Page 11 of Operation Heartbeat

His lips quirked at one corner. “Food. Are you hungry?”

“Uh…yes?”

He felt his smile hit his eyes. “You don’t know?”

“I can eat. Lead the way.”

He took her through the base, down three different hallways to reach the big, airy kitchen. When they entered, he was surprised to see Henner at the stove rather than Mason. He must be off his game to drop a pan.

She stopped in the doorway, staring at all the accoutrements a chef’s kitchen could want. “Tell me again how the military acquired such a building?”

Con grunted. But her question made Henner turn from the enormous granite-topped island where he was setting out the food. He took one look at Sophie and a grin broke over his face.

He came forward wearing an apron that said: I make pig butts and I cannot lie.

Sophie eyed the apron and a quick smile twisted her lips. “Hello. Nice apron.”

“I didn’t know there was female blood in the house.”

“I’m Sophie.” She extended a hand with all the confidence of a woman used to working with men.

“AJ. They call me Chickie.” He enveloped her hand with his own, swallowing her small fingers. For a long moment, he didn’t release her.

A rumble gathered in Con’s chest. He leveled a look at AJ, who wasn’t paying any attention to him.

Con cleared his throat to cut the moment. “I heard you drop something.”

Henner released Sophie’s hand and waved at the food. “Just a pan.”

“I thought Mason was on kitchen duty tonight.”

Henner tossed a wink at Sophie. “Just butter-fingered it.”

She smiled back at him. “Are those tacos I see?”

“Yup. I make the best. Momma’s recipe.”

Con snorted. “You’re so full of shit. You were raised by your grandparents.”

“Okay, then Grandma’s recipe.” He grabbed a paper plate and held it out to Sophie. “Ladies first.”

Just then, two more guys from Charlie team sauntered in. They both stopped dead when they saw Sophie.

Mason and Steele sized up the atmosphere in a blink.

Mason moved toward the island. “Did I hear you shit-talking me, brother?” He aimed the question at Con.

“Not you—just your cooking. Guys, this is Sophie Edwards. She’s helping with something.” He pointed at each man. “Sophie, Mason and Steele.”

“Nice to meet you both.” She gaped at the men. “Are all of you this big?”

All three of his teammates laughed at her question.

The rumble of irritation in Con’s throat tried to surface as a growl. He bit it off and reached a long arm across the island to snatch up the big spoon Henner had set out to serve the taco meat.

“Here.” He thrust it at Sophie.

Mason crossed the kitchen to rifle through the refrigerator for drinks, while Steele went right to the radio in the corner ofthe kitchen and cranked up the volume. An older song from a decade before blasted through the space.

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