Chapter 6
SIX
Angela was giddy with excitement. As if the past few days hadn’t already been perfect.
They settled into their new home quickly. It was the perfect size for them, and without even having an idea of the size, she’d brought the perfect amount of household goods. Somehow she’d forgotten some pans, but they could be replaced. It didn’t matter too much because they took dinner in the main lodge. Every night, the entire group got together for dinner in the dining hall, and she was impressed with the sense of family that they’d created. The food was incredible, so that certainly made it easy to be there.
Fallon loved her little space. Angela had brought most of her toys, but the room had a basket of toys already, and she loved the stuffed giraffe she’d found. It went with her everywhere, and had even started sleeping with the baby in the beautiful, handmade oak crib. Their bed was handmade as well, and she wanted to know who had made them.
Black hadn’t known, but he’d promised to introduce her to the designer who had set up her cabin. Angela was eager to meet the woman, because she’d done an excellent job. Angela loved the cabin and everything in it.
It was just a few days until Christmas, and they were finally heading down the mountain on an excursion. Aiden and his team had been scouring the area, checking to see if they’d been found. So far, they hadn’t, so her neurotic husband finally felt comfortable letting her go to the Christmas Festival happening tonight. And, even more importantly, he felt comfortable letting Fallon go.
Angela’s throat tightened at the thought of her little girl getting another piece of normal life. She loved Aiden with every fiber of her heart, but they led a life unlike anything she could have ever expected. It was more militarized, and so very unconventional.
They were leaving in just a few minutes, and she was almost dancing in her boots. It was early afternoon, and she was looking forward to seeing the town in the light of day. Fallon seemed to sense her excitement, because she was giggling and playing, her bright blue eyes shining.
Black had already left with a few men and would meet them down there. Angela wondered if he realized the pensive look he got in his eyes when he talked about the designer, Grace. She may not be enhanced like the other men, but even she could see the woman meant something to him.
Aiden came in through the front door, pulling his hat off and shaking snow from his shoulders. “It’s definitely Christmas-y out there. Are you ready?”
Angela grabbed up the backpack with Fallon’s snacks and diapers, and her own insulated aluminum drink cup filled with hot tea. Fallon was already heading toward her father, arms up to be held, and he picked her up, laughing. The baby was bundled in an adorable pink snowsuit, with a fluffy cap on her head. Little puffs of red hair peeked out from the edges, and she looked so stinking cute.
“Let’s go, then.”
If Angela had her druthers, she would have been down there already. From what she’d learned, the festival was a pretty big event. The stores stayed open longer for last-minute shoppers, then, once dusk fell, there would be a holiday parade with lit floats going down main street. Santa and his reindeer would be at the courthouse square. And there would be craft vendors selling their items all around the square.
It sounded incredibly, beautifully normal.
The original plan was that Fontana and Jordyn would join them, but Jordyn wasn’t feeling good. They were going to pass on the night. Instead, Doc, Vaughn and a man she didn’t know well, Shade, would be escorting them down the mountain to provide security. Angela missed Donna and Haven, but they’d had to return to Virginia. They promised to be back soon.
Angela touched her cross-body bag and felt the shape of her own weapon. As crazy as it was to have a gun around the baby, it reassured her. She’d been an MP in the Marines and a cop for many years, so it was natural for her to carry. As excited as she was for Fallon to experience the night, she would not forego her safety. If somebody came after them, there would be hell to pay.
The drive down the mountain seemed to take a very long time, but it was actually quicker than going up the mountain. Vaughn drove with Aiden in the front seat. She and the baby were in the back, and Doc and Shade were in his Jeep, following along behind.
Angela put her face to the window, looking at everything she hadn’t seen before. It had been nighttime when they’d arrived at the Foxhole a few days ago, so she hadn’t been able to see much. North Carolina was beautiful. Granted, everything covered in snow was pretty, but even without snow, she thought it would be nice. The towering evergreens on the mountain were her favorite. They thinned out the further down they went. The area at the bottom of their mountain was very rural, and they passed a couple of farms on the way into town. They crested a small rise, and she could see the town spread down below them. It wasn’t flat. Like their Foxhole, the people here had built on the slopes and in the valleys.
