The SEAL’s Surprise Marriage (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

by Rachel McNeely

  “He is a bit odd,” Emma whispered to Niall. “But I like him.”

  “Strangely, I do, too.”

  When the jeweler returned, he carried a white velvet box. “I must first tell you a bit about the stone. It was found years ago by a man who sold it for much money. The story I was told is that he never found peace and happiness afterward because the stone was only meant to go to a couple.”

  He opened the box, and Emma gasped. The large emerald was cut in the shape of a triangle.

  “It is the color of spring and new beginnings symbolizing love and rebirth. It is also considered an aid to fertility.” The old man raised his head. “I heard the slight gasp. I expect you fear having any more children.” He glanced at Niall, “And yet,” he smiled toward Emma, “you would welcome many. Do not be afraid. If you look carefully, this emerald has an intense bluish hue in addition to the basic bold green color. It is rare among gems and has strong powers.”

  “I’m sure we can’t pay what this lovely ring would cost,” Emma said. She looked up at Niall. “Do you agree?”

  “How much is it?” Niall asked.

  The jeweler quoted a very reasonable price.

  “But that can’t be right,” Emma said. “We would be cheating you.”

  He took her hand and placed the ring on her finger. “See, it fits. That is how I know you are the couple to have it, but you must promise when the last one of you dies, the ring will be brought back to me or to one of my sons. Bad luck will come to anyone else who tries to wear it. Its magical qualities can only protect the right owners.”

  Emma looked at Niall. He smiled. “Remember, my men have not said what it was about this shop, but they’ve come here ever since Jackson married Kayla. And if it does aid in fertility, we will worry less about future children.”

  Niall had put Melissa down, and she’d wandered along the glass cases looking at the jewelry on display. She walked back and tugged on Niall’s pant leg. “Daddy, let me see Miss Emma’s ring.”

  He picked her up, and Emma held her hand out. “Do you like it?”

  “It’s beautiful.” She touched the ring. “It’s warm.”

  “Ah, the young one is blessed. Your daughter understands a great deal for one as young as her. She will do well. The ring glowed when she touched it. It will protect her, too.”

  “This is very strange,” Emma said.

  “You must sometimes allow your logical mind to believe in a bit of magic. Life is happier that way.”

  “Well ...” Emma glanced up at Niall. “Perhaps it was a bit of magic that brought us together.”

  “Then you like the ring?” Niall asked.

  “Yes, but I’d like to have a plain gold ring beside it for my wedding band. One for my logical side.”

  “I have two rings, one for you and one for your future husband. I think you’ll like them.” He reached in a drawer behind him and pulled out another case. The woman’s gold band was slender with a lovely swirling line around the ring. The masculine band was wider and had three small garnets on top. “This ring will help keep you quick-witted and clear-headed when you have to make decisions. They are perfect for both of you.”

  “Tell me the price for our rings,” Niall said.

  The jeweler held up one hand. “There is one more ring you need.”

  He moved down the row of glass cases, stopped at one and reached in to pull out a small ring.

  He walked around the counter to kneel in front of Melissa and slip the ring on her finger.

  “She must have her own special ring. One she will always wear on her finger or on a chain around her neck. It will guide her in her life.”

  Melissa’s eyes sparkled with joy. “Look! I have a pretty ring, too.”

  Emma bent down and saw the ring had a tiny emerald with a little diamond on each side. “How lovely. We must get this one for you,” she said and glanced up at Niall.

  “Absolutely. Now tell me what all of this will cost,” Niall asked. When the jeweler told him, he shook his head. “I’d be taking advantage of you.”

  “The right people always say that. Remember, someday I’ll get the rings back for another couple. So, they are only on loan. Except for your daughter. Her ring will belong to her forever.”

  Niall looked at Emma. “What do you think?”

  “I think we’re lucky and we’d better take them.” She smiled at the jeweler. “I hope all you said comes true.”

  “One of you must believe for it to work,” he cautioned them. “Usually, it’s the wife.”

