Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
“ I t’s chow time. Get your lazy asses moving and grab it while it’s hot,” Lucky shouted.
“C’mon, girl. If we don’t get there before these pigs, they’ll eat it all.” Tempest grabbed Providence’s arm and herded her toward the picnic table. It had so much food on it, Providence wondered how it didn’t collapse. Bowls of salads and vegetables. Bread and every condiment known to man. And Tempest hadn’t been kidding. There was enough meat on that table to equal a cow, and then platters of chicken. Somehow, Lucky added a platter of ribs to the table, too. The man had to be some kind of closet Tetris master or a magician.
“You weren’t kidding when you said it was a barbecue,” Providence said.
“Right? It shocked me the first time they invited me. The massive amount of food these guys can put away is mind-blowing,” Tempest said as she reached for the salad tongs.
“Chimkin,” Hope said, pointing at the food.
Grace smiled. “Yes, baby, chicken. How about some fruit too?”
“No.” Hope’s little face scrunched up. “No, chimkin.”
Tempest grinned and leaned toward Providence. “Grace couldn’t wait for her to talk. Now Hope’s favorite word is no.”
“Your time will come, Tempy, and I’ll have the last laugh.” Grace put a piece of chicken on Hope’s plate and added some fruit and green salad.
“Is she gonna eat all that?” Providence asked.
“Hell no. But I’ll eat what she doesn’t.” Grace laughed. “It’s how I keep my girlish figure.”
“Momma, I’s hungry.” Hope tugged on the bottom of Grace’s shirt.
“Let’s get you in your chair and we’ll eat, okay?”
“Yay, chimkin.” Hope jumped up and down.
“As if.” Tempest rolled her eyes at her sister.
Tony stood off to the side of the deck and watched Providence. Josh had pointed her out to him on base a few times, but he’d never been close enough to see her features. Now that he had, he couldn’t drag his gaze away to save his life. The teasing on Monday at work would be worth every minute.
Providence and Tempest were still talking as Tempest fixed a plate for herself. They hadn’t heard him approach. He reached for a plate and leaned close to the doctor.
“Need a plate?” He hid his grin as she turned and met his gaze.
“Ah, sure, thank you.”
Their hands brushed as she took it from him. The buzz he’d gotten when they’d shook hands hit him again. Damn . Life just got a lot more interesting.
“I have a couple of chairs reserved over there if you’d like to join me?”
Providence glanced from Tony to Tempest, who shrugged her shoulders.
“Go ahead. I’ll help Grace with Hope. That child makes enough of a mess for four kids.”
“Okay then, looks like you’ve got a lunch date.” Pink rose in Providence’s cheeks. She turned quickly and added food to her plate.
Adorable. Although Tony figured she’d rip his head off if he said it out loud. But it didn’t mean she wasn’t. From what he knew, the woman was a conundrum. Her soft southern accent made her seem sweet and delicate, but her service record said something else entirely.
Tony followed her and loaded his plate high with ribs, macaroni, and potato salad. He rarely ate like this, but when he had time to join his team for their post-mission barbecues, he always enjoyed himself. From the look of Providence’s plate, she enjoyed the selections, too. Although instead of ribs, she’d grabbed chicken and fruit salad.
As they walked away from the table, Providence asked, “Where is this reserved seating you spoke of?”
Tony pointed toward the large tree at the back of the yard. He’d dragged two chairs and a small table under the tree to have some shade. Providence raised her eyebrows, then stepped down the deck stairs and walked across the lawn.
He trailed behind her, and he didn’t check out her ass once. Nope, not him. Good thing it was a clear sky, or lightning might have struck him dead. But who could blame him? It was a damn fine ass.
“Don’t you want to eat with your team?” Providence asked as she settled into a chair and cut up her chicken breast.
“Oh, I see them plenty. Eating with them is definitely not a necessity. Besides, it will give them something to gossip about. They’re worse than any woman I know.” Tony smirked.
“Are you making derogatory statements about women, Commander?”
“I’m not, and you know exactly what I’m saying.”
