I thumb into the keypad while I mumble out loud, “I don’t want anything, but thanks. Tough day starting.”
I set the cell to vibrate. I shouldn’t have pushed send—now she’s going to grill me after work. Maybe she’ll think of getting me a bottle of wine. That I could use.
When everything was said and done, I knew it would be best for the three of us if my mom and Lemy moved here to Oahu with me. My mom even remarried, which I never expected but had hoped for.
I love my job, I think, pushing through the glass door.
After finishing my degree and relocating here to the island, I established a good practice within a preexisting care unit and have created a theater-therapy program, fulfilling a great desire and goal in my life.
My fingers fumble with the light switch on the wall inside my office, and of course, I drop my handbag and keys.
Clumsy moi.
At least the light flickers on as I kneel to the floor and fish them back up. Straightening, I stall, still down on one knee, and my body freezes.
My desk . . . what is on my desk?
The friendly face of a large plush green alligator greets me—his stuffed animal mouth curled into a grin exposing fluffy teeth.
He’s casually guarding a dozen long stemmed red roses with a note attached: You’re wearing my favorite skirt.
My hands fly up to my mouth to stifle a gasp.
Before I can wade through the confusion or settle the excitement of my thrumming heart I hear the girls in the front office start whooping, whistling and catcalling.
I pivot and run through the back hallway. Skidding around the corner, I stop short.
There is Ryder, standing tall and gorgeous in his full officer’s dress blue Navy uniform—medals, stripes and ribbons adorn his thick chest.
Our eyes sear into one another’s souls.
I scream and we sprint towards each other. Throwing myself into his waiting arms, we crash together. His presence fills all my senses, and I’m completely undone as the familiar taste of his mouth overtakes mine. His hands tangle in my hair as he lifts my feet off the floor and my heart to heaven.
“You’re home!” I cry around the softness of his hungry lips and through the tears of our shared joy.
“That’s right, Dr. Axton, and I’m not going anywhere for a long time.”
The fingers of Ryder’s left hand twine with mine, and our titanium wedding bands catch the light.
I haven’t touched him for six of the longest months of my life while he’s been deployed with his SEAL team on a highly classified overseas special ops mission somewhere in the world.
The office is filled with medical personnel, soldiers and patients alike, who award us with a standing ovation and roaring applause.
“I hope you’re prepared to cancel your appointments and take the day off.”
“I’m sure they expect it.”
Ryder flashes that rugged, boyish smile infused with irresistible charm and sizzling masculine sex appeal, and I figure I’m going to need at least a full week off.
“My hero.”
The End