  “I’ll believe for both of us,” Niall said, surprising himself.

  “I believe because I want all those things to happen. We’ll name our first child after you,” Emma said to the jeweler.

  “Oh, no. Name your son after your husband or his father.”

  “All right, we will.”

  Once outside and in the truck, they shook their heads and laughed. “I think he hypnotized us, but I don’t care if he did. I want all those things he mentioned,” Emma said.

  “Me, too,” Niall said.

  “Me, too,” Melissa chimed in, copying her father.

  Niall glanced in the rearview mirror. Melissa was holding her hand up in the sunlight.

  “It shines, Daddy.”

  “I’m happy you like it. Now, we call a few friends and go get married.”

  “Yes,” Melissa said.

  Chapter 13

  At the courthouse, Hawke and Vi, Bear and Kayla, and Wolf and Caroline gathered around them as the legal ceremony began. When the ceremony had ended, Niall kissed Emma, and then they both hugged and kissed Melissa, who was being held by Bear.

  The Judge smiled at Melissa and asked, “Do you accept Miss Emma as part of your family and now your Mama?”

  “Yes, yes, yes.” She bounced so suddenly Bear had to reach out quickly with his other hand to stop her from tumbling out of his arms.

  Laughing, the Judge said, “I now pronounce you three a family.” He slipped the little ring on Melissa’s finger, and then everyone started congratulating the happy threesome.

  “Let’s go to Wisteria and celebrate,” Bear said.

  “Sounds good, and then we’ll have a big barbecue to celebrate at our house when we return from our next mission.”

  After Melissa was in bed and asleep, Niall poured wine for them, and they went outside to sit. A slight breeze ruffled Emma’s hair where she’d left it down at Niall’s request. They sat silently beside each other. Niall took her hand.

  “Will your folks be up at this time?”

  “What time is it? I left my watch on the dresser.”

  “Ten-forty-five.”

  “They’ll be getting ready for bed. Shall we call my parents while you’re here? They can speak with you before you leave on the mission.”

  “I’d like to do that while I can.”

  Emma dialed their number. It took a couple of rings before they answered. “Did I wake you?”

  “No, but we’re almost in bed. Are you all right?”

  “I am. I have someone who wants to meet you.” She handed the phone to Niall.

  “Hi. I hope Emma has mentioned me to you. I’m Niall Buchanan, and I talked your daughter into marrying me today. I’m due to go on a mission at any time and I wanted us to be man and wife before I left.”

  He laughed. “No, I didn’t have to twist Emma’s arm. It appears she likes me, a lot. Yes.” He motioned for Emma to sit on his lap. “All right, I’ll put it on speaker phone.”

  “Honey, we’re so excited and happy for you both,” her Mom said.

  “I’d be worried since I haven’t met the groom,” her Dad added, “but I’ve heard those SEALs are pretty good guys.”

  “We’ll come to visit as soon as I get back and you can judge me then, but I promise I’ll take good care of your daughter and love her.”

  “That’s all a man can ask.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting them,” Niall said as he shut his phone off.
“Let’s finish this wine and go to bed before my beeper goes off.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Emma drank the last of her wine, and they walked down the hall with their arms around each other.

  When Niall closed the door, Emma walked to the bed and stood by the side. Niall put his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. “I promise I have no misgivings this time. I want to make love to my wife.”

  He reached back to unzip her dress. She shrugged, and it fell to the floor. Gazing into her eyes, he unfastened her bra and pulled it off. His hands cupped her full breasts.

  “Beautiful.”

  “Your hands feel so warm,” Emma whispered.

  His fingers slid across the tips of her breasts. He leaned forward and kissed her lips. “I love your scent.” He nuzzled her neck, and she shivered.

  “No fair. I get to take your clothes off, too.”

  Niall spread his arms. “Be my guest.”

  Slowly, Emma unbuttoned his shirt and kissed each spot as she moved down and widened the sides to expose his chest and lean belly. Then she tossed the shirt to the side and started to take his belt off.

