First Responders Series Book 2

UNKNOWN

It was all Cody could do to concentrate. His mind kept replaying his time with Hannah last night.

Seeing her again only made his attraction to her roar to the surface like an oncoming train. He was still reeling from that last heated kiss between them.

Driving to the hardware store, he found himself cranking the radio and singing along. An old Tim McGraw song blared through the speakers. With the windows rolled down and the wind on his face, he was grinning like a kid let loose in a candy store.

“Gotta wash my truck and dress up! To pick her up to watch TV!” His fingers were tapping away on the steering wheel as he pulled into the parking lot.

“What’s got you in such a good mood, young man?” Mr. Elway grinned from his seat just outside the door.

Cody shook the old man’s hand. “Just a good day to be in a good mood, Mr. Elway.” He chuckled. “The sun’s out, the sky’s blue, and I’m alive to enjoy it. What more can a man ask for?”

“Well, son, the only thing you’re missing from that list is the love of a good woman.” Mr. Elway winked mischievously. “Good-looking boy like you should have no trouble landing a pretty gal.”

Cody laughed. “Yeah, you’re right. I just might have that taken care of. Only time will tell. I’m going to head out back and grab the lumber I ordered. I’ll be back in a bit to settle the bill.” He clapped Mr. Elway on the shoulder and headed around to the back.

The store was situated on the street where there was just enough room for a small lumber yard. Cody waved at young Seth, Mr. Elway’s grandson, and proceeded to load up on the lumber. He shouldered several two-by-fours, lugging them on his massive shoulders.

When the lumber was loaded in his truck, he whistled his way back in to pay.

“She must be something to have you whistling and working.”

Cody couldn’t help the goofy grin from spreading on his face. “Yeah, she’s one of a kind.” He finished paying and headed back out. He scanned the street and his surroundings, an old habit he’d gotten from the military. He was always aware of his surroundings.

As he settled back in the old pickup, his phone rang. “Cody Davenport,” he answered.

“Cody my man,” his buddy Liam Neville’s smooth voice sounded through the receiver. The pair served together and Liam’s security company had been integral in outfitting the Walker homestead.

“Liam, how are you, brother?”

The two chatted like old friends for a few minutes. Then Liam turned serious. “You know, I have a small pest problem, Cody. You remember that mole? The one who let that rat bastard Mark Stratford in on our plans?”

“Yeah, I remember. You got a lead on who it is?”

“I sure do. You feel like doing a little exterminating in your free time?”

Cody laughed. “Hell yeah, man. Why don’t you meet me at Jess and Caide’s this afternoon? I know for sure Caide will want in on this extermination project.”

Liam chuckled darkly. “I’ll round up the guys and meet you there about six. Tell Jess we’re bringing dinner.”

Cody’s curiosity was piqued. They all knew the only way Mark Stratford could have gotten around the best in the security business was with help. He was anxious to know who the help was.

He hurried home, unloaded the wood, and stored it in his barn. He grabbed a sandwich and called Caide to set up the meeting. After a few hours of paperwork and answering emails, it was time to get ready.

Pulling into the Walker’s driveway, he saw the whole crew had assembled, including Hannah. He smiled to himself, his eyes already hungry for the sight of her.

Walking into the kitchen, he found it was full. Abraham was holding a giggling Cailiegh, who was busy patting his bald head. Liam was setting up his laptop while Hannah was propped against the counter.

Nathaniel sat between his grandparents, talking nonstop about whatever popped into his dark curly head. Jess was perched on Caide’s lap while he idly rubbed her rounded belly.

Max strode in right behind Cody, his arms full of food containers. “Man, that Dinah is something else. I didn’t think that woman was ever going to stop handing me food!” He stowed it on the counter with a huff. “And she tried not to let me pay. I ended up having to shove the money down her shirt and leave while she was flustering.”

The room erupted in laughter. Those who knew Dinah could picture the plump diner owner with shocked eyes and her mouth fluttering open and closed like a fish out of water.

“Oh my god, I can just see Dinah now.” Jess laughed. “She would be trying to decide if she should be shocked or asking you to do it again.”

“Or going home to see if she could get her husband Rusty to try to feel her up,” Hannah piped in.

Cody went to stand next to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and planting a kiss on her temple.

“Max, that’s probably the most action that ol’ gal’s seen in twenty years. I swear she’s turning into the dirty old man in the nursing home! Poor Rusty!” She leaned into Cody’s embrace like she’d done it all her life. It felt natural to be in his arms, like she was home.

“Ahem.” Liam cleared his throat. He pointed an accusing finger at the couple snuggling by the counter. “Something you wanna tell us there, Davenport?”

Cody smiled and squeezed Hannah’s hip. “Just letting all you fu—gentlemen know this little lady is off the market.” The adults laughed. He was so taken with Hannah he forgot there were children present.

“Oh, awesome!” Nathaniel shouted. “Are you gonna get married tomorrow?”

“Slow down there, little Hoss.” Hannah laughed. “Um, we just started to see each other. I think we’re going to get to know each other first.”

Nathaniel shrugged. Then he leveled his big blue eyes at Cody. “You best be good to her, Mr. Cody, or you’ll hafta answer to me.” He thumped his chest, puffing it out like a little peacock.

All the adults melted in the room over this little protector.

“I plan on it, Champ.” Cody gave the little boy a wink. “So, if we’re through talking about me and this beautiful woman here in my arms, can we eat and get down to business?”

After a few more chuckles, the food was laid out buffet style along the counter and everyone helped themselves. The conversation was light because of the little ears among them.

After Dinah’s cuisine was decimated and the kitchen was cleaned, the kids were packed off to get ready for bed.

“I found the mole,” Liam said, his voice laced with frustration. “Shit, I’m kicking myself in the ass over this.”

Abraham slapped him on the shoulder, almost pitching him out of his chair. “Nobody’s perfect, man. None of us saw what was right under our noses.”

Max nodded in agreement. Cody and Caide exchanged a confused look.

Sighing, Liam continued. “On our last tour together, there was a private contractor by the name of Joseph Abernathy. Shady fucker if I ever saw one. Turns out he got popped after your team went down for working with the enemy. Take a guess where those insurgents got the RPGs to take you out?”

Cody’s breath caught in his throat. He felt Hannah run a hand down his spine.

The explosion pounded through his memory, and he swore he could feel the heat of the fire as it crawled up his body.

Looking into Liam’s brown eyes, he trembled slightly with the realization of what his friend was about to say. “Fuck,” he barely whispered.

“The attack was planned as a demonstration. A fucking demonstration. Sixteen lives of US soldiers lost so Abernathy could make money off the war. And you all were caught in the middle.”

Cody’s vision became blurred. He dropped his head in his hands, trying to keep it together.

He abruptly shot out of his chair and stormed out of the now silent room. Tears were streaking down Hannah’s face.

“Go to him, sweetheart,” Liam said. “He needs you.”

Hannah didn’t hesitate. She ran after Cody.

She found him on his knees in the driveway, rocking back and forth with his arms around his waist. She knelt behind him and wrapped her arms around his as far as she could reach.

She began to rock with him and sing the lullaby her Granny always sang to her when she would have panic attacks. He shuddered against her and leaned into her embrace.