Page 48 of Silent Dust
Hank nodded, his tone steady. “We keep watch on this place until then, just in case. But my gut says she’ll show up Saturday, grinning like she owns the place.”
Before Bear could say more, three or four voices jumped in together, “So what’s the plan?”
Hank chuckled, shaking his head. “We’re throwing one heck of a BBQ! Wish my Sadie was here—she’d love a good hootenanny.”
Swede laughed, “Hell, you own the plane, Hank, fly her here!”
Bear glanced at his watch. “It’s getting late. Let’s meet back here—let’s see, tomorrow’s Friday—say 5 p.m. to plan our setup. Hank mentioned he’ll have supplies flown in, and Sadie too, if she’s available. I know my guys have to be up early tomorrow.”
Ghost nodded, pointing at himself and Red. “We got perimeter watch tonight, Bear. You and yours get some rest. Zulu and Hawk take over at first light.”
The next day,Hank’s plane arrived with Kujo and his K9, Six, plus equipment—cameras, drones, comm devices—and his wife Sadie and daughter Emma.
Cameras were mounted strategically around the property and inside the house, covering key areas. Flora and the kids were under watch 24/7.
At 5 p.m., everyone gathered with sandwiches and snacks Flora, Lindsey, and Sadie had prepared.
Bear listened as Swede and Link explained the surveillance setup.
“We mounted cameras in the trees at key vantage points,” Swede said, tapping his tablet. “Angles calibrated for maximum coverage. Most are pan-tilt-zoom for flexible viewing. High-def feeds stream to the central hub.”
“Inside the house also, kitchen, living room, no blind spots,” Link added. “We’ve got eyes on Flora and the kids wherever they go.”
Bear’s gaze hardened. During the BBQ, four people would monitor the feeds—Link, Swede, Blast—with their tablets, and Kujo, stationed in the garage/workshop building in the backyard.
Hank, Hawk, Kujo, Nova, Swede, and Link would wear comm devices, ready for anything.
Now all that was left was for Charlotte to show up at the BBQ the next day—if their hunch proved correct.
31 - BEAR
Early Saturday morning,the soft light of dawn spilled through the bedroom window, casting a pale glow over Flora’s face. Bear lay beside her, still, his heart tightening as he took in every detail—the way her hair fanned out like a dark halo, the faint lines around her eyes that told stories of laughter and pain. Time had marked her, and him too. He felt the weight of those years settle in his chest, a mix of regret and gratitude.
He couldn’t help but smile, a tender warmth spreading through him as he traced the outline of her cheek with his fingers. The touch was deliberate, a feather-light caress meant to rouse her gently. He needed her to know he was here, that he hadn’t slipped away like he sometimes feared he might. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he saw the same warmth that had pulled him through every storm.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he murmured, his voice low and warm.
“Morning,” she replied, a sleepy smile breaking across her face. “You’re up early.”
“Couldn’t resist watching you wake up,” he said, his gaze softening. “You’re beautiful.”
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
He chuckled, the sound rich and genuine. “Just speaking the truth. Besides, I think you deserve a little extra today.”
In that instant, their gazes locked—a silent conversation unfolding between them, rich with the history they had built together. He saw the echoes of their youth in her eyes, the sparkle that had first drawn him to her, a beacon of light in a world that often felt overwhelming. He remembered the thrill of their first adventures, the laughter that had spilled from their lips as they explored new places, hand in hand, the world stretching out before them like an uncharted map.
Stephan leaned closer, his lips brushing against her forehead. “I’ve missed this,” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
“Me too,” she replied softly, her voice thick with emotion. “It’s like we’re rediscovering each other all over again.”
He smiled at her words, and without speaking, he began to slowly kiss his way down her body, his eyes locked on hers. His touches were slow and deliberate, fingers tracing familiar paths across her skin with renewed appreciation. As his lips grazed her skin, a shiver of electricity coursed through her body, prompting her to close her eyes and surrender to the sensation.
“Open your eyes, look at me…watch me make love to you,” he whispered, his voice a low, sultry invitation.
Gasping, she opened her eyes, locking onto his. Her breath caught momentarily as she felt cherished and desired. “I’ve never wanted anything more,” she breathed, her heart racing.
She leaned into his touch, a mix of anticipation and comfort washing over her. A soft sigh escaped her lips, revealing her delight as his fingers wove familiar patterns across her skin. With every slow caress, she felt the tension of their time apart melt away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of connection.
