Spencer chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Knowing you, you’ll probably give her a healthy mixture of both.”
Mason walked over with his phone in his hand, grinning, interrupting. “Tex wants to know if everything is okay, and if he’s free to sign off so he can put out the next fire on his list.”
Tabitha waggled her fingers at the device, and Mason handed it over.
“Tex?” Tabitha started shakily.
“That’s me, darlin’” the man answered with a laugh.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for your part in this. Giving you a ride in a sub doesn’t seem like nearly enough. I know we never could have done it without you.”
“Sure, you could,” he countered, sounding a bit embarrassed. “You have a great bunch of guys there at your back. I maybe shaved a few hours off the way things unspooled, but that’s the extent of it.”
Tabitha grumbled, but otherwise held her tongue.
“Just do me two favors,” Tex resumed.
“Anything,” Tabitha answered without hesitation.
“First off, don’t say thank you. There’s no need, because this is just what I do.”
Yeah.Mason had already warned her not to say the “TY” words to Tex, which she knew she’d done before, inadvertently, in passing. But only conversationally. Apparently, something about overt thank yous were taboo for the man who spent his days saving so many lives.
She didn’t demur. “Okay. What’s the second?”
“Invite me and my wife to your wedding when you and Spencer get married. I’d like to see some of Maine and meet you all in person. Then when you get a new sub and are ready to give us a little spin, we’ll all feel like old friends.”
Tabitha felt color move up into her face. She and Spencer had only known each other a few days, but something told her that Tex was right. She and Spencerwouldbe married, probably sooner, rather than later.
“You’ve got it,” Tabitha answered without hesitation.
She had to gnaw the inside of her cheek not to say thank you before she hung up, but she managed.
Barely.
“What did Tex want?” Spencer asked, nuzzling her neck.
“Oh, just to find out if everything is okay,” she prevaricated.
“Liar,” Spencer teased. “I couldn’t help but hear him ask if he could come to our wedding.”
Tabitha grew redder. She could feel it. “And…?”
“And, yeah. We’ll invite him, for sure. I’m just wondering, though. Do you prefer a summer or a fall wedding?”
She put a hand to her throat. “Are you asking me to…marry you?”
“Not officially,” he said with a grin. “I have to buy a ring, first,andI have to get Sheila’s permission. But I already know I want to. There’s never been anyone like you before, Tabitha. I’ve never wanted…no,cravedspending all my time with someone like I do with you. It’s as if you fill up all the empty space inside me that I didn’t realize I had.”
Tabitha ducked her head. “I feel the same, but… You don’t even know about my bad habits, yet,” she returned shyly.
“What?” he prodded playfully. “You leave the toilet seat up?”
She gave him an impish slap to his thigh. “No, but I might be a blanket hog.”
“Oh, I alreadyknowyou are,” he retorted with a snort.
Right.They’d slept together—or at least shared a bed—for the past few nights.
