talk to all of us anyway.” He took two steps, then turned around and walked backward. “Oh, and Ali, I’m supposed to ask you to go talk to Lacy later. I guess some guy named Cole is coming home a little early.”

Not that she could really help him in the same way. She still knew the process and what to do, but she wasn’t a member of JAG anymore. In fact, after she helped Cole, she wasn’t sure where her life would take her. She hoped to stay close to Eric, but now that she’d had the chance to investigate a crime up close and personal, she wasn’t sure she was cut out to be a private investigator. Only time, and prayer, would tell.

“Let’s go ride, then you can go talk to Lacy. Cole won’t be back anytime in the next hour. You’ll be fine.” Eric gently ran his nails up and down her back in a motion that had become the epitome of soothing over the last few days.

“You got it. I can do this.” Why did climbing on a horse scare her so badly? She’d been in the military, dealt with some of the worst things people could throw at her, and survived all of it. Yet, allowing a horse to have a little control left her shaky and unsure.

“I wouldn’t put you in a position to hurt you. Do you trust me?” He stopped his trail of pleasure up her back and cupped her cheek.

“You know I trust you. It’s the horse that has me suspicious.”

“I’ll teach you.” He let go of her cheek and held out his hand.

She loved that he didn’t just grab her and go like she was an unruly child, even though he probably thought her fears were unwarranted. Then again, the man worked very closely with people who undoubtedly had many fears that to an outsider would seem unwarranted.

“Thank you, Eric.”

He tilted his head slightly, and the shadow of his cowboy hat tilted across his face. “For what?”

“For being you and for accepting me back, wrinkles and all.” She’d even given up the hold all of her creams had over her. She still used lotion at morning and bedtime, but she didn’t put it on multiple times a day anymore, and she stopped her subscription to have all her serums sent to her. Her bank account would be happier without the expense, even if it meant she started looking her age.

“What wrinkles?” He grinned. “You’ve got nothing on me.”

She said a little prayer, hoping it wasn’t vanity, that when her wrinkles came—and she knew they would—that they would look as good as Eric’s and that they would look like she’d lived a happy life.

* * *

Ericslowly and carefully saddled Ali’s horse, then asked Junior to check it for him. The last thing he wanted was to have a saddle malfunction while Ali was riding. The little jewelry box that had waited in his top drawer for twenty-one years pressed into his hip as he crouched to check Skyfall’s ankle. She’d hurt it when Herb’s men had stolen her, and it was slowly healing.

He gently rewrapped it, then begrudgingly chose a different horse. Today had to be perfect, and as much as he wanted to share his big day with his two favorite girls, the most important one would be there. Skyfall probably wouldn’t miss the occasion.

His stomach was in bigger knots than when he’d been taken at gunpoint. What if she said no? What if she thought he was crazy for thinking he could provide for her? What if hewascrazy for believing all that? He checked the cinch strap one more time.

“You going to be okay?” Junior jokingly punched his shoulder. “I’ll make sure the boys stay far away from the trail. You don’t need anyone listening in on you.”

“Thanks.” At least that was one worry he could cross off the list.

“She’s going to say yes.” He squeezed Eric’s shoulder.

Eric looked over his shoulder to make sure Ali was still over by her horse. “But she isn’t happy here. I’m not enough to keep her happy out here in the middle of nowhere.” That thought had been keeping him up for the last two days, but he felt the pressure of the Holy Spirit to do what he’d been led to do before. He felt certain that God had wanted him to ask all those years ago, but that didn’t mean Ali couldn’t say no now.

“I’m just nervous. Doesn’t mean I’ll back out.”

Junior laughed. “Of course you won’t. And she’ll think of something. She seems like a resourceful gal.”

She was that, and so much more. He’d forgotten just how much he loved her.

Junior gave him a slap on the shoulder, then gave Ali a nod as he left the barn. She laughed nervously, and though Eric hated that she was nervous, he loved that she now felt comfortable enough with him to show her true feelings.

Eric couldn’t help her up, so he led the horse over to a mounting block many of their female guests used. She climbed up, stuck her foot into the stirrup, and then settled over the horse. She looked uncomfortable, and he talked her through a few methods of relaxing. When she was finally looking settled in the saddle, he mounted his own horse with a little difficulty, though he’d learned to rely mostly on his legs anyway.

They followed a trail past the area of the fence that had been rebuilt, reminding him of all they’d been through. He’d never thought Terrell would agree to go to basic training, but if anything could help him become a man who could make decisions, that might be the place. The military wasn’t a cure-all. It wasn’t even a cure-some, but in the case of Terrell, he was certain the outcome would be positive, and he’d stick close to see Terrell through to the end.

“Eric?” Ali’s voice had stopped sounding nervous, and he let himself relax into the saddle a bit.

“Yes?”

“Can I ask you a question?”

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