SERENITY: A Path Home (Beauty 0f Life Book 6)

by Laura Acton

  Jon pursed his lips and slightly rocked his head side to side as his eyes squinted and a look of deep thought covered his face. He broke into a grin as he lay a hand on Dan’s shoulder. “We only found them because of yours and Loki’s work. So perhaps you both receive partial credit for each bagged cat.”

  “Awesome!” Loki exclaimed over the headset.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Nick said as he took a step forward.

  Ready to leave the zoo and put tonight behind him, Jon nodded, “Copy that.”

  Dan sighed as he strolled back to the entrance with Nick and Jon. When the leopard leapt, he reacted but didn’t think in time. His own adrenaline ebbed out slower, thankful the huge cat didn’t harm Jon.

  Toronto Zoo – Main Entrance – 5:40 p.m.

  The teams strode out to the flash of cameras and reporters yelling for statements from them. They all simply headed straight for the SUVs keeping mum. Lords would be making the announcement to the press that the situation was contained and they would now be reopening for the night’s festivities.

  Dan helped Loki put all the gear in their containers. As he was doing so, Dan saw the same boy and little girl. The number of people had thinned considerably, and he briefly wondered why they were still here, but then he returned to packing up as Mr. Lords voice rang out on the speakers.

  A broad grin on his face, Lords, scanned the crowd and proclaimed, “I’m tremendously happy to announce the snow leopards are now secured in their enclosure. The Toronto Zoo wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the constables of the Tactical Response Force. With their exceptional skills, all ten were recaptured without a single injury. We will be opening in twenty minutes. Thank you all for your patience and continued support.” He launched into a spiel for visitors to consider an annual membership.

  Daniel Chasseur perked up when he heard the English announcement. He turned to his little sister and speaking French he said, “Lou Lou, you can see the colorful lights tonight. The man just said the party for the animals ended and they’re opening for people soon.

  Louise Chasseur’s smile burst into life as she stood up and jumped around in glee.

  Dan and Loki were getting into the SUV when they witnessed the little girl jumping for joy. Dan said, “I’m happy for her.”

  Loki nodded. “Yeah, I’m glad she gets to see the holiday lights. I loved coming here as a boy with my ma. Magical. Have you ever been?”

  “No. Though I’ve had enough of the zoo for now.”

  “I hear ya. I’m sure Jon has had his fill of cats too.”

  Dan squinted at Loki. “What’s with all the teasing of Jon about cats?”

  Loki smirked. “He hates cats.”

  With no further explanation, Dan let it drop and put the vehicle into drive, following the lead SUV as all six vehicles drove away at a sedate pace. His mind switched gears as he realized he still needed to find an opportunity to speak with Lexa alone. He hadn’t had one yet and he wanted to explain tonight wasn’t a date with another woman.

  Her stiffness towards him today indicated this was likely her train of thought, but her behavior made him wonder. Why would she really care if I date someone? She only wants to be friends. Perhaps before debrief I can pull her aside.

  Defenses and Dinner with Gambrill

  42

  December 21

  TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 6:50 p.m.

  Alpha and Delta teams debriefed together. There was lots of joking and bragging as they all discussed the leopards they tranquilized. Jon was the undisputed winner with a count of three. Lexa bagged two. Dan, Bram, Glen, Rob, and Bill each darted one.

  When they finished debriefing, Loki stood up and called attention by clearing his throat. “And now for today’s verse.” He looked at Jon giving him a Cheshire cat grin.

  Jon returned with an evil eye. “I’m still TL. You may want to keep that in mind before you say your verse. Just sayin’.”

  The teams all laughed. Not a single one of them teased Jon about what happened. Something like that could’ve happened to any one of them. So they all pretended it didn’t happen.

  Loki’s grin grew as he began to sing. “On the tenth day of Christmas, Alpha Team gave to me, ten leopards a leaping, nine ladies flirting, eight maids a gun-running, seven swans a sinking, six geese attacking, five onion rings, four falling birds, three mother hens, two lovey-dovies, and a frozen sniper in a pear tree.”

  Jon groaned as the rest of them chuckled and stood to go to the locker rooms to change and head home.