Providence met his gaze with a wide-eyed grin. “Maybe. But seriously, just eating lunch with me will make them gossip?”
“Oh yeah. They’ve never seen me with a woman other than their wives or girlfriends. I don’t bring dates when we hang out.”
“You don’t bring one, or you don’t date?” Providence asked. She tipped her head slightly, like she was trying to figure him out.
Adorable and forthright. A winning combination in his book. Tony hoped she’d agree to going out with him. Whatever time they had this afternoon would never be enough time to get to know her like he wanted.
“I don’t bring one or date much, actually. It’s been a few years since I went out with anyone. My job keeps me busy. It never seems fair to the woman.”
She popped a piece of watermelon into her mouth and nodded as she chewed. “I totally get that.”
“Are you dating anyone?” He might as well let her know he was interested. Life was too short to hold back. He’d learned that the hard way.
“Um, no, not for a while, either. Plus, I just got here a few months ago. I’ve been settling into base life. I’ve been at sea for most of the last eighteen years. At least it seems like it.” Providence’s smile lit up her face, the corners of her eyes crinkling, the fine lines a testament to the years she lived. But her crystal blue eyes took his breath away. They sparkled like the waters in the Mediterranean Sea.
“So you’re planning on retiring soon?”
“I figured I’d put in my twenty and see how I felt. After a lot of back and forth, I chose Virginia to serve out the rest of my time.”
“What made you decide on Little Creek?” He loved it here, but not everyone did.
“A couple of the officers I served with on my last deployment talked about Norfolk non-stop. By the time we docked, they’d convinced me. I was lucky command gave me my pick of duty stations.”
“I’m not surprised after so many deployments. But why not choose the Keys or somewhere closer to home? I know you’re not a Virginia girl.”
Providence laughed. “Nope, you’re right about that. Born and bred in Mississippi. Hell, I would have spent my whole life there if I hadn’t joined the Navy. There’s nothing there for me now. Besides, I’m enjoying it just fine so far, and no one’s treated me like a red-headed stepchild yet.”
“A red-headed stepchild? Too funny. I like you, Providence.” Tony couldn’t remember the last time he’d had so much fun just chatting with a woman.
“I like you, too. You’re not at all what I expected.”
“Oh yeah? What did you expect?” He shouldn’t put her on the spot, but his curiosity got the better of him. She was so “real,” and nothing like the women who’d hit on him over the years. It seemed like he’d spend most of his dates trying to keep them out of his pants or wallet. They’d either wanted to fuck a man in uniform for the street cred or for his money. Besides, they were too young for him. Meeting someone close to his own age, who wasn’t a divorcee looking to score her next sugar daddy, was a breath of fresh air.
Providence gave him an assessing look as she finished chewing. She tucked a strand of her caramel-blonde hair behind her ear before answering. “Well, not that I’d heard anything specific, mind you. But most of the commanders I’ve met over the years were total hard asses. I know they kinda have to be, but some of them could learn to take it down a peg or two, you know? You seem pretty laid back.”
“Thank you, I think.” Tony chuckled. He put his empty plate on the table and leaned back, considering his next words. “Actually, I can be a brutal son of a bitch if I need to be. Ask any of the guys here or any of the other teams under my command. They’ll be happy to give you an ear full, I’m sure. But I suppose I am a little different from some. These men and women risk everything without hesitation for their country and deserve downtime when they’re home. I try to give them as much as possible.”
“Tempest mentioned you don’t always come to these. Is that why?”
“Exactly. I usually come a few times a year. But I couldn’t skip today when I heard that a certain new doctor would be here. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to meet you.” Tony loved the way color flooded her cheeks at his words.
“Why would you want to meet me?” She looked genuinely surprised.
“I told you. Tempest brags on you all the time. Besides, after hearing through the base gossip mill that we’ve got a beautiful new doctor working with old Doc McHenry. No way could I resist meeting you. The old coot needs to retire. I’m hoping having you here will be the nudge he needs.”
“He is a bit of a stick in the mud.” Providence nodded.
