Page 74 of Sachie's Hero

“One of the guys we followed, thinking he might be a suspect—Scott Williams. I met with him and his parole officer. I felt it was my responsibility to report that I’d seen him in the park across from his son’sschool, since he wasn’t supposed to be there. When Scott found out I was a mental health counselor, he asked me to help him work to be a better father.”

Kalea frowned heavily. “Do you think he’ll ever hurt his son like he did before?”

Sachie shook her head. “No. He feels awful about what he did and wants to earn back the love his son had willingly given him. He goes before the court next week to ask for custody.” Sachie smiled. “I’m going to give testimony about how far he’s come with anger management and learning proper parenting skills.” She shot a glance at Teller. “He was hurting when his wife left him and his small son. He knows he should never take his anger out on a child, and he feels huge remorse for having hurt the little guy.”

Hawk frowned. “Unfortunately, not everyone is remorseful for the atrocities they inflict on others.”

“Sociopaths feel no remorse,” Sachie said. “Anyway, if Scott gets custody of his son, I promised him I’d keep him as a patient and make myself available when he needs someone to talk to.”

“I heard Hank had a hand in getting Mark a good lawyer,” Hawk said. “Mark’s depositions against Roland, along with Travis Finkel’s, will keep Roland in jail for a long time.”

“And the lawyer got Mark’s juvenile recordexpunged,” Sachie said with a grin. “He won’t have any black marks on his background checks.”

“Which is in his favor,” Hawk said. “He’s signed up to join the Navy upon high school graduation. George Ingram and Reid Bennet will work with him to ensure he’s in top physical condition. The boy wants to be a Navy SEAL.”

Teller stared down at the baby lying on his thighs. “We tried to talk him into going Army and Delta Force, didn’t we, Kai?”

“What can I say?” Hawk spread his hands wide. “The kid chose the right branch of the military.”

Teller snorted.

“So,” Kalea cocked and eyebrow toward Sachie and then Teller, “you two have been living together for a couple months, what’s the verdict? Are you able to stand each other enough to make a commitment?”

Sachie’s cheeks burned. She shot a glance toward Teller. “Can we tell them?”

Teller’s lips twisted. “I would have told them a week ago, but someone wanted to do it in person.” He smiled. “Go ahead.”

“You’re engaged!” Kalea leaped out of the porch swing and wrapped her arms around Sachie.

Sachie laughed. “Uh, no, not quite,” she said.

Kalea frowned and leaned back, not releasing her hold on Sachie. “You’re not? Don’t tell me youdecided you aren’t compatible.” She shook her head. “Outside of me and Jace, you two are the most amazing couple I know.”

Sachie met Teller’s gaze.

His eyes sparkled with amusement.

“We got married a week ago in front of a Justice of the Peace.” She dug in her pocket, slipped the beautiful white-gold and diamond band onto her ring finger and held it up.

“Oh, no, you didn’t!” Kalea’s expressions ran the gamut of surprise, happiness, disappointment and then back to happiness. She hugged Sachie close, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I so wanted to be the matron of honor at your wedding.”

Sachie returned her friend’s hug and brushed a tear from her cheek. “We decided we didn’t need a fancy wedding, or a long engagement when we already knew we loved each other from the start.”

Teller glanced up from the baby. “When you know, you know. Sachie is my person.”

“Like Hawk’s mine,” Kalea said.

“Only, I had an uphill battle convincing her,” Hawk added.

Kalea shrugged and gave him a lopsided grin. “I wasn’t fighting against you, sweetie, I was fighting myself. I didn’t want a man dictating my life for me.”

“And have I?”

Kalea shook her head, a loving smile gracing her lips. “We’re partners, lovers and now...” she tipped her head toward Kai, “parents. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Except a little more sleep?” Hawk said with a grin.

“There is that.” Kalea turned back to Sachie. “But enough about us, tell me everything. Did you at least get a special dress, and did Teller wear a tux?”

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