Main Street was closed, but they were directed to parking. Vaughn backed the SUV into the slot so they could pull out quickly if they needed to.
Angela felt her heart race with excitement as they stepped into the crisp, cold air. Snow continued to fall, ever so gently. The festive atmosphere enveloped them like a warm blanket, with colorful lights strung across the streets and the cheerful sound of laughter and music filling the air. It reminded her of hot summer nights heading to the county fair.
Aiden adjusted Fallon in his arms, her tiny mittened hands clutching the soft fabric of her giraffe. The baby’s eyes widened as she took in the multitude of displays, her cheeks flushed from the cold. Angela watched them, a smile breaking across her face. This was what she had longed for—normalcy, joy, and a sense of being welcomed.
“Stay close,” Aiden said, his voice light but still protective. Vaughn, Doc and Shade separated, drifting into the crowd. Angela knew the men were trying to give them a sense of independence and privacy, but they would be there in a split second if anything seemed off. And they would have a shield ready for the baby if she decided to act up.
They made their way down the bustling street, flanked by vendor stalls adorned with handmade crafts, ornaments, and warm treats. The smell of cinnamon roasted nuts mingled with the sweet scent of funnel cakes covered in powdered sugar, making her stomach growl. She glanced at Aiden. Even he had a slight smile on his normally grim face, but his eyes continued to scan.
“Is this most of the town?” she asked, her excitement growing as she looked through the smiling crowds.
“Seems like it,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with delight as he watched Fallon bounce in his arms. “It’s a great time of year to get out.”
As they approached a booth selling hot cocoa, Fallon squealed with delight, pointing at the colorful marshmallow decoration bobbing in the breeze. Angela couldn’t resist the urge to indulge her daughter; it was a perfect moment to create a memory.
“Okay, hot cocoa it is!” Aiden said, setting Fallon down for a moment. The baby immediately waddled toward the booth, her little snowsuit making her movements even more adorable.
Angela grinned. “I’ll get it,” she said, moving forward.
As she ordered the cocoa, she absorbed the atmosphere around her—children laughing, couples chatting, and the distant sound of holiday music. Everything felt vibrant and alive, wrapping her in a sense of warmth, despite the cold.
“Here we go!” she said, returning to Aiden and Fallon, who were now admiring the colorful displays on the lamp posts overhead. Fallon’s eyes sparkled with wonder, and Angela couldn’t help but grin at her baby’s obvious joy. Pulling her cell phone out, she snapped a couple of pictures of father and daughter together, then dropped it back in her bag.
Angela drew out a spoonful of hot chocolate, then blew on it to cool. She held it out to Fallon. The little girl swooped in immediately and she started to bounce. “More, mama, more.”
It took a very long time to spoon feed the cooled chocolate, but it was time well spent to Angela.
“Look at that, sweetheart!” Aiden pointed to a nearby booth where a vendor was demonstrating how to make blown glass ornaments.
“Oh, pitty!” Fallon exclaimed, her voice ringing with excitement.
With cooling cocoa in hand, they made their way down the street. They paused to watch a small group of children crafting colorful paper ornaments at a table. Fallon was too little to do that, but the smiling attendant handed Aiden a piece of paper and a strip of basic watercolor paints. Aiden knelt beside Fallon, guiding her tiny hands as they painted and decorated, their laughter blending with the sounds of other children around them.
“This is so much fun!” Angela said, grinning as she watched Aiden interact with their daughter. It was a moment of pure normalcy, one she had dreamed of in the stress-filled months since Fallon had been born.
As they finished their ornaments, Fallon held her paper up proudly, the colors vibrant and messy. “Mama!” she shouted, her joy infectious. Then she spouted a stream of gibberish Angela had no hope of deciphering.