  As Dan started to leave, Jon called to him, “Dan, a moment.”

  Dan waited for the room to clear. “Yeah?”

  Jon stood and locked eyes, sincere gray to questioning blue. “I’m aware being caged up in the control room was tough on you today, but you’re an important member of this team, Dano. You did well. Want a ride home?”

  Dan shook his head, ignoring the first half and replied to Jon’s offer. “Appreciate the offer, but gotta someplace to be tonight. I’ll take you up on the ride tomorrow night. Still looking forward to Kent’s concert.”

  “Okay. Catch ya tomorrow.” Watching Dan hurry to the lockers, Jon wondered if Dan had a date with the ballerina. She called Dan, Sinner. Interesting nickname. Ray’s probably right. Dan’s lucky with the ladies, though he never shares anything about who he dates … a guy with discretion.

  Jon stared at the lights, replaying the day in his head. Proud of both teams for solving a perilous situation without injuries. Using Dan’s vernacular, a good day, would’ve been great without the cats. Jon shuddered as an image of a snow leopard filled his mind. He could predict his dreams tonight. They would feature fearsome cats pouncing on him and trying to chew his face off.

  TRF HQ – Women’s Locker Room – 7:15 p.m.

  Dan rushed through changing so he could catch Lexa before she left. I must explain about tonight. I don’t want her having the wrong impression. Sinner is my past, she is my present and my future, though I can’t tell her the last part. No way I’ll ruin this by dating anyone else. Stealthily entering the women’s lockers, he noted Lexa skipped out on showering too. Perhaps last night’s fantasy is still too fresh in her mind.

  As she stood near her locker, Dan raked his eyes over her svelte body with all the right curves. She wore hip-hugging jeans and a black lacy bra. The desire to pull her into his arms and allow his hands to caress her perfect sized globes nearly undid him. Instead, he cleared his throat and said, “Lexa.”

  Eyes rounded wide as Lexa spun towards Dan. “Are you crazy? What are you doing in here? If you are discovered … that could be bad.”

  Striding forward with a lopsided grin on his face, Dan said, “This is the only place we can talk alone. I want to explain my plans tonight.”

  Defensive walls slammed into place. Lexa avoided the shower, unable to face her fantasy knowing Dan would likely be in bed with another woman tonight—she was the one who demanded they remain only friends with benefits. All day she fought the green-eyed envy monster. Snappishly Lexa stopped him, “No need. You can fuck anyone you want.” Lexa couldn’t believe what came out of her mouth and wished to recall her coarse, harsh words.

  Stunned Dan’s mind reeled. I only want to fuck you! His mind swiftly edited his thoughts. Wait … I don’t fuck you. I make love to you. You aren’t a one-night stand to satisfy my baser needs. Dan opened his mouth, to tell her he desired more from their relationship. His words faltered, and he clenched his jaw. I can’t tell her I love her. She’ll run. I must say something, though.

  His original explanation popped into his head, no declaration of love, only simple fact. “Lexa, it isn’t like that. I’m having dinner with Gambrill. I just don’t want the rest of the team knowing. Don’t want them reading anything into it … had too many problems with that in the Army with the general.”

  Pink tinge colored Lexa’s cheeks, thoroughly embarrassed for her leap to the wrong conclusions about Dan’s plans. She was about to apolo
gize when there was a loud knock on the locker room door followed by Boss calling out, “Lexa, you decent?”

  Alarm lit both sets of eyes. “Dan, he can’t find you in here.”

  “Where?” Dan’s eyes searched rapidly for a place to hide.

  Loudly Lexa replied, “Just a moment, Boss.” In a soft voice, with barely concealed mirth, Lexa said, “In the showers. He won’t see you there.”

  “Damn, your fantasy. You sure know how to torture a guy.” Incredulous he spoke aloud, Dam emitted a low growl clamping his lips tightly. She makes me do and say such stupid things. Why do I lose all control around her?

  Lexa tilted her head towards the stalls and implored him to move. “Go!” As Dan hurried to them, Lexa pulled on her shirt. “Decent.”

