Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
“Good girl,” Max praised her quietly.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zale pull Max’s hand closer and unwrap the towel. She averted her eyes and focused on her daddy’s handsome face. “Did the other bomb guy get hurt?”
“No, Saylor. I had them radio over a warning. He’s good.”
“Both had glass in them. So, they were created by the same person or group. I’d figured that out already when the attack happened at two gates,” Zale said.
Max nodded. “Who’s the woman with Hank?”
“She’s an outside employee working with something administrative, I think,” Zale answered. “Her name is Sammie. Hank just met her, but they’re both sticking close to each other.”
“Do you think that’s his little girl?” Zale asked.
“I called you Daddy in front of her. She probably thinks I’m a weirdo.” Saylor told him.
“She’s probably too stressed to remember. Don’t worry about it, little girl,” Max reassured her.
“Or she’s his little girl,” Zale suggested. “All done. Saylor, your daddy’s booboo needs a kiss to heal well.”
Saylor brushed her lips lightly against the gauze wrapped around Max’s fingertip. “I hope that helps.”
“Of course it does. Thank you, baby.”
“Can we go home now?” Her stomach growled loudly, making the two men laugh.
“How about lunch first? Then home,” Max suggested. “Shall we ask everyone to join us?”
“Yes, please. And the other Littles?”
“I’ll go get mine,” Zale volunteered. “Koa took care of letting the girls know everything was over.”
“Zale, while we’ve got you here. Could we schedule an appointment for Saylor to have an exam? We’d like to talk to you about birth control,” Max asked.
Saylor’s cheeks flamed red, but she nodded. She was ready to stop using condoms and trusted Zale.
“Saturday at ten. Come to my home office. We’ll get everything taken care of,” Zale promised.
“We’ll be here,” Max answered before turning to the team. “We’re headed out for tacos. Does anyone want to join us? Ladies are invited, Sammie.”
“Thank you, but I need to find my purse and get back to work,” Sammie said quickly.
“I’ll show you where someone would turn in something found,” Hank offered.
A minute later, the all-clear announcement blared from the speakers across the base. Hank escorted Sammie out the door as the guys coordinated their plans quickly. Saylor glanced around the room as Max hung his equipment back in his locker. She was glad to have seen this place. Now she’d be able to picture Max at work.
“Ready, baby?” he asked.
“Yes, Daddy. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 18
Unfortunately, their lunch plans had to be put on hold for a debriefing of the incidents. Max was trapped in a large conference room with the other bomb tech, the military police, and the base commanders. Together, the explosive experts had profiled the type of device they’d found. Both had matched down to the coloring of the wires. No one doubted that the attack was coordinated. The question was why.
Max had sent Saylor with Jerico and Aspen. The team leader would keep an eye on his little girl to watch for any post-event trauma response. Aspen’s previous neighbor had threatened her repeatedly before Jerico had swept in to pluck his little girl and her dog from the dangerous situation. Saylor had become good friends with all the Littles. She would have a great time with Aspen.
His phone vibrated quietly, and Max glanced down to see a blurry picture of two women and an enormous dog dashing through a sprinkler. He struggled to keep his concerned, professional expression as they discussed the serious threat. Sending a quick TY to Jerico to thank him for the update, Max focused back on the discussion.
Finally, he and the other explosive ordinance disposal expert got the okay to head out. He talked to his counterpart for a few minutes as they walked out to the parking lot. By the time Max got into his truck, he had pushed off the challenge of defusing the bomb and focused solely on seeing Saylor.
His phone buzzed with an incoming text. At the next red light, Max scanned Hank’s message. His teammate had debated whether to tell him or not, but ultimately felt Max needed to know. Saylor hadn’t followed Hank’s directions to stay in a protected spot, potentially putting herself at risk. Everything had turned out okay, but Sammie’s arrival could have gone very differently. Quickly, he sent Hank his thanks. Saylor would need a lesson only a warm bottom would teach her.
When he reached Jerico’s home, his teammate met him in the driveway. “She’s zonked out and is napping on the couch. Want to take her home?”
“Yes. I need to have her close.” Max didn’t hesitate to share his real feelings with his teammate. Jerico understood completely.
Walking into the now cheerful house decorated with colorful pillows, Max spotted his Little snoozing away on the couch under a soft throw. Her hair was still slightly damp from the fun she’d had with Aspen and Rexy. Max walked silently past Aspen, who napped in a large recliner with her rainbow stuffie, Bowbow, tucked under her chin. Scooping Saylor into his arms, Max whispered, “I’ve got you, baby. Let’s go home.”