by Vonnie Davis
Gina laughed and linked arms with hers. “You look a little tired maybe. What grades are you interviewing for?”
“Second grade here and fourth at Bandera. Tuesday, I interview in the morning at a school in the outskirts of Austin. That’s for first grade. In the afternoon, I’m buying wine and getting drunk. House hunting starts on Wednesday. We have a list of homes we found online. Andy’s partial to a ten-acre property a few miles south of here. I hope the house is big enough for three growing boys.”
“Wow, you’ve got a lot planned.”
Erin glanced at her husband, affection in her expression. “It goes with the territory. I’m happy for Andy this opportunity came along. He was floundering emotionally. Oh, he’d started this computer repair business, but I could tell it wasn’t fulfilling enough. He missed his SEAL brothers and the rush being needed by his country gave him.”
The men were all gathered around the grill, giving their commander orders on how to do his job. ZQ was slapping them with the spatula, calling them names that made Gina glad Piper was inside with Junebug.
Clint was off to the side talking on his cellphone and pacing. He slipped the phone into his shirt pocket and whispered something to ZQ. ZQ, in turn, spoke to Reece. Her man and Clint hurried inside. JJ, who really did look different with his hair cut super short, yanked more beers out of the ice chest and passed them around. Their voices were lowered as they talked.
Gina got an uneasy feeling something was going on.
Kelcee carried out a large bowl of salad and Piper followed, carrying two bottles of salad dressing. Her daughter glanced at Andy at the wrong time and barked an order, “Mr. Andrew, quit scratching your junk.”
His hand froze.
ZQ and JJ spewed beer over the steaks. Flames shot upward.
“I think that’s our cue to see if the cooks need more help. Have you met Fran and Junebug yet?”
The corners of Erin’s mouth lifted. “Yes, I’ve met ‘fudge and buttermilk’ and ‘land sakes.’ I think they’re both adorable.”
“Indeed they are.”
Supper was an event of good food, cold beer, laughter, teasing, talking. Even quiet Ashley joined in the conversation. Anytime she and JJ made eye contact, she hung her head and blushed. The once severe cut of her blond hair had been blended by the stylist and helped soften her rough edges. In a couple of months, after it had a chance to grow out, she’d be stunning.
Although Reece joined in the raucous meal, his body language was tense. He pushed his food around on the plate, seldom laughed, and seemed almost worried. Was he thinking about whatever dreams he might have tonight? He never did explain why Dustin felt the need to stay with him. If Reece slept alone in his room, he could safely fight off his demons without hurting anyone else. What the heck was going on? Why was she being kept in the dark?
Once everyone was stuffed, they all helped with putting away leftovers and loading the dishwasher. Soon the picnic tables were cleared. Some semblance of quiet was settling over the gang.
Reece wrapped his arm around her waist and tucked her to his side. “Walk with me to the stables, baby. I have a few sugar cubes for Cochise. Besides, I need a break from the noise.”
“You seem edgy. What’s up?”
He stopped to glance at the stars. “For one thing…one very big thing, I need to know we’re on the path to patching up what went down last night.” He shifted so they were face-to-face and rubbed his thumb over her cheek in a gentle caress. “Did you mean it when you said you didn’t want to be married to a man who still wanted to serve his country in some capacity?”
She wrapped her hand around his neck and fiddled with his hair. “At the time, yes. I think it was a combination of the shock of the job offer and past hurts bucking heads. I was reacting on skewed emotions, not rational ones. Now that I’ve had a chance to think it through and talk with Kelcee and Erin, I can see where I was wrong.”
He expelled a long, jagged breath. “Thank God. So you’ll be fine with my being on Black Eagle Ops and sometimes working in secret?”
“I suppose I’ll have to be, if I want the man and the marriage.” She nuzzled his neck. “I want both, Tool Belt. I love you.”
His arms wrapped around her and held her close. “Baby, I love you more than I can even begin to explain. All I know is I fell apart last night. Got shit-faced. Beat up my former superior officer. Didn’t give a damn that I might be destroying a friendship of nearly ten years. I needed to lash out and damned if I didn’t.”
