been a couple months since she’d had one, and it was supposed to arrive this week. “How did Mac take the news?”
Sarena’s face lit up at the mention of her husband. “He’s been a nervous wreck.”
“Mac? Nervous?”
That man was the epitome of former military and SWAT leader. He had a gruffness to him and a bark that made everyone listen. He was well-respected, and Ronnie had a difficult time imagining him being anything but the tough sergeant.
“Yes, the man has been hovering over me more than normal. I mean, I love the fact that he holds my hair while I’m throwing up and makes sure I’m hydrated, but I swear, Ronnie, I’m almost to the point where I want to run and hide from my own damn husband.”
They shared a giggled. Ronnie pictured what Sarena just described and laughed even harder.
“You know the man is overprotective of you.”
Everyone knew that. The man had risked his life to save Sarena. Her friend had been kidnapped, and Mac, along with the SWAT team, had gone to the extreme to save her. If that didn’t show how much Sarena meant to him, then nothing would.
“I know, but I can walk from the bathroom to our bedroom. He doesn’t have to carry me.” Sarena leaned her head back against the couch.
Ronnie chuckled and shook her head. That sounded like something Mac would do.
What Ronnie wouldn’t give to have a man love her as much as Mac loved Sarena. Their relationship was like one of those in her favorite romance novels. Ronnie had read enough of the books to recognize the real-life version when she saw it.
A book could be written about the MacArthurs.
Brodie’s face came to mind. She shivered with the thought of everything they had done to each other. Even when they’d seen each other after that night, he’d wink and smile at her just like old times. She had promised herself just to indulge one time in the sexy cop, but it was so hard to keep her hands to herself when they were around each other.
Ronnie and Sarena reached for their mugs and continued drinking their delicious brew Sarena had made. Being nurses, coffee was a necessity. It was the only way to survive a busy day at work. They both worked at the same hospital. Sarena was the assistant manager in the emergency room while Ronnie was an ICU nurse. She floated between the different ICUs and the emergency room. Occasionally the girls worked together.
“What do you need from me?” Ronnie asked.
“Well, you know I want you to plan the baby shower. Please?” Sarena’s eyes grew wide as she tried to put on her best begging expression.
“Who else would be planning it?” Ronnie gasped playfully. She rested her hand over her heart. “I would have been disappointed if you chose anyone but me.”
Excitement filled her. This would give her something else to think about than the little bun growing in her oven.
“Mac and I had dinner over my parents’ house last night and were able to tell them and Harden about the baby.”
“Harden is in town?” Ronnie asked.
Sarena’s brother was a SEAL currently still serving. It was rare for the elder Rucker child to make an appearance.
“Yeah, it was perfect timing. He had come home to visit our parents, so we went over there for dinner.”
“How is Harden and Mac getting along?” she asked quietly.
When Sarena had been kidnapped, her brother didn’t appreciate it happening on Mac’s watch.
“The tension between them isn’t too tough. They of course behave in front of Mom and Dad. But Harden is going to have to get used to Mac since not only am I carrying his last name, but his child now, too.” Sarena laughed. “What’s funny is the two of them are alike in so many ways.”
Sarena was correct. Both her brother and husband were Navy men, alpha and extremely stubborn.
“I’ll start brainstorming. Anything specific you know you want?” Ronnie asked. She already had a few ideas flying about in her mind. This was going to be fun.
“We have to find out whoever catered Deana’s baby shower. The food was amazing.”
“No problem. Matter of fact, I’ll snag Aspen and Deanna to help.”
“Don’t forget to include Myles’ new girlfriend, Roxxy,” Sarena said. “She’s fun and she’s going to take us out to a shooting range. You have got to come with us.”
“Hell, yeah. Count me in.”
2
Brodie pushed his shades to the top of his head. They sat in place, buried in his thick dark