Chapter 8
Kassie sat at her desk as Addyson entered, carrying two cups of tea.
“I figured you might need this. Did you have a rough night at Catherine’s?”
“She asked us to bring the team home. Chase went over to discuss it with Whiskey and Bear,” Kassie informed her sadly.
“I can’t imagine how difficult it was to make such a decision,” Addyson said gently.
“She wants to hold a funeral for him to give Melody some closure, and I imagine herself, too. She insists we do the baby showers for Gabby and Claire. She doesn’t want this to bog down their happiness. If I’m honest, I’m in no mood for a shower, much less two.”
“Why don’t you let me help you? Annabelle and I have felt helpless since this happened. It’ll give us something to do. Plus, I’m sure the grans will love to pitch in and help,” she offered.
Sighing, Kassie sipped the tea. “I’d very much like some help.
They deserve fabulous celebrations. I’m hiring the night nanny, Leo and Catherine used last time.
She needs rest. If I’m not there, she still needs an extra pair of hands.
We have at least six months of meals in her deep freeze.
We can keep the carpool going as scheduled. ”
“Stop,” Addyson said softly. “You can’t fix it, Kassie.
I know you love her, but you’re prolonging her grief.
She needs to process he’s gone, and she needs to build her life.
Of course, I didn’t have children at the time, but if I had a chance to redo Sam’s death, I’d have grieved him instead of running away.
Maybe then, when I met Hollywood, things might not have started out as bumpy. ”
“Which part? The getting smooshed to smithereens by a landslide? Or when he saved you from a crazed druggie?” Kassie teased.
Addyson giggled. “I guess we started out unconventionally. It’s hard having him gone all this time. I’m glad they made him return and have his cochlear implant rechecked. I’m not thrilled he returned as soon as he did, but I understand why.”
“Get used to it. When Leo hired this bunch, I think he must’ve listed hard-headedness and stubbornness as an attribute,” she snarked. “They’re loyal to the core. I don’t know how they’ll take the news. Catherine wants to speak with them.”
“Can I do anything to help?”
“Yes, I have a plan. Will you help me?” she asked.
Kassie leaned in and gave her the details.
Twenty minutes later, they formed a list and made their calls.
Addyson left to meet Bryanna at the bakery to discuss the shower cakes.
Kassie sat at her computer, ordering the supplies for each party.
She glanced over to the picture of Leo and Catherine hugging her while she held the twins in her arms. Recalling the day, she remembered Leo’s eyes turning misty as he put his arm around her.
“You did a great job, PITA. They’re beautiful, like their mama,” he praised her.
“What about me?” Chase demanded joyfully, beaming from ear to ear.
“As I said, they’re lucky to take after Kassie,” Leo teased. “Congratulations.”
“Stay there. We want a picture with everyone in the family,” Chase said as he snapped a photo of them.
“Then we’d better get everyone in here,” Leo said, walking outside and whistling for all the others to join them. They filled the entire room as one of the nurses laughed and patiently waited as Leo organized them by family and kids.
Kassie picked up the picture next to it, including everyone. Leo and Catherine were their best friends. They envisioned a lifetime of raising their kids and taking vacations together. She couldn’t imagine it any other way. Her heart broke for Catherine and then for Leo.
“You’ll always be my big brother. I’ll always watch over her,” she vowed to the image as her finger traced his image.
* * *
Chase walked down the hall and knocked on Whiskey’s door as a couple of new team members nodded politely as they passed him.
“Come in,” Whiskey called.
Chase entered and gazed about the room. “Wow. Did you remodel the place?”
Whiskey grinned. “No. Stormy helped me organize everything. We assigned everything, and she explained her system. I’ve adopted it. I can keep track of everything.”
“It’s impressive, Whiskey. Leo’d be proud,” Chase said solemnly.
“He put me in charge, and I won’t let him down,” Whiskey said as he pulled up two chairs and indicated for Chase to have a seat. “What brings you to this side of the mountain? Something must be mighty troubling if you drove here instead of picking up the phone.”
“I saw two of the new recruits. How many did you hire?” he asked, attempting to prolong the conversation.
“As you know, I hired three veterans from the hospital and then recruited five more,” he said proudly. “Conrad’s briefing them on the facility’s rules.”
“Did Rocker make it?” he asked.
