Page 58 of Bewitched

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Blake waited on the porch while Paige finished getting ready. Looking around, he enjoyed the view. When she’d told him that they were staying at Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, he pictured something rustic. But he’d been dead wrong. It was beautiful. He hadn’t been in this part of Texas in longer than he could remember, probably before college. The Hill Country of Texas was as pretty a place as there was in the world. Leaning back in the rocking chair, he wondered if this might not be a town to settle in. Dripping Springs was the current headquarters of SAI Texas, and it might be the perfect location for them to raise their family. Dallas and Lubbock were about equal distance away, so it would work for both their families.

Lifting his beer, he snorted. What in the hell had happened to his life in the last forty-five days? He was sitting in a rocking chair, thinking the view was beautiful. A word he probably hadn’t used to describe anything in the last ten years. His girlfriend was pregnant, and he was trying to come up with a place for them to settle their family. Next thing he knew, he would start talking about recipes or something.

It was a long way from where he’d been, and as he let that concept settle, he decided the change might be right on time. A man could be a warrior for only so long before it cost him his humanity. He knew he’d been riding the rail of that distinction and had he been out there much longer, he might’ve ended up on the wrong side.

A couple of horses were grazing in a pasture two clicks away, and he wondered if his boy might end up liking horses. His boy. What a concept. At times it overwhelmed him, and it took a minute to catch his breath. A thing that hadn’t come up on his radar was now at the very center. Along with that bright and beautiful star that Paige had become. Would he take her without the baby? Absolutely. Was he glad that he’d put one in her? Absofuckinglutely. Not that he would ever admit that to another living soul. His boy was his insurance that Paige kept him around. Not the best reflection of his character, but one he could live with.

The screen door slammed and Paige walked out. “I swear, I’m going to have to strap these things down. They’re out of control.”

Turning, he saw her pushing her breasts back into her dress. Every time she did it, they popped back out. There was a right thing for him to say here. He just didn’t know what it was. “You’re beautiful.” Couldn’t go wrong with that…right?

Her hands flapped down by her side, and she gave him an imploring look. “What am I going to do?” she wailed. “I don’t have anything else to wear.”

Standing, he held out his arms and gave her a smile. “I’ll kill any man who looks at you.”

“Sweet as that is, it’s not the men I’m worried about.” She pulled the dress up and then pushed everything down. “Oh, the hell with it. At least they balance out the basketball I’m carrying.”

“You really are beautiful, and I’m a lucky man.”

“You say that because there’s a king-sized bed in there and you want to take advantage of it when we get back.”

“Honey, I don’t need a bed or a flat surface to make you yell my name. I’m saying it because it’s true.” He watched her take a last look at her dress and then give everything one more shove. As beautiful and sexy as she was, he didn’t want any other man seeing what was his. But that was the last thing he’d ever say to her. So far, he’d kept his true nature a secret from her, and he planned on doing it until they were bound. It might make him an asshole, but that was fine. If she ever figured out how crazy his feelings were, she would run as far as she could.

“Ready?”

Looking down into her face, he realized he was ready. For whatever was coming. “Sure. Where is the party?”

“Cocktails are being served on the lawn in front of the chapel and dinner is going to be on one of the patios. Bea Bellows is pulling out all the stops. Ivy is her only daughter, and she’s making it spectacular.”

“What exactly does spectacular mean?”

“Good food, good friends, and good music. If I had to bet, I’d say there’s fried chicken on the menu tonight.”

Kissing her, he took her hand and led her toward the chapel. “I haven’t seen Ryan in at least eight years. Did you know that he’s one of the most highly decorated snipers on the Teams? The man is a legend.”

“Really? He seemed so laid back when I met him.” She pushed her hair off her shoulder and pulled her dress up. “But he’d have to be laid back to marry Ivy. She is one of the most colorful friends I have. When you meet her, you’ll think she’s as straight-laced as any corporate executive could be. But then…the rubber band snaps and she does or says something totally inappropriate. It’s fantastic.”

“Well, it’s not going to be boring.”

“That’s for sure. I hope Aunt Lele is here. She’s a hoot.”

***

Blake led Paige toward the party and noticed it looked like almost any party in Texas. The men were dressed in Wranglers, button-down shirts, and boots. He fit right in. The women were all dressed up, and some were wearing hats. He hadn’t known what to expect when he heard that Ivy was an oil heiress, but it was like any other party that he’d been to. “Honey, what would you like to drink?”

“A margarita. But since that’s not possible, I’ll have a cranberry juice.”

They walked toward the bar and stood in line. Once they had their drinks, they moved toward one of the tables. Just as they were about to sit down, Paige’s name was called. He watched her turn around and clap her hands.

“Ivy Bellows, I love you,” Paige called out as a pretty brunette ran into her arms.

There was a lot of screaming and hugging, and Blake stood at a safe distance until they were finished. He saw Ryan walk toward them and let out a laugh. The man looked as happy as a person could. Life after the Teams not only was possible but also looked damn good.

“Brother,” Blake called out. They shook hands and did a bro hug. “The last time I saw you, we were running toward a boat during a hot extraction.”

“Those damn rebels lit up the jungle from one end to another,” Ryan responded. “Good times.”

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