Page 19 of Shadow

“Thank goodness for that, Linds. I’d end up with toilet duty for eternity,” Kevin winks.

“Well,” Harriett dabs her eyes with a napkin. “I guess I better activate the phone tree and get the see you again cookout going!”

“Let me know what you need me to do,” Fallon finally speaks up.

“You just keep that one organized and get him to invite his unit over with their families too. Neville and I will handle the rest,” Harriett tells her.

“Wait,” Lindsey holds up a hand, “are we sure that’s a good idea with everything else going on. We’re still supposed to be socially distancing and being careful.”

“Well, shoot. I guess you’re right. Maybe just a small gathering then. It’ll be outside and we’ll ask everyone to be safe about it. If they’re not feeling great, stay away,” Harriett taps her chin.

“Keep it small, Harriett,” Neville warns.

“Thanks Grams,” Kevin stands and walks over to give his grandmother a kiss on the cheek.

“Nonsense. Now, everyone finish eating so we can have some pineapple upside down cake for dessert,” Harriett shews Kevin back to his seat.

The mood in the room stays heavier than it was before but conversation resumes and we all enjoy the homemade fried chicken Harriett’s prepared this week.

After dessert, Lindsey and I both help clean up and then excuse ourselves. She takes my hand and asks me to take a walk with her.

Out past the barn, Lindsey paused and turned to me.

“I know I shouldn’t even put things like this out into the universe but, Garrett, I have a bad feeling about Kevin deploying,” she confesses.

I don’t bother to tell her that in the moment, I felt the same way and simply brushed it aside. Instead, I do my best to put her mind at ease. “I think that’s pretty much to be expected. Everyone gets nervous at the idea of being overseas or fighting in a war zone. But, baby, Kevin’s trained for this. Things are far safer now than they’ve ever been,” I lie, because the truth is, I don’t think things are any safer, but I certainly haven’t been keeping up with things either. “He’ll be home and getting on your nerves again before you know it.”

Lindsey gives me a sad laugh. “He gets onyournerves. I’ve spent too much time away. It’s still a novelty at the moment.”

I wink at her. “Fair enough.”

“That’s not all I wanted to talk to you about though…”

“I’m listening baby.”

“I…I…uhm…I know this probably sounds so crazy right now but, I want us to get married before Kevin deploys. I want Kevin to be there when we say I do. If something were to happen…,” her eyes fill with tears again.

“Well, shit,” I chuckle and run a hand over my face. “I certainly wasn’t expecting that. Lindsey, are you proposing to me right now?”

Fucking hell. It hasn’t even been a month and now my girl wants to get married.

I’ve got to admit…I never thought I was the marrying kind. But, with Lindsey, I’d do anything her pretty little mouth asked me to.

She pokes my chest and rolls her eyes at me. “I’m being serious.”

“I am too, Linds. If you really want to get married, we’ll get married. Today. Tomorrow. A year from now. Whatever you want.”

“I want to get married before Kevin leaves. I want to marry you,” she says with even more conviction.

“Then I guess I better get a ring and talk to your Dad and Granddad. We can’t get married without their blessing.”

“Garrett, I don’t need a ring. I just need…you.”

“That’s real sweet baby, but we’re not saying ‘I do’ without rings. You let me worry about all that. You talk with your Gran and start planning.”

“Thank you,” she sniffles and leans up on her tiptoes to kiss me. “I love you, Garrett.”

“I love you too, Linds.”

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