Chapter 6
Garrison
“All done,” Elijah says as he steps back from the alarm system panel he just finished installing.
Complete with window and door sensors, as well as a hidden exterior security camera, my apartment is locked down tight—so long as I actually remember to arm it.
Either way, this will send an alert straight to Knight Security, who will then patch it through to our entire team here.
Safety first.
“Looks a bit complicated.” Personally, I’ve always been better with detonators than computers, though I can make my way through basic tasks.
Plus, I do love a good spreadsheet.
“It’s not too bad,” Elijah replies as he finishes putting his tools away, then closes up the box the system came in.
“Now, I set the door and window sensors to silent, so they won’t sound unless you arm the system.
If you like, I can show you how to change that so they ding every time it opens.
Personally, I didn’t start using those until Charlie started walking.
Now, they’re nice,” he adds with a laugh.
“I’m good with silence,” I reply.
“I thought you might be.” Elijah taps on the screen.
“To arm it, all you have to do is press this blue button here at the bottom. That will lock down the system and activate the motion sensor on your door. To disarm, you tap the same button, then type in your code. That’ll disarm the system before any alerts are sent. ”
“What will the motion sensor pick up? I’d hate for you guys to get alerts anytime someone walks by the door.”
“Thought about that, too,” he replies with a grin.
“The only time it will go off is if someone tries to access your door directly. I might have hidden it across the hall so I could angle it on just your door. That way, there won’t be any late-night walk-throughs sounding a security alarm.
Now, the alarm itself is silent. You’ll get an alert on your phone, but it won’t make any loud noises. ”
“I appreciate that, too.”
“I don’t do it for every system, but with your military history, having any kind of shrill panic alarm can cause more harm than good.” His gaze darkens a moment, and I remember that Elijah carries his own PTSD scars.
“Thanks so much for this,” I tell him.
“Not a problem at all. I already put one up at Mrs. Knox’s place and handled the coffee shop. I’ve got Sawyer’s shop next, then Ryker’s apartment. After that, I’m headed back to Hope Springs.”
“You sure you don’t want to stick around for dinner? I know Linda would love to have you.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I miss Andie and Charlie already,” he grins. “Stupid in love, that’s what I am.”
“I don’t consider that stupid at all,” I reply. “And if you change your mind, you’re more than welcome.”
Elijah zips the large suitcase containing the rest of the alarm systems, then shoulders his bag of tools. “It’s good to see you, Holt. Call if you need anything.”
“Good to see you, too. And you be sure to do the same.”
He offers me one final wave, then leaves the apartment, closing the door behind him. I flip the lock and stare at the security panel. I never thought I’d have one in my place. Ever. And, to be honest, if Elijah hadn’t installed it, I doubt I ever would have agreed.
I haven’t known Elijah long, but he and the other guys of Knight Security have become close friends ever since Dylan Hunt introduced all of us. We’re spread out all over the country, with Knight Security being in Maine and the Hunts in Texas, but we manage to stay in touch.
It helps having other veterans to talk to. Others who know what it’s like to go from having your day planned out for you to being thrust into civilian life. Something that has been a major adjustment for everyone on my team.
After downing some water and taking some Advil, I head down the hall toward my room. The blackout curtains are already drawn, so I set an alarm to make sure I get up with enough time to shower before Sawyer picks me up for dinner at Linda’s, then climb beneath the covers and close my eyes.
I’ve never been much of a napper, but apparently two near-death experiences in as many weeks will drain the energy right out of a person.
“Garrison Holt, you shaved ten years off of my life,” Linda Knox scolds, her hands on her hips, as I walk into her house alongside Sawyer. As usual, she’s wearing an apron covered in random chickens—a gift from Sawyer last Christmas, and her silver hair is pulled back in a loose bun.
“That’s what I told him!” Sawyer exclaims as he kisses Linda on the cheek.
“Well, it’s the truth.” Her expression softens, gaze full of worry. “How are you, sweetie?” She pulls me in for a soft hug, which I happily return before kissing her on the top of the head and stepping back.
“I’ve been worse,” I reply, then take a deep breath. Well, as deep as I can, since my lungs still burn once I hit a certain oxygen level. “What are you making? It smells delicious.”
“Enchiladas and Spanish rice.”
I grin at her. “My favorites.”
“Absolutely,” she replies. “Come on in; have a seat.” Linda affectionately ushers me in and gently pushes me into the kitchen where Ryker is currently topping an apple pie with brown sugar crumbles and Weston is stirring something on the stove.
