Page 132 of Luck Be Mine
He was pleased with her reaction.
Doogie eased closer. “For luck and good fortune, we’ll conclude the same way your first ceremony ended. May your happiness be endless, your love grow strong, and may what has been renewed here today be everlasting. Amen.”
Cait’s eyes flooded and a sharp gasp escaped. “I remember that.”
Hunt cupped her face. “Actual memory?”
“Yes, it’s crystal clear.”
He pulled her close and kissed her, the deal done. Forevermore.
§§§§§§§§§§
◊ A Party to End All Parties ◊
Hunt wasn’t sure where he’d left his first two plates, maybe somewhere between the antipasto table and the firepit? No matter. He’d grabbed a third, piled it high, and didn’t care if anyone was counting. He’d feed Cait off this one also.
The food was too good to pretend he wasn’t starving. Roasted rosemary potatoes shared space with a slab of vegetarian lasagna so rich even Doogie hadn’t noticed it lacked meat. Grilled zucchini and charred bell peppers had the smoky edge Cait liked, and the Chicken Marsala – holy hell – melted in his mouth. Cait came to his side, and he fed her a bite.
“You aren’t eating.”
“You are. I can share with you.” She quickly kissed him. “No ditching the Navy whites, is there?”
“Not with the Captain still in the house.”
“How do you not get food on those? White attracts disaster.”
“Not if you’ve practiced for seventeen years.”
He scooped another bite, savoring the wine-soaked mushrooms. “Niles didn’t cook this himself, did he?”
“No, catered, but he threatened a few lives making sure it was right.” Cait giggled.
The music started immediately after the ceremony. While she and Hunt posed for photographs, the serving line opened. Hunt took a last bite, then one more for good measure, before grabbing Cait’s hand.
“Let’s circulate together. I had no idea your friend circle was this big.”
“I work two places and live in a great neighborhood. You work one place, stay contained for security, and fly everywhere in the world. If you’d stay home more, you’d have friends, too.”
“A hint, Mrs. Hunter?”
“God, no.” She went on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Later, I’ll break the no PDA rule.
“We are together from this day forward, wife. There’s time for every moment. Come with me.” He wouldn’t admit he was still unsteady from being so honest with his vows. He needed her hand in his. “Let’s get the command level out of the way first. This way to Commander Gregg and Captain Lueks.”
Cait laced her fingers with his and stayed in step, but the mayhem on the dance floor finally stopped them. Jackie shimmied with Carter toShut Up and Dance. The Hernandez family, all six of them, had one corner of the dance floor staked out, and Marnie Ellsworth joined them. Tommy and K-Rock danced with their spouses.
The DJ booth had a long request line. Bets sat tucked at a corner table beside Doogie, a plate of tiramisu and a bowl of pistachio gelato between them. Adele was beside Bets, her foot tapping to the music. Mackey leaned on a barstool with a glass in his hand and an untouched s’more in front of him. Elizabethand Quaid joined him. Harrison sprawled with another retired SEAL, already deep into sea stories.
Hunt navigated to the table with the Command staff and kept Cait’s hand in his.
“Commander, Captain.” Both men had brought their wives. Suzanna Gregg’s laugh drew people in. Darlene Lueks’s quiet demeanor suited her husband’s formality.
“Good wedding, Hunt.” Gregg shook his hand.
“It was, wasn’t it? I didn’t expect it. Doogie might have a profession when he retires.”
Captain Lueks shook his hand and bobbed his head to Cait. “He did justice to the solemn moment.”