  Her hands shook, and her fingers fumbled with the buckle. Niall covered her hands with his. “Are you scared?”

  When she looked up, he almost smiled at her exasperated expression.

  “No, damn it. I’m excited, and it’s taking too long.”

  “I can solve that.” He lightly tossed her onto the bed, yanked off the rest of his clothes and then hers. When he lay down on top of her, he held himself up with his elbows. “Happy now?” he whispered and gently bit her earlobe.

  “Much better. I feared your buzzer would go off before we got out of our clothes.”

  “It wouldn’t dare.” He moved down and kissed her neck, along her shoulder and then her breasts.

  Emma’s body was on fire. She’d feared she’d disappoint him, but he continued to kiss her all over. Brazenly, she reached down and her hand tightened around his cock.

  “Baby, I want this to last, so be careful.”

  But she saw the glow in his eyes and continued to move her hand up and down. When he groaned, she grinned, and then he moved out of reach and kissed her abdomen.

  She chuckled when she saw the surprise on his face as she rolled him onto his back. “There. Now I have you where I want you.”

  Niall spread his arms. “Enjoy.”

  She did, as she kissed and touched his hot body and warm muscles.

  “Okay, enough. I want to feel myself inside you.” He rolled her back over and slid into her warmth. He whispered in her ear, “If that damn beeper goes off, I want to have you fresh in my mind.”

  “But not so much you miss the bad guy. I want you safely back home.” Then she raised her hips and joy and warmth consumed her.

  His beeper sounded, and the faint light outside the blinds had Niall looking at the clock. Five O’clock. He hadn’t slept much, but he felt invigorated.

  Emma turned sleepily toward him and opened her eyes. “Is that what I think it is?”

  “Yep. I have to go. I’ll take a quick shower. Get Melissa up so I can tell her goodbye.” He kissed Emma and went into the bathroom.

  Emma grabbed her gown and robe and headed for Melissa’s room. “Honey wake up. Daddy’s going to work.”

  Melissa sat up and rubbed her eyes. “I don’t want him to leave.”

  “I don’t, either, but he has to go take care of some people in trouble. He has an important job.”

  “I don’t like it.”

  “We’ll keep busy, and before we know, he’ll be back.”

  “I— Daddy.” She raised her arms and Niall scooped her out of the bed for a bear hug.

  “I’ll come home as soon as I can.” He nuzzled her neck, and she laughed. “Until then, Mama can get you back in school, and on school break you can go see your new grandma and grandpa.”

  “I can?”

  “Yes. The bad man is going to be in jail for a long time. You’ll be safe. Now go back to sleep.” He put her back in bed and put his hand on Emma’s back as he guided her toward the door.

  “You shower fast.”

  He nodded. “I’ve learned how. With the wedding and all, I forgot to tell you they found my ex-friend guilty. He’s in jail for life. They also got his guys, or most of them. Be careful anyway.”

  “I’m going to learn to shoot a gun.”

  “That’s not a bad idea. Got to go.” He kissed her hard and headed for the garage. She stepped out behind him and waved goodbye.

  Now I’ll find out the other side of being a SEAL’s wife.

  Emma dressed, had a cup of coffee and woke Melissa. She might as well get Melissa started back to school. It would keep her from feeling so sad. They were almost to the door when the phone rang.

  “Hi, it’s Caroline. I just heard the Captain and his Team are on their way out of town. How about coming over for coffee? I’ve baked cinnamon rolls. You must help keep me from eating them all myself. Some of the other wives are coming, and you’ll get to know them better. Kayla’s bringing her little boy. He’s a doll. We love spoiling him.”

  “I’m heading out the door to drop off Melissa at school.”

  “When she’s at school, head over here.”

  “Will do.”

  Melissa ran into her classroom while her teacher spoke to Emma at the door. “She’s eager to be back. That’s a good sign.”

  “Here are her workbooks. I’ve kept her up with the class.”

