Page 66 of Fighting for Family

“We did this morning,” Patch said proudly.

“Congratulations,” Doc said, clearly happy for them. “We’ll be waiting for you. Drive safely.”

“Will do,” he said, disconnecting the phone.

“What are we doing?” Claire cried. “I don’t have the diaper bag packed. I planned to do it tomorrow. I’m not ready.”

Patch threw his head back and laughed. “I have a feeling this is only a preview of our lives together. Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not leaving your side.”

Claire gripped his hand and held her stomach. “As always, Patch, you have to have your way. Did you and this baby plan this out? You insisted on marrying me before this baby got here. And now I’m in labor. I think you’re cutting it close.”

“It doesn’t matter about the time. It’s the destination that counts,” Patch said. “This baby’s ready to meet us.”

“I’m ready now that you’re here,” she confessed.

Patch squeezed her hand. He thought of Catherine going through this without Leo. His heart ached for her. The anticipation of seeing his own child took over as he raced to Serenity. He wanted their child born close to home and close to their family.

CHAPTER 20

Whiskey sent the last of the replacement supplies to stock the plane with Archer and entered Stormy’s office.

“I signed off on the inventory. Archer’s loading the plane and we’re ready to leave in the morning. I left the paychecks on my desk. Rocker will accompany us. The rest of the team will stay here. I’d like to introduce them to you.”

“I can meet them later,” she said, rising and filing some paperwork in her files.

Whiskey shut the door. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No. You’ve done an incredible job,” Stormy answered.

“The team has lived here for over a month. You’ve avoided them. They’re part of us. It’s important you feel comfortable with them. They’ll need to communicate with you from time to time. Did someone say something to you?” he asked, ready to do battle for her. Stormy acted as his right-hand woman. Her father, Conrad, thrived at orienting the men and getting their paperwork handled. The facility operated smoothly, and the men seemed amicable.

“No,” she replied quietly. “They’re…big men. It makes me nervous, and Brownie keeps alerting me.”

“Bear has done extensive background checks on all of them. Tex vouched for four out of the six because one of his SEAL teams worked with them. Once, you pushed me out of my comfort zone. How about I introduce you to the men? You might feel better if you took the time to converse with them.”

“I don’t like when they’re all together. I feel…crowded,” she admitted.

Whiskey approached her and took her hand. “Come, Brownie. We’re taking Stormy to meet her new teammates. If she gets a little nervous, we’ll punch the shite out of ‘em.”

Stormy laughed. “You have me confused with Sparky. I’m not brave.”

“Excuse me? Didn’t you jump in a freezing lake and save a busload of our seniors?”

“You won’t be here. I’ll be alone with them,” she said, sounding scared.

“We’re adopting a new rule here. We’re facing our fears together,” he said. “I wouldn’t leave you here if I felt they’d harm you in any way. If you meet them and still feel uncomfortable, you can work from home until I return. If you must come in for anything, Bear will accompany you,” he informed her.

They entered the kitchen, where three men sat at the table while Rocker set a plate of hamburger fixings down. One of the men went to grab a pickle when Rocker smacked his hand. “We all help. You want to eat, get your asses up and get the plates and silverware.”

“Hi, there.” One of the men said, noticing them. “You must be Stormy. I’ve tried to introduce myself, but your door was closed. I’m Tuck,” he said, shaking her hand. “We heard you like cheeseburgers. Blade’s grilling them as we speak.”

“Hi,” she said softly. “I’m Stormy. But I guess you know that already.”

Another large man approached her and gave her a fist bump. “Duh. Who hasn’t heard about the badass chick who saved a bunch of people from drowning in the lake? The seniors love you. I’m Grinch.”

A man with startling eyes closed the fridge and nodded at her. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Demon.”

“Hi,” she replied as a blonde man sat at the table.