They chatted easily about odd things as the technicians worked on them. Though there were several years’ age difference between she and Mary, and their careers were very different, they got along like they’d always been friends. They were women who loved Navy SEALs. Period. BB had a feeling Mary would be up for anything with her. Maybe they should plan a girl’s trip when the guys got back. She doubted it would fly but it might be worth proposing.
Once they got their nails done they went for lunch, then headed home. BB knew Frankie would be pouting about being left behind, but she’d have to get over it. It had been too hot today for her to stay in the car, and the nail salon was not pet friendly. She’d give her extra treats when she got home.
Chapter Two
Lincoln called two days later. BB had literally just stepped out of the shower when she heard her cell-phone ringing. Not recognizing the number but hoping, she answered it.
“Hey, baby.”
Lincoln’s deep, raspy voice was a balm to her heart and tears started in her eyes immediately. “Hey, you. I love you and I miss you.”
“Oh, babe, you have no idea how bad I needed to hear that. I miss you too. Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine,” BB said, trying to dry herself off as she talked to him. “I’m just getting out of the shower.”
There was silence on the other end of the line. “Fuck, woman. You’re going to kill me saying stuff like that. Do you have any idea how hard up I am right now? It’s been impossible, going cold turkey after the hard playing we did before I left.”
Just the thought of what they’d done when they’d been together…damn… Her body heated and went loose. How could his words affect her so quickly? “I do know. Just hearing your voice gets me wet, Lincoln. When are you coming home?”
He sighed and she had a bad feeling she wasn’t going to like the answer. “It’s going to be a while, babe. That’s why I’m calling. They brought us back to the FOB to restock. We’re going deeper in country and it’s going to be a while. The brass wouldn’t even promise us we’d be home by Christmas.”
Tears filled her eyes and she gasped in a breath. “Christmas?” she said incredulously. “That’s almost four months.”
“Yes, I know. I’m so sorry, babe. I know this isn’t what you signed up for, to sit in the house and wait for me to fly in.”
Remorse filled her at his words and she regretted her own outburst. It wasn’t his fault. He didn’t need to be worrying about her right now. “Lincoln, don’t worry about me. Seriously. I love you and I’ll wait for you. Don’t worry about that. Just stay safe. No new injuries?”
“No, nothing. It’s been fairly quiet, so far, but I think the brass is expecting something, that’s why we’re moving.”
She could hear the tiredness in his voice. “So are you taking a break for a few days or do you have to leave again immediately?”
“We have a day,” he said eventually, “though with this new position I have more responsibility. I don’t know how Black did it when he led the team. How’s he doing, by the way?”
She thought about Mary’s husband. He’d recovered from his injuries and seemed to be floundering, a little, trying to find his feet. “He’s good. Driving Mary nuts as he’s settling in. We get together a couple times a week and do stuff because he drives her out of the house otherwise.”
Lincoln laughed. “I knew it would be an adjustment. She’s going to have to give him time. He’ll find something.”
“Yeah, he’ll figure it out.”
“You know, I was thinking,” he said, then paused.
BB thought she lost the connection because it went silent. “Lincoln?”
“Yeah, sorry. I’m just thinking it might be time for me to be underfoot, too. I wouldn’t mind finding something that would let me be home more.”
Her throat tightened. “God, yes. You know I’m not going to fight you on that,” she said eventually. “And if we want to start a family, you should be here for it. You know?” she laughed but she was completely serious.
“I know.”
They’d talked briefly of starting a family but it hadn’t been a priority in either of their minds. They were too lost in the joy of having found each other and fallen in love.
There was talking in the background, then someone yelled Lincoln’s name. He sighed and she could hear the finality in his voice. “I have to go, babe. I don’t know when I’ll be able to call you again but please know it will be as soon as I possibly can.”
Her eyes filled with tears again. “I know, Lincoln. I love you. Come home safe, please.”
“I’ll try, babe. You know I will. I love you with all my heart. Tell everyone hi.”
“I will.”
And he was gone. She stared at the phone in her hand for several long minutes, crying, wishing that she could touch and hold him. Being a military significant other to a damn Navy SEAL was harder than she’d ever expected.
Mary called her two days later, sounding frazzled. “Remember when you were thinking about getting a puppy? Do you still want one?”
BB blinked, focusing. “Uh, yeah, maybe. Why?”
“You need to be sure, BB. I know a wife that works at a local vet’s office. They had a Frenchie come in for a C-section a couple of weeks ago and the runt hasn’t been gaining weight. The owner brought him in and he has a cleft palate. He also has pneumonia because he aspirated milk. The little guy isn’t doing good and they’re talking about euthanizing him.”
BB blinked. Was this a life preserver from Heaven or what?
“I’ll take him,” she said immediately. “Right now. Just tell me where he is.”
Mary chuckled. “I knew you would. Here’s the address of the vet. Want me to
