Page 20 of Keeping Penny

Still feeling bad, Pyro took a bite out of his half of the chocolate bar. For some reason, it tasted better than any Twix he’d ever eaten.

“I’m glad whoever took our clothes didn’t find this Twix under my pillow,” Bowie said, as she munched happily on the sweet treat.

The mood around the table turned dark in a heartbeat at her words.

“What? Someone stole your things?” Casper asked in a low, measured tone.

“Uh-huh. Mommy put everything Kylo-Pyro got for us in this huge bag and stuck it under her bed. When we got back after exploring, some of our stuff was gone. But it’s okay, because Mommy carries everything that’s really important inside her purse. And we have other shirts because Kylo-Pyro got us so much.”

“What was taken?” Buck clipped, staring at Penny.

“Oh…it’s okay.”

“It’s not okay. I don’t care how much someone might’ve needed something you had, it’s never okay to steal. You hear that, Miss Bowie?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Uh-huh.”

“Good. Now, what did they steal?” Buck asked again.

“Most of the chocolate. A jacket in Bowie’s size, a sweatshirt, two T-shirts, and a pair of sweats,” Penny said. Then added, “But since Pyro was so generous, we still have plenty of things to wear.”

“My name’s Tate Davis,” Casper said, seemingly out of the blue.

Pyro frowned. He had no idea why his team leader was re-introducing himself to Penny. But he didn’t explain himself, just continued talking.

“My girlfriend’s name is Laryn Hardy. She’s currently pregnant, and she’s on this ship somewhere too, since she’s the head mechanic who makes sure our helicopters are running the way they should. Buck’s name is Nash Chaney, and he’s also got a woman back home. Amanda Rush, an elementary school teacher. She’ll be in charge of a first-grade class at the beginning of the next school year. Obi-Wan is Obadiah Engle, and he and Zita Darlington are together. She’s a paramedic who just moved to the Norfolk area. Arrow Porter, also known as Chaos, and Roman Aldrich, who goes by Edge, don’t have girlfriends. All these men are as trustworthy as any I’ve ever met.”

“Um…okay…” Penny said, when Casper paused. “It’s nice to meet you all. Again.”

“You have such cool names!” Bowie piped up.

“We’ve been assigned a room with bunks. Eight of them. We’re only using six. We would be honored if you and Bowie bunked in with us for the rest of the trip to Norfolk. It’ll probably take another six days or so, and it doesn’t sit well with me—or anyone else sitting at this table—that you have to carry your belongings around in that duffel bag just so they don’t get stolen. I realize this is highly unusual, and I’ll need to get approval, but I promise that you and Bowie will be completely safe with us. No one will lay a finger on you. And certainly no one will steal your things.”

Pyro had always enjoyed working with Casper. He was a great leader, an amazing pilot, and a very good friend. And now he was showing that he was compassionate and sensitive on top of everything else.

“Uh…wow. Won’t your girlfriend think it’s weird that we’re in there with you and she isn’t? I mean, I’m assuming she isn’t.”

“Laryn’s hours are crazy, and it’s important to her that she’s with her crew while on the job. So she prefers to bunk in with them. And she will absolutely have no problem with you and Bowie staying in our room, especially once she hears why,” Casper said, looking Penny in the eye.

“There’s a women’s bathroom right down the hall, and I’m guessing the lines for showers won’t be as long as the ones you’re using now and sharing with all the evacuees,” Buck added.

“And while the bunks aren’t luxurious, I bet they’re a little better than the cots,” Obi-Wan said.

“Better?” Bowie breathed. She was holding her half-eaten Twix bar in one hand, getting melted chocolate all over her fingers, and moving her attention from one person to the next as they spoke. If he didn’t know better, Pyro might have thought she could actually see them.

“Mommy, did you hear that? The beds are better. I didn’t think that was possible because my cot is super comfortable!”

It hurt Pyro’s heart that the little girl thought the cot she was sleeping on was so cozy.

“I don’t know,” Penny said. “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble. I think we’re supposed to stay where we are.”

“There aren’t any guarantees that it’ll be allowed, but I’m going to make sure the colonel knows that you were stolen from,” Casper said. “You might have to speak to him in person, to let him know that you’d like to move, that we didn’t coerce you.”

“You’ll be safe with us,” Edge said gently. “You and your daughter. We give you our word as Night Stalkers.”

“I…thank you,” Penny said softly.

“Yay!” Bowie exclaimed with a huge smile on her face as she bounced in her seat.