Found

by Claudia Burgoa

  “It’s true what we heard. You’re back.” Willow's voice drags me away from the view. When I turn around, I see her, carrying my favorite little boy, Charlie.

  “My Bee,” Charlie calls out, squealing. His little arms trying to reach me.

  I march toward them, taking him in my arms. “How’s my little boy?”

  He gives me a sloppy kiss on the cheek. My favorites. His little chubby arms go around me. His head snuggles in the crook of my neck.

  “He missed you. We all did,” Willow assures me, giving me a tight hug. “I hated that we had to let you go, but I trusted that you’d come back.”

  “I missed you too,” I kiss Charlie. “So much, big sister. I am sorry for being so absent.”

  “You did what you had to do, and now you’re back,” she replies, smoothing my unruly hair. “How did it go with Elliot?”

  “We found closure,” I respond, sighing heavily. “It was a heart-wrenching journey, but we both needed it.”

  “Hazel Beesley is back!”

  Luna walks toward me, she snatches Charlie from my hold and gives him a big kiss before handing him back to me. “Go back to your Bee, we can fight for you later.” Her light brown eyes concentrate on me. “It’s all good now?”

  “Yeah,” I respond, giving her a side hug. “How are you?”

  “Glad to be back home. I’m happier because you’re here.” She looks around. “And I have so many new ideas for the foundation,” she says all jittery.

  We both giggle, because we love to give and to help as many people as we can.

  “Squirt,” Harrison calls from the kitchen showing me a bottle of tequila. “I brought you Juanes, are we celebrating?”

  “All day long,” I agree.

  “I heard we have a house in San Francisco,” Harrison declares.

  “Dude, it’s a mansion,” Fitz informs him, then turns toward me. “Are you keeping the houses?”

  “I’d say yes,” I declare, looking at Scott for confirmation.

  “It’s up to you, Bee,” he says, holding a tray of tortilla chips and grinning at me. “You look adorable with a baby in your arms.”

  “We should make one, or two.” He winks at me.

  “Put a ring on it.” I show him my left hand. “And maybe we can discuss babies.”

  “Marry me tomorrow,” he suggests.

  “That’s a weak proposal, Everhart.”

  He smirks. “I haven’t proposed, yet.”

  Willow takes Charlie away from my arms. “Let’s eat, you two can get acquainted later.”

  Scott gives the tray to Luna and takes me into his arms. He bends down and brushes his lips against mine. “I want to marry you, and have a big family.”

  “That’s a discussion for another day, Scotty,” I caress his jaw, kissing it. “But we can always practice.”

  He slants his mouth to mine, devouring me as he threads his hand in my hair, pulling it down and exposing my neck. He trails his lips down kissing my neck. “I like how you think, Beesley.”

  We entwine hands and walk to the formal dining room where everyone is waiting. I peer around our table.

  I finally see them. I finally recognize my family.

  It’s messy, like love. Sometimes they’re crazy, but they’re mine. I have Scott. The love of my life. He’s the one I found under the debris and ruins of my life. It was painful, but it was worth it.

  Because I found him.

  Scott.

  My infinite love.

  Epilogue

  “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” ― Anonymous.

  Scott

  A year later …

  We sit by the terrace, on the swing seat overlooking Central Park. The sweet scent of flowers wafts over the warm breeze.

  “I want to stay here forever,” Hazel rests her head on my shoulder as I pull her toward me.

  “You have about an hour before we have to cook,” I offer, turning to look at her, then, leaning forward to kiss her belly. “Luna promised to bring you enchiladas.”

  I place a hand on her small bump. “How are you feeling?”

  “Happy, and a little tired.” She yawns and sighs when our dog, Murphy, trots toward us holding his leash.

  “We just went for a walk, Murph,” my beautiful wife complains.

  “You chose a very active dog, my love.” I kiss her nose, then brush her lips against mine.

  “But I don’t want you to move,” she protests, patting the empty spot next to her and encouraging the dog to jump up.

