Chapter 6 #3
Claire laughed and smoothed her top over her belly. “I haven’t found out. Since you don’t get to know, I don’t want to,” she insisted. “I will tell you we’re doing great. You have no reason to worry.”
“I worry anyway,” Patch said softly. “I don’t want you going through this alone.”
“I’m not,” she assured him. “Gabby and I spend a ton of time together, and the girls always check on us. We even went to lunch the other day. Next week, we’re working on the nursery. They’re the next best thing besides you coming home.”
Patch nodded and blew her a kiss, at a loss for words.
“Gabby, have you got any rest between the pregnancy and little Marcus?” Knight asked, “I missed both of these pregnancies,” he lamented. “I wanted to pamper you this time.”
Gabby shook her head. “If we’ve learned anything from this, every day we have together is a gift. You help with our son and prove yourself a great partner. I can book my own prenatal massages with Samantha, and I’ve recorded everything. You won’t miss it all.”
“I love you, baby,” Knight said, getting emotional.
“How’s my spicy wife?” Taco asked, noticing her sitting in her wheelchair. “Did you overdo it?”
“No. I’m resting because Candy will kick my ass. She tormented me today in PT,” Tess said, smiling at Taco. “What about you?”
“I’m ready to find Leo and get the hell outta here. Thanks for the face masks and aloe. My skin gets drier by the day. Don’t let these assholes fool you either. They get a little sunburn, and they’re poking inside my sack.”
“We told you, we were searching for your balls,” Patch added, making everyone laugh.
“Annabelle, I miss you,” Ragu said. “I thought you flying to Texas seemed bad. When I get home, I want to spend a week holding you and listening to an audiobook.”
“Dude, you’ve lived in the desert for months, and you wanna listen to an audiobook with your woman? We have failed you, my man,” Knight said, shaking his head and sending the others into fits of laughter.
“Avie, how’s the pregnancy going?” Shadow asked, concerned. “And what about Deni?”
“We’re doing great,” she assured him. “We miss you. Deni practices football every day. He can’t wait to show you how far he can throw it.”
“I have a new puzzle for him. One of the local merchants sold them in the market, and I bought one while I questioned him. It’ll be a fun one to figure out together.”
“I’m sure he’ll love it,” Avie said. “Do you need anything?”
“No. Kassie’s packages have helped a lot. We appreciate the goodies you all send. It gives us a piece of home,” Shadow said, sobering. “I love you, Avie.”
“I love you,” she murmured.
“Ty?” Sparky called.
“I’m here, sweetheart. Mom says hello and sends her love,” Ty said, staring at his wife.
“Shadow put me in a garbage dump. No steaks for him for at least a month,” she quipped.
“You got it, babe,” Ty agreed.
“Whatever happened to what happens with the team stays with the team?” Shadow argued, giving Sparky a little nudge.
“It will when you stop taking my lotion. Get some from Taco. Tess sent him a year’s supply,” Sparky teased.
“How do you know it’s me?” Shadow insisted.
“You’re the only man who washes up and smells like lavender,” she laughed.
“It keeps the bugs away,” he muttered. “Taco’s attracts them.”
“I’ll send you both a bottle,” Ty said, grinning. “I love and miss you, beautiful.”
Kassie walked to the bedroom door. “Who wants to say hello to the team?”
The kids ran into the bedroom, creating pandemonium.
“Hi, Daddy,” Miya exclaimed.
“Dad,” Deni said, tearing up at seeing Shadow.
The team grinned as the children asked questions.
“What time is it there? Mrs. Smith says it’s daytime there when it’s nighttime here. Have you seen a camel? Did you ride one? Did you get my picture?” They all asked at once.
Melody hung along the back, holding Emma’s hand. When they finished asking questions, the young group parted, letting her come forward.
“Mom said you didn’t find Dad. Does this mean he’s still alive?” she asked hopefully.
Kassie knelt beside her. “As much as we wish otherwise, the evidence says differently. Remember when your mama talked to you about it?”
“I know,” Melody insisted. “You won’t stop searching for him, will you?” she asked, searching the team’s faces.
“No,” Saint vowed. “Your dad never stopped searching for Whiskey or Ragu. We won’t give up on him.”
Melody nodded. “Be careful, and I love you. I know you’re working hard. Mom says we must support you like Dad did. I can send you pictures or write letters.”
“You know, I’d really like a picture instead of having to stare at Taco’s ugly mug,” Shadow informed her.
“Do you think I can get one?” Patch asked.
“I’ll draw you a picture of your pink house. Dad says he’ll never let you live it down,” Melody replied. “Don’t worry, Uncle Taco, I’ll draw you without your ugly beard.”
Patch grunted.
“Hey,” Taco exclaimed. “You wait until I get a hold of you. I’m gonna tickle you until you tell everyone I’m your favorite.”
“You’re all my favorites,” Melody said. “I love you.”
“We love you, too, June Bug,” Saint murmured.
“Who needs a chocolate chip cookie straight from the oven?” Carol called.
The kids took off, and Melody waved goodbye.
Patch dabbed at his eye and Taco cleared his throat. Saint hung his head. Sparky wiped her eyes with her shirt.
“Listen, you’re doing the best you can,” Doc said. “You can’t feel guilty when you’ve turned over every rock and stone.”
Saint leaned in. “Tell it to Catherine and Melody. I can’t figure it out. We’ve searched everywhere. Yesterday, we went back to the site and walked it. There’s nothing.”
“You’ll find him,” Kassie assured him. “Leo will lead you to him. I have no doubt.”
Bear cleared his throat. “It’s time.”
“We’ll contact you as soon as we know something,” Saint said, gazing at Bryanna.
The group said their goodbyes. The meeting seemed bleaker than before. Doc glanced at Kassie hugging Catherine as she entered the bedroom. She peered at him with damp eyes and a worried expression. This heartache wasn’t something medicine could mend.