“Have you and ZQ worked things out?”
“Yeah, we’re fine. He admitted to pushing my buttons on purpose. Hell, he said you were carrying my balls around in your purse.”
Her head whipped toward the ranch house. “I might just have to jack his jaw myself. I mean, if I was going to carry anything of yours around, it would be that fine pecker you’re packing. A girl never knows when she might feel the need.”
Reece threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, Blondie, you are so perfect for me.” He cupped her face and lowered his head until his lips sipped at hers. “Please don’t ever think I love anyone or anything more than you. Not when your name is tattooed on my heart.” He took the kiss deeper and she climbed up his muscled form until her legs wrapped around his hips. “Christ, baby.”
There was something extraordinarily fine about being kissed under the stars with your feet crossed at a man’s back while the friction of his erection against your core drove you freaking insane with need.
He walked into the stables with her coiled around him, their tongues dancing a sensual salsa of desire. “You okay without the lights, baby? I don’t want to alert the crowd.” His teeth skimmed her neck the way she loved.
“I’m fine. It’s our state of dress that isn’t.”
He slid her down his body and led her into an empty stall. “Unhook your bra and pull down your jeans. There’s not going to be anything pretty or graceful about this. But if I don’t get inside you in the next sixty seconds, the top of my head will blow off. Grab the top rail and bend that sweet body over. I’m coming at you from behind. Fuck, baby, it’s going to feel so damn good.”
And it did.
Both times.
Chapter 24
At sunrise, Dust drove off, beat to hell and back, and headed for home. The whine of his powerful Mustang didn’t fade until after he peeled onto the macadam road at the end of the lane. Reece sipped some more coffee and laid his head against the back of the fireside chair. Holy Mother of God, what a hellacious night.
First came the news from Clint Silver that another blond girl had been abducted from an early-morning Easter egg hunt. He and Clint had hauled ass for ZQ’s office to check the town’s location from the previous kidnapping—two hundred and ten miles. The Morozov Circle held true to form.
Staring at the map, the acid in Reece’s stomach splattered and gurgled in a pool of worry. The town was two hundred twenty miles southeast of Austin where his little girl was going to the zoo in two days.
This gang of worthless bastards might go in a different direction, but Reece planned to do everything he could to keep Piper safe. When the team met in ZQ’s office after he took Gina and Piper home, he all but demanded that U.S. Marshal Clint Silver and school board member Zane Quinlan use their influence to ride on the children’s bus with the first graders.
“The rest of us—Dust, JJ, Scratch, and me—have no children at the school or aren’t known and vetted enough to be allowed to spend the day around little kids. You two are. My little girl will have tracking devices concealed in her clothing. I’ll make sure of that. So if the worst happens, we can at least keep track of her whereabouts, but hell, I don’t want those motherfuckers touching her.”
Clint ran a hand over his bald head. “Reece has a point. I called the zoo. There are nine schools bringing their first graders on Tuesday. They’ve been advertising it on local television and radio stations as a ‘First Graders’ Day at the Zoo.’ Bring a student ID or a
copy of a report card, and the kid gets in for half-price.”
Every man in the room cursed.
“That’s going to be too much temptation for those sick bastards.” ZQ stood and stared out of the window into the darkness, his fingers tucked into the back pockets of his jeans. “Scratch, tomorrow I want you to get the new surveillance van ready. JJ, prep the Blackhawk. Clint, you and I will offer…insist…demand we go along on the bus to the zoo.”
The commander pivoted away from the window. “I’m thinking this gang of monsters won’t be able to resist such easy pickings. Even if I’m dead wrong, the practice will do us good. Time to brainstorm for various contingencies.” ZQ picked up the receiver to his secure landline. “I’m calling in Titan, Ghost, and MoJo.”
