Code Name: Forever & Ever (A Warrior's Challenge series Book 5)

by Natasza Waters

  Lydia nodded her agreement.

  “When is your wedding?”

  “May.”

  The women chatted quietly while Marg roamed into the other room. Shelves lined the walls. A ladder attached to a track ran the length of the farthest wall to reach the highest books, and a comfortable chair with a reading light sat in the corner. Now this was a library! She could spend months in here. She perused the spines of the books, old and new tucked together. Hearing Darcy, she stuck her head around the corner and saw Lydia patting her hand.

  Marg joined them in time to hear Lydia say, “Darcy, you’re young and there are a lot of wonderful men out there.”

  The consoling words not enough to stop Darcy’s tears as she looked up at Marg. “She said we aren’t meant to be together. I love Thane. We’ve only known each other for a while but he’s so…so amazing in bed.”

  Marg pinned her lips together. She couldn’t dispute that.

  “Sex is not the end all,” Lydia reminded Darcy. “He has to love you, too, and he’s young. His mind is focused on being a SEAL right now. He hasn’t earned his Trident, and that’s what he wants.” Lydia sighed. “That’s what they all want to begin with.”

  Darcy crossed her arms. A curl of red hair fell over her shoulder, and she brushed it away angrily. “I’m going out for a smoke. I’ll see you later.”

  “Sit, Marg, you seem anxious,” Lydia said.

  “No,” she spouted.

  “Lie to others but not your friends.” Lydia leaned against the tall backrest of her chair.

  Marg settled in the velvet covered settee across from her and refilled her cup with coffee. “Okay, maybe I’m a little nervous.”

  “Anything in particular?” She gave her a narrowed eye. “Some skeletons in the closet?”

  “No!” Her shoulders sagged. “Yes.” Lydia new her secret. One she’d tried desperately to forget. “I feel terrible, and I don’t know what to do about my enormous mistake.”

  Blue inquiring eyes watched her.

  She took a quick check to make sure Darcy wasn’t around. “I haven’t said anything to Patrick yet.”

  “Thane seduced you. Before you met Patrick. Don’t you think it’s time to tell him?”

  Rolling her hands into a ball, staring at her newly polished thumbnails she felt the guilt creep up to bite her. “I need to tell him, but I’m afraid if I do…we had one crazy night and I’m…”

  “Patrick loves you, but this is not the kind of secret you want on your shoulders for the rest of your life. Besides, guys talk. Are you sure he doesn’t know?”

  “Pretty sure. I asked Thane not to say anything. He understands.”

  “I hate to tell you this, but when you all came over for the BBQ last Sunday, Patrick watched Thane. He senses something. I don’t know why, but it could be because he caught Thane ogling you when you walked in.”

  “Ogle, maybe, but there’s no connection between us. At least not with me. It was a one-night stand. I got it out of my system and so did he. Thane isn’t the kind of guy that wants to settle down.”

  “I agree, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have feelings for Thane. I think Thane does, too, he’s just ignoring them because of Patrick.”

  Marg shook her head. “He’s not for me. Like you said, his concentration is on becoming a SEAL. Women are just a diversion for him, but Patrick…he’s different.”

  Lydia nodded. “I can see that, and that you only have eyes for him.”

  Mary rounded the corner and they both looked up. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Before Mary took her seat, she turned to Lizzy. “Thank you so much, I’ll tell my parents what you said and my fiancé.”

  Lizzy nodded. “Who would like to go next? Wait.” She smiled. “Lydia, it’s your turn. Your spirit guides are driving me a little nuts so come on in.”

  “Are you okay, Mary?” Marg reached into her purse and plucked out a package of tissue, offering it to her.

  Mary nodded and accepted the tissue. “Dylan visited us. I didn’t prompt her or anything. She described him to me and it was Dylan.” She started to cry again. “He said he was happy and content. He wanted me to tell Mom and Dad he missed them and he—” She choked and then squared herself away. “He knew Graham and I were getting married. He said he knew he had the hots for me long ago.” She laughed through her tears. “He’d warned him to stay away from his baby sister. That woman is amazing, Marg.”