“It’s beautiful!” Aiden said, grinning down at her.
Angela was beyond words. This was what Christmas was meant to be—simple, joyful, and filled with love. They continued to explore the festival, stopping to enjoy roasted nuts and admiring the twinkling lights as the daylight faded. She was curious about the town, so she wandered through the stores, finding a few little gifts. They found the town of inflatable dolls, and Fallon wasn’t sure if she liked them or not. Then she saw the other kids laughing as they ran through, and she decided it was okay to go in and look. By the time they exited the display, she was giggling like the rest of the children.
Everywhere Angela looked, families were creating memories. The protective detail stayed out of sight, mostly, letting her build the fantasy in her head.
As they strolled through the festival, Fallon’s attention was caught by the parade preparations. What sounded like a marching band started playing down the street, and people started drifting to the curbs. “Oh, Fallon,” Aiden said in an excited voice. “Santa’s coming!”
Angela’s heart swelled with joy as they found a spot to watch the floats pass by, the holiday magic almost literally dancing around them. It was exactly what she’d wanted for Fallon’s first official Christmas.
And something in Angela’s heart bloomed as well, because the little town actually felt like home.
Aiden could feel the emotions rolling off his wife, and it made him smile in reaction. They were in a situation that didn’t allow a lot of freedom, so he loved being able to give her anything normal. And he knew and understood why she fought for normalcy for Fallon. The baby was a wonder, and he had a feeling she would only be more amazing the more she matured. They needed to give her a grounded beginning.
Who would have ever thought his kid would be some kind of wonder kid? Dr. Elizabeth had warned them at the beginning of the pregnancy that she could be different. No other soldier who had been tested on with the Spartan drug had had a baby, that they knew of. So no one knew what was possible.
Now they did. Kind of. It seemed like Fallon got stronger every month. And her strength grew with her maturity. Spartan had changed him on a genetic level, which he’d passed on to Fallon.
On the one hand, he felt guilty about bringing her into their world. What right did he have to spread this curse and make her a target? But, on the other hand, she was made with love, and he couldn’t imagine living without her.
Fallon started bouncing in his arms, and it took strength to hold her to him. Santa’s sleigh, with real reindeer, was passing in front of them. “Settle down, Little Bit. We’ll go see him in a minute.”
There was a building pressure in his stomach. He glanced at Angela, and she gave him a sideways smile and a nod. She was feeling it as well. He looked at Fallon. “You need to stop pushing us. We will get you there to see him soon enough.”
She jounced in his arms and kicked her feet, wanting down. He set her down, but held onto her hand. Angela firmly took her other hand. “We have to be patient, Fallon. He’s not even at his chair yet.”
They headed in the direction the parade was going, weaving through people. It was close quarters here, which stressed him out, and he would like to find a free space. Just then, he spotted Black standing in front of a gayly decorated florist shop, talking to a beautiful woman. It was interesting because the woman was leaning into his space, her head tilted up toward him. And Black seemed to be trying not to look at her. Even from several yards away, Aiden could feel the interest between the two, and it surprised him. Black was normally so closed off.
He glanced down at Angela walking beside him, and he spotted her playful look. She had seen the mutual interest as well.
Black glanced up as they drew near and seemed glad of the interruption. “Aiden! I’m glad you made it. Grace, this is Aiden and Angela, and their baby girl, Fallon. Guys, this is Grace Lane. She decorated your cabin and basically made it livable.”
Grace grinned as she stepped forward to shake their hands, and Aiden could see why Black was a little distracted by the woman. She was beautiful, and she had a very strong personality. It practically radiated off her. Angela leaned in to shake the woman’s hand, and they started chatting immediately. Aiden was surprised when Fallon jerked her hand away from his and toddled to the woman. When she held her arms up to be picked up, he was even more surprised. Fallon never went to anyone she didn’t know.
