Page 2 of Koa's Little Girl
“What?” she asked, her eyebrows drawing together in confusion. Was he making it up, or did her eyes reveal that her bumble was deliberate?
“My name is Koa.”
“Right. Koa. We’ve got a lot to do around the firehouse. If you’ll excuse me.”
“Where’s the best coffee in town?” he asked on impulse.
“Krieger’s on Main,” she answered automatically.
“Thank you, Giana.” Koa nodded. “Tell me, who’s the tall blond guy on the end?”
“Why?” she asked, her eyes narrowing at him.
“I always listen to my intuition,” he answered honestly. Something about that guy set off warning signals in his brain. A shadow passed over Giana’s face, and he suspected she had the same sense about him.
“Tom, stop standing around and hand me the wrench, please,” a voice requested from the open bay.
Koa turned to see a firefighter back at work, fixing a panel on an ambulance. The glowering blond reached into a toolbox and handed the tool over before returning to scrutinizing Koa and Giana.
“Tom. Watch out for him, Giana.” Koa didn’t wait for her to answer, but returned to his truck, shouting, “Be safe,” to thefiremen still working outside.Nothing to see here. Simply a grateful citizen.
The last thing he wanted to do was to cause his little girl trouble at the station. He already suspected that her rise to captain had been hard-fought. Shocked, Koa repeated that phrase to himself.His little girl.His brain didn’t have any doubt that she was his or, despite all her bravado, that she was a Little. Koa didn’t have a clue how he knew. He just did.
Grinning, he started his truck and drove out of the fire station’s parking lot. He’d have some work to do, but he’d never run from a challenge. Stubborn, his mother had called him. Koa preferred to call himself determined. That trait, whatever it was, had helped him achieve a position on the Special Forces team.
The image of his unit ribbing him over the wing fiasco last night made his lips twitch upward again. They’d saved his life a half a dozen times already. As the communications soldier on the team, he was a huge target for any opposing force. Take him out, and the entire team was isolated.
Koa knew each man on the team would risk his life to save his—not because of the radio he carried. He’d give his for them as readily as well. They survived together, or didn’t.
Pulling into the base, Koa drove to the training building Jerico had arranged as their equipment space. After Jerico had been chosen by the last team leader, Koa had slowly accepted his authority. The newest member of the team had shown his dedication, skills, and intelligence repeatedly. The way Jerico had zeroed in on Aspen and saved her from being terrorized by her brute of a neighbor had shown Koa Jerico’s true character.
As he parked, Koa caught sight of his team gathered outside with packs on their backs.Damn. Caden had a tough day planned for them. He slid out of his truck and jogged forward.
“Good timing,” Caden called and slung Koa’s pack toward him. As soon as Koa caught it, Caden ordered, “Go grab your practice firearm.”
Without a second’s pause, Caden said, “Hank, you take lead.”
Instantly, the quietest member of the team ran for the tree line. Koa swore and shrugged into his pack, racing inside to unlock the training locker and retrieve the weapon he used in training. The team had disappeared from view when he returned.
Speeding in the direction he’d seen them last, Koa sprinted to catch up with the others. A snapping twig helped him get oriented. When Koa reached the group, he automatically fell into step and shot a thankful look at Max. The big man nodded, confirming what Koa had guessed. He’d deliberately broken the debris to signal Koa.
The team ran in perfect harmony, their breaths slow and controlled. Each stride of their protective combat boots landed quietly in the dirt. They trained to achieve the ultimate athletic performance—one that would help ensure their survival in the worst conditions.
After five miles, Caden sped up to take the lead, relieving their sniper from setting the pace. Caden immediately flashed a hand signal that every member of the team followed. Within a couple of seconds, they’d faded into deeper foliage. Like usual, Caden directed them with gestures, and the team divided into two. Koa stuck with Jerico. Max, the team’s bomb expert, joined them.
Operating blind since he’d missed the team meeting, and they were under orders for silence, Koa could only guess that Max had a pivotal part in today’s exercise. The radio pack sent an unmistakable thump against his spine, silently alerting him. Without hesitating, Koa stopped in his tracks and signaled thetarget location to Max. Caden had obviously activated target locations in the radar of his communication pack.
They moved through the woods noiselessly, stopping only when Koa located a new spot. As always, he studied Max’s skilled hands setting up the detonation charges. The large man’s dexterity impressed him. Koa would move from being the communications guy to another skilled position on the team as he gained experience. Rarely did a team need two bomb experts, but someone to help in a pinch was always a bonus.
The sound of gunfire echoed under the canopy of the trees. Birds flew in a flurry of sound and color. A specific firing pattern identified the attackers. The other half of Koa’s team pushed the enemy back toward the charges. They needed to finish their job quickly.
To Koa’s surprise, in the next location, Max thrust a supply of materials toward him and pointed to a large pile of rocks to their right. Koa didn’t hesitate. Following the steps he’d memorized watching training videos and seeing Max in action, Koa quickly set up a powerful explosion. When Max’s mass approached, Koa slid out of the way. Max altered Koa’s setup slightly and gave him a thumbs-up.
The trio moved out of the blast zone and waited, ready to surprise anyone who survived the explosions. The first flares went up, representing the first bombs igniting. Koa spotted a bunny running from his right. At his signal, the trio moved away, finding a better location. They didn’t question his input.
Being trusted felt good.
A small group burst into their recently vacated area. Koa didn’t have time to celebrate for heeding his intuition earlier. From their new sheltered location, Max, Jerico, and Koa eliminated them as Max triggered the last charges, sending up flares. That took out the last surviving attackers.
