His wife looked startled. “What? When?”

“Now.”

“But I have to—”

“Work?” he finished. When she nodded, he shot her a guilty look. “Okay, now don’t be mad, but I called your boss at the restaurant and convinced him to give you a few days off. And before you freak out, know that I didn’t do it because I don’t respect or value your work.”

Holly stared at him, dumbfounded.

“I wish we could go away for longer, but I only managed to swing three days of leave. Still, I figured a three-day honeymoon is better than nothing.” He looked ashamed. “We didn’t make it on our Fiji honeymoon because the team got called away the day before we were due to leave.” He cursed under his breath. “And I kept assuring you we’d reschedule but it never happened, huh?”

Holly sighed. “No, it didn’t.”

“I know Catalina Island isn’t Fiji, but it’ll do for now, right?” His boyishly hopeful expression made Jen grin.

“Yeah, it’ll do.”

“And one more thing,” Carson added. “No sex.”

Holly’s brows soared. “Pardon me?”

“Baby, as much as I’d like to fu—” Carson glanced at Jen and backpedaled, “—to do a lot of things to you, the next three days will be about my new favorite word—communication. I’m gonna talk so frickin’ much you’re gonna wish I was a mute by the time I’m done.”

Holly laughed. “Can’t wait.”

They embraced again, and Jen was overcome with emotion as she watched them. She had to admit—her brother had done good. The mini-honeymoon had been her idea, but the heartfelt speech and uniform was all Carson. Apparently he wasn’t a total lost cause.

After the couple broke apart, Carson marched over to Jen and enveloped her in a bear hug that almost knocked the wind out of her. “Thanks,” he murmured. “I owe you one.”

“You know it.” She stepped forward to give Holly a quick hug, then smiled at her sister-in-law. “Have fun in Catalina. But don’t forget to make him grovel some more, okay?”

“Oh, I intend to,” Holly assured her.

Holding hands, the couple headed for the door. At the last second, Carson halted and turned to look at Cash. “Take care of my sister, McCoy.” He arched a brow. “You know what’ll happen if you don’t.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Cash said with a sigh. “There’s a pool right downstairs.”

As Holly and Carson practically floated out the door on a cloud of marital bliss, Jen glanced over at Cash. “I think that went well.”

The smile he shot her melted her heart. He was so devastatingly handsome, so sexy, so amazing, and she couldn’t believe she’d ever had reservations about being with this man.

Yes, their relationship would be hard. Yes, she might find herself waiting and worrying, the way her mother had done with the admiral, the way Holly did with Carson, but Jen now saw with perfect clarity why her mom and Holly had stuck it out for so long, why they continued to stick it out. Because when you found someone you loved with your entire being, you would do anything for them, suffer through anything, sacrifice and compromise and do whatever possible to make it work.

“I love you,” she burst out.

Cash looked startled, but then his features relaxed and he flashed her a devilish grin. “Of course you do. I’m pretty damn awesome.” Now he offered a mock frown. “And you thought I was only good for a fling. Jeez.”

Smiling, Jen stood on her tiptoes and looped her arms around his neck. “You’re good for a lot of things, cowboy.”

Cash lowered his mouth to hers, but stopped right before their lips could meet. “Hey, since we’re in a relationship, can I refer to you as ‘the old ball and chain’ from now on?”

She let out a heavy sigh.

“What?” he demanded.

“No woman wants to be called old, cowboy. Jeez,” she mimicked, “maybe you do need to practice talking to women.”

“Good idea.”

In the blink of an eye, he scooped her into his powerful arms.

“What are you doing?” Jen asked in surprise, clinging to his broad shoulders.

“Taking you to your bedroom.” Cash slanted his head, those blue eyes glimmering with heat. “You know, so I can practice talking. Then again, once I get you near a bed, I might have other plans for my mouth.”

Her laughter followed them all the way to the bedroom.