Chapter 6
He parked the truck in the school parking lot and watched for his daughter as the kids piled out of the school, running for the buses or breaking off into groups to speak with their friends.
He saw her fiery red hair, like her mother’s, and waved. She didn’t see him as she spoke with LJ and Emma, two of the Serenity Mountain kids.
“Melody,” he called, waving.
She turned and scanned the school yard until her eyes landed on him. She said something to her friends before turning around and walking toward him.
Leo felt a bit of sadness at seeing her take her time getting to him, when in the past she used to light up and run into his arms.
“Hey, June Bug,” he said, hugging her affectionately. “I counted the hours until your school day ended. I missed you.”
“Missed you, too, Dad,” she said, seeming guarded.
“Didn’t your mom text you and tell you I planned on picking you up this afternoon?” he asked as they walked to the truck, holding the door open for her.
Melody shrugged and took the flowers from him. “Thank you. She did, but you’ve forgotten before. I didn’t want to get disappointed when I got a text saying Aunt Kassie or one of the uncles waited for me instead.”
Frowning, Leo slid into the driver’s seat and glanced at his daughter. She no longer wore pigtails. The little girl beside him grew up and now wore her hair swept to one side with a barrette. When did it happen?
“How about a side stop at the ice cream place? I’m in the mood for chocolate chip today,” he asked as he turned toward town.
“It’s all right. I’ll have a snack at the daycare. Avie’s helping me with my math. I have a test in two days, and fractions are kicking my butt. She always knows how to explain it.”
“How about letting your old dad help you? We can get some ice cream and then crack open your books. I’ll be spinning up and may not get to spend time with you for a bit,” he explained as he pulled in front of the ice cream shop.
Melody glanced out of the window. “Even when you’re here, you don’t spend time with me anymore. Emma and LJ’s parents came to the spelling bee and saw me win my first medal. You didn’t even ask to see it.”
Leo ran his hand down his face, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry I let you down, June Bug. Running a business takes a lot of work, and sometimes I can’t miss a meeting.”
“LJ’s mom owns a business, and Aunt Kassie and Uncle Chase own a huge hospital, and they showed up,” she informed him.
“You’re not even home at bedtime. Mama got sick, and when I went to get you, the babies started crying, and Mama couldn’t get them.
You were gone. I called Gran Carol, and she helped us. ”
Hearing the disappointment in her voice, he tugged a strand of hair.
“I’m sorry I let you down. I’m starting a new team and working with K-9’s.
It’s got me sidetracked. Don’t ever think I’m not there because I don’t care or I don’t love you, June Bug.
Your mom, you, and your siblings mean the world to me. ”
“Mama told me. She said not to feel mad at you because you save lots of people around the world,” Melody said quietly. “But she’s sick all the time, and I can’t ever find you.”
Sighing, Leo unbuckled her and pulled her close. “I promise, I’ll do better. In fact, Gran Carol, and Gramps Jake plan to watch you while I take your mom out for a nice dinner and a surprise.”
“Really?” she asked as her eyes widened in excitement.
“Yup. Sometimes my job requires me to work at night, but I’ll be home more after tonight,” he told her hopefully.
“Let’s get some ice cream. Aunt Avie will show me later,” she said, beaming and reaching for the latch. “I’m getting blue raspberry and bubble gum frozen yogurt.”
“Yuuuck,” he said, sticking out his tongue and making gagging sounds.
Melody giggled, and the tightness in his chest lessened.
He watched as she went up to the counter, placed her order, and turned to him, waiting for him.
He swiped his card and they took a seat.
She babbled about her best friends and how Mr. Harold wore a toupee, and it fell off during class.
Leo stared at the miniature version of his wife and hoped he could change her mind as easily as a bowl of ice cream and a promise to do better.
When they finished, he took her to the hospital daycare and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tonight,” he promised.
Throwing her arms around his neck, June Bug squeezed him tightly. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, June Bug,” he whispered in her ear, as her words melted his heart.
Returning to the facility, he set his alarm for 1630.
It gave him fifteen minutes to shut everything down and pick up Kit Kat for their dinner and a special night together.
Maybe if he got her to relax, they might be able to hold a conversation about the elephant in the room, or rather her stomach.
Guilt gnawed at him, and he pushed it aside to get his work completed for the day.
