A SEAL at Heart (26 page)

It was a snapshot he’d taken over a simple morning cup of coffee at the small table in her apartment. Leaning forward, she kissed him. “It’s wonderful. Thank you.”

“The first of many. I want to fill our walls with memories of us and our life together,” he said softly, knowing he was right about her. If he had never risked, made love to her, apologized, asked for help, and so much more, then he never would have had this journey and learned that she was the right woman for him. He had his memory back, too. It was a pretty nifty outcome.

“Yes,” she replied with tears spilling out of her eyes. Quickly, she whisked them away with the tips of her fingers and then she waved valiantly to the onlookers. This lady could definitely handle this particular group, and that was a treasured commodity.

“She likes it! Hooyah!” he shouted to the crowd, pumping his fist in the air.

“Hooyah!” his brethren roared back. “Hooyah!”

Around him were the best people he knew. The trek had been tough, and as much as he had questioned if he would ever heal from the experience of this last mission, he had overcome the hurdles and reached his goal. What more could he ask for?

As the SEAL motto goes, “The only easy day is yesterday.” Thus, today would unfold exactly as it should and show him its glory. By his side was his lady, and that was one outstanding teammate.

Hooyah!

With great thanks to:

My wonderful husband—retired Navy SEAL, EOD, and PRU Advisor—LT Carl E. Swepston. Yes, he wrote the Rule of Three and continues to share it and many more stories of his time in combat with BUD/S classes.

Retired Navy SEAL and EOD LT Commander Thomas C. Rancich, an outstanding soul, who answered a ton of questions and gave me a lot of insight on mind-set.

Retired Navy SEAL Phillip “Moki” Martin, a true inspiration; retired Navy SEAL Jerry Todd and his terrific wife, Pete; Greg McPartlin, Navy SEAL Corpsman and the owner of McP’s; former Navy SEAL Hal Kuykendall and his lovely wife, Denise; MOH Recipient John Baca, who lets me make corned beef for him and call him friend; MOH Recipient Thomas Norris, who inspires many; MOH Recipient Mike Thornton, a generous and well-spoken man; old goat-roper and good friend John T. Curtis; and to the real Jules, who waitresses at McP’s and is a treasure. Also, much gratitude to the Vietnam Era “Old Frogs and SEALs” who contributed comments and stories.

And a MASSIVE shout-out to all of our operational friends—THANK YOU!

To our dearly departed friend, Navy SEAL LT John Lynch—we miss and love you, Jack!

For Chris and Frank Toms (UDT 11/ST1) whose own love story is beautiful. We miss and love you, Chris!

To Suzanne Brockmann, thank you for your incredible support and for being a bright light as well as leading us ALL forward with your wit, charm, brilliance, and friendship!

To Cathy Mann, thank you for being so awesome and for making me laugh as I learn the business!

To my dear friends, D.C. and Charles DeVane, thank you—you are treasures and make more possible than I could put into words!

To my readers—Laurie DeSalvo, aka Lia DeAngelo, and Jan Albertie—YOU ROCK!

Cheers and thanks to good friends: C. H. Admirand; Alisa Kwitney; Kim Adams Lowe; Cathy Maxwell; Christina Skye; Angela Knight; Leslie Wainger; Christine Feehan; Domini Stottsbury; Brian Feehan; Ed and Sheila Clover English; Barbara Vey; Marjorie Liu; Tara Nina; Sara Humphreys; Kate Douglas; Shannon Emmel; Barry Eisler; Amanda McIntyre; Renee Bernard; Lori, Andy, Will and Caite; Sam and Diego; Maria R., Maria M., Gini, Maria N. and Emanuel; Kim and Paul K.; Jill and Carl H.; Brenda S. S.; Anne M.; Stephanie H.; Ing C.; Rose S.; Ginger D.; Laura L.; and the entire BB crew; Frank, Izaline, and Roger D’s Clan; and Sara, Lindsey, and Callie, who are always brave and true! To the
RT Book Reviews
magazine and Booklovers Convention—Kathryn, Kenneth, Carol, Jo Carol and Johnnie, Liz, Mala, Nancy, and the whole gang. And, to my terrific agent, Eric Ruben, and his wife, Karen.

Thank you to fabulous editor Leah Hultenschmidt; to the spectacular Sourcebooks crew: Aubrey, Cat, Susie, Beth, Skye, and Danielle; to awe-inspiring Deb Werksman and phenomenal Dominique Raccah.

With infinite love and respect to my parents, always…

Any mistakes are my own. I’ve taken great pains to make this work of fiction as realistic as possible. Enjoy the journey! HOOYAH!

Anne Elizabeth is a romance author, a comic creator, and a monthly columnist for
RT
Book
Reviews
magazine. With a BS in business and MS in communications, she is a regular presenter at the RT Booklovers Convention as well as a member of the Author’s Guild and Romance Writers of America. Her published credits include stories with Atria/Simon & Schuster, Highland Press, Dynamite Entertainment, and Sea Lion Books. She is also a serious Amelia Earhart who is always on the hunt for a new adventure. Anne grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, and now lives in the mountains above San Diego with her husband, a retired Navy SEAL.