He was leaving the choice solely up to her, but she didn’t fool herself for a moment by thinking her choice wouldn’t affect him. He’d made it abundantly clear that he supported her unconditionally and that she was free to pick and choose her assignments. However, he insisted on going with her to every one. He would act as her personal security, along with Micah and David.
She wasn’t sure he’d ever truly move past that awful day in Paris when she’d been abducted and subjected to the torture she’d endured. Though he might not hinder her in any way in continuing her career, he’d arrange to take a leave of absence for all of her shoots no matter how short or long they might be. He still lived in terror that she would be taken from him, and he made certain that he would be with her every step of the way when she did choose to go back to her career.
She studied him lovingly a moment and then, because she could and because she could never say it enough, she blurted, “I love you.”
His eyes warmed, catching the sun and the reflection of the water in his green eyes. “I love you too, honey.”
“And yeah. I’m going to do it,” she said decisively.
“Good. I’m proud of you. I know it took a lot of courage to make that decision.”
Her heart swelled. How well he understood her. In the short time they’d been married, they’d spent virtually every minute together, learning, growing. Already so far ahead of most couples with only a few months behind them.
He well understood her hesitancy. Her self-consciousness when it came to wondering if the scars were evident. He understood that only too well, having lived it for the last few years. He was her rock. Her support. And her biggest cheerleader. Always telling her how beautiful she was.
“When do we leave?” Swanny asked.
Just like that. So simply laid out. No questions. No reservations. Just a solid reminder that he was with her every step of the way. God, she loved this man.
“Next week,” she murmured. “Is that enough time to give your team notice that you’ll be out of action for a bit?”
He nodded. “Yep. Already have all that down. When I’m with you, they either don’t draw a mission or, if they absolutely have to, then one of the Kelly brothers fills in for me. Nathan and Joe are considering taking on another teammate anyway. We’re smaller than the other teams and we could use a sixth for times just like this. And, well, when I am in action, an extra teammate at your side never hurts.”
Eden pondered Swanny’s words and then glanced over at him.
“What’s on your mind, honey? I know that look. You’re thinking something.”
“Have y’all ever considered talking to Ryker about joining your team? You served together and he’s still sort of in action with what he does.”
Swanny grinned. “Is my girl psychic? Or maybe you’ve been listening in on our conversations.”
She lifted one eyebrow. “No. But now you’ve got me curious.”
“We have considered it actually. Depends on how rusty he is and how much he’s kept up his skills, but yeah, we’ve talked about it. It all boils down to how much training time we’d have to devote to him.”
Eden sighed. “I feel like a dumbass for even suggesting it, regardless of whether you all have already talked about it. I must be a masochist for even thinking about adding another person to worry about when your team does draw a mission.”
Swanny gave her a tender smile and then reached across to take her hand, squeezing it before lacing their fingers together.
“I’ll always come home to you, beautiful. You give me a reason to come home. Every damn time.”
“Just like I’ll always come back home to you,” Eden returned, her smile as tender as his. “No matter that you go with me. We’ll both always come home to Kentucky Lake.”
He leaned over her just as she herself was leaning in, but that didn’t surprise her. They were both so in tune with each other. Their mouths met in the sweetest of kisses. Bathed in the sunshine dancing off the lake, they sat there, hands twined. Knowing that no matter where life or their careers took them, that they’d always have “home” to come back to.