Both men glance over and offer me nods.
“What can I do?” Sawyer asks, clapping his hands together.
As Linda puts him to work, I glance around the small home. It’s one half of a duplex that Linda bought after selling the home Anastasia and Zane grew up in. Since their father passed away when they were young, she’d said the house felt too empty once her kids were grown.
Still, this home has all the love Linda raised both her children with. It’s no wonder her son is the best man I’ve ever known, and her daughter is one of the kindest souls to walk this earth. Genuine, happy people who do everything they can to show the love of Jesus to everyone they meet.
Honestly, she reminds me so much of the aunt who raised me that sometimes the all-too-familiar grief surfaces whenever I think of her. She’d been my lifeline in a time when I was ready to lie down and never get up.
There’s a soft knock at the door, and before Linda can pull away from what she’s showing Sawyer, I’m on my feet.
“I’ve got it.”
“No, honey, you sit.” Linda starts toward me, but I wave her off with a smile.
“I’ve got it, Momma Knox. Promise.” With one more smile, I start down the small hall from the kitchen into the living room, then pull the door open.
When I see the petite woman on the other side, surprise and delight rush through me like a tidal wave. “Katelyn, what are you doing here?” I ask, looking between her and a smiling Thomas.
She seems just as shocked to find me here as I am to see her. That is if her wide eyes and flushed cheeks are any indication. “Oh, uh—Anastasia invited me,” she stammers. “How are you feeling?”
“Who is it?” Linda comes up on my side before I get the chance to respond. “Oh! You must be Katelyn. Anastasia told me you were coming. Come in, come in!”
I step aside as Linda ushers them in.
“This is my son, Thomas.” Katelyn gestures to Thomas.
“Thank you for having us, Mrs. Knox,” Thomas says, offering her his hand.
“You both can call me Momma Knox,” she replies with a grin. “Everyone else does. Come on in and have a seat. Do you want some sweet tea?” As she ushers Thomas off into the house, I shove both hands into my pockets.
“I seem to keep surprising you,” Katelyn tells me with a smile.
Isn’t that the truth? “I like surprises. Most of the time,” I add quickly, then fall into step beside her as she follows the same route as Linda and Thomas.
We emerge in the kitchen, and Sawyer glances up and offers Katelyn a smile. “Hey, Pepper, it’s good to see you.”
Linda slaps him on the arm. “You do not call her that.”
To my absolute delight, Katelyn laughs softly. “It’s okay. Less than what I deserve after the damage I caused.”
“Oh hush, it was an accident,” Linda brushes it off.
Weston’s expression tightens, but he finishes drying his hands and offers one to Katelyn. “Weston Hayes,” he says.
“Katelyn Ellis. This is my son Thomas.”
“We met,” Weston replies with a partial smile. “Basketball last week.”
“Ryker Granger,” Ryker introduces himself.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Katelyn says softly.
“These are the other guys I was telling you about, Mom,” Thomas says, his smile wide as he practically bounces from foot to foot.
His excitement makes me grin.
“Oh? We were talked about?” Sawyer questions.
“Briefly,” Katelyn replies as she shoots me an embarrassed smile. “After we got back from the hospital, Thomas told me that you guys were all SEALs. Apparently, you all have quite a fan club.”
“I always did like being popular.” Sawyer winks. “Guac is done!”
The front door opens, and a few moments later, Anastasia comes in, a beaming smile on her face. “Hello, everyone. You must be Katelyn’s son,” she says, offering Thomas a handshake.
The teen’s cheeks flush as he takes her hand. “Uh, yeah, Thomas.” He clears his throat. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” I fight my own smile as I note the not-so-subtle signs of a swiftly-developing crush.
I quickly glance at Sawyer, amused to see him hiding a grin.
“Please. Just Anastasia.” She shrugs out of her light jacket and hangs it on the back of a chair before crossing over to give her mom a hug and kiss. “It smells amazing, Momma.”
“Thanks, Babygirl. Why don’t you get some sweet tea and have a seat? We’re ready to eat.”
As it always does, Sawyer’s gaze lingers on Anastasia. That is until he realizes I’ve noticed. Then his smooth smile slips into place, erasing the longing that had been there only a heartbeat before.
“So, Katelyn, what’s it like living next to Garrison? He a noisy neighbor?” He takes a seat right beside her, with Thomas on her other side. I take a seat beside him while Ryker and Weston help Linda place the food in the center of the table.
“Actually, we’d never even officially met until after I—”