Page 92 of Fighting for Family

Leo knew Whiskey wrestled with his demons when he got rescued. He was offering him advice from his own experience.

“I need to make things right,” Leo said, and then took a spoonful of ice chips. “We have to change things.”

“Why don’t you wait to see what we accomplished? Then, we’ll decide what to do. You need to rest,” his friend reminded him.

“Thanks, brother,” Leo whispered before falling asleep.

CHAPTER 30

Kassie stood beside Catherine as the town paid their respects. Lizzy, Samantha, and Bryanna helped with the kids while Emma silently held Melody’s hand.

“How long do you want to wait?” she asked gently.

“You haven’t heard anything?” Catherine asked, disbelieving the men who Leo sacrificed everything for didn’t show to say goodbye.

“The calls go straight to voicemail. If you want, we can hold a private service with family when they arrive,” Kassie offered.

“I don’t think I can do this a second time,” Catherine admitted shakily. “If they aren’t here in ten minutes, we’ll have to begin without them. We’ve already made these poor people wait for almost an hour. Whiskey said they’d return yesterday.”

“We’re holding this for you and your family. Don’t worry about everyone else,” Kassie told her. “We didn’t expect all these people. Tess opened the community center, and the volunteers have graciously offered to have meals ready there. Since you’re having a baby, they won’t expect you. We’ll say a few words here and let them know the reception will be held at the center.”

“What about the reception at our home?” Catherine asked, unable to think clearly.

“We’ll send family to the house. I didn’t know Leo knew this many people, did you?” Kassie asked.

“I certainly didn’t expect them to show,” she said, stressing about the food and the crowd.

Wolf and Caroline walked up the aisle toward them. “I’m sorry for your loss, Catherine. Leo was a good man, loyal to his country, family, and friends. He’ll be missed.”

“Thank you,” she murmured before turning to Kassie. “Can you please start the service now?”

Kassie led her to her seat, signaling the start of the funeral. She sat beside her with Melody on the other side. Grace started crying, and Catherine reached for her daughter, wanting to run away from it all.

Michael walked up to the podium. “Today, we honor Derrick “Leo” Armstrong. He was a friend, a leader, a devoted husband, and a father. We thank you for coming today to pay your respects. Leo meant a lot to this community, always offering his time…”

The speech faded away as Catherine patted Grace’s back, lulling her to sleep.

“Where’s the ice cream?” Leo called from the kitchen.

“Check the freezer. It’s usually where I put it,” she called back from the bathroom where she bathed Grace.

Leo muttered something about wives thinking they knew everything, making her smile.

When she got Grace down for the night, she entered the bedroom to find a make-your-own sundae platter on the bedside table.

“Do you think you got enough?” she asked Leo as she took off her robe.

“It’s for me and you,” he said. “We haven’t spent much time together, and I want dessert,” he said, wagging his eyebrows at her, making her laugh.

“You mean you want sex,” she corrected.

“No. I want you,” he said, his voice dropping deeper. The sexy voice that made her shiver every time he used it.

“Then why did you bring ice cream with ten different toppings?”

“I want to play with my food,” he said, pushing her back against the pillows. He dribbled the cold ice cream along her nipple and licked it off.

Her arms went around his neck, and she kissed him deeply. He nuzzled her neck with his scruff, making her giggle.