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)
“Fuck!” Koa said, dropping the backpack and hitting the ground. “I hate being the dummy.”
Max ran forward and scooped Koa over his shoulder as the group broke into a run toward the opposite side of the base. They moved into the shadows of the buildings to the tree line. Each member of the team contributed to their progress. They rotated who carried Koa to avoid overtaxing any individual. Caden worked with the team while noting places where they could make improvements. At sixty-seven minutes, they arrived at their target.
Caden announced the time. “We missed the transport. What could we have done better?”
Automatically, the men headed back to their starting point. They discussed where they lost unnecessary moments, potentially shaving off seconds here and there. The next time, they arrived three minutes late. On the third run through, the team had time to survey their surroundings and emerge safely into the clearing to dive into their imaginary helicopter.
“What do we take with us from this?” Caden asked.
“We don’t let Koa have any more ice cream cones at our gatherings,” Hank suggested, rubbing his shoulder.
“Hey! Thank your lucky stars you were carrying me and not Max,” Koa protested, gesturing at the largest man on the team.
“Should we run it one more time with Max as our injury?” Caden asked.
“Nah. The weight wasn’t the problem. It was the temptation to drop Koa on his head that slowed us down,” Jerico said.
Everyone turned to stare at him in shock. Jerico was the last person anyone would have expected that ribbing to come from. Caden laughed, breaking the ice, and the others quickly joined him. Jerico was the newest member of the team, having joined them a few months ago. That joking comment showed Caden the group had truly bonded together.
Caden studied the group with a half-smile. The link between them would go a long way in keeping the men alive. He couldn’t have planned this better.
Keeping his focus on the training exercises had challenged Caden’s discipline today. Rigidly, he’d kept his head in the game despite wishing he was back at home with his little girl. Caden had always planned on taking things slow when courting someone. Like his teammates, Caden had recognized Brooklyn as his own immediately, like a lightning bolt zinging through him.
By the end of the day, his ability to make small talk had evaporated. Caden focused on getting back to Brooklyn. He forced himself to stop and pick up the phone he’d reserved earlier in the day. A cute case with bunnies on it caught his eye at the store and went into the sack as well. She’d need some kind of protection for the device, right?
The house appeared quiet when he pulled into his driveway. His heart sank in his chest. She couldn’t have left. Pounding up the two steps to his front door, Caden burst inside. He spotted a flash of pink and knew he’d scared her. Instant regret flashed through him. He shouldn’t have imagined the worst. Why the hell hadn’t he checked for her car in the garage? He tossed the phone on the couch, disgusted with himself.
“Brookie. It’s me, sweetheart. I’m sorry I scared you,” he called as he walked into the hallway.
When she didn’t answer, he continued, “The house looked abandoned. I panicked, thinking you had left.”
“You told me not to go.” Her whisper came from under the crib. The bedding naturally draped over the edge of the bed.
“That’s a great hiding spot, sweetheart. You thought quickly on your feet.”
“Was this a test?” she asked. Caden could hear the outrage in her voice and knew he needed to tread carefully.
“No, Brookie. It wasn’t a test. This was your daddy’s fear exploding. I should have trusted that you’d stay true to your promise.”
“That’s right. You should have trusted me.”
“Would you come out here so I can apologize?” Caden asked, needing to see her. He settled cross-legged on the floor next to the crib.
Seconds clicked by in the silent room. Finally, the bedspread twitched as a hand pulled it to the side. Brooklyn peeked out. Her eyes widened upon seeing him so close to her. Immediately, she scooted out.
Caden scooped her up in his arms and set her on his lap. He kissed her softly before saying, “Hi, sweetheart. I’m sorry I scared you.”
“I wasn’t sure what time you’d be home. Then someone banged on the door as they tried to get inside.”
“I bet you thought it was Brent. That was frightening. How about if I come in through the garage from now on? I’ll always be here around five. Today, I’m a bit late because I had to stop for something.”
“What?” popped out of her mouth before she quickly said, “Sorry. That’s not my business.”
“You can ask me anything, Brookie. I may not be able to answer if it’s about work or the team, but I’ll share what I can. How about if I show you what I picked up in a few minutes? I need to hold you now.”