Chapter 5 #2
This business will provide for Catherine and my children. Chase has his legacy with the hospital. Kassie made her own by saving people. Let this be mine. Watch over our military when needed and help those who have nowhere else to turn. Make it a place we can be proud of, my friend.
I love you, brother, and I’m counting on you. The only easy day was yesterday. It’s time.
Leo
Kassie sniffed and handed Catherine a tissue from the table beside her. Whiskey’s eyes filled with tears as he nodded and put the letter back into the envelope.
Chase unsealed his and took it out.
Chase,
Thank you for sharing your mountain with all of us. Every day, I wake up next to my beautiful wife and gaze out the window thinking I’m a lucky man. You’ve become one of my most trusted friends and brothers.
I hope you’ll never have to read this. If you do, I’m counting on you to keep Kassie in line.
She’s getting way too much like Victoria in my opinion.
Remind her to say no. Take those family vacations we talked about at the facility.
Spend the time with your wife and never forget to remind her how much she means to you. I somehow forgot to do this.
Take care of my family. Hopefully, Melody will work beside her mama one day as a nurse inside your hospital.
Read Grace my books on bombs and underground shelters.
She loves “One Thousand and One Ways to Torture Someone.’” Be sure to read it to her again when she starts dating or, better yet, have Victoria instruct her.
I’m pretty sure she wrote the book. Derrick will need a man to teach him how to treat a woman.
(Please get your balls back from Kassie before you instruct him.) Last but not least, tell my future son or daughter about me.
Don’t let them forget how much I loved them.
When I first proposed this idea to you, I never expected anything this big. I didn’t have a father like yours, but I’ll be sure to tell him you turned out great. Thank you for your friendship, your brotherhood, and your generosity. It’s one of the greatest gifts of my life.
I love you, brother,
Leo
Kassie passed another tissue to Catherine as they wept.
“He knew,” Catherine choked out. “Leo didn’t think he’d make it back home.”
Kassie took her hand. “You know he wrote us a letter before every mission. Remember after the helicopter crash? You must think of the baby.”
“Leo went to a different lawyer. Why?” she cried.
“Maybe he didn’t want us to worry,” Kassie suggested. “You heard when he contacted Mr. Harold. It must’ve happened shortly after finding out about the pregnancy.”
“Leo mentioned he wanted some things taken care of before leaving,” Chase murmured. “He didn’t do anything that any one of us wouldn’t have done for our loved ones.”
“He loved you more than anything, Catherine. Of course, he’d want you and your family provided for,” Whiskey said gently. “I planned to wait until after our meeting, but I know Chase and Kassie have a vested interest in the facility. Do you mind if I bring it up now?”
They gave Whiskey their attention.
“I’m making some decisions about the business. I’ve hired a few men, and we’ll take on local security jobs. I offered a position to Stormy’s father, Conrad. Rocker will be joining us within days,” he said confidently.
Catherine saw how much Whiskey seemed determined to follow his brother’s last wishes. “I think Leo would approve of all the changes. You’re doing an incredible job.”
“When I went missing, Leo ensured Samantha followed her dreams. He took L.J. on fishing trips and to football games. He even told him stories about me,” Whiskey said unsteadily. “I’m determined to do the same for your family.”
“I’m sure you’ll make him proud,” she assured him.
Nodding, Whiskey rose. “I’m picking up Samantha. We’ll be there before the team calls.”
“We’ll see you there,” Kassie said, still clinging to Catherine’s hand. Turning her attention to her, Kassie asked Catherine, “Do you feel all right to speak with the guys tonight?”
“Yeah. I want to see them. If they knew anything, they’d call us. We’ll let the women see their men,” Catherine said softly.
“If it’s too much, you can lie down in my room,” Kassie offered.
“All of it feels like a nightmare,” she confided, running her fingers over the envelope. “Do you want to open your letter?”
Shaking her head, Kassie said, “No. I’ll save it until I hear what the team says. I’m not giving up.”
“You know you said the same thing the last time,” Catherine reminded her. “Leo’s not a cat. He doesn’t have nine lives. How many times do you think he can escape death?”
Kassie wiped her eyes. “I don’t want to guess. The team hasn’t shown any indication they wanted to halt the search.”
“Let’s go home,” Catherine said, setting her cup on the tray and rising with Kassie’s help. “I haven’t seen Gabby or Claire in days. I’m sure they’re anxious as their due dates near.”
“Patch keeps sending presents for her and the baby. Claire says she’s treating herself for PTSD from the delivery man. When Knight discovered him doing it, he started sending Gabby and Marcus things. Gabby mentioned Mrs. Jackson believes she and Claire have started having an affair with the man.”
Catherine giggled. “I feel bad they’re missing their pregnancies. Especially since Knight missed most of Gabby’s last one and Claire will be a first-time mom.”
“Gosh, it seems like forever since we gave birth. The twins grow like weeds. Tori’s talking up a storm. Emma seems like she grew up overnight,” Kassie said.
“Maybe for you. I’ve got this one to go,” she said, rubbing her stomach. “I don’t know. Patch and Knight seem as rattled about their kids coming as Leo did when I got pregnant with Grace. Do you recall him making the team run drills with pregnant dummies through town?”
Kassie laughed. “Don’t forget the gas mask.”
“Give Leo some credit. It came in real handy when Taco got injured, and he caught the flu. Chase refused to allow him inside without a mask. He got his money’s worth,” Catherine said, shaking her head at the memory.
“He never left his team,” Kassie said somberly.
“No, he didn’t,” Catherine whispered. “I don’t know how I’ll go on without him.”
Kassie embraced Catherine as Chase quietly left.
The grief hit her, making her chest heavy.
The baby moved, reminding her of why she needed to move forward.
Her mind knew it, but her heart wanted to stop beating.
The pain of losing Leo felt unbearable. The thought of facing a future without him seemed empty and cold.
Would she be able to fill the void he left with his children?