SEALed Under the Mistletoe

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

KNOX

K nox rolled over in bed, the groan of the lodge mattress creaking under his weight, mirroring the restless night he'd just endured. He'd barely slept, his thoughts were consumed by Vickie. The memory of their argument, the kiss on the patio, and the way she'd looked at him played in a loop in his head. He hadn’t handled it perfectly, but he knew one thing for sure: he wasn’t giving up on her.

At least, they’d cleared up a few things. Her attitude towards him made sense now. She’d thought he was a two-timing cheating bastard. He wished he could say he blamed her, but unfortunately, he’d seen too many sailors and Marines who met up with girls, said all the right things to get them in bed and then ghosted them later. Whether it was picking girls up at a bar or swiping right on an app, he’d seen it all. Especially on short trips. Married, dating and single men alike. No, he couldn’t blame her.

But, fuck. The Frog Hog across the way? He barely remembered what she looked like, let alone her name. She didn’t exist in his mind, not like Vickie. Vickie had lived rent free in his thoughts for three years and now they were in the same building. If he had it his way, he’d knock on her door, throw her over his shoulder, bring her back in here and remind her how good they were together.

If his brothers weren’t across the hall and both of their parents a few doors down. Of course, his entire family, minus Lewis who still wasn’t there, was hanging out in the lodge this week. Making things that much harder.

He sat up, rubbing a hand over his face and groaning at the sunlight spilling through the curtains. There was no going back to sleep now. A glance at the clock told him it was early—too early for most people to be stirring, but not for him. Military life had conditioned him to rise with the sun, his internal clock wasn’t changing for anything. Not for war, not for vacation and not for time changes. Something else hadn’t changed either, the need to start the day with a hot cup of Joe.

Throwing on a navy henley and dark jeans, Knox pulled on a pair of boots and headed downstairs. The lodge’s rustic charm reminded him that he was in the Colorado mountains when he was greeted with warm wooden beams and the faint scent of pine mingling with freshly brewed coffee. The dining room was already set up for a casual breakfast buffet, and a few guests were milling about, filling plates and chatting quietly.

Knox spotted his brothers at a corner table near the window. They were easy to spot—Campbell’s laughter carried across the room, while Carson leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, watching his younger brother with an amused smirk.

“Morning,” Knox greeted, sliding into an empty chair and grabbing a mug of coffee from the center of the table.

“Morning,” Carson replied, nodding. “Rough night?”

“You look like hell,” Campbell added with a grin, biting into a piece of toast slathered in butter.

Knox shot him a dry look. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Let me guess,” Carson said, his sharp blue eyes narrowing. “This have anything to do with Vickie?”

Knox hesitated, sipping his coffee before answering. “We talked last night.”

“And?” Campbell leaned forward, his plate forgotten. “How’d it go?”

Knox exhaled, leaning back in his chair. “It was… complicated. She’s still angry about the past, still hurt. But I think I got through to her, at least a little.”

“Define ‘a little,’” Carson said, raising an eyebrow.

Knox smirked, though the expression was faint. “A lady doesn’t kiss and tell.”

“Since when are you a lady?” Carson teased. “I guess you do throw like one.”

“Haha,” Knox said. “Hilarious.”

Campbell let out a low whistle. “Well, damn. Guess that’s progress. So, what’s the plan now?”

“Taking it slow,” Knox replied, without hesitation. “She’s got walls up, and I don’t blame her. I’m not going to push. If I’ve got any chance with her, I need to show her I’m serious. No rushing, no games. I need to show her with my actions that I meant what I said with my words.”

“Probably a good call,” Carson said thoughtfully. “Vickie doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who takes crap from anyone.”

“She’s not,” Knox agreed, his lips quirking into a small smile. That was one of the things he admired about her—her strength, her independence. She didn’t let anyone push her around, even when her insecurities tried to get the best of her. He remembered how impressed he’d been when she’d told the wingman at the bar off. She was the type of girl who didn’t need a man in her life. The man she chose, the one she wanted, would be lucky to have her.

They shifted to lighter topics, the brothers discussing the itinerary that Gage and Melody had provided for the week. Once Vickie and Knox returned to the dinner, the two had explained their plans for the week. There were a few events they’d planned that they wanted everyone to be at, but most of the events were optional. Gage let the group know the point of the week wasn’t only to celebrate their love but also help introduce the two families.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Campbell asked, digging into a pile of scrambled eggs and sausage.

Carson pulled out his phone and looked at the itinerary that Melody had emailed everyone a month ago. “Looks like an afternoon of skiing after lunch, then a gingerbread house-making competition tomorrow. And then the next day is the ugly sweater taco party.”

“An ugly sweater taco party?” Campbell snorted. “Who comes up with this stuff?”

“Melody,” Carson said dryly. “You know Gage has no say in the planning. He just shows up where he’s told to.”

“True,” Knox said with a chuckle. He reached for a piece of toast and slathered it with jam, the simple breakfast grounding him.

