After he checks that the coast is clear, he punches in the code to one of the spare rooms and slips inside.
“How’s it goin’?” he calls out to Paul, who is covered in green paint.
“Good. Just finished the front and about to do the sides.”
The paint looks great on the puppet show stand. All the guys decided to make the ultimate playroom for the little Fritter. It’s been a bit of a challenge since they don’t know the sex, but they’re making sure to cover all the bases.
So far, they have a puppet show stage in one corner, nuzzled into a forestthat goes around the wall to a swing in the other corner where it hangs from an extended tree branch. Star lights adorn the ceiling, camouflaging the speakers that presently play nature sounds. The giant teddy bear standing by the door was Keith’s idea. He insisted they get it—something about how he used to have one.
They all got our ideas in. Mark’s was the treehouse built into the wall, swinging ropes, a slide, a telescope, and the best part, the walls on the inside are made of Lego plates so the baby can build masterpieces. Of course, he will help.Win-win!
He climbs inside and hoists the treasure chest into place.
“What’s in there?” John asks through one of the windows.
Mark flips over the lid and shows him the million pieces of Legos.
His face lights up. “Awesome, man!”
“I know!”
Cole
Frank’s mouth is moving, but nothing registers. Cole’s mind is on Savannah. He hates he was called out, but he promised Frank he would help him with this last case before he took some time off for the baby.
“So, according to Agent Craig, the last time our target was spotted was in the Federal District of Mexico City. You want to send in Blackstone? Or use another unit?”
Frank clears his throat when Cole doesn’t respond right away. His words catch up to him as he glances over at him. “Another unit.” Cole knows he can’t risk being so far away from Savi this close to the due date.
Frank leans back and opens a drawer. “I’ll get the details out, set up the op, and you, my friend, after we go have a drink, will leave tomorrow morning at zero-six-hundred hours to get back to your family.”
This makes Cole more alert. “I wasn’t supposed to leave until the day after tomorrow. We have the press to deal with, the new recruits coming in—”
Frank waves his hand. “I’ve never seen you like this.”
Cole sits straighter. He doesn’t like to show any weakness when it comes to his family. He needs to be able to separate them from his work, or mistakes could happen.
“Nothing wrong with that, Logan.” He must sense Cole’s mood change. “You’re going to make a great father. I would be concerned if your head wasn’t back home. Now…” His chair scrapes back as he stands and removes his jacket from the coatrack. Cole joins him, wondering why they aren’t going back to the case. “Let me buy you dinner as a congratulations in advance.”
Cole grins. This is a side of Frank he hasn’t seen before. With a quick nod, he follows him out of the office and into his Lincoln Town Car.
Ten minutes later, they’re seated in the back corner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse. Cole is a sucker for a restaurant that’s decorated in red. There’s something about it that makes him feel comfortable. Plus, Savannah looks amazing in red. Jesus, dinner can’t go by fast enough.
His phone vibrates just as they are handed their menus. He quickly pulls it out and laughs. It’s a picture of a ticket stub forThe Longest Ride.A chick flick!
Mark: YOU. OWE. ME!
Another text comes in, and Cole can’t help but grin like a damn fool. It’s a photo of Savi, Mark, and Keith in the theater. Savi’s face is lit up, while Keith and Mark look totally unimpressed.
Keith: Keeping her busy, until you return.
Another photo shoots through of Mark holding a straw to Savannah’s belly, pretending to giveitsoda.
Mark: Going for the “favorite uncle” title.
As Cole starts to text back, his thumb retracts from the screen as a photo of Savi’s left hand over her belly comes up.
Savannah: We miss you.