For the next few hours they’d studied intel, the Morozov Circle’s pattern of behavior, and tossed around ideas. The additional three men of Black Eagle Ops were on their way. “Gentlemen”—the commander glanced around his office—“time for all of us to get some shut-eye. We’ll get our heads together again after everyone on the team is here.”
Turning off his mind enough to fall asleep wasn’t easy for Reece. Dust’s prediction had been right. Drenching his head with those healing waters of the inner cave’s pond had opened his mind to exorcise dark dreams and visions.
He’d been attacked by chain tentacles, snakes with glowing red eyes, spiders, whips, and everything he feared including the loss of Gina and Piper. He’d screamed within and finally out loud. Every time Dust tried to wake him, he lashed out. If he remembered correctly in his horror-hazed mind, twice Dust had held him while he cried like a baby, telling him over and over it was okay.
Hell, it wasn’t okay. He was one sick bastard.
No doubt when he saw Dr. Raymond later this morning, the good psychiatrist would deem him a sick bastard, too.
Nance pierced the morning air with her happy-to-see-you barks. She whined as she circled Reece’s chair. He patted his lap and she dove into it, licking his face. “Morning, Nance. How’s my pretty girl?” He hugged her and scratched behind her ear. “I’m going to have to talk to a strange man today about what’s been going on in my mind. I’d sooner take a beating.” The dog licked his chin and neck in commiseration.
“I could get Junebug’s broom and whip you.” Ashley settled in a chair next to his. “Are you talking about this counselor JJ sees?” Nance jumped onto Ashley’s lap to give her a morning ration of canine kisses.
“Yeah. It’ll be my first visit and I’m not sure I’m ready for it. How are you settling in to Eagle Ridge?”
“Better than I expected. I have a beautiful colt to take care of. I’m learning how to cook from the expert. And for the first time since Syria, I feel safe.”
He thought it better not to ask about how she and JJ were getting along. They were no longer arguing, but it didn’t seem as though a romance was brewing. Not yet, anyhow.
“That’s great to hear. I’m going in for a coffee refill. Do you want a cup?”
“Two sugars and enough cream to make it look like caramel.”
“Ugh. You are not normal.”
She smiled. “You got that right, Mr. Engaged Man.”
—
Ten minutes before nine, Reece walked into Dr. Juan Raymond’s office. The gray-haired receptionist said her son would be with him in a few minutes. He’d no sooner gotten comfortable in a chair when the door opened and a man wearing gold-framed oblong glasses extended his hand. “Reece Browning?”
He stood, leaving his nerves on the black leather chair. “Yes, sir.”
“Come in. I’m Doctor Raymond, but you may call me Juan, if you like. Whatever works for you.”
Reece had been expecting a sofa like in the movies. Instead there was a desk and three large chairs forming a “U” in front of it. Bookshelves lined the wall behind the desk. Pictures of family and the required diplomas and awards dotted the remaining dark green walls. He took the middle chair, wondering if his choice of seat gave the psychiatrist some clue as to his mental state.
The psychiatrist’s mother had followed them into the office. “May I get either of you coffee or water?”
“If it’s not too much trouble, I’ll have some water, ma’am.” Reece suspected his mouth would dry up as he revealed his many issues.
“See how polite he is, Juan?” His mother pointed to the pad in front of the doctor. “Make note of that.” Her demeanor relaxed Reece; he liked her, which surprised him. When he’d come to Warrior Falls, he’d hated everything and damn near everyone.
“Yes, Mama.” The corners of the doctor’s mouth twitched.
She returned in a mere instant with a bottle of water. “Thank you, Mister Browning, for your service and sacrifice to our country.” She indicated his prosthesis and squared her shoulders with pride. “I’ve been a citizen for thirty-nine years. I graduated from San Antonio Business College a month after naturalization and my Juan was born three months later.”
Reece stood and hugged her, something else he wouldn’t have done a few months ago. “You’re very kind, ma’am. The United States is lucky to have you.”
Her gray eyebrows rose and she squeezed his hands. “See, Juan? He is polite and intelligent.” She pointed to the pad again. “Write that down, too.” The breath of Spanish-American fresh air floated from the office.
