Page 89 of Chosen By Swift

Swift bit back the urge to admonish her for lifting a child when she was pregnant. For one, she was a grown woman who knew her body better than he ever would. Secondly, she hadn’t mentioned whether she wanted to keep their news a secret or share it.

His gaze was drawn to movement on the porch of the house. More relatives emerged, most of them women. He tried not to go straight to risk assessment mode, but it was impossible to ignore years of training and routine. He eyed the house, making note of the entrances and exits visible, and the different vantage points.

“Here.” Alys handed her littlest brother up to him, and he accepted the boy who seemed perfectly happy to be given to a stranger. “Why don’t you tell the boys about the ships you fly?” she suggested before giving his arm a gentle pat and making her way to the porch.

Swift watched her go, torn between rushing after her and giving her space. The little boy—Davie—poked at the insignia embroidered on his uniform and said, “Rainbow?”

He couldn’t help but smile. To a child so young, it probably did look like a rainbow. “Yes, it’s very colorful.”

“What do they mean?” Darby asked, just as curious as his younger brother.

“They tell the story of my time in the service.” He noticed Brandon had a nervous eye turned toward the house and decided he wasn’t going to let Alys get far away from him. As he followed her path, he said, “I earn a yellow bar for every year in service. Green bars are for battles. Red bars are for ki—.” He caught himself before saying kills to a child. “For victories,” he corrected, his attention fixed on Alys who had just been engulfed in a hug by an older woman.

“Our Aunt Jimmie,” Clive explained. “Our mother’s older sister.”

“She’s on the outs with Father. He won’t allow her into the house to see Mother,” Brandon said with clear frustration.

“He won’t let Wendy in either,” Clive said sadly.

“Your sister who is a widow?” Swift clarified, hoping he had all of the siblings straight.

Brandon nodded. “She refused to remarry after her husband died. Father disowned her for disobedience.”

Swift grunted at that. “So, she’s also banished to the porch?”

“Alys will probably be joining them,” Brandon warned.

“Not if I have anything to say about it,” Swift replied gruffly. Still carrying Davie, he walked to Alys’ side and was introduced to her aunt and her older sister. Wendy’s three children were nearby, watching from behind the porch railing. Their eyes were wide, and he felt bad for intimidating them.

“And this is my brother, Jack.” Alys introduced him to the oldest brother in the family. He was tall and broad-shouldered with the same dark hair as the other siblings, but he wasn’t friendly. He kept his arms crossed and stared down at them from the top step of the porch. Alys ignored him and gestured to the other man. “This is Adam.”

“The blacksmith,” Swift said, smiling at the man who was responsible for Alys coming into his life. She had told him all about Adam giving her the flier and encouraging her to run.

“That’s me.” Adam shook Swift’s hand and glanced at his insignia. He grinned and said, “Sister, you caught yourself a pilot and a captain!”

“Well, technically, he caught me,” she demurred.

Jack clicked his teeth. “None of that disgusting talk in front of the children.”

Swift glared at Jack. “I’ll thank you for not scolding my wife.”

Jack seemed startled. “I’m trying to protect my family.”

“From your sister who used to take care of all of you?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“What did you mean?” Swift asked, daring the rude asshole to say it. “I’m not familiar with your customs so you’ll have to excuse me for not understanding what was so disgusting about Alys’ remark.”

“I’m familiar with your customs,” Jack shot back, “and I won’t have them discussed around our family.”

“What customs would those be?” Swift lifted his left hand so they could see his wedding band. “Unless you mean marriage?”

The aunt seemed taken aback. “You got married, Alys?”

“Of course,” Alys said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“When?” Jack demanded, his eyes narrowed at his sister.

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