Page 123 of Lucky Charm

“Okay, then I’ll do mine, then go to facilitate a quick exit from this place.” She gathered her clothes and went into the bathroom.

Hunt lifted her from the chair and sat her on the bed, then eased in next to her. He fingered the lace of her dress. “You’re tired.”

“About to fall asleep and ready for pain meds again. What’s next?”

“We’re going to get you released from here, and then we’re meeting Quaid, Mackey, Elizabeth, and Jackie for dinner in our room at the Patton Regency. We’re going to rest, hopefully for a couple days, before we fly back to the U.S. Sound good?”

“Yes, but…”

“Nope, Jackie already took this on, and I am not getting in her way. She gets more done doctor-to-doctor than I can military-to-military.”

Cait closed her eyes. “Okay.”

Hunt’s warm hands helped her settle in the bed. “Shift around, Mrs. Hunter, and go to sleep for a bit.”

“Aye, aye, Lieutenant Hunter.”

∞∞∞∞∞

Hunt kept a close eye on Cait as she put another bite of decadent vanilla wedding cake in her mouth. She hadn’t eaten very much of the duck dinner, and he could see the tired, pain lines around her eyes and mouth.

Jackie noted it, too. She raised her glass. “One final toast to the happy couple, and then I’m out of here. I want a hot shower and a comfortable bed.”

They all raised glasses. Cait had to forgo the tradition and gobbled another bite of cake instead.

Jackie rounded the table, kissed Cait’s cheek and his. “You have this?” Her whisper was for him alone.

“Yes, we’ll be fine.”

Jackie led the exodus out of the suite leaving them alone.

“Can we go to bed now?” Cait used her finger to scoop the crumbs into her mouth.

Hunt smiled at her. “Whatever you want, honey.”

“I want two things. Well, maybe three.”

“And that would be?”

“To be horizontal in a bed.”

“Yes. Two?” He reached to lace his fingers with hers.

“To have you naked against my naked.” She closed her eyes for a minute and basked in the touch. “I’ve missed you.”

“Agreed. Three?”

“To give you your wedding presents. Thank you for mine. You bought my dress and the earrings, didn’t you?”

Hunt smiled and pulled out her chair. “Yes. I wanted you to have that.”

“How’d you and Quaid get your uniforms?”

“Quaid, Doogie, and Quaid’s butler.” He shook his head. “I know. I had no idea he had a butler. Don’t ask. Also included was a motivated air shipment company owned by none other than Zephren Patton.”

“I gotta meet Mr. Patton. He’s done so much for us.”

He lifted Cait into his arms, frowning because that was the third time he’d lifted her in as many days, and she felt lighter. They’d have to work on that. “I’m sure Quaid could arrange it. How do you feel about German pancakes for breakfast?”