  “Thanks, that will make it easier for her. Emma’s so smart I doubt she’ll have any problems. You may want to have her tested at some point. I’d say she’s the quickest to understand and remember in my class.”

  “I’ve suspected she’s very bright. But I’d rather wait until she’s a bit older for any testing. If she shows signs of being bored in the classroom, then we’ll discuss whether we want her tested.”

  “Good idea. I’d better get back to my class. I see the children are restless.”

  Emma got in her car and headed to Caroline’s. She smiled to herself. I can’t believe this is my second day of being married and Niall is far from home, saving the world. She chuckled at her thoughts and speeded up on the freeway.

  “When we land on shore, I want Hawke’s group and Bear’s to separate and come in from different directions,” Captain Buchanan said. “Our informant reported there’s a camp near the ocean, and he suspects someone is coming this way to pick up cargo, as they call it. We must get the prisoner before she’s shipped off. I’ll go with Hawke’s group heading East. Bear, you and your men come in from the West.”

  They formed into the two groups. Bear’s group ran across the bare shore and disappeared into the nearby trees. Niall held up his hand. After five minutes, he nodded and went with Hawke’s group toward the East. They were soon in the heart of the jungle. Bugs buzzed around, and birds flew from tree to tree. Hunched over, the SEALs had their guns ready. The last man watched their backs to see the enemy didn’t sneak up on them.

  Niall held up his hand for a moment and gave the map to Ranger. They both studied it. Ranger moved his hand to indicate making a left and pointing to the X on the map.

  “About three more miles,” he whispered.

  The information passed down the line, and they moved out, watching every tree or area where the enemy might hide. As they got closer, they slowed, and the man at the end of the column walked backward, holding his rifle close to his chest.

  This time when Hawke stopped them, they heard voices in the distance, but not well enough to pick up the words.

  “Ranger and I will sneak closer to find the best way to attack,” Hawke said softly.

  Niall nodded his agreement, and they stayed low as they moved toward the camp. As the voices got louder, they lay down and cautiously crawled closer. Faces blackened and lying flat behind thick shrubbery, they listened to the conversations.

  A man standing near a well-guarded tent grumbled, “I don’t know w
hy I can’t bang the bitch before we sell her.”

  The taller man frowned and jerked the other one up on his heels. He spoke in quick, broken Spanish.

  “Did you get that?” Hawke asked.

  “Yeah, the boss is going to cut his nuts off if he doesn’t sit down and shut up.”

  “That’s pretty much what I got from the conversation, too. The buyer must have put conditions on how the prisoner was to be handled before giving out money.”

  Hawke spoke quietly into his mic. “Captain, the tent is heavily guarded. They may kill the captive if we can’t get hold of her right when we attack.”

  “Position yourselves behind the tent, ready to enter when you hear us move in. We’ll all come at once. Bear’s group is in place. Set time for one minute and then go in. Does that give you two enough time to get positioned behind the tent?”

  “Yes.” Hawke and Ranger moved silently, but quickly. They lay on their stomachs and kept as low to the ground as possible. They circled to the back of the tent and moved closer.

  Bear’s team threw two hand grenades at the tents on the opposite side of the camp. The kidnappers ran toward that side, shooting. Bear’s team reciprocated. During the confusion, Hawke and Ranger cut through the back of the tent, shot the two guards and cut the ropes holding a woman tied to the tent pole.

  Ranger grabbed her and carried her out the back, but some of the kidnappers realized what they were after and bolted into the tent.

  Hawke shot them as they came inside. “Run with her. I’ll hold them off.”

  Bear saw what was happening and sent two of his men to cover the tent’s back. They had to shoot several of the kidnappers as they had circled the tent. Ranger ran out and grunted as he took a hit, then fell.

  Once the kidnappers were dead or tied up, Bear’s men motioned them forward and moved toward their meeting place. Jeff carried the woman as Hawke came out and put Ranger on his shoulders. Heath and Shadow followed, watching for any other problems.