Grace picked the baby up immediately, a broad grin splitting her face. She propped the baby on her hip like she was a pro. “Well, aren’t you a darling? I see you love the giraffe.” She wiggled the stuffed animal with one hand. “That belonged to my nephew when he was a baby. He carried it everywhere. That giraffe has traveled a lot.”
Fallon grinned and launched into a long baby-babble conversation, and Grace responded accordingly when she paused.
Aiden and Angela looked at each other, bemused. Fallon had a fantastic sense of people, but they’d never seen her practically leap into someone’s arms like that.
“Well, she really likes you,” Black said slowly.
Grace grinned. “I come from a big family, and my nephew is just a little older than Fallon. He’s wandering around here somewhere with my brother. Plus, I have a lot of little cousins. There’s always a baby around.”
Grace tucked some of Fallon’s baby hair under the hood of her snowsuit. “You will have plenty of little people ready to play with you. Your mom can just give me a holler and we’ll set something up.”
Fallon blinked at Grace, then reached out and cupped her cheek. Grace blinked, her gaze going a little hazy, before her eyelids did a few quick blinks and she sagged. Then she gave a hard blink and straightened, glancing around curiously. Fallon leaned toward her mother, and Angela took her.
Grace seemed to be shaping words, but Aiden interrupted her before she could think too deeply about what had happened. “So, I think we’re going to go meet Santa. It was a pleasure meeting you, Grace.”
“Oh, let me show you the way. I have an ‘in’.”
They started walking down the street, weaving through the crowds, the girls in front chatting and the guys behind. Aiden could feel his security people scattered around them, but no sense of anything in the least bit dangerous. He glanced at Black.
“Is it always this… bucolic?”
One side of Black’s mouth tipped up in a smile. “I wish I could say no, but I can’t. Whisper Hollow is a fairytale kind of place. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any place this laid back. Every trite small-town thing you can think of is here.” He shook his head. “The only official warning I’ll give you is to avoid the coffee at the hardware store.”
Aiden frowned. “There’s coffee at the hardware store?”
He nodded once. “There’s a group of old guys that meet there every morning, so they put in a breakfast/lunch counter to take advantage of the rush. The coffee there is terrible.”
Aiden lifted a brow at that. They had a rush at the hardware store?
“There is a second hardware/ craft store, but the brothers don’t get along. Don’t ever let one or the other know you went to the opposite brother first, because you’ll never make it out of the store without hearing the whole story about who slept with who’s girlfriend.”
Aiden stopped and stared at the man in charge of the Foxhole. Black was one of the most level-headed, dry men he knew. He was responsible for a huge budget and more than two dozen employees. It wasn’t like him to buy into, let alone repeat, gossip.
Black held up his hands and shook his head. “Hey, you told me to integrate, so I integrated. I’m telling you about the alligators before you go swimming.”
Aiden fell back into step with the man, looking around. Feeling around. “It’s just a little surreal. Three days ago, mercenaries were testing our security on the building and I was getting ready to fight off a mental and physical attack. And now we’re talking craft stores.”
“Hardware stores,” Black corrected, holding up a cautioning finger.
Aiden laughed, some of the tension of the night, and the preceding days, lightening.
“Is that what encouraged the move?” Black asked, and Aiden nodded.
Grace led them through the crowd, pausing here and there to introduce them to people or point out some kind of landmark.
“Owen, did you warn him about the brothers?” she asked at one point, grinning over her shoulder.
Aiden blinked and cocked his head at Black. He knew the man’s name was Owen, but he’d never heard anyone actually call him that. Even as he watched, Owen ’s jaw tightened, and he winced a little under Aiden’s look.
“Yes, I did,” he said.
“And I appreciate the warning, Owen,” Aiden said, trying not to laugh at the man’s discomfort.
Grace didn’t seem to sense anything wrong, but it told Aiden a lot. Their dour, moody administrator, who barely laughed, was loosening up. For a woman.