Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
“I’m sure it’s wonderful,” she told him, sliding into the chair he pulled out for her.
After putting her napkin on her lap to show him she had manners, Brooklyn took a bite of the sandwich. A long string of cheese stretched as she pulled the yummy treat away. She twirled it around her finger and popped it into her mouth when she’d finished chewing. “Absolutely incredible.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Caden told her.
Brooklyn couldn’t believe how easy it was to talk to him. He didn’t probe into her past, but told funny stories about his team. She could tell how bonded they were. Each seemed to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Caden’s perceptions of the other soldiers impressed her. His role as the team chief relied on his experience and insight into those he led.
“Did you always want to be a soldier?”
“Always. My father and grandfather were in the military. I guess it’s in my blood.”
“Isn’t your job dangerous?” she asked, trying to look cheerful, while inside she worried.
“I won’t lie to you, Brookie. My team deals with some unpleasant characters. That’s why we train so hard. So we can get in, do the job we’re given, and all return safely. We should talk about deployments.”
Her appetite vanished. Brooklyn gripped her hands together under the table and asked, “You won’t leave soon, will you?”
“My position deals with a lot of emergencies, sweetheart. When my phone rings, I go. Let me grab a piece of paper and we’ll figure out what you should do if you’re here alone.”
“Oh, I’ll just leave,” she blurted. He wouldn’t want her to stay if he weren’t here.
“You will not. This is your home now.” His tone was stern and commanding.
She definitely didn’t want to argue with him, but when he was gone, she would have to do whatever she needed to be safe. “I appreciate you want me to stay.”
An ‘eep’ of surprise escaped from her lips as he plucked her out of her chair to sit on his lap. Automatically, she tried to slide off, but he held her firmly in place. “Caden…”
“Eyes on mine, little girl.”
Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet his blue eyes. His expression struck her—caring and concerned. “I will take every precaution to keep you safe, even if I’m not here. Your days of running are over, little girl.”
“I hate looking over my shoulder. And…” She hesitated.
“And what, Brookie?”
“I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to stay with you.”
“And I want you here. So we make plans, and you stick around,” he told her firmly.
“Okay. I won’t run.”
“Good girl. Now, I don’t indulge very much, but I think this calls for a celebration. What do you think about fudge bars?”
“I love them.”
Caden placed Brooklyn back on her chair and stood to grab their empty plates. “Let Daddy clean up and then we’ll have our treat.”
“Can I help?”
“Daddy’s job. How about if you color me a picture for the refrigerator? That metal surface is so boring and sad.”
“Do you have colored pencils?” she asked eagerly.
“Go check in that drawer there.” He pointed to the bottom drawer of the desk at the side of the kitchen. “Anything in there is for you to play with. Leave the other drawers alone.”
“Yes, Daddy.” Brooklyn smacked her hand over her mouth. She hadn’t meant to call him that. It slipped out.
“Repeat that for me, Brookie,” he demanded, dropping the plates onto the counter with a clatter before walking back to her side.
“Yes, Daddy,” she whispered.
“That makes me extremely happy, Brookie.”
He whisked her back into his arms and twirled around in a circle, taking her breath away. She clung to him and laughed for the first time in many months. Her heart thumped inside her chest. She’d found someone who made everything better. “No,” she corrected her thoughts. “I found my daddy.”
CHAPTER 5
Dragging himself from the house had taken all his years of discipline. Caden was amazed how easily Brooklyn had settled in. The sight of her nestled in her crib with Fluffikins this morning had made him consider retirement for the first time. The military had always been his life. Funny how quickly she’d turned that around.
Before he’d sent her to bed, they’d worked on a plan for her to follow when he was deployed or simply out of the house. Most of the action steps required her to have a phone. He’d take care of that this afternoon on his way home.
“Guess we’ll have a light day.”
Caden looked up to see his team in a semicircle around him with expressions ranging from amusement to quickly concealed longing. Pulling his thoughts into the present, Caden zeroed in on Koa who’d made that suggestion.
“Thanks for inspiring our practice today, Koa. We’re going to focus on medical evacuations. Team, you’re down one member. The enemy blew up Koa’s backpack of equipment. Unfortunately, a piece of the radio struck our communications operator in the head, leaving him with a dangerous head injury and questionable sanity. We need to get to the barracks on Chestnut in under sixty minutes to rendezvous with the helicopter. We’re in the middle of enemy territory. Time starts now.”