Born Ready (28 page)
With the help of the device Jackie had affixed to the sub’s hull, they’d easily tracked the drone straight to DeCristo. They had more than enough evidence to get a conviction for drug trafficking.
They brought him to Sector Key West where the D.A. was waiting to book the drug lord. The D.A. had even more good news for Scott. They’d found Juliette Sterns through the marked bills she’d been spending and they’d recovered a sizable portion of the money.
Getting through all the red tape took hours. And while Scott was elated to finally have DeCristo in custody, he couldn’t stop thinking about Jackie. He couldn’t wait to get back to the
Sea Anemone
and share his good news with her.
By the time everything was completed, dawn was pushing up the day with sunny fingers off the Florida Keys. He rushed home, climbed into his boat and took off to where the
Sea Anemone
was anchored just outside the estuary Jackie had been doing her research.
When the
Sea Anemone
came into view, he could see Jackie pacing the bow, clearly as anxious to see him as he was to see her. She wore white shorts and a blue short-sleeved blouse. She caught his eye and smiled broadly.
He killed the engine. “Ahoy there. Permission to board.”
“Permission granted. Get your sexy butt up here, Scott Everly.”
He dropped anchor and scaled the ladder onto her ship. She flew into his arms and covered his face with kisses. Laughing, Scott kissed her right back.
“How did it go?” she asked.
“We got him. DeCristo is going to spend the rest of his life in jail.”
“That’s got to be satisfying—avenging your father’s death, taking drugs off the streets.”
“It is, but you know what’s even more satisfying?”
“What?”
“This.” He squeezed her tight and kissed her again.
She snuggled against him.
“So how’s your dad?”
“He’s sleeping. He was pretty exhausted. Gary has been holding him prisoner for more than a month, but he’s going to be okay. We had a serious talk about our long-standing issues and ironed out a lot of things.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“He gave us his blessing.”
“Oh? What did you tell him about us?”
“That I loved you. I’ve never said that to a man.”
“Jackie,” he murmured and buried his face in her hair. “Thank you for saying it to me. I love you with every cell in my body.”
Her arms tightened around him.
He glanced over her shoulder. “Where are Carl’s men?”
“I sent them home at dawn. There was no reason for them to keep hanging around. Besides, I knew you would be here soon enough.”
“That confident of me, were you?”
“Absolutely. Any man who could cut through my emotional wall has to be a keeper.”
“So, it’s just you and me?”
“You and me and that hammock.” She nodded toward a wide white hammock strung between two heavy metal support beams.
“You have a wicked mind, Jackie Birchard.”
“It’s one of the things you like most about me, admit it.”
“Mermaid, when it comes to you, I’m a one hundred percent goner.”
She took his hand and led him to the hammock.
MINUTES LATER, they were naked and rocking gently in the hammock, the morning breeze blowing softly over their bare skin. Nothing in her life equaled this sense of celebration as they touched each other, kissed, caressed and sighed together.
She admired his golden-brown skin. His flat belly. His strong muscles. He was hers. This was
her
man. She ran her fingers down to his thighs. He jerked at her touch as if a jolt of electricity had passed straight through him.
“C’mere.” He pulled her on top of him, kissed the hollow just beneath her lower lip, speaking against her skin, his words sharp-edged and hungry. “I gotta have you. Right now. No more teasing.”
The hammock rocked against their movements.
She splayed her palm over his chest. “Wait.”
“What is it?”
“This is it, Scott. A once-in-a-lifetime love. I’m not the easiest person in the world to live with. I can be self-absorbed and cranky and—”
“Strong and brave and honest and tender and vulnerable and tough.”
“You make me sound so complex.”
“You are.”
“Seriously, Scott. Are you sure you’re really ready for me?”
“Mermaid,” he whispered on a heated breath that warmed the top of her ear, “I was born ready.”
Epilogue
When you’ve found your soul mate, there’s nothing to do but plunge into the ocean of love.
—Jackie Birchard, bride-to-be of Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Scott Everly
SAVE THE DATE EMAIL NOTIFICATION
To our closest friends and family. You are invited to the Fourth of July wedding of Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Scott Marcus Everly and Jacqueline Michele Birchard at 4:00 p.m. aboard the
Sea Anemone
docked at Wharf 16, Key West, Florida.
We know our union is quick and unexpected, but when you’ve found your soul mate there’s nothing to do but take the plunge. We would love to have the pleasure of your company.
RSVP to Jackie at
[email protected].
In lieu of gifts please send a donation to your favorite ecological charity.
Hope to see you in Key West.
* * * * *
ISBN: 9781459219168
Copyright © 2012 by Laurie Vanzura
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