Page 113 of Cowboy SEAL Homecoming

“We’ll find out. I think he’s pretty set on hating everything for a while.”

“I’m sorry.”

Monica shrugged. “It’s no big deal. Children are a constant trial,” she said with a smile. “You get used to it.”

“I’m feeling surprisingly familiar with constant trial,” Becca muttered.

Monica put her to work, and Becca helped carry what boxes and bags she could. But Monica was right. They would need some stronger arms to get the furniture inside. Maybe she could go see if Caleb Shaw could help and tell the guys not to come.

But just as she stepped out of the little cabin, Burt’s truck came into view.

“Please be anyone but Alex,” Becca muttered.

“I think it’s all of them,” Monica said, making Becca jump since she hadn’t realized Monica was right there. “Problems with Alex?”

“Not…professionally,” Becca returned.

“Oh, personally? Now that I find very, very interesting.”

“Well…”

“You don’t have to tell me. I’m constantly, forever nosy. Ignore me, and feel free to tell me to shut up if you want me to. I won’t be offended.”

“It’s just…well…we’ve been sort of…involved.”

Monica smiled, something a little wistful. “Involved. Oh, I miss those days.”

“You do? Fights and not understanding each other and wanting to throttle the other person?”

“Oh yeah,” Monica said earnestly. “I didn’t in the moment, but when you lose someone, you end up missing even the stupidest things.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t—”

“No, don’t be,” Monica said, giving her arm a squeeze. “He’s been gone a long time. I’m used to missing. So what did the lunk do? I figure since there’s three of them and two of us, we have to stick together. I’m on your side, girl.”

Becca smiled. “If we add your son, there’s four of them to our two. Even more reason to stick together.”

Monica laughed. “I think we’re going to get along just fine, Becca. So spill the beans before he gets out of the truck.”

“I’m worried about him. I don’t think he’s all right.”

“Oh, honey.” Monica let out a sigh. “That’s a pain I know all too well.”

Alex got out of the truck followed by Gabe. Jack must have stayed at the ranch with Hick.

Alex looked rough. She didn’t know how he kept just looking…worse. Like he was still going through hell, except that denial must be hell in and of itself.

“Hi, Monica. Need some furniture moved?” Alex greeted.

“Thanks for coming, guys. I think we could have done the beds, but the couch is approximately three hundred tons.”

“We’ll get it.”

Colin stepped out of the house. He eyed the two men before taking a little step back into the cabin.

“I see you brought us a grunt,” Gabe offered, his voice loud enough to carry to the boy.

“Oh, I don’t know. He’s very disappointed about living here,” Monica said, eyeing her son. “I’m not sure how much work you’ll get out of him.”