  “Come with us. It won’t take us long.” I grab the leash from him.

  She springs out of her seat and nods as she looks around the terrace. Proud of her garden. It’s a tribute to my parents and a way for her to relax. This is her favorite spot, her haven. The place where I proposed and where we married. Fitz officiated the ceremony. Willow and Luna were the bridesmaids. Hunter and Harrison were the groomsmen. The service was intimate, only our family. That’s the way we wanted it.

  As the sun set, the cello played Vivaldi's winter. Hazel marched toward me, her arm linked to her grandfather's. My heart stopped when I saw her. The most beautiful woman walking toward me wearing the brightest, most warming smile I've ever seen. That day, in front of our family, we promised to spend the rest of our lives together, to ignite the flame of our love every day and to continue creating magical moments. After we came back from our honeymoon, we had a big reception with our clients, business partners, and friends.

  “You're thinking about our day,” she says, smiling. “It was cold, but I couldn't say no to marrying you during the winter solstice.”

  “I’m so thankful that I found you,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I love you so much, Scott Everhart.”

  “We found each other, Bee.” I bend over kissing her slowly, as I sway her. We dance to the rhythm of our own beat. This is how I want to be with her, forever.

  …Four months later.

  After twenty hours in labor, we finally met the best part of us. Our baby girl. She’s tiny like Hazel. Our little miracle, she’s the love of our lives. Brielle is only a couple of hours old, but like her mother, she stole my heart the moment I met her. She’s precious.

  I sit in the chair next to Hazel, rocking Brie back and forth staring at my beautiful wife, who finally fell asleep. Once my girls are settled, I carefully open the letter Hazel left for me in her hospital bag.

  Scotty,

  Congratulations, you’re a Dad!

  Today, we learned that we’re expecting a girl. I’m scared, excited but happy to know this tiny life we created has you as her dad. Right now, we’re in our home office. You’re planning her future, researching the best hospitals and places to raise children. Planning is usually my job, but not for those you love.

  It’s in these moments when I remember why I adore you. Every second we’re together, you make sure I’m safe, that I’m protected, but you don’t treat me like I’m made of glass. I love you because you push my limits, because you love me with all my imperfections. Belonging wasn’t a clear verb for me until I met you, until we took that journey and stepped away from our comfort zone to discover our infinite love.

  But this isn’t why I’m writing you this letter. I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for melting my frozen heart, for being the light in my darkest days. Thank you for holding me next to you every night. Thank you for being my confidant, for trusting me with your heart. But most of all, thank you for giving me a family.

  For becoming my dream.

  Surprisingly, it wasn’t about the fairy tale happy ending. It’s about the happy beginning with millions of adventures waiting for us. How silly of me to wish for a great end when the real joy is to look forward to tomorrow.

  Most of all, thank you for our little Brielle. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

  With infinite love,

  Hazel Everhart

  Letter from The Auth
or

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for taking time out of your life to read Found. Hazel and I have been discussing her story for almost two years. She’s the one who introduced me to Hunter, and the Everhart brothers. But to get her story was trickier than I imagine. But I think she’s one of the characters I’ve enjoyed writing about the most.

  After you’re done reading, I’d appreciate if you leave a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, or Bookbub. And if possible, spread the love around your friends. Let them know about Found and the Everhart brothers. Want to know more about the Everhart men? Subscribe to my newsletter to find out about upcoming releases, extra scenes and special offers.

  Sending you hugs and all my love,

  Claudia

  P.S. Keep reading for an excerpt of Flawed and Fervent.

  Fervent

  “Not yet!”

  It will happen any second now, I murmur.

  “Are they ready to deploy?” I continue mumbling shit, watching. Waiting for what feels like fucking forever. “Everyone awaits, sir. All units are ready for your instructions. What is your take on this mission? This doesn’t look good, when the explosion—”

  “Shut the fuck up, Everhart,” a voice comes through my earpiece. I adjust it and recognize Mason Bradley’s voice bitching at me. “This isn’t a fucking game with action figures.”

