Page 66 of Keeping Penny

“Really? Thanks.”

“I get it,” Casper said quietly. “We used to live to fly, but now we have different priorities. That doesn’t mean we don’t take our jobs seriously or that we want to quit, but when push comes to shove, what’s most important is no longer these hunks of machinery,” he said, patting the side of the chopper.

“I can come back after I drop Bowie off at the apartment.”

But Casper was already shaking his head. “No. I’m sure if Penny’s on the phones, she’ll appreciate if you entertain Bowie. There will be plenty of times in the future when I need to take off early to be home with Laryn and our baby. Enjoy your time with them. Before too long, Bowie will be heading off on her first date, then leaving home to go to college.”

“Can we please not talk about Bowie dating? I’m not ready for that yet,” Pyro said, completely serious. But deep down, he felt all warm just thinking about being around to see the little girl grow up. A lot could happen between now and then, but he wanted to be there to make sure any boyfriend knew to treat her right, or he’d have Pyro to deal with. He wanted to sit up with Penny and worry about her until they heard her return later in the evening. He wanted to do all the things he knew dads did, but had never seen firsthand. And he wanted that with Penny and Bowie…and any kids they might have in the future.

Casper laughed. “Go. I’ll clear it with the colonel.”

“Thanks, Casper.”

His team leader waved him off, and Pyro headed for the door before something could happen that would make him feel obligated to stay. He called Penny back on the way to his car, letting her know he was stopping by his place and changing really fast before heading to her apartment. It wasn’t against any rules to wear his flight suit outside of the base, but since Bowie’s school wasn’t on base, he liked blending in with the other parents who were there to pick up their kids.

It didn’t take him long to change and be on his way to Penny and Zita’s apartment complex. He saw Jen and Fred in the lobby when he entered. Fred had his official search dog vest on, and Pyro frowned.

“You headed out for a search?” he asked.

Jen nodded. “Eighty-two-year-old Alzheimer’s patient went missing an hour and a half ago from his assisted living facility.”

“How does that happen?” he asked with a shake of his head. “Aren’t the residents supposed to be monitored?”

“Unfortunately, it occurs more than you know,” Jen said. “But Fred’ll find him. I have no doubt.”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

Jen headed outside with Fred eagerly pulling on the leash, as if he knew what they were about to do. And he probably did. He likely associated the vest with an official search.

Pyro headed up the stairs and used the key Penny had recently given him to enter the apartment. It was a big deal to be given 24/7 access to her living space, and Pyro had immediately reciprocated by getting her a key to his place.

When he walked in, he saw Penny sitting at the kitchen table, her headset on, and she was obviously on a call. She smiled, immediately turning her attention back to the computer screen in front of her. He walked over and kissed her on the top of the head. She looked up at him, and he could see the love for him in her eyes.

He’d never, ever get tired of that. Or take it for granted. He grabbed her cup off the table and refilled it with water in the kitchen. Then he opened the fridge and took out the cream cheese, chicken, and dill pickle tortilla bites Bowie had helped him make the night before. They were high in protein and a good snack for both mother and daughter. Memories of how much fun Bowie’d had while rolling the tortillas and cutting them into bite-size pieces made Pyro smile once again.

He put half a dozen of the small treats on a plate and brought them, along with Penny’s drink, back to the table. He placed them next to the computer and received a pleased grin and her mouthed thanks in return.

Pyro nodded and kissed her on the cheek this time, before heading back out. He made sure the door was secure and took off toward the stairwell. Looking at his watch, he saw that he still had about twenty minutes before it was time to pick up Bowie. More than enough to make the half-mile walk.

When he arrived at the school, he milled around outside with the other parents who were waiting for their children. Just the fact that Penny trusted him enough with her daughter to put his name on the approved list of people who could pick up Bowie filled him with pride.

Right on time, kids began to stream out of the school doors, running toward their parents or making their way semi-orderly toward where the lines of school busses were waiting to take them home.

When Pyro saw Bowie, all he could do was grin. It looked as if she’d been through the wringer since they’d dropped her off this morning. Her hair was a complete mess, her jeans had dirt on the knees, and her shirt was likewise smudged. She was carrying her light jacket and her backpack looked as if it was stuffed full of papers and who knew what else.

But the most important thing was that she had a huge smile on her face. She was holding the hand of the aide assigned to her classroom. The trust she had to give others every day of her life was humbling. Especially since Pyro was an untrusting kind of man.

“Hi, Bowie,” he said as she approached.

“Kylo-Pyro!” she exclaimed happily, dropping the aide’s hand and running toward the sound of his voice, secure in the knowledge he’d catch her.

Pyro bent, caught her, then stood and spun her in a circle. Her high-pitched laughter ringing in his ears.

“Is Mommy here too?” she asked.

“Nope, just me today.”