"I got Lolly some waffles and French fries," she muttered as she dropped her gaze to the floor. "I'll just leave them and go," she finished as she sat the bag and cup on the table. "I thought you would want some coffee, so I got that, too." She drew her arms tightly around her torso and stared at the cup. "I didn't put any peanut butter in it this time," she said with a half chuckle that came out more as a pained whimper.
Dammit. She must have heard the conversation between them moments ago. He hurried over to her, cradled her chin in his fingers and lifted her face. He could see the shiny wetness of her eyes and knew the tears were about to fall. Hissing in displeasure, he took the bag and held it behind him. "Ma, take this next door, please." His eyes never left Breeze.
"Oh my goodness," his mother hurried over. "Breeze, I didn't mean. I..." She swallowed and took the bag and quietly hurried next door.
Finch let out a sigh, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against hers. "How much did you hear?"
"I don't want to cause any problems, Finch. I'll get my things together and go."
"How. Much."
"Not much," she whispered. "I wasn't trying to listen to your conversation."
"Breeze." His tone was firm. "What did you hear?" He opened his eyes and stared into hers.
"Your mother doesn't like me being here."
"Horse shit." He gently pulled her to the bed and sat down, pulling her down beside him. His side twinged at the action, but he ignored it. Breeze was more important than his own comfort. He tenderly lifted a strand of her white blonde hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. Even with the purple splotch on the side of her head from where Coal had thrown her into the wall, she was stunning. He ghosted his fingers over the place and wished he had five minutes with the man, but he was at the hospital under police protection. Too bad he didn't kill the bastard when he had the chance.
"Ma's a good person and I promise you she is mortified that you heard any of that. She's a great mother, but her children are like baby chicks to her. My sisters are twenty and twenty-two. I'm twenty-eight, but if she had her way, we would all still be at home, under her feathers, clucking at anyone who got too close. Even when it's for the best for us, she still doesn't want anyone to mess with her chicks." He grinned at her. She's still getting used to things. Just give her a little time - she'll adopt you into the family and then you'll be another of her little chicks.
"Do you really think that? She'll be happy to have me here as well?"
He toyed with a tendril of her hair, letting the silky strands slip through his fingers like spun silver as he nodded. "She will. You'll see. Right now, things are still a little unsettling for her and Lolly being taken messed with her instincts to round up her chicks. Her heart is in the right place. When push comes to shove, she just wants her loved ones to be safe and happy."
She swallowed. "What makes you safe and happy?" she whispered so softly he barely heard her.
"You."
His lips descended, barely brushing hers in a feather touch. She trembled in his grasp even as she leaned forward, pressing herself against him tightly. Her hand splayed over his chest, her fingers hot against his skin. He groaned as blood rushed south, making him throb and ache for her.
"Breeze," he whispered against her lips.
"Asher," she replied, her breath mixing with his.
The second kiss was a claiming. He devoured her mouth, nipping at her lips until she parted for him and he dove inside. It was searing, branding heat that burned them both until there was nothing but molten need left behind. He swiped his tongue through her mouth, teasing hers until it shyly met his then tangled. He moaned into her lips, drinking from them until he stole her breath and made her dizzy.
When they were both winded, he carefully drew back, searching her eyes to find the same hunger that he knew rested in his. "My Breeze," he whispered in awe.
"My Asher," she replied. The same awe in her bright blue eyes.
"Always. I think I've been yours since the moment I saw you sitting in that waiting room, guarding Lolly."
She swallowed. "You were so big, so much more than anything. I didn't know how to deal with things, how even to exist. I was lost until you. I know it doesn't make sense." She frowned. "I don't know how to explain how I feel."
"It's okay. I understand. I feel it, too. It's real, and so much more than words can explain. God, when you and Lolly were taken, I thought my heart was going to wither up and die. I couldn't think of how to go on without you. Without both of you." He combed his fingers through his hair and looked back at her. "You and Lolly are my world, Breeze. Didn't you hear me tell her I intended to make you mine? There's still a lot of things going on that have to be taken care of, but know this. I love you, Breeze, and one day soon, I'm going to marry you. You, Lolly, and I are going to be a family, a real family. There's no Winds or Earths or whatever else people tried to pound into your head. There's only us and what we make of it. Tell me you want that too. Tell me you want me."
