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Alan joined them. “She’s out. Had to run the oldest to his baseball practice. She took the ones who can walk. I have the baby in the back. He’s sleeping. Do I need to call her?”
“No,” Shelby said. “We aren’t staying long. Just needed food for dinner and breakfast.”
“Help yourself. I’ve got to fill an order for a customer who wants curbside service.”
Remy secured a shopping cart and wheeled it in front of Shelby. “Hold onto this. I’ll fill it.”
Shelby pushed the cart, following Remy as he walked down the store's aisles. He didn’t slow as he snagged cans of beans, tomato sauce, chicken broth and other staples and placed them into the cart.
He turned toward the refrigerator section, where he selected eggs, bacon, milk and orange juice. He paused in front of the meats. After a quick perusal, he selected packages of chicken, pork chops, sausage and steak.
Next stop was for fresh fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, lettuce, celery, carrots, onions, apples, oranges, bananas and strawberries. “We’ll hit the farmer’s market on the weekend for watermelon and cantaloupe.”
“That’s enough food to feed an army. Are you planning on having guests over?” she asked.
“No, but we need to eat, and some of this can go in the freezer for later this week.”
“You do realize someone has to cook this,” she said.
“I know.”
“Just so you know…” Shelby said. “While Chrissy was learning to cook, I was out fishing with my dad. I can burn boiled water. I can catch all the fish you can eat and filet it faster than most. But I wouldn’t know whether you boil, bake or fry the catch.”
Remy gave her a brief smile. “I can cook,” he said.
Her eyes narrowed. “You spent your summers working on a car. When did you learn to cook?”
He grinned. “When we were at our home station, not deployed, my team got tired of eating out. So, we took turns cooking meals. Some guys preferred to grill everything. I liked making stuff my grandmother made when I was growing up. My mother sent me Gran’s old Cajun cookbook. I’ve made almost everything in it.”
Her eyebrows rose. “I’m impressed. Why hasn’t some woman married you yet?”
His grin faded. “The life married to a Navy SEAL isn’t for every woman. We were gone a lot. Most of the guys who were married ended up divorced. They missed babies being born, birthdays, watching their kid learn to walk, dance recitals and ball games.” He added a bag of rice to the cart. “I never found someone I thought could put up with that kind of life. I wouldn’t want to put her through it.”
“What if she knew what she was getting into and was willing to put up with the absences?” Shelby asked.
“I wasn’t willing to miss everything. Better to not have a family than to miss them.” Which had led to a lot of lonely years. If not for his team, he might have been more miserable.
“You’re retired now,” Shelby said. “It’s not too late. You’re not too old to start a family. Men can sire children into their seventies. You’ll need a younger wife, though. Childbearing years end sooner.”
Remy chuckled. “Know any willing women who are looking to start a family?” He stopped in front of a freezer.
Shelby gave him a crooked smile. “Sure. But the ones in their thirties are usually divorced, with children. Are you willing to take on a package deal? If so, I know five women who would love a shot at a good-looking guy who hasn’t let himself go.”
Remy laughed. “So, I’m good-looking, am I?”
“Don’t let it go to your head, please. Emphasis on he hasn’t let himself go.”
“Are there any ladies who haven’t married but aren’t fresh out of high school or college? I’m not interested in a woman who could be my daughter.”
Shelby drew in a deep breath. “Some of my friends might be interested.”
“You’d be okay with me dating your friends?” Remy pulled out a carton of Rocky Road ice cream and one of vanilla. “Chocolate or vanilla?”
“Mint Chocolate Chip,” she said.
He laughed. “Now, see? We would make a perfect couple.”
“Why do you say that?”