“That’s an excellent description for him. Tough as a barnacle, but I’ve seen him break down after losing a patient. He’s got a soft inside buried in there somewhere.”
“I don’t know if I believe you. I sure haven’t seen a soft side. He’s gotten on my nerves a time or two when we’ve worked together. But I’ve heard it’s called a cinnamon roll center.”
Tony chuckled. “Cinnamon roll, huh? Not sure I’d agree, but I get it could work.”
“Right? He’s a stubborn old coot, but he’s my superior officer. It’s probably a bad idea I’m talking about him like this.”
“I’m a safe place for you, Providence. I always will be. If you ever need anything, all you have to do is come to me and we’ll get it worked out.”
“I’m sure I’ll be just fine. I’ve done just fine on my own over the years. But maybe if I need help to move some heavy furniture, I’ll let you know.” She giggled.
Damn, this woman was perfect. He’d have loved to spend the afternoon sitting with her under the tree, but it wouldn’t be right to monopolize all her time. “I’m surprised Tempest hasn’t tried to rescue you yet.”
“Well, she has been looking over here a lot. Probably checking to make sure I don’t give her a mayday.”
“I’m glad you didn’t need to send an SOS. Before you runaway, I hope you’ll let me take you to dinner this week.”
Her gaze sharpened. “Commander, are you asking me on a date?”
“Would that be a bad thing?” He sure as hell hoped not.
“No, I guess not. Except we just shared how busy our lives are and we don’t have time for relationships.”
He couldn’t disagree with her either. He’d said those exact words not a half hour ago. But he didn’t say anything, just waited for her to continue.
“I’ll consider it if we can go as friends? It would be nice to leave my apartment other than for work.”
Tony nodded. If the only way he could see her again was to agree to be friends, then so be it. Neither of them was going anywhere, anytime soon. He would work to wear her down. After talking to his CO, he had some decisions to make about his future, but he planned on staying local. It was time to think about what came next after the navy.
He handed her his phone. “Would you put your contact info in?”
She reached for it and added her information, then handed it back, their fingers brushing. She caught her breath as they touched, and he knew exactly what she was feeling. Friend zone? Nope, he was going to have to dissuade her from going down that path. The sooner the better.
Tony checked his phone and grinned. She’d put herself in as Dr. Providence Sheridan. So formal. He sent her a text to make sure it connected. Not that he didn’t trust her, but old habits made him check to ensure it went through.
Knox: Tony here. The sexy CO of the Red Falcons.
After he sent it, he wondered if he’d come on too strong. He watched her eyebrows rise as she read it and hid his expression behind his hand.
“Pretty confident, aren’t you, Commander?” Providence smirked.
“Yes, and no, I suppose. But remember Commander is for work, Tony everywhere else. Got it?” Tony pushed a little dominance in his tone, curious about how she’d react.
Once again, she looked surprised, but nodded. She’d opened her mouth to say something when Josh interrupted them. Honestly, he was surprised it had taken so long.
“I drew the short straw and got stuck interrupting you two. But my woman threatened me. Either I rescue the doctor, or I’d be sleeping on the couch tonight. You’re gonna let me have her, right?” Josh chuckled.
Providence snickered. “I was never a hostage. Just been enjoying some Virginia hospitality with the Co…Tony.”
“I’m happy to hear the boss was on his best behavior. He’s been known to be a rat bastard when he needs to.”
“Yes, he did mention that. But he’s been very sweet today.”
Josh guffawed. “Oh, this is too good.”
Tony arched his brow at the SEAL.
“C’mon Providence, let’s get you back to the women before I end up with extra PT for a week.”
“Bye, Tony. Thanks for a very lovely lunch.”
Tony grinned. Damn, she was laying it on thick. The guys would give him hell for the rest of the afternoon, and probably next week, too. But it would be worth it. Providence was worth it. He knew it was fast, but something told him he should hold on tight to her and see where it could lead.
Their attraction was stronger than any he’d felt since college. He’d used lack of time as an excuse for years. A stupid excuse. He couldn’t deny it had worked well. Providence was different, and he wasn’t getting younger. It was time to take some chances.