by Cat Johnson
“So I have a list of a few possible wedding dates I wanted to run by you just to make sure you don’t have other plans.”
“Sure. Let me get the calendar off the bulletin board. It’s one of those eighteen-month calendars so we can see next year too.” Her mother looked proud of her advance preparedness.
Too bad Ginny was going to have to burst her bubble that there was no way she was waiting until next year to have this wedding.
“Actually, we were hoping to have it this summer.”
Her mother’s eyes popped wide. “This summer?”
“Yes.” Afraid of another meltdown, Ginny grasped for a way to get her mother on board with this plan. “That way Thom can add me to his health insurance. You know how much I’m paying now. Through the military, since he’s active duty, once we’re married my coverage will be free.”
“Oh, that will save you a lot. But this summer? How will you find anywhere that’s decent and not booked up already?”
“Maybe someplace will have a last minute cancellation,” Molly suggested.
“True. I bet there are people who have to cancel events. Then maybe the catering hall would be willing to negotiate the price lower to fill the date.”
“Exactly.” Molly nodded in agreement with Ginny’s mother as the two continued to hold the conversation without Ginny’s involvement.
“Let me grab my reading glasses and the phone book. We can start calling and see if there’s any availability. Ginny, what are those dates?” Her mother headed for the drawer where the big yellow phone book had lived for as long as she’d been alive.
Why did they even still print those things when everyone just looked up numbers online?
As her mother plopped the giant book onto the table next to a pen and pad of paper she’d pulled from the same catch all drawer, Ginny figured she had her answer. It was printed for people like her mother.
Ginny surrendered her short list of weekends to her mother and Molly, and watched as the suggestions started to fly.
The two steamrolled right over the concern Ginny raised about cost. They were married to their theory that the wedding being so soon would lower the price, while Ginny had her doubts. If anything, the places might try to charge more, thinking she was desperate and willing to pay it.
Catering halls. Restaurants. Hotels. Country Clubs. The list grew in spite of Ginny’s protest until finally her mother stood and retrieved the phone.
Ginny jumped in before the calls began. “Mom. People really aren’t having big elaborate weddings anymore these days.”
Her mother raised one brow. “The people we know are.”
She really couldn’t fight her mother on that point so she tried changing tactics. “I’m very concerned these places will be too expensive. It has to be cheap enough that Thom and I can pay for it on our own. Out of our savings. I really don’t want to go into debt for a wedding.”
Ginny had managed to get through college without taking a huge loan like some of her friends had. She wasn’t about to take on one now for a big wedding her mother wanted more than she did.
She would just be happy to be with Thom. None of the other stuff mattered.
Her mother waved away the concern. “Your father and I will pay for it.”
That offer should have been a relief, but it wasn’t. In fact, it was the exact opposite, because Ginny had dated Thom long enough to know the deal. That chances were good he’d get called away and she’d be sitting there with an expensive wedding that her parents had paid for and no groom.
She’d never hear the end of it. “Thank you. That’s very generous, but I can’t let you do that.”
“Don’t be silly.” Her mother waved away the concern with one hand while turning on the phone with the other.
“Mom. Seriously. Listen to me. Anyplace we choose is going to have to have a really good cancelation policy because even if he takes leave, he can still get called back in. Or worse, he could not make it back in time from wherever he is.” Ginny wasn’t sure a wedding venue existed that would hand you the money back without some sort of penalty if you canceled last minute.
Her mother drew in a breath. “Virginia, it doesn’t hurt to call and ask.”
“But—” Before Ginny could finish her mother was dialing. “Mom, please make sure you ask about cancellations.”
“Shh.” Her mother waved at her for silence, before saying, “Hi. I’m wondering about your availability . . .”
She glanced helplessly at Molly. Her friend shrugged, which didn’t help Ginny’s worry about this wedding spiraling out of her control.
Ginny’s cell phone rang as she was trying to listen to what her mother was saying on the phone.
One glance at the display told her she couldn’t let it go to voicemail. It was Thom.
She wanted to talk to him, but she needed to keep an eye on her mother.
It was not lost on her that not even an hour after telling her mother about the wedding she was already stressed beyond belief.
Drawing in a deep breath, she answered the call. “Hello.”
“Hey, baby. We’re on a short break so I thought I’d call. Since you didn’t text me with a date I’m going to assume you haven’t told your parents yet. Correct?”
“No. Not correct. I told everybody I was supposed to tell.” Which was why she was starting to get a headache.
“Really. Wow. I’m impressed. And? How did it go?” he asked.
“Good. Really good. They’re very happy for us and excited about planning the wedding.”
“And they were okay with you moving to Virginia?” he asked.
“Yup. Totally fine with me moving.” Ginny ignored Molly’s raised brow and turned slightly on the sofa to attain some semblance of privacy.
“Good. I’m glad. You know what I’m really glad about?” he asked.
“No. What?”
“That all those dates you emailed me last night for possible wedding weekends are so soon.” There was a smile in his tone.
“Really? I was worried they were too soon. Are you sure you’ll be back in time?”
