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Minimizing the risk to children, a soft spot for Jon as well as the rest of them. Cal gave a slow nod as he looked at the map. “Sharondale is 90 minutes from here.”
“It’s further away from Washington, D.C. If Sims is worried about being seen with you or Rachelle, the risk of recognition in Sharondale is minimal.”
“A good choice.” Rafe enlarged the map of the area. “Easy access to interstates and highways in case we need a fast escape. We’ll need to nail down escape routes before we leave.”
A nod of approval from Eli. “We should be in place well before Blake is due to arrive.”
“Does the steakhouse have good ratings from customers?” Rachelle asked.
Jon smiled. “As a matter of fact, it does.”
“Then we have dinner plans tonight.” She looked at Cal. “Is that plan acceptable?”
“Sounds perfect.” He dropped a light kiss on her mouth and released her. “I’ll text Blake the information.” As long as his friend didn’t lead a tail to Rachelle, the plan should work.
They spent the next two hours memorizing the layout of the restaurant and deciding the best escape routes. By the time they were ready to leave, Rachelle knew the information as well as the operatives.
Back in the SUVs, Cal threaded his fingers through Rachelle’s as he drove to Sharondale. Jon’s assessment of the restaurant was accurate. The steakhouse was filled with couples.
Cal requested a table at the back of the restaurant. Two minutes later, his teammates entered the restaurant in pairs and were seated nearby.
After the waitress took their drink orders for iced tea, Cal covered Rachelle’s hand with his. “You need to eat. The stress you’re under is short-circuiting your hunger signals.”
“I’ll try.”
When the waitress returned with their glasses of tea, Rachelle and Cal gave the woman their meal order. He scanned the restaurant’s patrons. No one seemed to be paying attention to them or Wolf Pack.
He refocused on the woman across from him. “How’s your headache?”
“Nagging, but manageable.”
“And the ribs?”
“Sore. They’d be worse if Jackson hadn’t taped them. Have you had cracked ribs before?”
“More than once. It’s never fun.” He tapped the comm device in his ear that connected him to his teammates. “Anything suspicious?” The response was negative. “Keep an eye out. Blake should arrive in the next thirty minutes.”
“Copy that,” Eli murmured.
While keeping watch for his friend, Cal kept the conversation with Rachelle light and easy. Although he wouldn’t count this as a date, he vowed to make that happen when this was over.
When deployed, Jon had gifts and flowers delivered to his wife every day. Eli had meals sent to his home so Brenna and Jon’s wife, Dana, wouldn’t have to cook. The sisters always stayed together when Eli and Jon were gone. Cal couldn’t wait to surprise Rachelle with gifts while he was deployed, too.
He dragged his mind from the tantalizing possibility of a lifetime with Rachelle. Traveling too far down that road wasn’t wise. They were still in the early stages of their relationship.
Rachelle laid her hand on his arm, drawing his attention. “Penny for your thoughts.”
Cal smiled. “I’m dreaming about the future.”
“Something good?”
“Very.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Sounds intriguing. Care to share?”
“Later.”
“Aww, come on, Taylor,” Rafe complained through the comm system. “The suspense is killing me.”
