Page 29 of A Very Grumpy Green Beret

I can already hear him starting his car. I roll my eyes, but I’m grinning.

“I’m fine. Just had to hustle across the street,” I explain. “There’s no need to come into town and check on me.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” he growls.

I shake my head, continuing on to the ice cream shop.

I don’t bother telling Luca where I’m going. He’s no doubt watching my tracker as he drives, and I know he’ll find me.

“Did you need anything from the store?” I ask as I pass the Market.

“I need my wife to take it easy. Why don’t you wait for me on the bench out front?”

“I’m fine. I promise,” I say as I head down the block.

My pace picks up when I see the sign for Sprinkle Kingdom. My mouth waters, and I laugh when I feel a kick in my stomach.

“Almost there,” I whisper to our son.

“I see you. Stay there,” Luca orders.

I sigh as he skids to a stop and parks next to me.

“Did you speed here?” I ask, lifting an eyebrow at him.

“I was worried about you,” he defends as he climbs out, his eyes anxiously scanning over me.

“I told you I was fine,” I remind him as he pulls me into his arms.

“You always say you’re fine,” he grumbles.

“I usually am.”

He grunts, and I chuckle, burying my face in his chest and breathing in his calming cedar and honey scent.

“I’ll take you home. I can give you a foot rub while you relax,” he says, already guiding me to the passenger door.

“Wait! My ice cream.” I pout, pointing to Sprinkle Kingdom’s front door.

“We have some at home. I went out yesterday for it,” Luca reminds me.

“I found it,” I admit ruefully. “Already ate it.”

“You should’ve told me you wanted more. I would’ve come into town for you.”

“You had work. Besides, I was getting cabin fever.”

Luca looks like he wants to argue, and I know he’s going to remind me that I always come first, before everything. Before he can start that speech, I grab his hand and tug.

“Come with me,” I say, and he falls into step beside me instantly.

Luca lives to spoil me. I think it drives him crazy that I never really want anything. I know he’d love to give me the world, but I don’t need all that. I just need him… and caramel pecan praline ice cream.

I smile, waving at Holly as Luca and I step into the shop. I’m pretty are I’m her best customer. I’ve been craving sweets ever since I got pregnant, something I never really had before. Luca has been a champ, running out to get me anything I want. I have to be careful what I mention around him. I learned that the hard way when I said that gummy worms sounded good one night and came out of my shower half an hour later to discover he’d gone into town and bought out every gummy candy they sold there.

“Perry!” Holly calls cheerfully as Luca tucks me into his side.

“Hey, Holly. How’s it going?” I ask.