Page 11 of Shielding Soledad

Ispent the night pacing the floor, part of it soothing Luke and part debating about involving my family in the situation with Bruce. By morning, I knew I had to tell them about the threat for two reasons. One, the SEAL community was small, and the Vale brothers were well known. Even though Colin and Zach were retired now, Bruce knew of them and could target either of them—and their families. I couldn’t be sure if he knew about my relationship to Chance—who was also a former SEAL—but the scuttlebutt had probably gotten around by now. And with a toddler in the house and another baby on the way, Chance would want to know about any possible threats. To be honest, all three of the guys would be seriously pissed if I didn’t share this danger with them. A couple of early-morning texts, and everything was set up.

Getting together was a hell of a lot more complicated now that we all had women in our lives and children to raise. As we headed to the park, I glanced at Soledad walking next to me, pushing Luke’s stroller. Being a parent changed everything. I’d always been aware of the world and its dangers, but the need to protect that had driven me to seek out the most challenging rescue missions was ten times stronger due to Luke and Soledad. I couldn’t let anything happen to them, so I needed my family’s wisdom and support. Chance, Zach, and Colin all gave good advice—and they’d been through some trials on their own, so they’d get where I was coming from.

I’d sold this family get-together to Soledad as a casual playdate, and after a moment’s hesitation, she agreed to it. I didn’t know what went through her mind during that minute, but I’d been prepared with arguments designed to convince her without revealing the truth.

We were the first to arrive, as I’d planned, because I wanted time to evaluate the location and find a good vantage point. I wasn’t taking the chance of Bruce sneaking up on us while we were out with the kids. I let Frankie off her leash, knowing she wouldn’t wander far.

“How about the picnic table under those trees?” I suggested after surveying the play area, shelter house, and soccer fields. The trees would give us cover if we needed it, and the spot on the edge of the park allowed me to see nearly everything, including the parking lot.

“Fine with me,” she said briskly, her first words since leaving the house. “I can put Luke on a blanket in the shade. He’ll like that.”

I wanted to ask if she might enjoy the visit, even a little. She liked my in-law, or seemed to, and their kids were great. I wanted Luke to be close with his cousins, even though he was too little to play with them for now. When he was bigger, they’d play together, forming bonds that would last.

When we reached the picnic table, I helped Soledad unpack what Luke needed from the stroller. I shot her a sharp look when she placed a bottle of Cherry Coke, my favorite soda, on the table near me. Her only response was a shrug, but it surprised me that she’d thought of me when she was preparing for the picnic. Things rarely happened that I didn’t expect.

“Thanks,” I said, loosening the cap while I searched for the right words to say to her.

“I thought you’d get thirsty.” She took a drink from her bottle of ginger ale.

My eyes went to her throat, watching the muscles that worked there—the same movement that had led me to kiss her on the back porch. She lowered the bottle, flushing pink. Her thoughts were apparently in sync with mine. We hadn’t talked about the kiss, and we should, even if I didn’t want to. An adult conversation would help to establish some boundaries and clear the air between us…but it might also close off possibilities. I realized I didn’t want to do that yet. What the hell? I knew it wouldn’t be a good idea to pursue a relationship with her, but now…

“Here’s Colin and Lily,” she said, shifting her attention away from me.

Christ. The newcomers had gotten within twenty yards of us without me being aware of it. My guard had come down when my desire for Soledad ramped up. Stupid mistake. I rose to greet my brother.

“Hi,” Lily called. She held Colin’s hand as Sofia ran toward me and Soledad. The three-year-old dashed to where Luke lay on a blanket and dropped to her knees next to him, seemingly mesmerized.

“She’s curious about babies,” Colin said as he reached me and shook my hand. “Good to see you, Soledad.”

“Thanks. You, too.” Soledad smiled at Colin before turning her attention to Lily and the kids.

“Zach was getting his brood out of the car, and I saw Chance looking for a parking space as I started heading over. They’ll all be here in a minute,” Colin said, his eyes tracking to his wife and daughter.

“Glad you could make it,” I commented.

“It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Going to the park’s a great idea.” Colin directed a look at me, a look that said he knew this was more than it seemed on the surface.

A few minutes later, Zach and Carolyn walked toward us, along with Chance and Mandy. Chance had his son, Ray, perched on his shoulders and was holding his wife’s hand. Meanwhile, Zach was carrying Erin, their eight-month-old, while their toddler, Austin, raced toward the other children and Frankie, who yapped excitedly.

“I’ll take this one.” Carolyn reached for the baby girl as Chance lifted Ray down to the ground, where the twenty-month-old took off after his cousins. “You boys probably want to talk.”

“What’ll you be doing?” Zach asked.

“The same, but I’m guessing our subject matter will be different. Alex has a serious look about him.”

“He always does,” Zach said, giving me a punch in the arm. “I’m the light-hearted one of this crew.”

Carolyn laughed at her husband’s words. “Right.” She took the baby to where Soledad and Lily sat at the picnic table with the kids playing beside them.

I took another scan of our surroundings, knowing the men in my family had already done the same out of habit. My eyes lingered on Soledad before I shifted my attention away from her.

Soledad

I stroked Frankie’s head as I listened to Mandy, Carolyn, and Lily talk. As much as I enjoyed being out of the house and having adult company other than Alex, I had mixed feelings about this playdate. Alex’s cousin- and sisters-in-law had always been kind to me, both when Alex and I were dating and since Luke’s birth. But I wasn’t in the club. I was the baby mama, not a girlfriend, fiancée, or wife. I felt like an outsider despite the easy conversation.

“Chase me,” Sofia yelled, getting Frankie’s attention. The dog ran off after Ray, Sofia, and Austin, chasing first one and then another across the grass. I couldn’t help smiling at how my sweet pup noticeably slowed down when she was chasing Ray, letting him outpace her easily even though he was smaller and slower than his cousins.

“They’ll all be exhausted tonight,” Carolyn said with a laugh.

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