Out of Uniform (Wingmen Warriors 14)

She searched his eyes for details of how that must have happened, what had occurred after the shooting, and saw only a fierce protectiveness in Jacob’s expression. She knew. He’d been there for her, for her son and for their future because here he stood vital and alive.

More details from the showdown spilled through her mind, of how Blane hadn’t been the one stalking her. “What about Emily?” She struggled to sit up, her heart pounding. “Please say they have taken Chase back in for questioning.”

Jacob nodded reassuringly. “It’s okay. Take it easy. I was able to tip off Spike when he showed up a few minutes after you were shot. He took care of sending police over to Grace’s right away. Chase is at the station now. Emily and Madison are fine. A little shaken up, but okay.”

She sagged back on her pillow, relieved, somewhat drained, but mostly happy. It felt good to smile. To hope. She reached out her hand, twisting it free of the tangle of the IV to touch Jacob’s arm. He held her sleeping son against his chest, Evan’s arms draped over the broad shoulders as he tucked his face into Jacob’s neck.

A sight she could enjoy forever. She skimmed from Jacob to her son and traced each tiny feature she’d feared never seeing again. The feel of baby-soft skin soothed her ragged nerves and a few of her fears. It would be a while yet before she could let him out of her sight.

Apparently Jacob had known that. Children in hospital rooms were usually a taboo. He must have executed some major arm-twisting for her to see Evan when she woke. “Thank you for having him here for me.”

“No sweat.”

“Yeah, right.”

He shrugged.

A tap sounded on the door. Apparently their time alone would be cut short after all.

Emily peered around the door. “Dee? God, I can’t believe…Wow, you’re already awake.” The teenager rushed to her side. “You’re really awake. The nurse said…”

Jacob circled around to stand by his sister, more of that protectiveness radiating from him. “I haven’t pressed the call button yet.”

Emily flipped her ponytail over her shoulder, shifting from foot to foot. “I won’t stay long. Grace has Madison and she’s really kind of a handful today, so I need to get back to her. I just had to see you.” Her gaze slid up to her brother. “And you, too.”

A corner of his mouth tipped. “You’re speaking to me now, are you?”

She clutched the bedrail in a white-knuckled grip. “The police are talking to Chase again. He showed up at Grace’s house and the cops were only a minute behind him.” Guilt, frustration—pain—all mingled in her blue eyes the same color as Jacob’s. “I heard him admit to stalking you, Dee.”

Jacob secured Evan against his shoulder, his eyebrows pinching in sympathy. “I’m sorry this had to happen.”

“Me, too.” Emily picked at Dee’s hospital blanket. “It’s tough, isn’t it? Loving somebody only to find out he isn’t who you thought he was.”

Dee covered the girl’s hand with her own. “Yes, sweetie, it is.”

Emily allowed the comfort long enough for a nurse’s cart to rattle past before a half smile reached her lips if not her eyes just yet. “Your kid’s really cute.”

“So’s yours.” Dee ached from more than the gunshot wound as she thought of that little baby without a reliable father.

Emily’s smile faltered. “This mother thing is tough to do alone.”

Dee nodded and waited for Jacob to speak up, willed him to step in and be the kind of brother, support, family Emily needed. He needed them, too, even if he didn’t realize it yet.

She stared between the two stubborn siblings….

Jacob cleared his throat, his stance still assertive, pushy even, but his eyes gentle. “I can get a transfer to Tacoma, but it wouldn’t come through until the summer. You know the courts aren’t going to let you live alone, but I want you to have choices. I can pay Grace to stay with you until I move here, or you can come with me to Charleston. I have friends there who would help out while I’m TDY.”

Dee wanted to be a part of the picture, but knew it was too soon to have those sorts of expectations from a man she’d known all of a couple of weeks.

A man she’d already grown to love more than she’d realized was possible. But a love formed with wide-open eyes and a wiser heart this go-round.

Emily braced her shoulders, her chin high, and for the first time, Dee could see the family resemblance in these two strong-willed siblings.

The teen tossed her head, her ponytail swishing with its red stripe of defiance glinting. “There’s nothing for me around here anymore. If you really don’t mind having us, Madison and I will go with you.”

“Good. Good.” Jacob secured Evan with one arm and reached to pull Emily to him with the other.

Dee heard a couple of whispered words go back and forth that sounded a lot like “love you, kiddo” and “love you, too” before Emily pulled back with overly bright eyes to match her grin.