Page 34 of The Hero's Bride
“Collin is very taken with colors. I’m sure it made his day to see another redhead aside from me and his reflection in the mirror.”
Thalia stood and walked over to Hannah, giving her a hug. “Thank you for recognizing that something was wrong about Vivienne’s engagement. Thank you for coming to help her.”
“The way you defied my mother and sister to get that note to us was not only brave but also selfless, and if I wasn’t on these crutches I’d be tackling you to the floor with the biggest hug imaginable.”
A smile lit Thalia’s face. “Very much like Vivienne did to me yesterday at the airport.”
Vivienne threw an arm over her sister’s shoulder and the other around Thalia. A petite and very pregnant blonde entered the room with a man at her side who eyed her every movement as though she was going to go into labor at any moment. He realized this must be the man who had been pulled from his next mission. The one that Sully had replaced. No wonder the guy looked so on edge with his sister, a civilian, out on a mission and his woman about to give birth.
Iron greeted them and turned to Red and Thalia. “This is Sam and Joker.”
Sam leaned forward to give Thalia a hug, laughing when she couldn’t embrace her deeply due to her belly. “This baby is making it difficult to do anything these days.” She grinned, and he watched the SEAL at her side beam with pride. Soon, the space was filled with women, and they learned they were all dating or married to members of the Virginia SEAL Team who had just left for a mission with Sully in tow.
“Guess who’s here?” Collin sang from down the hall.
“Oh boy.” Hannah chuckled. “Collin always makes sure his friend has a grand entrance everywhere we go.”
Red wasn’t sure what she meant until Collin careened into the room pushing, no flying, with a wheelchair. He stopped on a dime, making the sound of a race car as he jerked the chair to a stop. The teenager sitting in the chair was laughing so hard, no sound was coming from his lips. His cheeks were red, and his legs lifted off the pillow laid over the frame to support his feet and began to shake as he convulsed with laughter. “Jacob Godfrey is here!” Collin cried out, holding out theherefor several long seconds. A smile spread over his face at the beautiful connection between the two friends.
He followed Thalia’s lead and crouched down, so they were eye level with Jacob. “Nice to meet you, Jacob. I know your brother Ransom from the teams. You look just like him.”
Jacob’s gaze was darting around his communication device. “I am the better-looking brother,” the computer voice began, and Jacob laughed while Collin echoed his words. They all waited patiently as he continued to form his sentence. “Are you okay?”
Thalia placed her hand over Jacob’s. “We’re okay, thanks to your wonderful group of family and friends.”
Jacob met her eyes, his expression saturated with light, and he smiled. His gaze turned back to his device. “Then,” he said. “Let’s go swimming.”
They all chuckled at Jacob’s easy humor.
A woman with long dark hair and blue eyes walked into the room. “I’m Brynn. Ransom’s wife.”
“And my nurse,” Jacob added with his device.
“Are you being cheeky with Iron and Vivienne’s guests?” Brynn asked.
Instead of responding, Jacob just let out what could only be described as a shriek of joy followed by laughter as Collin gripped the handlebars of his chair and darted out of the screen door, leaving it to clatter shut behind them. “Jacob Godfrey and Collin Day are going to the beach!” Collin’s melodic voice rang out as he began to wheel Jacob over the sand dunes.
“That’s his beach wheelchair, so I’m hoping they won’t get stuck,” Brynn said peering out the wide kitchen windows.
“I better get out there before Collin rolls him into the ocean with his communication device still on the chair.” Hannah started hopping toward the door on her crutches.
“I’ve got it, Hannah.” Joker rushed past and jogged outside.
“Any task you can leave up to Julian will help keep his mind off of Addy being on a mission,” Sam said.
“And your impending labor.” Brynn placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder and Iron clapped his hands together.
“Well, beach towels and sunscreen are in the bathroom closet. If you ladies want to go relax out by the water, Red and I will bring out some drinks and snacks. Then this afternoon we’ll fire up the grill for lunch.”
He was more than glad to help Iron drag the women’s coolers out to the beach, as they talked about a relaxing day spent by the water. It didn’t take long for Brynn, Hannah, Sam, Vivienne, and Thalia to put on bathing suits and spread towels out on the shore. They’d created a horseshoe and were talking and laughing as he, Joker, and Iron sat on the deck.
He scrubbed his hands over his face as he watched Thalia interact with the others. Her head was thrown back, chin tilted toward the sunshine. Her whole body looked relaxed and there was an easy grin on her face.
He placed his elbows on his knees, eyes on his clasped hands. “How can I take her away from this?” He hated the thread of defeat in his voice.
“From Vee?” Iron leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.
“A whole network of people that could offer her support and friendship. Now that obtaining the fiancé visa doesn’t matter, she could stay here. Make a life for herself. When their men go out on a mission,” he said lifting his chin toward the women on the beach. “They have each other. When I get sent out, it will be her and an iguana.”
