Stitch by Jaime Lewis (ebook reader online .txt) 📗

a medic, he had to be able to keep his shit together in the heat of the moment.

Realizing she had zoned out again, she looked up again and smiled.  “That sounds nice. As much as I love sitting here in front of the fire relaxing, Bambi up there is starting to freak me out a little. I feel like it’s staring at me.” She pointed to the stuffed, fake deer head mounted above the fireplace.  Stitch laughed, then walked over and placed a jacket around her shoulders.  He told her to hang on to the blanket, then he leaned down and scooped her up into his arms. She looped her arms around his neck and held on. As he made his way to the back door, she looked up at him. As much as she loved being carried all over by Stitch, she really needed to start walking and getting stronger.

“You know I could’ve walked the few feet myself.  I believe we had this conversation this morning. My ankle is much better.”

He shrugged his shoulders and gave her the cutest boyish grin, and she swore she saw his cheeks turn a light shade of pink. The expression took a couple of years off him. It was rare to witness, as men like Stitch and her brother were hardened trained killers but to be able to see and know the real men under the façade was a treasure.

“I figured I wouldn’t have many more opportunities, so I’ll take them while I can,” he admitted, and she smiled and kissed his cheek. He sat down on the oversized chair, brought her down on his lap, and then fixed the blanket covering them both. She burrowed closer to him. According to the thermometer nailed to the banister, it was close to freezing. The temperature may have been cold, but being snuggled up with a human heater and the man she loved was hot.

For a few minutes, they sat enjoying each other’s company and the peacefulness the scenery provided. Moments like this were what she wanted to come home to every night. At least when her man wasn’t flying off somewhere to serve and protect.

Stitch’s deep voice broke the quietness. “You mentioned your ankle is feeling better. How do the ribs feel?”

“It’s bearable, but I won’t lie; sometimes it hurts when I forget and make a sudden move. Like this morning.”

“Do you think you feel good enough to head to the beach for the weekend?”

She looked up at him and wondered if he was just messing with her. If he were, that would be mean because she would love to see all her friends. Then she thought about the conversation she and Ace had earlier. With no news on her case, would they really take the chance of her being found?

“Really?” She found herself asking a little cautiously.

He pushed a strand of hair from her face. “Ace and I talked about it today. I have a meeting at the base that I need to be at, and he and I thought it would be good for you to get some socializing time in, even though I love having you all to myself.”

She grinned. “I’ve enjoyed it here as well. It was needed, although I could’ve gone without the drama. But, I agree, it would be nice to see everyone. How long will we stay?”

“It’ll be just for the weekend. We don’t want to push it. There is a possibility that I may have to ship out for a day or two. It’s for training purposes. If that’s the case, I’d like you to stay with my parents until I return.  Are you okay with that?”

“If you think that is best, then that’s what I’ll do. But why can’t I stay with my mom and the Colonel? Or even Alex?”

“Because your brother and I both feel it would be safer to stay at my parent’s house.”

“Are we going to stay at your apartment, though? For the weekend, that is?”

“No, we’re staying with my parents. I’d feel safer having the extra layer of protection.”

Mia gave him an odd look. “What could be safer than having a SEAL as my protector?”

He grinned, showing off his cuteness.  “Having two SEALs looking over you.” He tapped her on the nose.

“Two?  Which one of the guys is going to be staying at your parents with us?”

“Something you don’t know but were bound to find out eventually, my dad was a former SEAL. He served the same time as Alex’s uncles, just on a different team.  Actually, Frost’s dad served with my dad on the same team. It’s how Alex, Tenley, Frost, and me all knew one another.”

Mia was confused. “I get you, Frost and Alex, but how did Tenley fit in there? I thought she didn’t have a dad growing up.”

“She didn’t. Her mom worked on base, and all the guys knew her. Plus, she went to the same elementary school as the rest of us.”

“I think it is pretty awesome that you all have stayed best friends through the years.”

“It was hard when Frost and I enlisted, and then Alex left for college before being recruited by the government.”

She nuzzled his neck. “Well, I’m glad everything worked out for everyone.”

He kissed her forehead as she lay against him. “Me too. So, are you good with the plan?”

“MmmHmm,” she murmured. Inside she was doing a happy dance. It was going to be a fabulous weekend.

He gave her a hip a light tap. “Seriously?  Darn, I was all pumped up for an impending argument.”

“Oh, stop. Trust me; I think my ego can take a backseat where my safety is concerned. I will gladly take any and all advice from skilled professionals such as yourself and my brother. Or any other member of your team.”

He pulled back and gave her a strange look. “Okay, where is the actual Mia, and what have you done with her?”

“This is the new and wiser Mia,” she said as she stared into his eyes.

He cupped her