  Aware Lexa would find speaking to her in here odd Nick had a valid reason. This conversation required subtlety, sensitivity, and privacy. What he was going to ask might not be his best idea, especially given what he suspected, but he weighed that against the greater good and deemed the risk acceptable. This team functioned as Lexa’s surrogate family, and she would never act in a manner to lose her family.

  Seeing Lexa closing her locker after taking out her purse, Nick said, “Sorry to barge in here, but conference room three is in use. I would like a word with you in private before you leave.”

  “Sure, what’s up?” Lexa slung her strap over her shoulder and took several steps towards the door.

  Nick’s voice soft, not carrying far, he said, “It’s about Dan. I can see you’ve developed insight into him. It isn’t really my place to ask, but would you consider keeping a closer eye on him for us. Sort of like you did for Loki when he first joined. Dan’s had a lot of injuries since he returned. He might be pushing himself too hard to prove he is capable.”

  Relieved Nick’s voice didn’t carry, Lexa was certain Dan didn’t catch his request. Dan wouldn’t like it at all, and this could break the trust she fought to develop with him. She nodded and without delay responded loud enough for Dan to overhear. “I can do that.” She would have to come up with an explanation later—she had time.

  As she started for the door, wanting to get Nick out of the room before he said something to destroy things with Dan, Lexa said, “Would you like to join Loki and me for dinner tomorrow night at my home. Loki’s ma is volunteering at the church as a sitter for the men and women in the Christmas program. And Ray’s busy with preparations for his trip to Jamaica, so I invited Loki to dinner, so thoughts of his ex-stepfather don’t depress him. Since you will be with Christiana on Christmas, we can celebrate early.”

  A grateful expression overtook Nick’s face as his warm hazel eyes shone with pride for the daughter of his heart. “You are a dear friend and take such excellent care of Loki. I’d love to. I’ll bring dessert. Something chocolate.”

  Dan stayed in the shower for several minutes after Lexa’s laughter at the chocolate comment faded away. He didn’t catch what Boss said at first, too distracted building his own fantasy of him and Sexy Lexie in this shower. Though now he wondered why he spoke to Lexa in here. As he covertly exited the lockers, Dan mulled over what Lexa meant by Loki being depressed by his stepfather and if it had anything to do with the odd conversation he had with Loki in his tech room earlier today.

  Exiting the building, Dan hopped in his waiting cab. His mind shifted, as a smile blossomed. Mrs. Gambrill was a fantastic cook, and he enjoyed all the care-package dinners she fixed him when he joined TRF. If he hurried, he wouldn’t show up empty-handed. Withdrawing his phone, he pressed a favorite number. “Hi, Mom. Got a quick question for you.”

  Gambrill Home – 8:00 p.m.

  Dan rang the doorbell and waited as it began to snow lightly. After arriving at home, he changed lickety-split and rushed across the street to the small market to purchase a bottle of wine, before hailing another cab.

  Walter opened the door and smiled. “Welcome, come on in, Dan.”

  Grinning, Dan stepped inside. He couldn’t remember ever being at the commander’s home. As he entered, Dan glanced around, finding the place to be cozy. “Thanks for inviting me, sir.” Dan handed the wine to Gambrill.

  Walter accepted the bottle. “My favorite. How did you know?”

  Dan beamed. “Recon. I made a quick call to Mom.”

  Walter’s heart warmed at how easily Dan spoke of his mother. He started to comment, but Harriet bustled out of the kitchen and enfolded Dan in a hug. “I’m delighted you came. Come in.”

  “Merry Christmas, ma’am,” Dan said after he was released.

  “Oh, Dan, no ma’am tonight. You’re family. Please call me Harriet.” She took Dan’s winter jacket and hung it on the coatrack by the door.

  “Yes, ma’a … Harriet.” Dan blushed a tad.

  Harriet ushered Dan into the dining room where the table was set for three. “It’s only you tonight. Our kids and their families will begin arriving tomorrow. Walter, offer Dan something to drink while I go check dinner.”

  “What’s your pleasure, Dan?”

  Dan scanned the myriad of family photos covering three of the four walls in the room. Not wanting to admit he was taking pain meds, Dan deflected with another truth. “Work tomorrow, so anything non-alcoholic, please.”

