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“I’m sorry if they woke you,” Abigail apologizes as she turns back to Ruby. “I tried to keep an eye on them, but I dozed off to sleep. I’m not fully back to myself after the accident.”
“I needed to get up anyway,” Ruby giggles. “I’m not used to napping. I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
“Um, I think that’s why Tank wanted you to take a nap.” Abigail waggles her eyes. “He’s planning on keeping you up tonight.” Ruby feels her face heat. She wasn’t expecting her sex life to be common knowledge. “Don’t be embarrassed. I’m happy for you and glad our rooms are on opposite ends of the house. At least, hopefully we won’t hear each other.” Abigail laughs, too and Ruby can’t keep from laughing with her. She’s always wanted a sister, just maybe she has one, now.
“Do you need to rest?” Ruby asks Abigail. “I can do whatever you need me to do. Cook, clean, just let me know.”
“No, I feel better after my short nap,” Abigail replies. “Emma and the other ladies have cleaned, and we have enough food in the fridge for several days. We just have to heat and serve. I came to get the kids and to make sure you didn’t need anything.”
“No,” Ruby replies. “Tucker got me a bunch of stuff when we went out of town, so I’m good.”
“Well, just so you know, all of us girls are always looking for an excuse to go shopping.” Abigail leans closer to her as if what she’s saying is a secret, even though there’s no one else around. “If you want to redecorate Tank’s room, or need clothes, shoes, toiletries just ask. We l-o-o-o-ve shopping.” Ruby chuckles at Abigail’s dramatic actions when she says love. Her hands come up, and she bends backwards as she rolls her eyes.
“Noted,” Ruby replies. “It’s been ages since I’ve gone shopping with a girlfriend.”
“I call dibs!” Daisy calls from the top of the stairs. The other women have come up to join Abigail and Ruby in hall just outside Tank’s bedroom.
“No, fair!” Elise, Emma, and Charlotte say simultaneously.
“She’s about to be my sister-in-law…sort of,” Abigail complains back. “I get dibs.” Ruby’s eyes dart from one woman to the next. She can’t keep up as they argue overher!Her heart warms. This is going to be her life from here on out. Friends, family, and love. How did she get so lucky? It wasn’t too long ago she wondered how her life had gotten so screwed up, but now it’s better than it’s ever been. The arguing is still going on around her.
“Hey!” Ruby calls out, startling the women into silence. All eyes turn to her. “There’s enough Ruby to go around. She’s been starved of friendship and family for six years. We’ll all go together.” The women all break into big smiles and giggles.
“Talking about yourself in third person?” Elise asks teasingly. “That’s a sign of some mental disorder, but I can’t think of it right now.”
“Are you saying I’m crazy?” Ruby asks, feigning hurt feelings.
“Crazy in love?” Elise asks, timidly. Ruby laughs.
“Absolutely!” The women gather around her and dole out hugs. “Let me get a shower and get dressed. I might stink.” Ruby lifts her arm to do a sniff test.
“You smell like sex, you lucky dog,” Charlotte pipes up. “Afternoon sex.” She says with a sigh. “I remember that, good times. Enjoy it while you can. You have to get creative when the kids come along. Lord I hope those kids go to sleep early tonight. I need to hide Harry Potter’s wand in the chamber of secrets.”
“You need to hide what? Where?” Ruby asks incredulously, not sure she heard her correctly. “What does that mean?”
“It’s Charlotte and Hawk’s euphuism for sex,” Abigail answers. “Those poor boys searched their house top to bottom once after hearing Hawk say it to Charlotte. They just knew they were going to be the ones to find it.” The women erupt again in laughter. “Okay, let’s all go down and give Ruby some privacy to get showered and dressed. We can talk sex when the kids are gone.”
“No!” Charlotte, Elise, and Daisy all say at the same time.
“We won’t be here,” Charlotte complains. “We are taking the kids with us. We can talk sex on our girls’ night out or on our day out shopping trip.”
“Oh!” Daisy says. “Let’s make it a weekend. Leave the guys with the kids. It’ll be so fun.” The women continue to scheme and plan as they all head to toward the stairs.
“If you need anything, let me know,” Abigail says before following the rest of them. Ruby heads back into Tucker’s bedroom, being sure to lock the door back, just in case Ellie decides to wander in. Thirty minutes later, she’s showered and dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt. She’s dried her hair, noting her roots are beginning to show again. She studies herself for a moment. If Tucker is successful in eliminating the threat against her, she will no longer need to color her hair. She briefly wonders if Tucker will like her dark brown, nearly black hair, or if he prefers her to be a redhead. In her heart, she knows he will love her no matter her hair color.
51
TANK
Tank looks around the room at his teammates as they take their seats. Ranger’s team is here as well. They have gone over the intel the informant has sent. It seems fairly straight forward, but Tank knows nothing is ever easy. Every time they are sent out could be their last. He’s always known this, but now, for the first time in his life, he’s rethinking his job. His profession. He can’t stand the thoughts of leaving Ruby behind.
They’ve taken a short break and are sitting back down to go over the extraction plan for the woman who was taken nearly a month ago. Tank worries for the woman and what kind of treatment she’s been going through. He hopes the informant has been able to shelter her from the worst of it, but hell, just being held against your will is bad enough.
“Now,” Hawk begins. “It’s time to talk strategy. The senator is demanding a SEAL team be involved in bring his niece home. Not that I care either way. The team they’ve chosen is one of the best. We’ve worked with them before. Wolf’s team will be taking lead on getting the girl. I know they’ll take good care of her. We are support, making sure the extraction goes smoothly and to provide them with cover fire if needed. The senator’s been planning news conferences and television appearances on the down low. While it hasn’t been made public, yet, he’s anticipating it will get out. The man is more concerned about spinning this to boost his image in the press than making sure the girl is safe. He’s up for re-election and is hoping to get some sympathy votes from the incident.”
Bastard!Tank thinks as Hawk continues to fill them in on the latest details. How can a man be more concerned about his career when his niece is being held by a drug cartel? People never cease to amaze. Greed and power have corrupted the man’s mind, pushing out the important things. Family and his niece’s well-being. Tank just hopes they can get to her before she’s been too badly harmed. Tank is jerked out of his thoughts when Straw elbows him. Tank looks around. Hawk is still talking.
“The SEALs will be here at 0600,” Hawk informs them. “We can’t finalize any plans until they’re here and up to speed. So, go home, rest.” Hawk looks at Tank with a pointed look and a smirk. “Be here and ready to get to work at six. I anticipate you’ll be wheels up day after tomorrow, but you all know shit can change in a heartbeat so keep your go bag ready. Dismissed.” The men rise and begin to filter out of the room. Straw is at Tank’s elbow.