"More than anything." She hesitated. "What if I'm not enough?"
He pulled back and looked at her in disbelief. "Not enough? My God, Breeze, you're more than just 'enough' -- you're everything."
"I... I am?" She swallowed as her eyes grew wide in astonishment. "I don't know things. I'm just a stupid little girl who never did anything."
"Ah, Breeze," Finch murmured as he tenderly brushed back a strand of hair that tickled her cheek. "Don't you see? You aren't stupid, just inexperienced and that's a good thing." She started to protest, but he stopped her with one finger over her lips. "Listen to me. Being inexperienced just means you haven't lived yet. You have so many firsts waiting ahead of you to try and I get to be there with you when you do. I'll get to hold your hand on your first plane ride. It'll be me who will show you the wonder of my childhood home in the Smoky Mountains. One day, I'll get to give you the joy of a sunset over the Pacific Ocean, my arms wrapped around you as the sun kisses the water and the sky becomes every shade of the rainbow. I'll experience the excitement of showing you Disneyland and SeaWorld. We'll go on a cheese tour in Wisconsin and Europe and try every kind there is, including the stinky ones. There's so many traditions you'll get to do -- I'll get to watch your face when you wake up on Christmas morning and find a mountain of presents spilling out into the floor from under the tree. Valentine's day. Halloween. Thanksgiving and every other holiday in between. All of this, plus a million more memories are out there, waiting for us to take them. Together." He slid his thumb over the pout of her lips. "And I can't wait to experience each and every one of them -- with you."
This time she initiated the kiss, taking from his lips as he did her. And when it was over, she laid her head on his chest.
"I love you, too, Asher."
Chapter 23
The sky was a brilliant blue, dotted with fluffy clouds drifting on a gentle wind. The temperature in Spokane was pleasant, and the soft hum of insects and birds created a soothing backdrop. It was a beautiful day to lay Sarah to rest.
Finch sat in one of the stiff folding chairs under the awning with the Nolans sitting beside him. Lolly sat on his lap, her arms curled around his neck as she watched the flowers on the casket nod as each passing breeze touched them. Finch knew she didn't understand everything that was happening, but she could understand emotions and that it had something to do with her mother in the long, pale gray box embossed with tiny red roses. Every so often, he could feel her snuggle against his chest, and he would tighten his arms protectively around her body. His side was still a bit sore, but it wasn't enough to keep him from giving Lolly the comfort she sought.
His eyes glanced to the left and landed on the tiny form of Breeze standing quietly watching the ceremony. She looked stunning in the dark blue dress that Hayden had helped her find before leaving Texas. Her pale blonde hair was arranged in an updo with tendrils framing her face. She held her head up regally, enduring the social niceties even if she didn't completely understand t
hem. He had wanted her to sit with him at the family, but she refused. She didn't want the Nolans to be distressed and was afraid her presence would hurt them further. He smiled at the thought. She was always so careful of others' feelings.
Behind Finch, the members of his SEAL team stood in their dress white uniforms. Though they had never met Sarah, they came to support Finch and Lolly in their time of need. Since the Nolans didn't have any family, Steve had asked them to be pallbearers for Sarah, and they had readily agreed. He also knew his parents were in the small crowd somewhere behind them. His sisters hadn't been able to get here for the service, but he had talked to them the night before and gotten promises from them to see him in California soon so he could introduce them to their niece in person.
On the other side of the casket, the preacher finished the short sermon. With a prayer, he stepped around the side and knelt in front of Helen. Grasping her hands in his, he offered his condolences and a whispered prayer for strength. Steve stood and helped his wife to her feet. Wrapping his arm around her shaking shoulders, he escorted her from the gravesite and to the waiting car.