  While they waited, Mary divulged a little more of her reading and a half hour announced itself with a beaming Lydia walking back into the room.

  Lizzy looked a little flushed and Marg thought maybe she’d excuse herself from the reading.

  As if Lizzy had heard her, she reached out a hand. “I don’t think so, Margaret. It’s your turn and you need to talk to me.”

  Both women stared, and Marg felt a little chill slip through her blood. Her words weren’t ominous but they could be. Hesitantly, Marg stood up.

  “Follow me,” Lizzy said.

  They walked down a long narrow hallway at a good clip. Lizzy turned the corner, and entered a room decorated with lush curtain hangings and comfortable old furniture. The room smelled like leather. Lizzy sat down at a round table and gestured for Marg to sit. The hair on the back of Marg’s neck prickled to life.

  Lizzy’s green eyes pinned themselves to Marg. “Are you a brave woman?” she asked.

  Marg didn’t know how to answer. “I…I suppose.”

  “I think you are. May we hold hands?”

  Marg slid her hands across the table and Lizzy gently grasped them in hers.

  “I only relate what is told to me by my guides and your guides.”

  “I have guides?” Marg blurted.

  “Of course. We all do. Our angels try to steer us in the right direction and protect us when we step down the wrong path. Often they’re those little voices you hear. Don’t doubt them, they have your best interest at heart.” Lizzy nodded to herself, closed her eyes and took a cleansing breath.

  A creak of wood was the only thing to break the silence as the seconds ticked on.

  Lizzy breathed in deeply. “A male spirit has joined us. He’s of your blood,” Lizzy said, keeping her eyes closed. Her brow crinkled. “Although, you’ve never met.” She faltered. “His name is…”

  Marg swallowed deeply, her heart pattering an uneven beat.

  “His name is Brad…no…Brent? No…Braden.” Lizzy’s eyes flashed open, her irises a pure emerald green. “His name is Braden.”

  Marg’s pulse beat heavily. “My Grandfather? I never met him. He…died the same time I was born. What does he look like?”

  “He’s nodding and he’s smiling. He’s standing right behind you, Marg. He’s in a uniform. I think he was in the Navy.”

  “You’re right, he was.”

  “Sorrow…great sorrow was felt when he passed. This man was loved.”

  “My grandmother misses him. Even though she remarried, I know she’s only loved Grandfather Stines.”

  “He’s smiling again. He knows this.” Lizzy’s mouth went taut with a smile. “He’s quite the character. Your grandfather isn’t a humble man. He’s very tall, and has dark hair and blue eyes…eyes like yours, by the way.”

  Marg nodded as her pulse picked up again. “I saw a picture in my father’s office. We do have the same eyes.”

  Lizzy kept looking above Marg’s head as if he really was there. “He’s quite a looker. A handsome man.” Lizzy chuckled again. “He says that’s why she misses him so much and he misses her too much.”

  Marg waited.

  “He’ll be waiting for Grams when it’s her time.”

  Marg held her breath, she hadn’t used the term Grams…at least Lizzy didn’t know that’s what Marg called her grandmother.

  “I’m going to ask him…” She took another deep breath. “What it is he wants to relay. One moment, please.”

  Marg couldn’t resist a quick peek over her shoulder. Was her grandfather actually the
re? “Hi Grandpa,” she murmured.

  Lizzy’s lips began to move, a barely perceptible mumbling. She cocked her head, her eyes closed again. This was definitely creepy.

  Lizzy slowly opened her eyes. “Your grandfather says he approves of the man you are dating right now. I don’t quite understand this, but he says they are the same.”

  Marg shook her head. “The same? My grandfather was a SEAL and so is Patrick. At least, he almost is. Is that what he means?”

  Lizzy smiled warmly, then her gaze became a little sad. “It’s more than that, Marg. He keeps saying, it’s the same.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Neither do I. His energy is beginning to pull away, but he wants you to give someone else a message.”

  “Who?” As soon as she asked, she knew who.

