Dixie Under Siege (A Warrior's Passion #2) - Natasza Waters Page 0,44

regrets.

“Thank you, Kayla. It’s not like I’m a stranger to moving. If things don’t pan out, there’s always another city to start over in again. One day I’m sure it’ll end. With any luck, my admirer will be struck by lightning.”

The other guests slowly surrounded them.

“Hey, how about some introductions there, Commander?” the good-looking man standing beside Nina asked.

The blonde woman Josh had been speaking to earlier smiled brightly and a lean man with handsome features and sandy blond hair stood with his arm around her shoulders. Guess she wasn’t Josh’s girlfriend.

“Absolutely,” Josh replied. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Dixie Hammond. She’s the owner of the Erotic Bean on Orange Avenue. Her coffee is amazing. I’m not going to torment her by shouting out all your names. You’re just going to have to introduce yourselves.”

Dixie saw the admiral back away as the crowd of couples pressed closer. A woman appeared on the patio and Admiral Austin approached her. They hugged each other fiercely. He palmed the woman’s face and looked into her eyes. The lady was outstandingly beautiful with lush, dark hair and a model’s physique.

Kayla pulled back so the other guests could introduce themselves. There were just too many names for Dixie to remember them all.

In between saying hello to the other guests, Dix watched Kayla and the brunette greet each other and held each other’s hands while they spoke.

Dixie had never experienced a group of people who seemed so incredibly down-to-earth and honestly friendly. The SEALs and their wives all pleasant, offered her a warm hello.

“Little overwhelmed?” Josh asked. He hadn’t moved from her side while people shook her hand and welcomed her to the party, then politely backed away to mingle.

“Kind of.”

Several children ran around the yard, playing with each other. She had no clue who belonged to whom. A little girl, maybe seven years old with gorgeous, long brunette curls, ran to the admiral and he swept her up in his thick arms. The little one whispered in his ear and he chuckled.

“These are the men you lead?” she asked Josh, watching the crowd.

“Some of them. Others belong to different departments at NAB but used to be on Alpha Squad with the admiral.” He pointed to the right side of the yard. “That big blond guy is from Texas. Don’t be offended if he tries to pick you up.” He laughed. “His name is Tex and he’s one helluva good warrior. The man standing to his right we call Stitch. Caleb Stone used to be Alpha Squad’s corpsman. That means he has medical skills and patched us up on the fly. He left active duty and he’s in his first year of a med degree. Next to him, wearing the blue t-shirt, is Ed Saxton. We call him Cracker. He’s from Detroit.”

She nodded. “A close-knit family. You’re lucky.”

“I’m new here in comparison to these men. As for the other guys, I’ve worked with some of them during deployment, but I never served on the west coast teams.”

Dix sipped her wine while seeing first-hand Josh had carved a new life for himself. “Everything I’ve read online pretty much says the same thing. You’re all heroes. Brave and highly-trained men with a very dangerous job.”

“Don’t think anyone here would refer to themselves as a hero or brave. More likely well-trained and prepared to defend the country. SEAL Team One had many successful missions when the admiral and Cobbs were in charge. Back then, Austen held the position I do now, and Cobbs was the lieutenant of Alpha Squad. SEALs are broken into teams and within the teams are squads.” Holding a can of beer, he tipped his hand. “That woman over there. The tall brunette who just arrived...”

“I saw the admiral greet her.”

“That’s Patrick Cobbs’ widow. Her name is Margaret. Everyone calls her Marg.”

“Widow?”

He nodded. “Cobbs died in the line of duty, during a mission. He was Admiral Austen’s swim buddy and best friend. In their prime, those two could take on an entire rebel force of Al-Qaeda and win. They’re both legends in the SpecOp community.”

“Did Marg remarry?”

“No. They have three daughters. The first two are close in age and young women now. The youngest is Kelsey.” He pointed. “That’s her over there on the left side of the pool. The young boy beside her is the admiral and Kayla’s son, Adam.”

Yeah, she was overwhelmed, but as she gazed at the folks who filled Rayne’s backyard, she smiled. Even if she wasn’t part of their family,