One by one, the other mourners approached the casket and laid a flower on top, then silently slipped away. When the last one had paid their respects, Bruiser and the rest of the team filed by and placed their unworn boutonnieres on the casket. Though they hadn't been able to wear them with their uniforms, they had held on to them until they could show respect to Sarah.
Standing, Finch adjusted Lolly against his hip. Gently, he placed a single yellow rose on top of the casket as he murmured his goodbye. Handing a smaller pink one to Lolly, he leaned her over and let her place it beside his. As she laid it on the top, she leaned further, pressed her tiny lips to the lid and blew gently. "I splurburt you, Mommy," she said brightly and smiled.
Pressing a kiss against her temple, Finch held back the tears from her tender display. "Mommy loves you too, Lolly," he murmured, then hugged her against his side as he walked away from the gravesite. Breeze stepped in beside him, and he twined his fingers with hers. She curled her other hand around his arm and walked with him back to the top of the little rise where the rest of the team waited along with Alice and Jake Finchly.
"Lolly? Would you like to ride back to the hotel with us?" Finch's mother held out her hands.
Finch frowned slightly. "We were going to go as a family," he started. "Lolly's tired, and I'm sure Breeze is ready to get into something more comfortable."
Beside him, Breeze gently squeezed his fingers. Murmuring, she shook her head. "We're going to California tomorrow, and they won't see her for a while. I'm sure Lolly would like to spend some time with your parents. We can meet them tonight for dinner if that's okay with everyone."
Finch sighed then reluctantly nodded. "All right. He handed his daughter over to his mother. "Just please don't hype her up on sugar, Ma. The last time she came back after staying with you, she was bouncing off the walls."
His mother chuckled as she hugged her granddaughter tightly. "That's my job, son." She kissed Lolly on the cheek then wiped the smudge of coral lipstick from her skin.
Finch watched his parents as they made their way to the rental vehicle. Turning to Breeze, he smiled. "I guess that means we're free and clear for the evening."
"Bow chicka wow wow," Toad sang loudly.
"Can it, Toad," Finch grumbled. "Not everything is about sex, you know."
"Hey, I may not have a kid, but I do know what happens when you get a babysitter for the evening." Toad wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Glad I'm not in the room next door."
"Yeah, so am I. Too many times I've had to listen to your bedroom antics through the walls. Thanks, but no thanks," Finch agreed.
Toad blew out a breath. "Nope. Everyone here is either taken, too old or too young." He shrugged.
"Jesus," Cowboy muttered. "This is a funeral, not a mixer at the local bar. What are you thinking?"
Hick snorted. "He's not. Well, at least not with the big head."
"Normal," Railroad added as Bruiser face-palmed beside him.
Finch shoved against Toad's shoulder gently. "Come on, let's get out of here." He curled his arm around Breeze's waist and rested his hand on her hip. Together, they walked to the little parking lot where their vehicles waited. It felt good to have her under his arm. Comforting. Right, as if that was where she belonged. He smiled down at her. It was where she belonged - next to him, come what may.
"Hey, look, it's TJ and Cruz," Cowboy said suddenly.
Lifting his eyes, he saw the pair, both wearing dark suits, standing at the edge of the parking lot. Finch hadn't seen either of them during the service, but he hadn't been looking around. Instead, he had been focusing on Lolly, both sets of parents, and, of course, Breeze.
Stopping in front of the pair, Finch shook their hands and accepted their condolences. "You didn't have to come all the way out here," Finch told them. "But, we appreciate the support."
Cruz glanced over at TJ then back to Finch. "Well, the funeral isn't the only reason we're here." He lifted a folder in his hand and looked at Breeze. "We've got some information."
Finch's protective instinct flared and he squeezed her tighter to his side. Looking down at her, he murmured, "How about you go with Bruiser to the car. I'll finish up here."
"Actually," TJ interrupted, "she needs to hear this."
Glaring at the two, Finch shook his head slowly. "She's been through enough lately. I'm not going to let her get upset. Whatever you need to say, tell me."
"Asher," she whispered and squeezed his fingers in hers. "It's okay. I can handle it as long as you're here with me."