“Sure? No.” He laughed. “Nothing is certain in the military. But I talked to Grant. He thinks we should be good.”
“I picked the weekends on either side of the full moons for the next couple of months. Like you asked.” Why he’d asked that, she still wasn’t sure.
She’d have to grill him on that one day, but not today. There was too much else going on and he probably wouldn’t tell her over the phone anyway.
“I noticed. That’s good. God, it’ll be so good to finally officially marry you and get you down here. I’m so happy your mother is okay with the move.”
“Yup. She’s perfectly fine with it.” The lie was slipping out easier each time Ginny told it.
“All right. I gotta get back in. You on schedule to pick that date today?”
“Yup. No problem. I’ll have a definite date to you by tomorrow. I promise.”
“Um, any chance you can make it tonight?” Thom asked.
This was a clue. Even with everything that was going on around her, Ginny didn’t miss Thom’s unspoken words. That he needed the date tonight because he’d be gone by tomorrow.
Feeling ill at the thought she said, “Okay. I’ll have a date for you before I leave here today.”
“Perfect. Just like you.”
Ginny’s heart clenched at how sweet he could be. “Aw. Thank you.”
“I love you,” he said in the chipper voice of a happy man who’d had one big burden lifted from his shoulders.
She fought down her guilt over lying to him. “I love you too. Text you later.”
“Looking forward to it. Bye.”
“Bye.” She hung up and saw Molly eyeing her.
“You totally lied to him.”
Ginny blew out a breath. “I know.”
“Why? You’re going to share the rest of your lives together. Don’t you think he needs to share this too?” Molly tipp
ed her head in the direction of the table where the phone calls continued.
Ginny shook her head. “No. I can’t.”
“Why not?”
Because that’s not what military wives did. Because there was a good chance she wouldn’t get to talk to Thom again before he left for some deadly mission in some hellhole on the other side of the world. Because the last thing she wanted was him worrying about her or this wedding when he needed to be one-hundred percent focused on getting his job done and getting back to her alive.
Besides, Ginny wasn’t supposed to spread it around, even to her best friend, when she knew Thom was heading out on a mission. These things were secret. And having only dated civilian men, Molly wouldn’t understand all Ginny was feeling anyway. So she made up yet another lie.
“Because I don’t want to scare him away before we even get married, that’s why.” Ginny looked up and noticed her mother had moved to the kitchen with the phone. “Shit. What’s she doing in there?”
Molly glanced toward the kitchen. “No idea.”
“Come on. I gotta get in there before she books the Plaza or something.”
“Oh, I’d love to get married at the Plaza.” Molly got a dreamy look in her eyes.
Jeez, did no one listen to her concerns? Apparently not.
“When she hangs up from this call, we’re going to eat lunch. Then we’re going to distract my mother with those bridal magazines you brought.”
Molly screwed up her mouth. “I don’t know why we’re going to bother looking at dresses. I saw those dates you wrote down. The chance of you finding one, ordering it and getting it altered and back to you in time for the dates you chose is slim to none.”
“You’re right.” Ginny chewed on her lip. The timing was tight to try and get a traditional bridal gown.
It was so ridiculous that wedding dresses not only cost a fortune but required months to order and then months more to tailor. Why was that?
Ginny had purchased plenty of dresses over her lifetime. Taken them home right from the store and worn them that night. Why couldn’t she do that for her wedding dress?
Wait. She totally could.
“I know I’m right,” Molly continued. “So what are you going to do?”
Happy with her new idea, Ginny said proudly, “I’m going to buy a dress off the rack. Ooo, I wonder if I can find something white and fancy enough at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx.” The off-price chain stores always had designer things for like eighty percent off what they charged at the department stores.
“Your wedding dress?” As Molly’s eyes widened and she visibly swayed backwards, Ginny started to fear for her friend’s mental health.
“Yes, my wedding dress. Don’t worry. That doesn’t mean we can’t still look at the bridal dresses in your magazines. Come on. It’ll be fun.” Grabbing Molly’s arm, Ginny tugged her toward the kitchen in search of her mother before Molly passed out from the horror of it all.
With the plan for a dress set in her mind, the rest seemed to fall into place too.
Why try to negotiate good terms with someplace to have the wedding when she could have it right here? Her parents had a beautiful yard. Since retiring her father was obsessed with the landscaping and it showed.
It would be much easier than trying to find a catering hall with both availability and a liberal cancellation policy.
They could rent tables and chairs, or better yet borrow them, and order food in from someplace. Maybe even the place where she’d just picked up lunch.
It would mean some work on her part, coordinating it, organizing all the details, but there was nothing Ginny loved more than a challenge. Throwing this wedding together, in a month and at a reasonable price, was going to be just that. A challenge. She couldn’t wait.
And shocking her best friend and her mother only added to the fun.
Feeling strong now that her decision was made, Ginny stalked toward where her mother had set up camp with the phone and her list.
She was taking back control of this wedding and doing it her way, starting with choosing the date right this minute and texting it to Thom before it was too late.
