“Parker…” Liam said softly. “Do you know Samuel Parker?”
“He’s my husband…was my husband,” she corrected. “How long do you think it’ll take for them to find us?”
“I’m sure they’re already above and assessing how to get to us. I’ll be damned. I’m sorry about his death.” Liam offered his condolences.
“How did you meet him?” she said, suddenly interested in how he knew her husband.
“You know I can’t discuss missions with you,” he chastised. “I watched him run into a burning building to rescue two children from their father. The man appeared convinced they betrayed him and set his home on fire. Sam saved both the kids. We stayed in the same camp for a week. Didn’t he have a nickname for you?”
“Yeah. He called me Adelaide. I hated it. He teased me unmercifully about my name,” she recalled.
“It doesn’t fit you. You try to play it cool at the hospital, staying in professional mode. But I’ve seen you outside with Avie, Shadow’s wife, sliding down the big snow hill when you think no one’s looking. You burst into laughter as you rolled offthe sled. I think you hide your playful side. I think Addy likes to come out and play.”
“Addy?” she laughed. “My grandmother called me that. I haven’t heard it in years.”
“I agree with her. You’re too serious. Addy seems full of life and laughter,” Liam teased.
“What about you? I read your medical reports. What happened?”
“The mission’s classified, Addy. I can’t talk about it,” Liam explained.
“I hear you two decided to take a shortcut,” Doc called from the trees. “Everyone doing okay in there?”
“Liam’s still stuck under the dashboard, but he has a good pulse,” she reported.
The flashlights shone on the car as the men drew near to assist them in getting out of the vehicle. Addyson glanced at Liam, seeing a cloud of disappointment cross his face before he smiled and turned his attention toward the rescue crew. He must’ve realized Addy rarely existed. The calm, professional Addyson Parker never let anyone get under her skin or in her heart.
CHAPTER 2
A week later,Leo Armstrong waited for the Serenity Securities Team to sit around the kitchen table. Shadow, Patch, Knight, Saint, and Sparky took seats, with Sparky placing Ice, her service dog, in the corner. Whiskey set the bacon on the table while Taco kissed his wife, Tess, who flipped the last of the chocolate-chip pancakes. He brought them to the table as Stormy and Cody entered with Brody, his K-9.
Leo rubbed his jaw and drank his third cup of coffee as the team settled, watching them. Tess placed the butter and syrup on the table and bade them all goodbye.
“Thanks, Tess,” Leo said, tiredly. “Listen up. We’re spinning up again in a matter of weeks. We have some administrative things to handle before we leave. Everyone met Rocker, Sparky’s friend. His divorce became final last week, and he wants to interview for a position on Team Hawk.”
Shadow leaned in, taking the butter. “We’ve met him at great lengths. I think he’ll be a great addition. When can he start?”
“I haven’t offered him a position because Sparky worked with him.” He turned to her. “Will you have an issue with him working on the same team?”
“No. He’s a great team player, and he risked his life to save mine. He’ll do the same for his brothers,” she confirmed.
“I say we let him get settled and then offer him a position. The divorce took the wind out of him. We need his head in the game,” Leo suggested. “I’m not opposed to hiring him as long as the rest of you agree.”
Everyone nodded around the table.
“Then it’s done,” he announced.
Shadow raised his hand. “I know we returned late last night, but what’s the word about Cole’s old boss? Do we know any more about the investigation?”
“Bear’s working on it in his office. He’ll update us this afternoon. I want us to hand over our equipment to Archer for cleaning and inspection. Pack our go-bags and get everything in order. I don’t know how long we’ll be gone.” Leo paused. “Patch and Knight will be welcoming little ones before they know it. Let’s get this handled so they can support their partners. We’ll take today to get everything prepped. If we get everything done, we’ll take Thursday and Friday off for a four-day weekend. Then we’ll start Monday off with the investigation.”
Everyone glanced around the table and continued to eat their breakfast. Leo rose and entered his office. Sighing, he took out his phone and texted his wife.
I’m home, Kit Kat. I want to see you and the kids. Can I run by this morning before Melody leaves for school?
Samantha has already picked her up, and I’m on my way to the hospital. The kids will be in the daycare.She texted back.
How about I go to Ty’s and bring lunch? He texted back, relieved she responded.
