“Because he wasn’t the one I thought about loving forever. We had great chemistry in the bedroom, and he was fun, but I didn’t love him.”
“That’s quite an admission.”
“My feelings for Ham are so different. They’re deep,” she said, pressing her fist gently to her stomach. “When he’s not here, I feel a sense of panic as if he won’t return to me. When he is here, it’s as if all the evil in the world is gone, and I can breathe. I see him in my dreams, and it’s peaceful and loving and warm. When he holds my hand, I feel as if he’s absorbing all the hate and sadness from me. I need him, Bree. I need him, and I love him.”
“Have you told him?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “No, I can’t tell him that. What if he leaves me? What if he was just doing all this because he was being nice? What if…”
“What if he loves you right back?” said the deep baritone voice standing in the door. “What if he begs you to chase away his nightmares and to love him for the rest of his life? What if he says that he can’t breathe unless you’re in the room?”
“Ham,” she whispered, shaking her head.
“I think I’ll leave you two alone,” smiled Bree. “Cruz will be in to help you get her out to the mansion.” Bree closed the door, and Ham took the seat beside her, grabbing her hand.
“I was terrified to tell you how I felt, Sadie. You were saying you didn’t want anything to do with military men or security men, and I knew that I couldn’t change who and what I am.”
“I was being stupid, Ham. I was hurt and angry and sad. But I’m not those things any longer. I can’t imagine my life without you. Not just because you took care of me, but because you’re the sweetest, bravest, kindest, most handsome man I’ve ever known.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, Ham. I don’t know if I can control my temper forever,” she smirked, “but I know that I want to try. With you. I want to build a life with you. Here. This is where we both belong.”
Ham lifted her from the bed, holding her in his arms as he lay back against the pillows. Her blonde hair tickled his arms as she wrapped one arm around his waist. Feathering kisses on her forehead and cheeks, they heard shuffling at the door, and then Wes and the entire family were standing there.
“What are you doing with my daughter, Ham?” he grinned.
“I’m loving her, sir. For the rest of our lives if she’ll have me.” Sadie looked up at Ham, shaking her head with tears in her eyes.
“Oh, Ham. I love you, too.” He kissed her on the lips. The first real kiss they’d shared. “Can I ask one favor?”
“Anything in the world?” he said, kissing her again.
“Will you beat the shit out of Davis Myer? Don’t kill him. Just make him remember.” She had a mischievous grin on her face, winking at him.
“I think I can handle that,” he smiled. “In fact, I understand there’s a long list of men who want a turn at that.” Sadie stared at the group of men who had been the most important people in her life. Until now.
“I should have trusted you all sooner,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m just glad to have my granddaughter back,” smiled Angel.
“Well, I’m not back all the way, Grandpa, but I’m working on it. I’m wondering if I even have a job any longer,” she said, shaking her head. “I mean, I left Micronesia as quickly as I could and never looked back. Did anyone here call the U.N.?”
“The tech boys let them know that you had a medical emergency. They applied for FMLA for you, and you’ve got until January 15 to decide whether you want to go back or not.” Wes smiled at his daughter as she nodded.
“We are always efficient, aren’t we?” she grinned. “If I stay, can I, can we stay out at the island mansion?”
“I’m sure we can arrange for that,” said Luke. “Just know that your brothers might be dumped out there for a while when they come back.”
“Actually, I’m more than okay with that,” smiled Sadie. “I think I owe them a few apologies and some true sisterly affection.” Cruz walked in the door, smiling at the group.
“You ready to go home?” he grinned. She kissed Ham’s cheek, then smiled at her father, uncle, and grandfathers.
“I am home.”
CHAPTER NINE
Four days later, Mary, Virginia, Gray, and some of the other wives went out to the island mansion and shooed Ham out. They were going to repaint two of the rooms in the mansion and had ordered new furniture, which was arriving that afternoon by boat with Cade and Bodhi.
What they didn’t tell Sadie was that Ham was headed to Monticello, New York, to pay a visit with Davis Myer. Marc, Wes, Jazz, Jak, and Gator joined him. They waited patiently outside his home to try and catch him without his wife and children.
