Page 108 of Finding Elodie
The second it closed behind him, Elodie turned to face the guys. “And thank all of you for helping to find me. For calling this Tex guy. For getting the Coast Guard involved. For all of it. I owe you.”
“You owe us nothing,” Scott said.
“Wait a minute,” Midas said. “I could use a good apple crumble.”
“I don’t even know what that is, and I think I could too,” Aleck threw in.
“I want her to make us some more burgers,” Pid added.
“I’m thinking you can probably make some kick-ass Thai food,” Jag suggested.
“Chocolate cake,” Slate told her.
Elodie chuckled. “Done. Maybe not all at the same time though. We’ll have lots of get-togethers so I can make everyone what they want.”
As the rest of the team started discussing what they wanted her to make for them first, Scott turned her toward him so they were face-to-face. “Now you’ve done it,” he warned.
Elodie chuckled. “I’m happy to cook for them. I owe them everything. Where did this Baker guy come from? What’s his story? He’s kind of scary.”
“He is,” Scott agreed. “But he’s a good man. He’s seen a lot of shit in his life and is kind of a hermit. He lives up on the North Shore and spends his days surfing, trying to outrun his demons, I guess. But the admiral of the base seems to have him on speed dial. He’s used as a consultant for a lot of intense missions and, as you found out, he’s got some pretty powerful connections as well. If he says he’s got your back, he’s got your back.”
“Is it really over?”
“Yeah, babe. It is.”
Elodie closed her eyes and leaned into Scott’s chest. “It seems hard to believe.”
“Believe it. So when are you going to marry me?”
Her eyes popped open. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. I’m thinking a beach wedding. Low-key. Nothing fancy. I don’t do fancy.”
“We’ll talk about it,” she told him, her mind already racing, thinking of ideas for their wedding.
“I love you, Elodie. I promise not to let you down as badly as I did with the Columbus situation ever again.”
“You didn’t let me down,” she protested.
“I did, but it won’t happen again.”
She decided to drop the subject. She’d known deep in her bones that Paul Columbus was going to catch up to her at some point. She’d been the one who’d gotten complacent. Thank God no one had been killed. They’d all been very lucky.
“Do I get to invite Baker to our wedding?” she asked.
“You can invite whoever you want, but don’t get your hopes up that he’ll come. He really is a hermit. I’m surprised he agreed to come here to talk to you today. I think he wanted to make sure you understood that he really does have your back, and that you’re safe.”
“I like him. He’s broody and intense and kinda terrifies me…but I still like him.”
Scott kissed her forehead. “Me too, babe. Me too.”
* * *
Elodie didn’t know how it happened, but two weeks later, she was standing on the bow of a yacht Scott had rented, having just said her vows to love and cherish her husband for the rest of her life.
He’d talked her into getting married on the ocean, even though she’d been terrified of getting on a boat again. The memories had threatened to overwhelm her when she’d stepped onboard, but she’d been so busy with getting dressed, with Kalani fussing over her, and making sure everyone was having a good time, she’d soon forgotten to be scared.
She and Scott said their vows on the top deck as a beautiful sunset bloomed behind them. Everyone was there—well, everyone except Baker. He’d declined but said he was happy for both her and Scott.