Several phone calls later, he made a pile of things he needed from Whiskey and a secondary order list for Stormy. Feeling good about the progress he made, he glanced at his watch, seeing he finished with fifteen minutes to spare.
Pulling out the case file concerning Cole’s boss, he reviewed the new material Bear uncovered. It appeared they’d leave within a month or sooner. His contact didn’t want the team to arrive until they scheduled another supply shipment.
He made notes on what to discuss with the men and planned on welcoming Liam to the team.
Doc sent him a message earlier saying he released his newest hire today.
His watch buzzed, letting him know he needed to pick up Kit Kat in fifteen minutes.
Leo went to his bathroom and brushed his teeth.
After eating an Italian sub for lunch, he didn’t want any strong scents which might trigger his wife’s morning sickness.
He grabbed his jacket, checked his pockets for his keys, and his office phone rang.
“Leo Armstrong speaking,” he answered.
“Hello, Mr. Armstrong. Please hold the line for the President of the United States.”
Leo gulped. The president?
“Hello, Leo. How are you doing?”
“I…ugh…I’m fine, Mr. President,” he stuttered, not believing his ears.
“A friend of yours filled us in on an upcoming mission you’ll be participating in later this month…”
Leo listened as the president expressed his orders in detail and put him in touch with one of his generals in Afghanistan.
The president assured Leo that his team would have the necessary clearances to identify the traitors involved.
It seems he held Serenity Securities in high regard and invited them to visit the White House upon their return.
Leo hung up the phone and rushed to his truck. Noticing the time, he knew Kit Kat most likely took the kids to their house, where Carol and Jake planned to watch them.
Turning the truck toward his cabin, He jogged up the stairs and let himself inside, expecting to see her waiting.
Instead, he found her washing dishes and holding Derrick on her hip. Melody seemed absorbed in her homework while Grace played with her spaghetti in her highchair.
“Did Carol and Jake want us to bring the kids to them?” he asked.
Kit Kat sniffed as she wiped her brow and took the pan from the stove. “They left over an hour ago,” she said stiffly.
Leo saw the time and inwardly groaned. “Something important came up,” he said. “I rushed over as soon as I finished.” He pulled out his phone. “We missed dinner. Did you eat? I can make you a sandwich, and we can still make the surprise.”
“Melody, why don’t you finish your homework in your room?” she suggested strongly.
His daughter slid from her seat and sent him a worried glance before leaving.
Kit Kat placed Derrick in his playpen while Leo fed Grace the rest of her food and handed her the sippy cup.
Wiping down her tray, he washed her face and hands before placing her in her playpen, filled with Navy submarines, warships, and a doll dressed as a SEAL.
“I know you’re mad—”
“I stopped feeling angry an hour ago, Leo,” she gritted out. “You need to leave. I still have to give the babies a bath and do a load of laundry. Tomorrow’s purple day at school, and I have to find Melody a shirt.”
“I’ll help you,” he offered. “We can get it started, and then when Carol and Jake arrive, they can finish up.”
Kit Kat closed her eyes and seemed to count to ten. “I’m not going with you. You’re over an hour and a half late.”
“The President of the United States called me. It’s not like I can say, “Mr. President, I’ll have to return your call.”
“At least you thought of calling or texting him back. I didn’t even get a message,” she accused. “It’s not like it’s anything new. I don’t know why I thought this would turn out differently than any other time.”
“You’re not being fair. I’ve driven here every night and helped you put the kids to bed,” he said in a hushed tone. “You’re the one who refuses to let me stay.”
Kit Kate shook her head. “Why? Will you offer me moral support while you snore? I don’t think so. I knew exactly what kind of life I was committing to when I married you. We agreed on the number of kids and how to share the household chores. You’re not holding up your end.”
“You know my job has kept me away. You can’t fault me for helping our family. Did you want me to tell Matthew no? Maybe you prefer if I’d told Julio rescuing Rebecca from a sex trafficking ring needed to wait until I finished giving my kids a bath.”
“Yes, turn the tables on me. It’s my fault you neglected to go to your doctor’s appointment. I’m the reason you don’t come to bed with me. Yes, I may have asked you to stay at the facility, but you haven’t truly been here in a long time,” she shot back.
“I’m not saying it’s your fault. It’s obviously mine when I took the president’s call. I’m trying to save the rest of the evening, and you’re not working with me.”