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Jane leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder. “I know. It’s just…”
“I know, darlin’. But we’ve got to trust that the Lord will take care of healing the past. Our job is to love him through the present and into the future.”
Tai, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, cleared his throat. “And speaking of the future, when are you two going to start working on giving Kellen some sibs?”
Jane stiffened against him. They’d been talking about it since before the wedding, but Jane wasn’t used to the casual camaraderie—and the definite lack of privacy—between he and his team members. He shot Tai a look that promised retribution, but his friend just grinned, unrepentant.
“What? I’m just saying, you’re not getting any younger, and I want to be Uncle Tai to a whole brood of little Norths.”
Jane’s laughter broke the tension. “One step at a time, mister. Let’s get through this Christmas first.”
But as Bridger looked down at his wife, he saw the glimmer of longing in her eyes. And he knew, without a doubt, that he wanted nothing more than to fill their home with laughter and love and as many children as the Lord saw fit to bless them with.
Starting, he hoped, sooner rather than later.
He rubbed his chin and winked at Jane. “Not sure what you’re talking about, bro. We’re just waiting on the Lord to take care of things. Now you and Tenaya…that’s a whole ‘nother issue. When are we gonna see a ring on that woman’s finger?”
A panicked look crossed Tai’s face, but it faded faster than a passing shadow. “Soon as I’m sure it’s what she wants.”
Jane’s brow furrowed. “How will you know that, exactly?”
“She’ll uh… I think I’ll…” Tai swallowed hard. “No idea,” he muttered. “I’m open to outside opinions.”
Jane set down the plate and crossed her arms, fixing Bridger’s friend with a glare his sweet wife usually reserved for rude customers in her hardware store. “Ask her now. Immediately. There are no guarantees. But if you wait too long,there is a guarantee a woman like Tenaya will drift away. You hear me?”
His big friend nodded miserably. “Yes, ma’am. I read you loud and clear.” He cleared his throat. “We’re gonna have to put in more time on the P-51 if we’re gonna have it ready for Jason by Christmas.”
Mouth full, Bridger nodded. “I figure we have another six or eight hours to go. The skin’s shining up great, though, isn’t it?”
Jane’s brother had inherited the vintage plane from their stepfather. The aircraft had been well-loved, but also well-used during its lifetime. Jason stored it in his own, personal vintage hangar east of town, but he’d gone after the Consortium before he had a chance to dig into the project. At this point, Bridger and the team had the thing almost fully restored.
He couldn’t wait to see Jason’s face when he saw it.
The trio was munching on Jane’s cookies, the warm, gooey chocolate melting on their tongues, when Bridger’s secure cell buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his eyebrows shooting up. “It’s Jason.”
Jane’s eyes widened, and Tai leaned forward, his cookie forgotten. Bridger hit the speaker button, and Jason’s voice filled the room.
“Hey, Bridge. Just wanted to check in on you, Jane, and Kellen. It’s almost Christmas.”
Tai frowned. “Yo, Reilly. What am I, chopped liver?”
“Just yesterday’s news, Kaholo.” The quip came swiftly. “Like always.”
Jane whacked Tai on the arm. Shoved him out of the way. Her smile was brighter than the lights on the tree. “Jason! It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“You too, Jane. Tell me that SEAL’s still treating you right.”
Bridger scoffed, but his heart swelled at the genuine affection in her brother’s voice.
They chatted for a bit, catching up on team news and Kellen’s latest adventures.
Tai was just relating their recent Arctic adventure, and the fact that Kate and Fenn were stranded for another week or so, when a timer dinged in the kitchen.
“Talk amongst yourselves,” Jane ordered. “I have cookies to rescue.”
Once Bridger was certain Jane was out of earshot, he got to the point. “So, Jace, looks like we missed you in Endurance, bro.”
Jason looked startled. “Endurance, in the Northwest Territory?” His voice was tight, strained.