As they laughed over Melody’s creative party themes, movement at the door caught Knox’s attention. He turned to see Vickie entering the room with her grandmother. She was dressed casually, in a cream-colored sweater and jeans, her hair pulled into a loose ponytail. But it wasn’t her appearance that struck him—it was the way she hovered protectively over her grandmother, guiding her toward the buffet stations with care.

Knox’s chest tightened as he watched her. Vickie carried her grandmother’s plate, moving from station to station, carefully selecting items and asking her grandmother’s opinion on everything. She smiled warmly as she spoke to her, her attention fully on the older woman. When they reached the table, Vickie helped her grandmother sit before going back to fetch her coffee, then finally returned to the buffet to grab a plate for herself.

There was a selflessness in her actions that Knox couldn’t ignore. She was so attentive, so caring—it was a side of her he hadn’t fully appreciated before. Although the granddaughter, there was a maternal instinct in caring for the elder woman. It was easy to imagine her following behind their child. Their child? What the fuck. He couldn’t believe he’d just gone there. He’d never, not ever, imagined himself having a child with anyone before. Watching her with her grandmother, he felt a tug of admiration, mixed with something deeper, something that made him want to be the man who deserved her. He felt the need to grab her hand, pull her onto his lap and declare to her that she belonged to him. He wanted to be the man she needed. The man who would protect her, cherish her and help wipe away any stress or anxiety she had. Damn if he didn’t want to pull up the empty chair beside her and take his place.

“You’re staring, brother,” Campbell said, his voice breaking through Knox’s thoughts.

Knox blinked and turned back to his brothers, catching Carson’s knowing smirk. “I wasn’t staring.”

“Sure you weren’t,” Campbell teased, grinning.

Before Knox could retort, his cousin Gage appeared at their table, dressed in sweats and a hoodie. “There you are. We’re getting a pickup football game going outside. Our family versus Melody’s. You in?”

“Always,” Campbell said immediately, already pushing his chair back.

Carson nodded, standing as well. “Count me in. Although, I’m not sure it’s much of a fair fight.”

Knox glanced toward Vickie’s table one last time. She was seated now, chatting with her grandmother as she dipped a piece of muffin into her coffee. She must have felt his gaze because she glanced up, meeting his eyes across the room. He raised a hand in a small wave, and after a moment’s hesitation, she gave him a timid smile. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

“I’ll join you in a minute,” Knox said, finishing the last of his coffee. He stood, picking up his plate and carrying it to the dish station. As he passed Vickie’s table, he paused briefly, catching her eye again.

“Good morning,” he said softly, his tone warm but casual.

“Morning,” she replied, her smile faint but genuine.

Knox nodded, resisting the urge to say more. He didn’t want to overwhelm her or make her uncomfortable. He wasn’t entirely sure where they stood after last night.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to this stud muffin?” her grandmother asked.

“Grams!” Vickie chided. “Don’t be rude.”

“I call it like I see it.”

“I’m Knox, ma’am. Nice to meet you.” Knox held out his hand to her and she took it. He was surprised by the strength behind the older woman’s grip.

“Knox, Grams. Grams, Knox.” Vickie said, shaking her head. “Knox is Gage’s first cousin. Gage and Knox’s fathers are identical twins.”

“How long have you two been together? Have you been hiding him from me?” Grams asked.

“What?” Vickie’s jaw dropped. “Grams. We aren’t together.”

Not yet. Knox thought. Not if I have my way. And I always get my way.

“I don’t know who you are trying to convince, but it’s sure not me. You can’t deny that he’s cuter than a speckled pup under a cabbage leaf.”

What did she just say? Knox raised an eyebrow at Vickie. Vickie just shrugged in return.

“Knox, you coming?” Carson called from the doorway.

Knox nodded at his brother. “Nice to meet you. Enjoy your breakfast.”

“You too,” Grams said.

Vickie’s eyes flicked to his for just a second before returning to her plate.

Knox hesitated for a second before asking, “a bunch of us are going to play some football outside. If you aren’t busy later, maybe we could grab lunch together?”

Vickie nodded. “Sure, maybe. If I’m not busy doing something with or for Melody.”

Knox nodded in response and left the dining room following his brothers and Gage and stepped out into the crisp morning air. Outside, on a snow-dusted patch of grass behind the lodge, Knox crouched into a ready stance. The crisp mountain air nipped at his exposed skin, but adrenaline coursed through his veins, warming him from the inside out. He was incredibly competitive, and he wasn’t about to let the bride’s side of the family win.

“Alright, boys,” he called out. “Let's see if you can keep up with the old man.”

Jack snorted, tossing the football from hand to hand. “Big talk for someone who got his ass handed to him in pool two games to one last night.”

“Different game, different skills,” Knox shot back with a grin. “Carson, you're with me. Let's show them how it's done.”

As they squared off, he glanced briefly at the lodge, wondering if Vickie was watching from one of those windows. He hoped she would be available for lunch. He’d meant what he’d said to her. Shaking his head to clear it, he refocused on the game. There'd be time for second chances later. Right now, he had a game to win.