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Curious and hands trembling, she tugged on the ribbon and lifted the lid… as her breath caught as a flood of memories swarmed her.
She could see in her mind his laughing and smiling face as he gazed up at her with adoration from the floor of the master bedroom. They had been together in the alcove talking about the house while she was on the phone with the other realtor. He’d nudged her skirt upwards, and she had swatted at his foot – but obviously that glimpse had made an impression on him.
Inside the box was a pair of expensive stockings embroidered with pink bows at the back of the ankle, and a pink line that ran down the back of the leg.
Her heart hammered in her chest because this was a decadent, obviously intimate gift from a husband to his wife… and she loved it.
“Oh Ian,” she said softly under her breath. “Which of us is actually a minx after all?”
20
JUNE
Hours later,gathering up the paperwork and the keys, June couldn’t help but smile at the realization that she and Ian were now homeowners of a beautiful place that would be excellent to raise a family.
There were so many treasures to discover in the house that was almost seventy years old. She found a dumbwaiter in the kitchen during her final walkthrough… and had no idea there was a pool in the backyard. It had been nearly dark when she and Ian had viewed it originally and during the walkthrough, she had walked around the entire building… only to discover a small in-ground pool that was landscaped beautifully around it.
Driving home, she was going to start hauling boxes over tonight and move the little stuff before getting the U-Haul, and…
June turned on the street and hesitated, staring in disbelief and frustration, as she realized the neighbors were obviously having a party. There were about twelve cars sitting out there, blocking the road and parked directly in front of her place, the neighbor across the way, the mobile home beside her, as well as in the grass where the road ended.
Mrs. Richmond a few doors down was the type to call the police, and she grimaced. It was going to be a very interesting evening full of blue and red flashing lights in the very near future.
As she pulled forward, the throng of men and women parted, allowing her in – only to have one of them flag her down.
“I just need to get into my driveway,” June began.
“Are you June Selkirk?” the man said, grinning at several others that came walking up to her car. She instinctively locked the doors and met his gaze. “Good girl – cautious. I like it, and it will make your husband feel better about being gone.”
“Can I help you?” she said loftily, and hesitated as she saw Mr. Martinez – whom she was showing properties to currently. “What is going on, Mr. Martinez?”
“Well, your husband has some friends in a few places…”
“We’re all retired Army – and we take care of our own…”
“We’re here to help you move, Mrs. Selkirk…”
“You got everything boxed up? We brought the muscle!”
“Cooper, please… the only thing you brought is your mouth.”
“Don’t be a hater, Hody. Just because you’re getting a ‘Dad-bod’…”
“I beg your pardon, shrimp?”
“Who are you calling ‘shrimp’?”
“You, Shrimp!”
“Just cause you’re an overgrown ogre, Wilkes, that doesn’t mean that…”
“GUYS!” The man shouted hotly over his shoulder, and then smiled as others kept rattling off comments in the distance, bickering like a bunch of brothers fighting in the yard. “Your husband, Ian Selkirk, went to speak to his captain – who is my best friend – and the man I used to work for while I was stationed in Ghazni. All of these men worked with Captain Logan, and some worked with your husband. Word gets around and to quote Minter – ‘We do take care of our own’, Mrs. Selkirk.”
“What?” June asked tearfully, staring in disbelief at this blessing that Ian had arranged from halfway across the world. “I don’t…what? Really?”
“We’re here to help you get moved in, ma’am. My wife, Lily, is the woman that gave your email to Captain Logan, and we’re very happy for you both. Consider it a wedding present or a housewarming present from averyextended family that you have in town,” the man smiled.
“I don’t evenknowyou people… and my neighbor will call the cops if we don’t clear the street.”
