He gently cupped her neck with his hand. He captured her lips in his, nipping them with his teeth while cat-calls echoed around the table. The dazed look on her face made him grin. "Absolutely."
Miley's hand touched the necklace that hung around her neck. When she told Cowboy about how she had used the quarter to get out of the cabin, he had praised her for her brilliance. He knew she was sad at ruining her first prized coin, but it was worth it. The next day, while she slept, he swiped the quarter and had it made into a necklace so she would always have her good luck piece with her. It was warped and bent, but she cried that morning when he presented it to her.
"Are you going back to the clinic in town?"
Miley shook her head at Livy. "I don't have time, unfortunately."
"Why's that?"
"I'll be too busy getting my own practice up and running. It's time I chased after my original dream of a small animal clinic near the beach where I could see the ocean. I've got my eyes on a couple of possible locations and will be talking to a real estate agent next week. I don't know if I'll be able to afford my ideal spot at first, but it's a goal I'm ready to work toward. For now, it'll be enough."
Again the girls descended on her, talking rapidly and asking her for details. Cowboy watched with a smile on his face. This was what being a member of a family was all about.
Finch sat on one side of the table staring down at his cell. As the others talked among themselves, Bruiser caught his attention and motioned toward the backyard. Letting out a held breath, he nodded and slipped out the back. When they were alone, Bruiser turned to him.
"Any word?"
Finch shook his head. "Not much. I heard about another possible sighting north of Sacramento. I was going to go check it out this weekend since we have time off for Thanksgiving."
Bruiser nodded slowly. "When are you going to tell the others?"
"About her? I don't know. Everyone has had so much going on; I didn't want to bother them with my problems."
Did I bother you when Livy went missing? Was it a bother when Annabeth needed us or Miley?"
"No, but," he started.
"No buts," Bruiser stopped him. "You're a part of this team. You're a brother, and that means you're family. We take care of each other, Finch. Let them know. Tell them about her."
Finch glanced up at the sky and drew in a deep breath. "I keep hoping that I'll find her and then everything will be all right. I don't want them to think less of me because I couldn't keep her safe."
"They won't. Listen, you asked me to keep your secret, and I have. However, they deserve to know what you're going through. Let them help you."
"Maybe later. I don't want to bring down their day."
"Today would be a perfect day. It's about family and what better time than when the family is all here?"
Finch mulled it over in his mind. He knew he owed them for everything he had put them through. He'd been a right moody bastard since the summer and the team didn't deserve that. With a resigned sigh, he nodded. "You're right."
"Good. No time like the present."
The two returned to the table. Livy looked up at Bruiser with a question on her face, but he smiled and shook his head. Everything was all right - or would be once Finch came clean.
"Hey, settle down," Bruiser barked. "Finch has something to say."
All the eyes at the table turned to him with an air of expectancy. Slowly he drew in a breath and let it out.
"I know you guys have been bugging me about where I go all the time, and I keep sidestepping. I haven't told you what was going on because I wanted to take care of it myself. Bruiser has convinced me that you need to know, so I'm going to come clean."
"About time," Hick called out. Beside him, Annabeth elbowed him harshly. "What? He's been a pain in the ass."
"Take your time," Livy told him.
Finch steeled himself to tell them the truth, to tell them about her.
"I've been searching for someone. Someone very special to me. Her name is Lorelei."
"Ah, man, you have a girl?" Toad pretended to wipe his eyes. "I'm so proud of you. I was beginning to think you were never going to date."
"Finch has a girlfriend," Cowboy grinned. "Awesome, man."
"She's not my girlfriend." He pulled out his cell and pressed several buttons. Turning it around, he showed them a picture. It was a child with big blue eyes, light brown curls and Finch's smile. "Lolly's my four-year-old daughter. She's missing. I think... I think I need your help."
About the Author
Reading has been a huge influence on Melissa since she was old enough to understand how words could create pictures in her mind. Devouring stories became an obsession - to the point that nothing was safe.
Discovering the library in grade school opened up even more stories and put the idea in her mind to write. Scribbling poems and short stores became essays and an unfinished novel. She temporarily sidelined her passion to become a wife, mother and career woman.
In 2012, a good friend who wanted to be a writer passed away at a young age. In honor of her, Melissa took pencil to paper and penned her first full novel that was published in 2013. Several others followed in the next few years.
Melissa now resides in Meridian, Mississippi with her supportive family – husband, Robert and daughter Rebecca. Poppy, her conure, keeps her company as she writes and is very vocal - or is just jonesing for attention. Either way, they make a good team.
Melissa enjoys spending time with her friends both real and imaginary. When she's not writing, she's usually mumbling about plots, arcs and trying to wrangle her characters back into line. Thankfully, they don't usually listen.
Website: https://www.mkclarke.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Melissakayclarke/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelissaKayClark
Blog: https://melissakayclarke.wordpress.com/
Instagram: @MKClarke
Also by Melissa Kay Clarke
Luna's Children
Shattered Dreams
Broken Melody
Lorestone: The Strength Within
The Legacy Reborn
Reclamation
Team Cerberus
Protecting Joselyn
Saving Olivia
Rescuing Annabeth
Safeguarding Miley
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary (Oct 2018)
Rescuing Macie (April 2019)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope (Sept 2018)
Shelter for Quinn (Feb 2019)
Shelter for Koren (June 2019)
Shelter for Penelope (Oct 2019)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline (FREE!)
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Dakota
SEAL of
Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite (Jan 2019)
Securing Sidney (May 2019)
Securing Piper (Sept 2019)
Securing Zoey (TBA)
Securing Avery (TBA)
Securing Kalee (TBA)
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.
www.stokeraces.com
www.AcesPress.com
[email protected]
More Books in the Special Forces: Operation Alpha World!
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle
Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah
Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett
Shauna Allen: Saving Grace
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage
Victoria Bright: Going Ghost
Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie
Kendra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil
Sue Coletta: Hacked
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow
Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Silver James: SEAL Moon
Silver James: Assassin’s Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude
Heather Long: Protecting Pilar
Heather Long: Covering Coco
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Margaret Madigan: Buck the System
Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck
Margaret Madigan: December Chill
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
KD Michaels: Protecting Shane
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound 2
Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt
Wren Michaels: Shift of Fate
Wren Michaels: Steeling His Heart
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
Mary B Moore: Force Protection
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Jen Talty: Burning Kiss
Jen Talty: Burning Skies
Jen Talty: Burning Lies
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth
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