  “Or a video game,” Anderson Hawkins, who is on the ground waiting for our informant, states. “I swear to God, I have no idea how I’ve been putting up with your shit for years.”

  “Because I’ve saved your ass a few dozen times,” I remind him.

  “You want me to kick his ass?” Tiago, who stands next to me, asks in a mocking tone.

  “By now, you all should understand that I hate to be on standby.” Tiago, Hawk, and I have been brothers since the Army. Then, we moved to the Rangers, and now we all work for the same high intelligence, private security company.

  “I need some action,” I mumble through the communicator, my right index finger set on the trigger, my eye trained on the area where Hawk and Bradley wait. “This wait is killing me.”

  “No, you don’t want action,” Hawk mumbles back. “If the operation doesn’t run smoothly, I will kill you after my woman kills me. She threatened me with bodily harm if I came home with a scratch.”

  “You’re whipped, man,” Tiago says.

  We laugh. Aspen, his fiancée, is a foot shorter than him and looks so sweet. However, she can stand up to the guy and make him do whatever she wants.

  “But he’s right, Everhart. You have to chill. Imagine the nine o’clock headlines,” Tiago paints the tragic picture. “‘Terrorists taking over Manhattan’ or ‘A group of former Rangers lost their shit and terrorized New York.’ My mama isn’t gonna like that.”

  Tiago kicks me with his heavy boots in the ribs. “If you upset my mama, I’ll have to bury you alive. You get me?”

  I gasp. “Got it.” I rub the side of my body. “Not that you can take me down, fucker.”

  I try to settle, but it’s fucking impossible. I wouldn’t care to wait in the middle of the Khash Desert in Afghanistan surrounded by terrorists—or to go through caves searching for the Taliban leaders. We’ve lived through danger. If we are careful, this could be nothing. I’m sure that’s going to be the result. This isn’t our first job together. They know that I hate lying on the ground watching the action play out from afar. They also know I will wait for as long as it’s needed without saying shit. I understand that not every mission means jumping out of an airplane in the middle of a jungle shooting up shit and killing the enemy. Sometimes, like today, I come along to watch the backs of other security details.

  What neither one took into consideration when they set up this mission is that, unlike the rest of our operations, this one is at home. My home. Today, I’m only a few blocks from my family. My loved ones are within a thirty-mile radius. What if something goes wrong? I can’t lose any of them. Shit, I swore to protect them just as I protected my country for years.

  My friends, partners, and brothers in blood weren’t here on that tragic Tuesday when the sky lit up, and the towers burned to the ground. Nine-eleven is a day that we all remember. I not only remember it, but I also relive it. The scenes are ingrained in my mind, seared with pain and tears. I saw the flames from the street corner as I was on my way to meet my dad. I wanted to discuss my plans to change duties within his company. My life had been set up for me. I would work for him. One day, when he retired, I would take over Everhart Enterprises.

  “Son, we’re trapped,” he told me over the phone. My chest constricted with his words. My stomach churned. It felt as if an entire battalion had punched me in the gut and left me breathless. He gave me so many instructions at once. I still remember each word, each plea, each piece of advice.

  “Take care of your brothers, Harry.” Mom implored.

  Completely numb, I assured my parents I’d take care of my brothers. I sounded the same way I did when Hunter was only two years old, and Fitz was five; and Scott and I were assigned to babysit them by ourselves. I had no fucking idea what I would do without my parents, but I pretended that everything would work out without them by my side.

  “We’ll be okay,” I promised as I watched from the buildings only a few miles away as the raging fire continued to consume the lives of so many people. “I’ll always look after them.”

  They ordered me to call Scott and help him come back from Boston. They reminded me that Fitz had a weekly appointment with the allergist on Thursdays. That Hunter would need me more than anyone else.