  Lizzy looked over Marg’s head again. “A son, his son, I think.” Lizzy’s brows furrowed. “He’s telling me his son is angry and resentment dwells too deep. Forgive, I think your grandfather is asking for his son’s forgiveness for not being there for him.” Lizzy blinked and trained her gaze on Marg. “Did he die when his son was young?”

  Marg nodded. “My dad was only twenty.”

  “He wants you to take a message to your father. I don’t know if I have this right, but he said, tell the Pop-Tart Kid to ask Mom for the letter and something else. He’s reaching over his chest…I’m not sure.” She shook her head. “Maybe a medal. Did he receive a medal?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe. Grams doesn’t talk about him much?”

  Lizzy nodded. “Talk to your grandmother. Your grandfather has to go, but he says he wants you to be brave.”

  Marg didn’t understand. Brave? For what reason?

  “Your grandfather says love is forever and ever.” Tears filled Lizzy’s eyes. “I see. I will. God bless you.”

  Marg craned over the table. “What do you see?” Marg cinched Lizzy’s hands. “What did he say? Why are you crying?”

  “Because you, my dear girl, will marry your soulmate.” Lizzy paused. “Until the end you will be strong together, a force of one. You’ll protect your children. Give them all they need.”

  Marg sat back astonished. “I’m going to have children?”

  Lizzy smiled. “Yes.”

  “Is Patrick my soulmate?”

  “That, I can’t answer.”

  “I wonder what he meant by Patrick and he are the same?”

  “Not all secrets of the future are divulged, and most times it’s for a good reason.”

  “A bad reason?”

  “No, but it could have a monumental effect on others so the path to walk has to be done the old-fashioned way.”

  “Which is?”

  “By guess and by golly.”

  They both chuckled.

  “I can’t wait to tell Grams about this.”

  “I’ll walk you out.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Mary, Lydia and Marg waited for a table at the diner on Orange Avenue. Scattered about the favored haunt were SEAL team members she’d started to recognize. When she and Lydia spent an afternoon together, they’d bump into other wives or girlfriends and Lydia seemed to be some kind of matriarch in the community. Everyone knew her.

  As they were led to their table, a phone started ringing, and Mary reached into her purse and pulled out her cell.

  “Hi, honey. Yeah, we’re at the diner. Gonna join us? I’m here with Lydia and Marg.” She nodded. “Marg. She’s seeing Patrick Cobbs. He’s on his S.E.R.E training. You remember that, don’t you?” Mary laughed. “Okay, we’ll see you soon.” She paused. “Yeah, I’ll tell her.”

  “Everyone is getting those phones,” Lydia said. “I can’t bring myself to travel around with one, but maybe I should for the kids’ sake.”

  Mary flipped the cover closed on her phone. “My boss wants to keep me dangling from his fingertips sixteen hours a day. He gave it to me.” After dropping it in a side pocket, she said to Lydia, “Graham is with Red, and they’re both coming, and Thane’s with them. The S.E.R.E training is finished. Patrick and Thane passed.”

  “Oh my God. That’s wonderful!” Marg wanted to whoop with excitement.

  When the three SEALs walked in the door, heads turned, especially the women’s, spotting Thane. He filled a doorway, his blond hair and ocean blue eyes, with a true California tan and rugged jaw, drew attention from the opposite sex like fruit flies to wine.

  “Ladies!” Red greeted, and slid in beside Lydia. “How’s the most gorgeous woman in the world?” He kissed his wife’s cheek.

  Mary’s fiancé, Graham, was a big guy and not what Marg expected as she slid out of the seat so he could sit beside his girl. All three men wore their working uniforms. Graham’s deep brown eyes softened when he leaned over to kiss Mary. He slid a muscled arm around her shoulders.

  “Hey, babe,” he said when Mary gave him a dainty kiss on the cheek.

  If differences attracted, Mary and Graham were the epitome of that. She was slender, dainty and blonde, while Graham was huge, bulky, dark and a little scary looking.

  Thane’s normally blue eyes were red with tiredness. He looked like he’d lost twenty-five pounds, but that couldn’t be in only a week. He slid in beside her. “Hi, Marg.”

  “Congratulations, Thane.” She gave him a friendly hug. “Where’s Patrick?”

