Page 39 of The Captain's Little Girl

The mental image of the former military man who’d entrusted Ember with the enormous project, ushering kiddos through the gardens, popped into her brain. They’d all visited Ember’s project for the large corporation as it developed. The pleasant thought made Cricket relax a bit.

Cricket looked around the group and smiled. “Thank you for coming.”

“The guys aren’t just a team. We are, too. A band of Littles,” River told her.

“Cricket! Your phone is buzzing,” Hope said, handing it to her friend.

Cricket accepted the call and an image of the solemn faces of the team appeared on video. Each visibly battered and bruised, Doniphan, Tex, Jax, and Sam all crowded around the phone to talk to her.

“It’s the guys,” Cricket told the Littles. Immediately, they squeezed in around Cricket to see their daddies.

“We’re all here,” Cricket told them. “The officers just left. They told me Mark is lost.” She tried to hold it together, but a tear escaped and ran down her cheek.

“They locked down our phones until they notified you officially,” Tex told them in a pissed-off tone that told the women they’d been trying to phone for hours.

“We’re headed back with fresh supplies in a few minutes, but we wanted to let Cricket know that we’re going to find Mark and bring him home,” Jax stated in a steel-like tone.

“What happened?” Cricket asked.

“Mark sent us to the rendezvous and drew the enemy’s attention away from the group. It was critical that we get an injured man back for medical attention,” Sam explained.

“The captain’s plan was to drop the target off and the team would return for Mark immediately,” Jax told her.

“Unfortunately, the enemy didn’t cooperate. They swarmed the helicopter, and we had no option but to pile inside,” Tex added.

“So, you’re going to find him, right?” Cricket looked at the team for assurances.

“We’ll get him back, Cricket. We won’t leave without him,” Doniphan assured her.

At the sound of voices behind them, the team all looked up and nodded. “We’ll bring your daddy home, Cricket,” Sam assured her as he disconnected the call.

Silence fell over the group. Cricket tried to feel reassured that the team was determined to find him. What if they can’t?

“You can trust them, Cricket,” Hope said quietly.

“I know they’re going to do their best. What if…”

River broke in when Cricket’s voice trailed off. “Don’t even imagine anything bad. You don’t want to put those negative vibes out into the world.”

“You’re right,” Cricket acknowledged. “I’m just scared.”

“It’s okay to be scared. We all are each time our daddies are deployed,” Rosie shared. “Do you trust Mark to have trained the team correctly?”

“Oh, yes!”

“Then you rely on their training to bring everyone home,” Hope encouraged. “Do you want to stay here, or would you be better off at my house?”

“I don’t want to leave here,” Cricket admitted. “Besides, I have to work tonight. That will keep my mind busy.”

“You could call in,” River suggested.

“No. I’ll just sit at home and make myself sick.” Cricket glanced at her watch. She’d need to get ready soon. “If you won’t be offended, I’ll send you all back to your homes and jobs. I need some time alone.”

“If you’re sure,” Rosie double-checked.

When Cricket nodded, Rosie stood and waved all the others to their feet. Rosie walked forward to hug Cricket. “Know I’m thinking of you and I’m a phone call away. I have cookies,” Rosie tempted her.

“Thanks. I’ll call if I need sugar intervention,” Cricket promised.

“Okay. We’ll leave you alone but we’re all going to drive you nuts with texts,” Ember warned.

Cricket could only laugh when her phone buzzed with an incoming message from Rosie. “You all are the best. I’ll call if I need to talk. I promise.”

Closing the door behind her friends, Cricket leaned against the wood barrier. She yawned in exhaustion. The mental stress had sapped her energy more than a busy night racing around at the Harbor Bar and Grill. Cricket pushed away from the vertical surface and set the alarm on her watch for ninety minutes as she walked to the bedroom. Scooping up Buttons, she crashed on the mattress. Within a few minutes, she escaped into sleep.

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