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We locked hands around the table while her father blessed the food.
Our eyes popped open as he ended the prayer.
“I’ll carve the duck. Aiden, can you open the wine?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Aiden, Nadia tells us you are from Atlanta. She found herself a country boy.”
“Yes, ma’am. I love the country. The second piece of property I purchased was a cabin in Bonners Ferry. The cabin sits on three acres.” I piled the scallop potatoes on my plate and a few slivers of duck.
“Wow. Impressive.”
“How do you two like retirement life?”
Mrs. Kerns smiled. “I love it. Larry on the other hand hates it. He volunteers at tax time preparing the neighbors taxes for free.”
I grinned. “That’s generous of you, Mr. Kerns.”
“Yeah, we’ll what can I say I love number crunching.”
I glanced at Nadia. “Now, I see where she gets her love of numbers.”
Laughter erupted around the table.
Nadia sipped the red wine.
“Mr. and Mrs. Kerns, I would like you both to know, I understand Nadia battled an addiction to drugs.” I gripped her hand.
“I am not going anywhere. Sir, you can place Nadia’s house on the market. She doesn’t need the money from the sale. She lives with me. I am adding her to my mortgage. It will become our home. I understand I am laying a lot on you both in one evening, but I don’t have a choice. Not sure if Nadia mentioned my position in the Navy.”
Her parents glanced at each other across the table then back at me.
“I am a Commander in the Navy. And I am also a Navy SEAL. Soon I will return to active duty.”
Her father’s eyes widened. “Thank you for your service, Commander Wilder.”
I nodded.
“Did Nadia tell you her uncle served in the Navy?”
“Yes, sir. While yes, they may ship every Sailor off to war, there is never a doubt I’d return often than others because I am a SEAL who fights the war on terror.” I sighed.
“I would like to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kerns.”
Her mother gasped.
“What?” her father muttered.
“I understand this is sudden. I return to active duty next month. If I died serving my country Nadia would be well taken care of. She’s set either way because I was practical in life so I’ve invested well. I also own a dental office in downtown Coeur d’ Alene. She’ll handle the books for my practice and manage the office part time. She understands I may or may not return from duty. We live every day as if it’s our last. I’ll do everything in my power to get back to her.”
I tangled our fingers. “Those big beautiful eyes stare at me as if I’m all she ever wanted. I never knew a woman could love me so deeply. Sometimes, I watch her sleep and I whisper in her ear, professing my love for her. I love her so much. She’s the love I didn’t think I deserved.”
Silence again. Nadia kissed my cheek and caressed the nape of my neck. “I love you, Aiden.”
I turned my attention to her and planted my lips against her forehead. “I love you too, Nadia.”
“Oh, my, Aiden. You don’t hold, back do you?”