Leaning down, he pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. "Okay, sweetheart." Straightening, he looked at Cruz. "What's going on?"
Cruz glanced at the rest of the team standing in a protective semi-circle behind him. "Maybe we can go somewhere more private?"
Finch shook his head. "Whatever you need to say, you can say it in front of them. They are my brothers."
"It'll just save time," Toad added. "We don't keep secrets from each other." He glared at Finch before adding, "Most of the time."
Finch winced. He knew he was going to catch crap from them for a while before he was fully forgiven for keeping Lolly from them for so long.
"All right then." TJ started. "As you know, we have the three men who attacked you last week in custody. Smith and Adams aren't talking, but the third, Samuel Dell, AKA Blaze, couldn't wait to cooperate. It seems he's just a small town guy from Arizona who was a drifter for a while after dropping out of high-school. According to him, he was only following orders. He's never been in trouble with the law and didn't want to start now. Anyway, he told us the location of the Gaian Collective in New Mexico and everything he knew about the people there. Two days ago, the FBI in cooperation with ATF and local law enforcement staged a raid on their compound. Thankfully, it came at a complete surprise, and we were able to take everyone down with only a few scrapes and cuts."
"Fern, Flower... the others? Are they all right?" Breeze chewed her bottom lip nervously.
TJ nodded. "Most of the people are pacifists who adopted a live and let live mantra. They were questioned, checked out and let go. However, we did find a few who were not all that they seemed."
Cruz picked up the story. "We found three members of the cult were wanted for some pretty serious crimes. One of them cracked under questioning. Smith was setting up a little enterprise where for a significant fee, he would hide criminals within the cult until the heat let off and then shuttle them off to Mexico. The nomadic nature of the cult allowed them to stay under the radar. It was a perfect operation until now. We're trying to find out how many people have already trickled out of the Family." He looked at Breeze. "Do you have any idea?"
Breeze frowned. "Usually members stay for a long time. We normally lose maybe two or three a year. So far I can only think of one that isn't with us anymore. Agate joined last year and left after the winter."
&
nbsp; "I think we caught the operation early." Cruz said with a nod. "But that's not the most interesting thing. In Smith's things, we found a bottle of cyclosporine. I don't know who it belongs to because the label was gone. But fingerprints on the bottle are Smith's."
"Dorian Smith gave the drugs to Sarah?" Finch gritted his teeth until his jaw ached.
"Circumstantial at the moment, but we're building a case against him. Are you okay to continue, Breeze?" Cruz asked her quietly.
Finch looked to Breeze to see how she was holding out. So far, she seemed to be taking everything as well as could be expected. Her face had paled, and two dark pink spots dotted her cheeks, but she was hanging on. Slowly she nodded.
"As we said, most of the people in the Family were innocent, but not everyone. One of those people is Nancy Washington." He laid the folder on the hood of their car and pulled out a photograph, placing it on top.
The picture was at least twenty years old, but he recognized her immediately. Before he could say anything, Breeze gasped. "Mother?" She looked up at him with pain in her face. "My mother is wanted?"
"I'm afraid so. She's wanted for questioning in an incident from several years ago." Cruz shuffled through the papers in the folder until he found what he was looking for. Pulling it out, he glanced at Breeze then winced. "I know this is going to be hard for you to hear, but Washington isn't your mother." Carefully, he handed the paper to Breeze.
Finch glanced at the photocopied news article and frowned. Before he could say anything, she whispered, "I don't understand."
Taking the page from her trembling fingers, Finch read the article dated twenty-three years before out loud.
The search continues for baby Kimber Statton. The infant daughter of Patty and Marcus Statton was taken from the hospital nursery shortly before dawn on Tuesday. Hospital footage captured images of a nursing assistant walking out of the hospital and getting into a pickup truck before driving off. The woman, twenty-six-year-old Nancy Washington is sought for questioning in the case. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Nancy Washington or the infant, Kimber Statton, please contact law enforcement officials.
Justice for Breeze Page 17
