Page 19 of Honoring Lena

Ten

“I didn’t knowyou were coming.” Lena’s ma squeezed her tightly, her strong hug filling Lena’s heart with a love she’d desperately needed.

She’d waited far too long to come home, letting her grief and fear override her need for family. She wanted to punch herself in the face, knock some sense in. In staying away, she’d not only hurt herself, but from the tears sparkling in her ma’s eyes, her distance had broken her mother’s heart as well.

“Move out of the way, Ma, and let me have my turn.” Her father gently pushed Ma out of the way and engulfed Lena into his powerful arms. “What’s brought you up here, pumpkin?”

The question pinched with the implication something had forced her to come. The Rebel family was close. Growing up the way they had created a deeply attached family that took devotion to a level she’d rarely seen in other families.

That was probably why she’d glued herself to the Stryker team instead of coming home. They mirrored the Rebel mold of tenacious devotion to each other, and she’d let that family step in when she couldn’t face the emptiness Ethan’s death had left in the vast Alaskan wilderness. But brotherly affection and bonding with the girls couldn’t replace the hug of her ma or the look of respect and adoration her dad gave as he took her in. While she had buried her dreams of an Alaskan future with Ethan, she didn’t need to isolate herself from those who loved her.

“Dad, we ran into a bit of trouble in the lower forty-eight and needed a place to hide out.” Lena pulled back and glanced between her parents. “I’m really sorry. We’re only staying the night, then I’m taking them to the cabin.”

“Nonsense, honey. You all can stay right here.” Dad draped his arm over her shoulder and led her back to the Rands.

“No, Dad, we can’t.” The fear of the organization piecing things together and finding her family bunched her muscles with tension. It was a mistake to have come here. If something happened to her parents, she’d never forgive herself. “It’s too dangerous for you. It’ll be safer for everyone if we disappear into the wilderness.”

“We can take care of any trouble that comes this way.” His offended scoff made her lips twitch.

She didn’t doubt her Alaskan born and raised parents could handle any problem they faced. They had an arsenal that rivaled even the Stryker’s artillery, but she’d witnessed the destruction and deprecation the people they were up against could inflict. She couldn’t risk it.

“I know, Dad.” She patted his hand on her shoulder as they walked to meet Marshall and Carter. “My team and I have a plan.” Not completely a lie. “I need to get this family to my cabin.”

“Well, if you’re sure.” His voice trailed off, like he wanted her to change her mind.

She wasn’t sure, but it was the only plan she had at the moment. Marshall scrambled to his feet as they approached. His eyes bounced from her parents to her, his gaze holding hers and making her chest tight. There was something different in his expression, something she hadn’t seen before. The intensity of it had her chest and neck warming, and she ducked her head in embarrassment.

Lena Rebel didn’t do embarrassed… or blushing innocence, for that matter.

All that started and stopped with Ethan Stryker. She peeked up to find Marshall’s lips tweaking up in a grin. At least, she thought it had ended. She really shouldn’t have let her guard down.

Her dad’s eyebrow rose as he looked between Lena and Marshall, and his smile broadened when he reached out his hand to Marshall. “Welcome to our home. I’m Arne Rebel, and this is my wife, Katie.”

Lena would have to squash whatever thoughts ran through her dad’s head and made that eyebrow lift. Lena stepped from under Dad’s arm and strode to the helicopter. She didn’t want her parents getting any ideas.

“I’m so glad you all made it for the party.” Her ma gushed, bending down to talk to Carter. “Looks like you’ve found a friend.”

“Noflake nice. He’s my friend.” Carter gave Snowflake a hug.

Lena wished she could get over her fears as fast as Carter. She’d gotten good at hiding them, and she’d learned early in her childhood that even when you were afraid, you could still act. Growing up in the Alaskan wilderness didn’t leave room for getting frozen in fear. How would life look if her fear of losing those closest to her didn’t cause her to push everyone away?

Wow, Lena, really? There were more important things to worry about. Like not dying, for one. She dropped a duffle of clothes and supplies they’d picked up in Canada at Marshall’s feet and hiked her backpack farther up her shoulder.

“Party? What party?” Poor Marshall.

He’d been so confused over the last few days. Lena really needed to do better at clueing him in. Not wanting to talk about the organization and his, albeit unknown, involvement with them, she’d mastered the distract and evade method while traveling. It should thrill her to finally expose his actions for what they’d done. She’d been dreaming of how she’d do that since she’d first started researching that stupid bill two years before. Now, though, her need for justice had cooled, hardening to a boulder of indecision in her gut.

“Oh, nothing big, really. Just family coming over to celebrate our anniversary.” Leave it to Ma to downplay what would probably be an afternoon of chaos.

“You don’t mind us crashing it?” Marshall glared at Lena before picking up the duffle and slinging it over his shoulders.

“Are you kidding?” Dad draped his arm over Lena’s shoulders and rocked her back and forth like a child. “You brought our long-lost Lena back. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want. Move in, even. We’ve got plenty of room.”

Lena’s face burned hot as she elbowed him in the side. “Dad.”

“Carter, would you like to help me make the snacks?” Ma stood and held out her hand.

“Noflake come too?” Carter squeezed Snowflake’s head like he worried they would leave the dog behind.

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