Page 55 of Bringing Chelsea Home

She wasn’t sure if he heard her. He and the children–two young boys and a younger girl were chattering like mad in Spanish all at the same time. They looked happy and healthy, jostling each other the way siblings will do when they are vying for the attention of someone they love. And it was obvious they loved Griff Tyler.

“Uno momento, muchachos,” Griff broke in. He looked at Elaine and said, “I’m going to introduce you.” He pointed at her and said, “Muchachos? Esta mia corazon, Senorita Elaine. Senorita Elaine–” and he named the children. Nicolo, Tomas, and Esperanza.

Esta mi corazon. This is my heart.

“Izzie!” The little girl shouted, pumping her fist, and they all laughed.

“That mission you were so concerned about?” Hank’s voice came through their earpieces. “Among other things, we were looking for them as witnesses to the shooting that killed Alajandro and injured you. And as you can see, we found and rescued them. We’re flying them to Atlanta the day after Thanksgiving to be with their dad’s brother and his family.”

“Did you find Marda Kitts?” Griff’s grip on Elaine’s hand tightened as tears ran unchecked down his face.

“We did. And the kids–interviewed separately–all corroborated that she was the one who kidnapped them and shot you.”

“Are they alright?” Elaine asked as she watched Griff pick up his conversation with the children, who were still nodding and laughing.

“They are,” Hank said. “For all her wickedness, Marda Kitts–who I have no doubt Griff told you about–actually found a place with a couple who took good care of them.”

“And Kitts?” Griff looked away from the screen. “What’s going to happen to her?” And please don’t say ‘need to know’. I’ve heard enough of that phrase to last a lifetime.”

“Arrested, might stand trial for war crimes,” Hank said simply. “She’s a nasty piece of work, but she’ll get what’s coming to her. And, Griff, that’s truly all I know.”

“‘Kay,” Griff said. He looked at the children again and whatever he said–except for a few phrases–Elaine’s Spanish was limited–had them smiling, waving and yelling, “Adios, Senor Griff! Adios, Senorita Eliana!”

“Eliana? Is that Spanish for Elaine?” she asked as the screen went dark. Hank’s image also faded.

“Yeah,” Griff said, wiping the remaining tears from his face.

“I’m gonna call your mother and tell on you.” Elaine took a handkerchief from her jacket pocket and patted his cheeks. “You forgot your handkerchiefagain?”

He grinned at her. “Guess I was a little tired this morning,” he said. “After all, we didn’t exactly get much sleep last night.” Their lovemaking, like Chelsea’s family reunion, had been a joyous celebration that had lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

“And you really want to stay in East Tennessee?” Elaine asked and now it was her tur to cry.

“Of course, you ding-a-ling,” Griff scolded, taking the handkerchief and drying her eyes. “This is my home. It’s yours and Chelsea’s and Martin’s. Why would I want to be anywhere else?”

“Why indeed, my Brotherhood Protector?” she asked. “My Marine. Mi Corazon.”

“And we should always remember what Dorothy Gail taught us,” Griff continued, wrapping his arms around her?”

“FromThe Wizard of Oz?”Elaine frowned. “What did she say?”

“There’s no place like home, my ding-a-ling–“he whispered as he leaned into kiss her. “There’s no place like home.”