“You’ve won a fan for life.” Dr. Raymond removed his glasses and wiped them with a tissue. “I treat a lot of people who suffer from posttraumatic stress. Most people call it a disorder or disease. I prefer to call it a condition. A condition we can treat together. This will involve a deep level of confidence between us. I gathered from my brief phone conversation with Gina Wilson that you and she have developed a strong degree of trust.”
Reece smiled and opened his bottle of water. “I sure hope so. I’ve asked her to marry me.” Like a rocket, the good doctor’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. Reece continued. “That’s one of the reasons I’m here. I want to be mentally healthy enough to bring happiness to the woman I love and my little girl.”
“So you’re accepting of Piper?”
“She was made for me, Doctor Raymond. I don’t care who her biological father was.” He jabbed his chest with his thumb. “I am her true father. Believe me, it didn’t take that child long to worm her way deep into my heart.”
Dr. Raymond exhaled a long breath and smiled. “I’ve been hoping for someone like you for Gina. Bueno. Very good. So, let’s begin. Tell me about your injury and time in captivity that Gina mentioned in her phone call. Talk at your pace. I’ll take notes and from time to time ask questions.” He leaned back in his chair, the notepad on his lap. “If it helps you to pace, pace. If staring out the window works for you, feel free. There are no rules here except honesty and respect.”
Reece felt twenty pounds lighter when he walked out of Dr. Raymond’s office. It was freeing to know he wasn’t crazy or abnormal, but that his nightmares and visions were natural manifestations of PTSD. Other poor souls were suffering from the same issues. Some even worse. God help them all.
He smiled at the sun. He had hope. Damn, he was one lucky man. He had Gina, Piper, Black Eagle Ops, and blessed hope in his life. He thumbed a text to his fiancée: Dr. Shrink gave me hope. U give me a reason to live. I am a lucky bastard.
He settled behind the steering wheel of his truck and his cellphone dinged with an incoming text: I’m glad all went well. Love U. I’m not wearing panties today in ur honor.
“Oh Blondie, you are so going to get it.” He thumbed: I’m commando, 2. Gr8 minds think alike. He fastened his seatbelt, thought about her text, and started to simmer. Snatching his phone from the cup holder, he wrote: Who r ur patients 2day? They better damn well all b women!
She texted him a smiley face. A damn freaking smiley face! He spun the truck out of the parking spot and drove for the barbershop. Smiley face, my ass.
After his haircut, he eased his truck into a parking place along Waterfalls Road, grabbe
d his swim trunks, rolled into a towel, and strode into Bookstore by the Falls. Kelcee was shelving books from a box. Her greeting was curt. Looked like he had some fences to mend.
“Kelcee?”
She hiked her chin. “Reece.”
“Is Dust all right? I was tough on him last night.”
The redhead stormed toward him. “You sure as hell were. He has bruises, Reece. My man has bruises!”
“Kelcee…don’t let those luscious lips get that teacup ass of yours in trouble.” A soft warning reached them both.
“Dammit,” she bit off. “Busted again. I’m sorry if I offended you, but this man is all I have. He’s all I love.” Her voice rose. “Even if he is a wart on my ass!”
Reece smiled and patted her arm. “I understand how loving someone makes you want to protect them at all costs. Dust is lucky to have you. I’m damn lucky he’s one of my best friends.”
She shifted her shoulders. “Well, all right then. Just ’cause you’re so cute when you’re repentant.”
“Cute?” Dust roared as he strode through the open doorway between her bookstore and his architect office. “You think this monkey butt is cute? Hey, nice haircut. Go upstairs and change into your swimming trunks. I need to ask this sexy woman why she called me a wart.”
While Reece and Dust covered the same area they had yesterday, their time in the secret grotto was shorter. Not only did Reece want to buy a table for Piper’s dollhouse and collect it at the community center, he also wanted to attach tracking devices to the new red clothes and sneakers she’d wear to the zoo tomorrow. And he had a little surprise planned for the love of his life.