Page 152 of The Savior

EPILOGUE

Seven Months Later

Brightly colored boxes were stacked to the warehouse-high ceiling. Liam hadn’t known big-box stores that catered to baby equipment existed. But there he was, stranded in the middle of a sprawling aisle of strollers.

Picking one didn’t have to be so complicated… He drifted farther down the aisle and stopped at another stroller. Truth be told, they all looked the same, but he couldn’t tell that to Chelsea or Linda. Especially not after he’d convinced them that he could handle the stroller-choosing task.

Frank had warned Liam that he didn’t know what he was getting into, and the man was right. Each stroller had a display and product listing that was not unlike the same lists that he might expect to see if shopping for a new truck.

Rubber-coated wheels for city sidewalks.

Pneumatic wheels for off-roading.

Brakes and shocks.

Cupholders and storage.

Visors, canopies, UV-blockers, rain gear…

He pinched the bridge of his nose. This couldn’t be that hard of a decision. Off-roading and cup holders seemed most important.

Then again, he couldn’t discount the importance of good brakes.What have I gotten myself into?Maybe he should call Frank for backup.

“You don’t want that one.”

Liam straightened at the familiar voice and pivoted.Mr. Westin. “This is unexpected.”

The corners of Westin’s mouth quirked. “I like to keep folks on their toes.”

He eyeballed the stroller aisle. “Never would’ve guessed you’d be here.”

Westin chuckled. “Not my usual.”

“Yet you’re offering advice.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “You have kids?”

Westin shook his head. “I can’t see how that kind of future is in store for me.”

Liam shrugged. “You never know. I wouldn’t have predicted this a couple years ago.”

He laughed. “With my schedule, I would probably have to drop face first into a war zone to find a woman and kid. But crazier things have happened.”

An overhead speaker chimed and requested that everyone keep their eye out for an “overly loved pink binkie.” Both men shifted awkwardly, and maybe Westin had as much of an understanding ofbinkiesas Liam did. His best guess was a blanket shaped like a pinky—but that made no sense. The learning curve on fatherhood would be steep.

Liam tilted his head toward the stroller that first caught his eye. “Why don’t I want that one?”

“Because that one over there has more cupholders.”

“Good to know.” He crossed his arms. “Why are you here?”

“I have a job offer for you,ace.” Westin cracked a couple knuckles. “With ACES.”

Liam snorted. “Yeah, I picked up on that.”

Westin smirked. “I was trying it on for size. Asymmetrical Combat Expeditionary Specialists. You report to me. You’ll have a home base in Abu Dhabi—”

Liam shook his head. “I have a kid on the way.”

“I won’t ask you to relocate. Just travel as needed, when you’re ready.” Westin popped the knuckles on his other hand. “And I pay well.”

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