Operation Backyard Wedding was under way.
CHAPTER 14
The new moon was no more than a pale orb in the dark, star-strewn night sky as two teams of commandos landed a mile outside of the city. That afforded them the advantage of surprise.
Surprise, if even for a few seconds, was the key for a successful close quarters assault. Anyone in the home they were about to raid, located in a city they weren’t supposed to be in, would never see or hear the twelve men about to infiltrate what Hamza had thought was a secure hiding place for his shit.
Maybe Hamza would be there himself.
The intel specified that he’d left the area long ago, but those tracking him had also admitted they had no idea where he was currently so . . .
Usually more of a pessimist, Thom decided to try optimism for once and hope they got to nab both the man and his hard drives. After having lost the chance to recover the kidnapped American in Afghanistan last month, the team was due a win.
Late June in Iran could suck, with temperatures reaching into the high nineties, but at least the mile run in full gear was at night. That made for less heat for their run and less stench once they reached the city streets.
They moved like ghosts—if ghosts wore body armor. It was amazing how quietly a group of well-trained men could move even when fully kitted out, loaded down with all the gear they might possibly need for the raid.
They proceeded in formation along a predetermined route that offered the most cover and concealment, while not communicating verbally with each other unless absolutely necessary.
The state of the art comm unit in Thom’s ear beneath his helmet protected him from the one hundred and six decibels of the Black Hawk that had brought them in. It also incorporated radio communications.
More importantly, the device was smart enough to distinguish between sounds. It muffled loud noises such as explosives and large artillery, and amplified quieter sounds such as footsteps and voices.
The high-tech and pricey ear cuffs allowed Thom to hear the dog barking from within a courtyard they’d just passed. Dogs could screw up an op, alerting everyone nearby to their presence. But the squad was past the courtyard so fast they’d be long gone by the time the occupants looked outside to check. The dog could have just as easily been barking at a cat for all the homeowners inside would know.
As they neared the target, Bravo team, commanded by Mike Groenning, split off to the north to go around the back of the walled residence. Thom’s team, commanded by Grant, moved to the south to the main entrance.
Stacking up on one side of the gate that opened into the small courtyard of the house, with Brody on the other side, Thom waited.
Rocky moved into place behind him and Dawson mirrored them by moving in behind Brody. Mack and Grant, hidden in the shadows of the wall, kept watch up and down the block.
“Bravo team in position.” Will’s voice came through Thom’s ear cuffs.
“Alpha team in position,” reported Brody, acting as point for Alpha team.
“Alpha, move in,” Grant issued the command over the comm unit.
Slowly, Brody reached out one hand for the handle on the gate. When he pushed it, it didn’t move. Sometimes they lucked out and their targets left their doors unlocked, saving them a whole lot of trouble. Other times, like tonight, they faced a locked door.
“South entrance is locked.” Brody reported.
With the aid of the night vision goggles, Thom could see it was a heavy, decorative cast iron lock built right into the gate. With that configuration, even using the team’s sledgehammer Rocky had in his pack for just this sort of situation wouldn’t break the lock.
Ideally, forced entry would be the last resort. They’d rather not use a breaching charge on either the lock or the hinges if it could be avoided. That would alert everyone in the area to their
presence. A Black Hawk was in the air waiting for their exfiltration. But getting into a firefight before they retrieved any intel was the last thing they needed or wanted.
“North gate is chained and padlocked. Cutting it.” A few seconds later, Will said, “Bravo entering north gate.”
Thank goodness for the bolt cutters one member of the team always carried. The tool routinely got them into more places than weapons and explosives, and with a lot less noise.
But now Alpha team would have to run around back and enter the way Bravo team had.
Brody moved first and the rest filed after him. They moved quickly but carefully past the neighbor’s house and around to the rear entrance.
“Alpha approaching north gate.” Brody announced for the benefit of the two operators from Bravo team who stood watch at the back.
With four men from Bravo team already inside the courtyard, Thom listened for any indication that they’d been discovered by the occupants of the home. None came as he moved to flank the back entrance with Brody, Dawson and Rocky.
The gate had been left standing open for them by Bravo team. The metal gate at the back entrance was less decorative than the one at the front entrance and was obviously also less secure. Thank God for that.
“Entering north gate,” Brody reported their position for the benefit of Bravo team as well as the commander. Brody moved through the open gate first. “Inside the perimeter. Approaching building A.”
One by one they followed Brody. The closer they got to the house, the more alert Thom became. If this were the location where Osama Bin Laden’s son Hamza had stashed his most important possessions—and both the CIA and Will Weber thought it was—there could be a guard. But so far, they hadn’t seen anyone at all.
Hoping this whole mission hadn’t been a wild goose chase, Thom reached the house and pressed flat against the wall, melting into the shadows and becoming invisible in the dark.
Bravo team was already there waiting when he arrived. In the green glow of the night vision Thom saw Will signal for Alpha team to move in. They were too close to the house and its occupants now to risk speaking.
Brody nodded and, staying pressed against the wall to one side of the door, reached for the knob.