  Sauntering over to Dan, Walter handed him a glass of ginger ale.

  “Thanks,” Dan said, as his eyes stopped on an older picture. His parents stood with his godparents. They were all so young. “When was this one taken?”

  Walter examined the photo. “A week before your parents were married.” He pointed to another one with two teens. “Remind you of anyone?”

  Dan’s eyes widened staring at an old photo of Gambrill and his father, both wearing military academy uniforms. If not for the twenty-nine-year difference in their ages and the military cut of the blond hair, his sixteen-year-old father could be him when he was sixteen.

  Walter chuckled and tapped another frame drawing Dan’s attention to it. “This one was taken at a Broderick family picnic. You can see where all those jokes about you and Scott being sired by the same brother come from. Scott was the spitting image of Will. I daresay William and Erik were razzed by Ryan and Mark mercilessly when Scott looked so much like your dad at that age.”

  Dan’s jaw dropped as his eyes bounced between the two pictures. His dad, his cousin Scott, and he were near duplicates at sixteen. Examining Scott, his father, himself, and uncle Erik thoroughly, he asked, “How old was I?”

  “You were eight that year. The annual summer picnics were always a lively affair. I enjoyed them immensely.”

  “I don’t remember them. Or more accurately, much about them and some memories I have are flat out wrong.”

  Walter lay a hand on Dan’s back. “In time you will sort things out.”

  Dan’s expression became wistful as his gaze shifted. “When was this taken?”

  Walter sighed at the photograph and lightly patted his godson’s back, knowing Sara’s death affected him to this very day. “So beautiful. When Sara walked into the room, sunshine came with her. This was about a month before she died. Do you remember anything about the picnic that summer?”

  “No.” Dan focused on Sara. They stood together with her yellow bike and his blue one, his arm draped over her shoulder, both wearing mega-watt smiles.

  Walter shared, “Harriet and I still lived in Ottawa then. William invited us to join all the fun as usual. The kids all engaged in a massive water balloon war. Scott, Adam, Vicky, Ashley, and Jeff spent the previous day filling over a thousand. It was an epic war which even your dads got involved in. You, Sara, and your father teamed up and took the high ground. It was fun to watch William let loose and run around like a kid with you two. He had so much weight on his shoulders at such an early age. His father expected him to become a general and drilled that into him night and day from the time he was little.

  “After the water war, and picking up all the bits and pieces of balloons strewn around the park, you and Sara went
to ride your bikes. You two rode like the wind William would say. He loved hearing yours and Sara’s laughter. One of the few things which made him smile.”

  Walter stopped, and his voice got quiet, “He loved you kids much more than he could ever show. It broke his heart when Sara died and when he had to order you to quit screaming when we arrived. His command voice is the only thing which cut through to you that terrible day. William’s attempts to hold you and his soft, pleading words did nothing to console you.

  “It was then he realized how damaged your father-son relationship was and cursed himself for not listening to wise counsel. It tore at his soul that you wouldn’t allow him to comfort you.”

  Dan turned to his godfather. “Does he blame me?”

  “God, no! Never. He knows who is at fault. I doubt a day goes by that he doesn’t wish he had not followed the method of rearing you his father used. He blames himself. He has trouble expressing emotions though. It has to do with how he was raised. His father, your grandfather, Arthur Broderick was a hard, demanding man of the old school. Men, and particularly soldiers, didn’t show their emotions. You sucked it up and carried on.

  “Though raised not to display emotions, your father feels them deeply. He still mourns Sara. Privately. To the world, he closed the door and moved on. Trying to put into practice his father’s teaching, William focused on the living … on you, Becca, and Yvonne. He didn’t forget Sara though. He kept his little girl, his breath of sunshine, safely tucked away in a special place.”

  Walter dropped his arm and took a drink of wine. His expression somber. “Someday I hope the two of you will rebuild your relationship to what it genuinely should be. Perhaps then you two can share the pain of the loss of Sara. Begin to heal those wounds. Your father might need your help to do that. Someday, perhaps that is a gift you can give him.”

  Dan listened to his godfather. His voice was a little gruff with emotion as he said, “Perhaps one day.”