  “He had to go home. Don’t think it’s serious,” he added. “He’ll head back here when he’s done.”

  Marg kept darting glances at the sidewalk, looking for Patrick while they ate dinner. During the meal, the girls shared their psychic readings with the guys. Least, Mary and Lydia did. Lydia made Red laugh, his amber eyes squinting with a smile when she told him how many grandchildren they could expect.

  “Seriously?” he said, the fork halfway to his mouth. “How the heck can we afford that many grandkids?”

  She nodded. “We have six children, Darren. If they all have families of their own, we’re going to have to get a bigger house.”

  “They’re not living with us.”

  She patted his hand.

  Thane turned his attention on Marg. “And what about you? You’ve been awfully quiet. Going to win the jackpot?”

  Marg gave him a get real look. “No. No such luck. By the way, Darcy came with us. Apparently she isn’t going to marry you, Thane, and she’s crushed, or she would have been here.”

  His broad shoulders rose with a laugh. “I sure as hell hope not. No offense lieutenants, but I don’t need six kids.”

  “Austen…” Red gave him a raised brow. “No one needs six kids, but when you’re Catholic, you don’t have a choice.”

  They all laughed and looked over the dessert menu. Dinner conversation stayed within the realm of small talk. When the checks came, Thane snatched hers. “I can get that,” he said. He dug for his wallet and at the same time whispered in her ear. “I need to talk to you.”

  She nodded and they said goodbye to the others.

  “What’s up, Thane?” She expected him to move to the other side of the table, but instead his muscled arm fell to the back of the seat behind her neck, and he turned into her.

  “I haven’t told Pat what happened between us.”

  Marg bowed her head and let out a healthy sigh. “Neither have I, but I should.”

  After a long pause, he said, “Maybe you shouldn’t. He’s in love with you. Talks about you all the time. Think it’s what got him through the torture we just endured.”

  “How bad was it?”

  Thane bit his upper lip and stared at her. “If it wasn’t for Pat, I might have caved at one point. Worst fucking course I’ve had. Beat the shit out of both of us.”

  “But you both passed.”

  Thane nodded. “Sure did, and he kept telling me he wanted you to be proud of him, but he’s still pissed that he can’t give you more.”

  “I don’t need more.”

  “He’s nervous as hell. You’re way past his comfort zone.”


  “Why?”

  “You met his family. I’m probably talkin’ when I shouldn’t be, but his father’s an asshole and useless piece of shit, as you know. His mom and sister are sweet, but they’re just scratching by in a bad part of town. Patrick thinks because you come from money, there’s no way you two should be together. It’s been on his mind from day one, but there’s something else.”

  Marg’s anger started to bubble. “You the front man in this? Am I about to be dumped?”

  Thane gripped her chin gently. “I’m his best friend, and even though I met you first, I feel like a shit now.” He raised a brow and a glint of naughty twinkled in his eyes. “But I don’t regret it. In fact, I think about that night with you more than I should. I’m losing out here. I know I am.”

  Marg swallowed around a tight throat. “Don’t come on to me, Austen.”

  “I’m not.” He dropped his hand to cover hers. “I’m saying I’m an idiot, too. I don’t have to know much about you, to know you’re one of those rare women who’ll keep a guy happy for a lifetime. The SQT’s are behind us. I’m working toward my next step. The Navy is going to be my life. I know that for sure, and getting hitched up with someone like you would distract the shit out of me.” He paused. “But you’re the only girl I can’t find something wrong with.”

  “Thane, you’re a sweet guy hiding behind the wolf skin of a manwhore. But for now, I want to know about Patrick. Is he second guessing our relationship?” Thane stared straight into her eyes and her pulse began to beat hard. “What?”

  Before he spoke, he put his attention on the table. “I don’t have a shot with you, right?”

  “What is this about?”

  Thane cleared his throat. “You do a lot of soul searching when you’re stuffed in a tiny cage being tortured. I almost told him about us at one point. My head was scrambled. I was delirious. We both were. That’s the point of the training. It pushed us to the max mentally. I almost spilled the truth, not sure if I was going to do it to clean my conscious or for another reason.”