Page 41 of Casey's Hero

“I didn’t.” Casey frowned and corrected. “I don’t.”

Kalea laughed. “What’s with you and military guys? Did you have a run-in with one that I don’t know about?”

“You could say that.” She poured more seed into a square of tulle. “You know I grew up a military brat, right?”

“Yeah, I knew that. But your parents stayed together.”

“Unlike so many marriages that couldn’t withstand the pressure of constant separation.” Casey shook her head. “I watched my mother cry every time my father left and shed more tears while he was gone. I never wanted that kind of relationship. I wanted a man who had a regular job, came home at night and was there on weekends.”

Kalea hiked an eyebrow. “How’s that working for you?”

Casey grimaced. “I’m still single.”

Her friend nodded. “None of those nine-to-five guys are as attractive as the men in uniform, are they?”

“Not hardly. And they don’t have the work ethic to stick to a job until it’s done. They would work day or night to see it through. Wherever the guys I’ve dated left their work at the office at five in the afternoon was where they’d pick it up again the next morning at nine.” Casey’s brow puckered. “I like a man with a work ethic and a sense of urgency to get the job done.”

“Like our military guys, who do whatever it takes to make things happen,” Kalea said.

“Yeah.”

Kalea shaped a bow on the bag she’d finished. “So, all military guys aren’t that bad.”

“No,” Casey admitted.

“Am I hearing that you might make an exception for Rooster?” Kalea met Casey’s gaze.

Casey couldn’t look away. “I think so.” She lifted a shoulder. “At least for a date. Maybe two.”

“Glad to hear it. Hawk says he’s a really great guy. He saved my man’s life on a number of occasions in battle. I owe him.” She paused, staring down at an empty square of tulle. “I hope they don’t run into too much difficulty getting Hawk out.”

“I hope Hawk is where they think he is,” Casey said. “As long as he is, they’ll get him out. With a team stacked with all that Special Operations talent, they can’t be anything but successful.”

“I’m glad you’re so sure. Did you notice that there’s a storm rolling in off the coast? What’s that going to do to the guys out there on the water?” Kalea shook her head. “I’m worried about Hawk and the rest of the men. The storm isn’t supposed to hit until early morning, but we don’t know how long it will take to get in, out and back on the water.”

“They’re experienced operatives. I’m sure they know to check the weather as part of their planning process.” Now that she knew the weather could be a factor in the water, Casey’s anxiety level ratcheted up a notch or ten. She finished the bag she was working on and jumped up. “I’ll make those calls now.”

Casey scrolled through her contacts on her cell phone and called the preacher first, letting him know they wouldn’t have the rehearsal that evening. When he asked why, she told him they’d decided it wasn’t necessary and that they would see him tomorrow at the wedding. She gave the same story to the manager of the venue. As an afterthought, she called Sylvia Rodriguez and told her the same story. Once she ended the call, she clapped her hands together. “Are you hungry? I could cook something.”

Kalea shook her head. “Not really, but cooking might help calm my nerves.”

“Now that I offered, I hope I have something edible in the refrigerator.” She led the way to the kitchen and started pulling out vegetables, a package of chicken breasts, pans and spices.

They smothered the chicken breasts, bell peppers, onions and zucchini in Cajun seasoning. While it baked in the oven, Kalea and Casey chopped lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and red onions for a salad.

When it was ready, they set the table with Casey’s best dishes and wine glasses. The sun was setting, casting the dining area in shadows. Casey switched on the chandelier over the table, and they sat down to eat.

Kalea stared at the plate of food in front of her. “It looks great.”

Casey did the same; the scent of all the food was tantalizing but not enough. She captured Kalea’s gaze. “Are you feeling as guilty as I am?”

Kalea nodded. “We’re sitting here with a pile of food in front of us, comfortable, safe and warm, while the guys might be out on the sea, being splashed by cool Pacific waves, heading into a potentially hostile situation. And who knows what Hawk might be enduring?” She set her fork beside her plate. “I can’t.”

Casey’s stomach knotted. “Me, either.” She set her fork on the table, then gathered her plate and Kalea’s. “I’ll put this into a storage container. When we know the guys are safe, we can nuke it and eat it then.”

Kalea nodded. “I like that idea.” She helped Casey scrape food into containers and place them in the refrigerator. “I’ll wash if you want to dry since you know where everything goes.”

“I have a dishwasher,” Casey said.

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