  “We will always watch over you and your brothers,” Mom promised.

  “We love you,” they said in unison before hanging up.

  “I love you” were the last words I ever heard from them.

  “Are we there yet, boss?” I joke, trying to erase those memories and breaking the fucking tension. I regret not sending my family out of town. Everything would be easier to handle if I knew they were safe.

  “It’s almost over,” Tiago informs me as I clean the sweat from my forehead.

  We’re on top of one of the tallest buildings in front of Central Park in the middle of August at noon watching, waiting. I’m sweating like a fucking pig.

  “Can I complain about the fucking weather?”

  “Tiago, you have permission to shoot him if he talks again,” Mason Bradley, our fearless leader, barks. My ear buzzes after his loud voice comes through. I pull out the communicator for a second, moving the binoculars toward him. His trademark scowl is directed at where he knows I hide. His mouth continues to move.

  I place the earpiece back, and I hear shit that makes no sense. “. . . fucking, Everhart, I swear I’d make the rest of your life miserable.”

  “The asphalt is melting,” I complain waiting for his comeback. However, that’s when I spot him. My eyes move to the guy with cropped dark hair and a dark camouflage jacket. He marches to Hawk. “Our informant is approaching, Hawk.”

  Hawk nods once, training his eyes on the man. The moment that they shake hands, I set the timer.

  “We have three minutes,” I call through the communicator. “Bradley, do your hacker thing. According to your intel, Kassi’s people might be onto us. Though I was bitching earlier about the lack of action, honestly, I would like to avoid Armageddon.”

  Camo-boy sets a black portfolio in front of him. Moving my sight to the left, I spot Bradley tapping his computer urgently.

  “Two minutes left,” I warn him. “Can you fucking rush it, geek?”

  Bradley’s eyes fixate on his work but the corner of his lip tugs. He tilts his head, his black hair shining against the glare of the sun, and I almost miss the red fucking dot on his shoulder.

  “Fuck!” I move my sight, searching for whoever is pointing a laser at his head.

  “What are you doing?” Tiago asks as I stand up and pull out my binoculars, searching for the man who might kill the boss.

/>   “Got you fuckers.” I pick up my M24, point at his head, and pull the trigger. Then move the gun, shooting at the guy aiming at Hawk.

  “Tiago, send a few men to the building right across the street to clean the area. Bradley, hurry. They are onto us.”

  “Done.” Bradley jumps out of the seat nodding our way.

  Tiago and I wait a few minutes, keeping an eye on Hawk and Bradley while they disappear through the crowd without leaving a trace.

  “Thank you, gentlemen. This was another successful mission,” Bradley announces through the communicator. “The plane is waiting for us. Everhart, are you coming with us? You don’t have to be in Seattle until Wednesday. Everything else can be handled remotely. The Brussels project starts mid-September.”

  Adjusting my jaw, I rotate my neck to loosen the tension. What the fuck happened to “I will buy part of the company so I could do whatever the fuck I wanted?” But I get it. There are jobs that we have to do ourselves. “I’ll take the offer of staying home for a few days. Call me if you need me though.”

  While I gather my equipment, Tiago speaks. “I’ll take Brussels and any other shitty job you have for the next couple of months.”

  I secure my gun, close the case, and stand up glaring at him. “What do you want?”

  He takes a deep breath and looks at me. “My sister needs help.”

  Wiping my forehead, I take a few seconds to think about that sentence. “Wait, fucker. You have a sister?” Wiggling my eyebrows, I grin. “Is she hot?”

  “What part of she’s my sister, and you don’t mess with her, don’t you get?”

  “Just a minute. I’ve known you for almost twenty years, and just now you happen to mention a sister?”

  He nods once. “Half-sister.” His brows furrow as his eyes divert toward the horizon. “I love my mama, but the family shit is a mess, and I keep it as far as possible from my life.”

  “Is it safe to assume that your father is alive?” He nods at my question. “So, you have a sister that you just learned about?”