Page 25 of SEAL's Resolve
“My assistant is able to make dresses without me. She can’t design them. I have a design consultation on Monday that I can’t miss. The wedding is in two weeks.”
“I don’t know anything about how long it takes to make a dress, but I remember my wife stressing about her own dress six weeks before we married. Why did this bride wait so long to consult with you?”
“She’s marrying a Marine who’s deploying a week after the wedding. They haven’t known each other long, but fell in love instantly. He wants to marry her before he deploys. He’s determined that she have the protection of his name before he goes.”
Eli’s expression softened. “We’ll see what we can do to get you back to Bakerhill.”
Relief flooded her. She didn’t want to let Maggie down. “Thank you.”
“Do you only sell your own designs in your shop?”
She nodded.
“How long ago did you decide to design wedding dresses?”
“I was a freshman in high school when I convinced my father to take me to a bridal show.” Kristi smiled at the memory of her father’s consternation when she requested the outing for her birthday. For her, he’d conceded and accompanied her to the show, then taken her to dinner at her favorite restaurant.
He chuckled. “I bet that went over well.”
“You have no idea how many people stared at us during the show. Dad was relieved when the show ended.”
Rafe returned to their table with a plate for Kristi along with a to-go cup. On the plate was a toasted bagel a small bowl of cut fruit, and a small container of cream cheese. “Nate said if this isn’t what you need, let him know and he’ll make an omelet for you.” He turned to Eli. “Get your breakfast. I’ll sit with Kristi until you or one of the others returns to the table.”
Eli’s brows furrowed as his gaze shifted to the doorway to the kitchen. “What’s taking them so long?”
“Nate is making personalized omelets.” He pointed at his team leader. “Mine is the Spanish omelet. No mooching my breakfast, Wolfe.”
“That sounds good. I might ask Nate to prepare two Spanish omelets.” He clapped Rafe on the shoulder. “I’ll bring yours when it’s finished.”
“Thanks.” As the other man strode toward the kitchen to place his order, Rafe turned his attention to Kristi. “You and Eli appeared to be in deep conversation when I walked up.”
She swallowed a bite of bagel. “He asked about my business and when I first realized I wanted to design wedding dresses.”
“Sounds like an interesting story. When did you decide to focus on that field?”
“I was 15.” She laughed. “I convinced Dad to take me to a bridal show for my birthday. He was mortified, but he went anyway. After I graduated from high school, I attended Parsons, one of the top fashion design schools in the country. That day at the bridal show defined my career.”
“It’s a good memory, then.”
“The best.”
Soon, his teammates came to the table with their own plates and one for Rafe. Eli handed him a to-go cup of coffee.
Jackson set a bottle of water in front of Kristi. “How is your breakfast?”
“It’s perfect. Doesn’t get much better than a bagel and mint tea. Although the omelets look fabulous, I don’t think I could eat one this morning.”
“If you change your mind, Nate will be here through lunch. After that, one of the trainees takes over the cooking duties.”
Halfway through their meal, a door to their left opened, and 50 or 60 men and women streamed into the cafeteria. They headed for the metal tubs filled with ice and bottles of water. A few of the trainees glanced Kristi’s way, but most ignored her and the men at her table. They soon cleared out, heading to another location in the compound.
When Kristi and Wolf Pack finished their meals, Rafe escorted her to a conference room with a huge screen on the wall while his teammates gathered the breakfast dishes and took them to the kitchen.
Rafe seated her at the large table, then booted up a computer and typed in a few commands. That done, he grabbed his phone and made a call as his teammates filed into the room and took seats at the table. “It’s Rafe. Wolf Pack is ready.” A pause, then, “Yes, sir. She’s here, too.” He ended the call.
Seconds later, the screen on the wall came to life. A blond-haired man with a buzz cut appeared on the screen. “Sit rep,” he said.
Kristi frowned. What was that? As Rafe relayed the events of her rescue to the man on the screen and the incident with the fake orderly at the hospital, she figured it was some kind of military phrase requesting a report. When Rafe finished, the blond man shifted his attention to her.