Spike nodded.
The wind blew around them as if attempting to chase away the bad thoughts swirling in their brains.
Then Woody cleared his throat and turned to Spike. “So, the reason I wanted to speak to you is twofold. I told you a second ago that if it came down to the safety of you and everyone who lives and works here, that I’d leave with Isabella and Angelo…”
“Yeah?” Spike prompted when his friend paused.
“I’m going to take her back to Kansas City, once Tex tells me the interest online has died down.” He held up his hand when Spike started to protest. “You’ve been more than generous. And I want to go home. More importantly, I want to take Isabella home. To my home. The Refuge is awesome, but it’s not mine.”
“I understand,” Spike said.
“I’m gonna give Tex a few more weeks because the last thing I want to do is put Isabella in danger, but we can’t stay here forever. I think the faster we get to Kansas City, the more comfortable Angelo will be. He can find his feet. No offense, but there isn’t a lot for him to do here. There aren’t people his own age that he can meet and jobs are pretty scarce.”
“I’m sure if we asked around we might find him something temporary for the next month,” Spike suggested.
“I’ll have Isabella talk to him about that. But I really brought you out here to ask about something else. And I need you to be honest.”
Spike tensed. “Of course.”
“How much of a disruption would it be if Isabella and I got married at The Refuge?”
Spike stared at his friend for a beat, speechless, before grinning widely. “Not at all!” he exclaimed.
Woody rolled his eyes. “You’re such a guy. There are a million details that go into a wedding. I’m guessing Alaska, Henley, and your employees might think it’s a disruption.”
Spike shrugged. “I’m sure you’re right, but if you think anyone will mind regardless, you’re crazy. And to be honest, we’ve had a few guests inquire about the same thing, but we haven’t felt comfortable saying yes as it wasn’t something we’d even thought about. If you don’t mind it being a low-key thing, since The Refuge is a place for people to relax and I’m not sure a huge party would be appropriate, I’m sure it’ll be okay.”
“All right, but you need to talk to your friends. Make sure it’s not an issue. I mean, we could always go to the courthouse when we get home, but I wanted to give Isabella something to remember. She’s worked her ass off for so long, I’d love to pamper her and make her feel special on our wedding day.”
“I’m happy for you, Woody,” Spike said sincerely.
“It’s fast…” his friend said, his words trailing off.
Spike laughed. “Fast? Are you serious? You and Isabella hit it off years ago when we first met her. We all knew you two were meant to be.”
“All right, I’ll give you that, but we’ve only been together-together for a few weeks,” Woody protested.
“You love her?” Spike asked.
“So much it scares the shit out of me.”
“She love you?”
“Yes,” Woody said without any hesitation.
“Then who cares what everyone else thinks.”
“You’re right.”
“I know,” Spike said with a smirk.
“Should we talk about you and my sister now?” Woody asked with a gleam in his eye.
“I’m thinking no,” he retorted.
Woody got serious. “She seems…settled.”
“What does that mean?”
“Don’t get all protective on me. I’m just saying you guys are good for each other,” Woody clarified. “She’s probably gonna want to go back to Kansas City when I do,” he warned.
Spike stiffened.
“I expect you’ll convince her otherwise.”
“I’m going to try,” he said slowly.
“She’s already quit her job. She loves it here, everyone can tell. She’s gotten close to Alaska, Henley, and Jasna. And even to your other employees. There’s a sparkle in her eye that I haven’t seen in a long time.”
“You’re really all right with us being together?” Spike asked.
“Hell yes. If I can’t trust my sister with one of the people I’d trust to have my back when we’re surrounded by insurgents and minutes from running out of ammo, who the hell can I trust with her? You gonna hurt her?”
“No.”
“You gonna beat on her? Control who her friends are? Keep her a prisoner in your cabin?”
“What the fuck? No. Where’s this coming from?” Spike asked, getting pissed.
“Then why would I be upset that you and her are together?” Woody asked, not alarmed in the least by his friend’s anger.
Spike did his best to calm himself. Woody wasn’t warning him away from Reese. Was doing the opposite, in fact. But he didn’t like to think of anyone doing that shit to her. She was an independent woman, and the thought of anyone stifling her, or trying to control her in any way, made him physically sick.
“I’ve never met anyone like her,” Spike said after a moment. “She could do so much better than me, and I know it. I don’t deserve her, but I’m going to do everything in my power to be the kind of man she deserves. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I’d never hurt her, Woody. I give you my word as a Delta that she’s safe with me.”
“I didn’t doubt it for a moment,” Woody said seriously. “And you underestimate yourself. You two were meant for each other. Just make her happy, and I’ll be content.”
“I’ll do my best.”
The two men stared at each other for a long moment before Woody said, “You ever think this is where we’d end up?”
“Honestly? No,” Spike said.
“She loves you,” Woody said quietly.
Spike didn’t have to ask who he was talking about.
“I can see it in her eyes. Don’t fuck this up, Spike. I mean it. You won’t find a better woman than Reese.”
“I know,” he said simply. And he did. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Woody said.
“For not being a dick about me and Reese. For trusting me with her. For being an awesome brother. For saving my life so many times. For being a damn good friend.”
“You can thank me by marrying my sister and giving me lots of nieces and nephews.”
“That again?” Spike asked, rolling his eyes.
“Hey, we aren’t getting any younger. And I want my kids to have cousins to play with,” Woody said with a smile.
Spike had always seen his Delta team as his family. And now his friends here at The Refuge. But the thought of having children of his own, of holidays together, of driving to Kansas City to visit the cousins…he wanted that. More than he ever thought he would.
“Yeah,” he agreed.
Woody slapped him on the back, then groaned. “Fuck, I forgot my arm,” he bitched.
Spike rolled his eyes. “How about we get back so I can ask the others about the wedding thing, and you can tell Isabella to get with Alaska and Henley so we can get the ball rolling.”