Attached (Coronado Series Book 3) (18 page)

She stepped in front of him, went through his options and pulled out a pair of khakis and a white-button down shirt. “Here you go. It’s the perfect outfit for the first day.”

“Can you do that every morning for me?”

“Sure, but we’re going to have to take you shopping, because almost all you have is jeans and cargo pants.”

“Let’s go this weekend.”

“I think we may have to find one of those big-and-tall shops, because I don’t think you’re going to fit in regular clothes.”

“Whatever you say.” Leaning over, he kissed her and then took his clothes from her hand. He walked out to the bedroom and started getting dressed. He watched Cary come out with a dress in her hand and watched her robe drop and thought about how late he could be today.

Cary lifted her head and noticed how Travis was looking at her. “Get that wolf look off your face. It’s not happening. We both have things to do today.”

“Are you sure? We only had the chance to do it once this morning.”

“I’m very sure.”

“Then we’ll have to do it more tonight. I want something to look forward to as I’m sitting at a desk doing security analysis for oil companies.”

“Think about those handcuffs, because they’re coming out tonight.”

“OK, honey…handcuffs it is.”

She smiled at him, came around the bed and turned around. “Can you fix the top two buttons?”

He kissed her neck. “I’m glad to know that you can’t get out of this dress without me.”

She turned around and smiled at him, “I’m just going to let you believe that.” She walked into the bathroom and finished her makeup. She could see his reflection in the mirror and watched him shake his head and talk to himself as he got dressed.
 

********

Cary sat in Birdie’s office in her house and pulled some files out of her bag. “Thank you for helping me set this up. I’ve thought about this for a long time, and I’m happy to put the plan in motion.”

Birdie took the files and started opening them on her desk. “So, you would like to set up a foundation and use the proceeds to fund reading programs?”

“Yes, my parents left me a substantial estate, and I want to use some of the money to provide programs for children who have difficulties. My experience as a teacher has taught me that if children don’t get the help they need early on, then they will struggle for years. Reading is the foundation of every child’s education, and I want to make that opportunity available for as many kids as I can.”

“I think this is a terrific idea. Once we set this up, you can count on a donation from Mark and me. The idea of helping children learn to read is an important one, and I would love to help with it.”

“That’s very generous of you. Thank you. I’ve seen the effects of helping a child who is struggling, and the impact is profound.”

“What class are you teaching in the fall?”

“I’m going to job-share with another teacher and teach a kindergarten class. My schedule in the fall will be much lighter, so I’m going to use the extra time to work on implementing these programs.”

Birdie pulled out the papers and started to organize them. “Let’s get you set up then and get your good work started.”

“How is Rory doing?

“She and the babies are doing well. I think they get to come home at the end of the week. The doctors want to keep the twins for a couple of extra days to make sure that their lungs are working properly. I’m in love with my god children, and I can’t wait until they’re home.”

“Are you and Mark going to have children soon?”

“We would like four children, but we’re not starting until we’ve been married for a year. Do you want to get married and have children?”

“I want children, probably five or six. I know that sounds like a lot, but I’m an only child and my parents were only children. I have no family left in the world, so I want to make a big one of my very own.”

“I would keep the whole children thing to yourself for now. If Travis gets wind of it, he’ll have you pregnant within a month.”

Cary sat back in her chair. “I went through the process to become a foster parent and got approved last month. I decided I wanted my chance at children even if I didn’t get married. I could end up with a child sooner rather than later, which is exciting.”

“I think that’s wonderful. If you have no family in the world, it makes sense that you would want to start creating one.”
 

“I should probably tell Travis about it. He might want an out if he thinks that I could have a foster child. I don’t think he’s interested in a long-term commitment.”

Birdie looked at her and laughed. “Wake up and smell reality, that man’s in love with you and he’s probably plotting your surrender as we speak.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”

“I know it’s true. I saw the way he was with you the other night, and he’s done. You’re his person, and he’s just trying to figure out a way to make it permanent.”

She thought about what Birdie had said and wondered if it was possible. “I had no idea.”

“Well now you do. Welcome to the family.”

Cary looked up, smiled at her and started to laugh. “I thought I was just having a one-night stand.”

Birdie laughed right along with her. “So did I, but Mark never left after the first night. I probably couldn’t have gotten him to move even if I blasted him out. He had his ideas and his plans, and he did everything he could to make sure they happened.”

“How did you feel about it?”

“I didn’t really see it coming. All those covert skills they have developed are hard to spot. Although to be fair, he kept warning me what was coming, and I never took him very seriously. I should’ve, because everything he said has happened. I was engaged in a month and married two months after that.”

“Do you like being married?”

“I sure do. I love that man with my whole heart. He’s fiercely smart, honorable, tenacious and loving. He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever met, and when I saw his face, I felt like I was home. On a practical level, he’s easy to live with, because he helps with the laundry and makes the bed. Above all of that…the man is a gifted lover. He told me he was going to keep me in a haze of satisfaction so I wouldn’t get irritated with him, and he seems to be keeping his word.”

Cary laughed. “I like the way he thinks.”

“Me too!” Birdie heard boots on the stairs. “Speak of the devil…here he comes.”

Mark walked into the office and kissed his wife on the head. “Hi, baby.”

“Your breakfast is in the oven, and your fruit is on the counter.”
 

