Page 18 of A SEAL’s Vigilant Heart

“I would have given anything to be there. I wanted to make sure it was true before I told Todd.”

“I’m begging you, please don’t tell your friends. They’ll see her around the house, and I really don’t want them thinking bad about her.”

“Are you kidding?! They’ll think she is the coolest woman in the world,” Billy enthused. He went to the fridge and pulled out the fixings for a sandwich. Sophia watched in amazement as he piled on enough meat to feed a small army. Or at least, a SEAL team.

“Why don’t you make two sandwiches instead?”

“I’m watching my carb intake.” Sophia shook her head.

“Seriously?”

“I don’t want to get slow on the field. I’m saving all the carbs for the cookies you baked.”

“There is something wrong about a teenage boy talking about his carb intake.”

“Todd’s a wrestler. At least, I’m not spitting in a towel to make weight.” Sophia shuddered at the thought.

“Hey, can you drive me over to Mrs. Crandall’s. She got Rebecca a PlayStation, and I want to teach her how to play Call of Duty.”

“Sure.”

“Hey, Billy there’s something I wanted to talk to you about. I’m going to go over to Frannie and Tony’s next week. They kept the two boxes of stuff from the trailer. There wasn’t much left, but I think I’m finally ready to go through it. It’s mostly Mom’s stuff. Do you want to go with me?”

Billy looked up from his sandwich and came around the island and put his hands on her shoulders. She had to look up at him.

“If you need me to, sure, I’ll go.”

“Thanks. I think it’s finally time.”

***

Mason loved surfing during the magic hours. According to artists, they were the first hour of light after sunrise and the last hour of light after sunset. He agreed, there was something magical about them. The water sparkled, and he could swear the waves rose to meet him.

He got lost as he sailed over the water on his board. He felt like he was flying and he laughed out loud, the salt water spray getting into his mouth adding to the experience and his pleasure. Down he would go, tumbling into the surf, and that too was exhilarating as he pushed his way to the surface, finding his board and climbing on top. He would paddle to the next wave and start again.

As he thought to himself that this was his greatest joy, he stopped short and fell into the water. Sophia. Hands down, Sophia was his greatest joy. More than anything he wanted to make her happy.

She’d had another dream the night before, this one even worse than the one three nights after the bachelorette party. Again she’d said the same things. “Please don’t go. I need to tell you I love you.” The more he thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense. She always told him she loved him. But still, what else could it mean, except she was scared he would die on a mission?

This time, the wave caught him off guard, and he went down. Served him right. He needed to pay attention. How often did he tell Billy that? It was time to go ashore.

“You okay?” Darius asked over the sound of the water as he maneuvered his board close to his and they paddled towards the beach together.

“Sure,” Mason answered, and Darius raised his eyebrow.

“Okay, not good.”

“You do realize this is your bachelor party. This is what you wanted to do. You’re kind of supposed to be having fun.”

Mason continued to paddle in silence while Darius waited him out.

“It’s Sophia.” Darius stopped paddling and grabbed Mason’s board.

“Hold up and hop up.” Mason watched in resignation as his friend sat up on his board.

“Is this private, or can anyone join?” Drake asked. Mason shook his head.

“It’s not private.” He looked over his shoulder towards the shore and saw Clint, Jack, and Finn were with Billy.