“Yeah. I told him to take the day getting settled. He drove his motorcycle into town and went to Ty’s for lunch. The man has his priorities,” Whiskey said, chuckling.
Chase grunted.
“Did you need to go over the plan again on when we leave?” Whiskey asked, waiting for Chase to tell him why he visited.
“Kassie spoke with Catherine last night. She wants to speak with the team again,” he announced. “Can we hold a meeting tomorrow?”
Whiskey’s eyebrows furrowed together. “Did she have questions?”
“No. Catherine made a decision. She wants the team to come home,” he said, his voice breaking.
“You mean like a break? It’s not impossible. We can stay there, and I can bring a couple of the men,” Whiskey said, already checking the roster to see who he might take.
Chase reached over and grabbed his hand. “She wants to call off the search. They haven’t gotten a single lead in four months, and we know from the pictures he lost too much blood to survive for very long.”
Whiskey swallowed as he raked his hand in his hair. “Fuck me,” he whispered. “How can I go against Leo’s widow? He never gave up on me,” he said quietly, clearly broken.
“Catherine owns half the facility. She’s made her wishes known. He’s her husband. Leo wants us to support her,” Chase said sadly.
“Doc, how can I give up on me best friend?” he murmured.
“You’re not giving up,” Chase said firmly. “We’re letting him go.”
Whiskey hung his head, visibly shaken. “Does she kin what she’s asking?”
“I believe she does. Melody’s struggling, and they need some closure. Catherine’s expecting. She doesn’t need the extra stress,” he explained. “Kassie’s calling Victoria and Ivan this afternoon.”
Nodding, Whiskey rose from his desk. “We leave as we planned. The new recruits will finish training by then, and Conrad can keep an eye on them. Stormy can handle the office. I’ll get everything handled before we leave.
I’ll contact the team and have Bear set up everything here.
The kids don’t need to hear this conversation. ”
“I’ll let Kassie know,” Chase said, watching Whiskey. “Do you want me to ask Claire to drop by for a chat?”
Whiskey met his gaze. “No. I’m grieving for me best friend. I don’t need professional advice. My heart hurts for him and his family. I hate feeling this damn helpless. Leo never left a man behind,” he said, his Irish brogue getting deeper.
“Leo left and regrouped. After your supposed death, he returned here and kept searching. Maybe we can keep doing it from here and fly over as leads come in?” Chase suggested. “I don’t think we need to broadcast our intentions. After all, what happens here stays here.”
Whiskey’s mouth firmed, and determination lit up in his eyes. “It sounds like a damn good plan. I can’t live with myself knowing he’s out there in a dry desert all alone. He deserves to rest here on the mountain among us.”
“Then we’re agreed,” Chase said, rising from his seat. “We’ll keep searching until we bring his remains home. We can bring the team up to speed once they’re Stateside. They won’t take the news well.”
“I’ll give them a heads-up we have another plan. It won’t make them feel much better, but we’ll do what we can,” Whiskey said, rising. “What does Catherine want us to do?”
“She mentioned to Kassie she wants the showers for Claire and Gabby to happen. Then she’ll plan a funeral when we return,” Chase said. “Kassie said she made the decision after reading Leo’s letter.”
“Then we’ll support her through this and continue. I’ll schedule a meeting with the alpha team and a small group of new guys. We’ll leave Patch and Knight off rotation for the moment. I’ll ensure they’re all updated on their medical training.”
Chase smiled, impressed with Whiskey’s new changes. He seemed more confident and level-headed.
“I’m happy to take a spot on the rotation. Ahmed does a great job holding the fort down,” he said before opening the door.
“Thanks, Doc. For now, the team will stay contained. You have your family and this mountain to watch over. We can’t lose you, too,” Whiskey informed him.
“He’s my best friend. I’ll do anything to get him back,” Chase said emphatically. “The team helped me when I needed it with Kassie. I’ll be damned if I’ll be sidelined.”
Whiskey chuckled. “I hear you loud and clear. I’ll add you to the rotation.”
Chase walked out, passing Leo’s door, which usually stayed open to encourage his team to keep communications open. His hand touched the door as he stared at Leo’s nameplate. “Wherever you are, you’ll never be forgotten.”
He walked out of the facility feeling the heavy weight of losing his best friend.