“Thanks, sweetheart.” He turned to Cary and smiled. “Is my wife taking good care of you?”

“Absolutely. I’m very grateful that she’s willing to do this.”

He patted her shoulder. “Your part of the family now. Of course she would help you.”

She smiled up at him and noticed that he didn’t look as scary when he was smiling at his wife.

Birdie squeezed his hand. “Go eat and let us get back to work.”

He winked at her as he left the room. “Yes, dear.”

“You’re very lucky, Birdie-I can see how much he loves you.”

Looking up from her computer, she studied Cary for a moment. “You have no idea…I almost lost him. The last op they were on went south, and Mark and Travis are very lucky to be alive. I tell him every day how glad I am to see his face.”

“I look at Travis and I can’t imagine him being anything other than invincible.”

“That’s the illusion. They’re physically imposing men with personalities to go along with it. They have been trained to be invincible, but a lucky shot is a lucky shot, and unfortunately they’re no match for a bullet.”

Mark came back in. “I’m heading out. I have some paperwork to finish before I teach my class this afternoon. Remember I’m going to be late tonight, because I’m taking a group through some drills that I think they’re going to enjoy.”

“How many have rung out?”

“I think half the class. We should lose another 25% by the end of the week. Which should make our numbers right by the time we get to hell week.”

Birdie got up. “Have a good day. Have fun torturing your recruits.”

He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her hard. “It’s not torture…its training.”

********

Travis sat at a desk in a room with a bunch of men who were loud and giving each other a hard time. He realized how much he’d missed it over the last six months. He knew every man in the room and felt better than he had in a long time. Maybe being in the private sector wasn’t going to be that bad.
 

David and Derick walked into the room and shook hands with each other, before Derick came over to welcome Travis to the Team. “We’re glad you could come in early and help us out. We’re behind on these requests for analysis, and you’re saving our asses.”

“Glad to help out, man. I can do this in my sleep.”

“If you have any questions, just ask David. He plowed through a lot of them last month.”

“Did you guys work out the girl thing?” Travis asked.

“Yes, we did,” Derick said. “It turns out he wasn’t interested, and I am. I took her out to dinner the other night, and I’m seeing her again tonight. It all worked out for the best.”

Travis clapped him on the back. “That’s great. Good luck.”

“I hear congratulations are in order. The guys told me about Cary, and she sounds like a great catch.”

“Yeah, she’s the one. I have some work in front of me before I convince her, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“Did you sign all of your paperwork and get your phone and tablet?”

“I signed the paperwork, and Zoey told me she would bring over the tablet and cell phone later on today.”

“You’re good to go. Help yourself to any of the computers when you fill out your analysis. If you need someplace to spread out, help yourself to one of the workrooms. Rory reorganized the office, and it seems to be working. She asked how we worked when we were on the Teams, and she tried to replicate that here.”

They were interrupted when Zoey walked up to his desk. “I have your phone and tablet.” Travis smiled at her and noticed that David made a beeline for his desk once he spotted Zoey.
 

David leaned against the desk and tried to look casual. “Hi, Zoey.”

“Hello, David.” She turned and tried to ignore him as she explained a few things that were programmed into the phone and tablet and what apps would sync. “Call me if you have any questions, or ask Rachel. We’re here to help.”

“Thanks, Zoey.”

She turned to leave, but David caught her hand. “So have you given any more thought to the suggestion I made last week?”

“Yes. I’m not interested.”

“OK, I’ll give you a little more time and ask you again next week.”

“Time isn’t going to help you out. It doesn’t matter how much of it passes, because I’m never going to be interested.”

“OK, so we’ll talk next week.”

She walked away, shaking her head. Travis looked at his friend. “That went well.”

“Actually, it did. She didn’t give me a dirty look or laugh, so this is actually progress. It’s all coming together.”

“It’s good to believe, man. It’s good to believe.”

*******

Cary walked down to the beach next to the base and saw the guard station that marked the beach entrance to the base. In the distance she could see several groups of men lined up in front of the surf with heavy logs on their shoulders. She noticed the instructors yelling commands to the men through bullhorns as they stood around them. She found a spot on the sand and watched for a while. It was a certain sort of man that was willing to put himself through this training, and she couldn’t understand what made them want it so desperately.

One of the instructors broke away from the group and started jogging her way. As he got closer, she realized it was Travis. He had on cargo pants and, a blue T-shirt and was running in boots. She felt her breath hitch as he got closer. Seeing him run toward her gave her a glimpse of who he really was. She had known him only as a happy guy on vacation who was trying to get her to stick around. But seeing him in his environment allowed her the opportunity to get a glimpse of the warrior. He was part of an elite spec ops community that very few were allowed to join.
 

He saluted the guard in the tower and was at her side almost instantly. He stood above her and smiled down while his big frame blocked the sun. She took off her sunglasses and smiled up at him. “Should I salute you or kiss you?”

He dropped down next to her and took off his sunglasses and smiled into her eyes. “You can kiss me and then you can salute me.” She laughed as he leaned forward and gave her a big, sloppy, wet kiss. He lifted his face and then kissed her again gently. “How was your day?”

Cary leaned against him and took his hand. “It was good-I really like Birdie. She’s very smart and has me all set up. We ended up going to her shop after we were done and had lunch together. I think I found a new friend.”