Page 26 of The Rough Ride (Sanctuary, Inc. #3)

N ick had Ollie and Natalie on the backyard swings when Angie finally called. Between pushes, he explained the Hilde situation in hushed tones.

When she got over her shock, Angie asked, “Is Lindsay still there?”

While everything in him had wanted to beg Lindsay to stay until the end of his shift, he just couldn’t do it.

Her infectious teenage excitement had been damn near contagious as she’d packed for her trip.

He’d never forget the grateful look on Lindsay’s face as he gave her a wink and closed the Benson’s car door.

“No. I sent her off an hour ago with the Benson’s. We’re sticking with the schedule you laid out in your notes, and Lindsay was kind enough to explain any questions I had about the younger kids. She even installed their car seats in my truck, just in case.”

“Let me find Beau.”

Angie’s heels a faint staccato in his earpiece, he threw another ball to Precious .

Angie didn’t mute the phone.

“I need to go back, Beau. Hilde’s in the hospital. I’ll explain later. Nick’s on the phone. He’s by himself with Natalie and Ollie.”

“Yeah?”

“I need to fly back to DC. Now.”

“Is everybody all right, kids okay?”

“Yes. They’re fine. But we didn’t hire SecureIT to babysit our children. I don’t want the kids to feel tossed aside, and it’s not fair to him or his crew to leave them with two kids under five with everything they usually do.”

“Mama bear, has any blood been shed?”

“That’s not the point, Beau.”

“Ask him. Any bloodshed yet?”

Nick heard the ding of an elevator in the background.

“Oh, for God’s sakes—any bloodshed yet, Nick? I can’t believe that’s his standard for childcare.”

“None at all. They’ve had breakfast and lunch.

We’re playing in the yard, on the swings at the moment.

” He was on his third fresh shirt of the day.

Ollie’s oatmeal having decorated the second.

But the clothes were in the washer, and Lindsay found the peepee-teepees before she’d left.

Although the painful, raw childhood memories of his father continued to sneak up on him, watching the kids wasn’t as awful as he’d imagined.

The house was a mess, but playing with the kids was kind of relaxing.

“No bloodshed, Beau. And that’s not my point. I’m their mother. I should be with them, especially with Hilde out of the picture,” Angie droned on through the phone.

“That’s a good point, sugar. And my point is—you’re needed here.

I’m paying SecureIT a lot of money to take care of my family.

I know it’s unusual, but surely, they can watch over two small children until we get home.

We’re talking about combat-hardened vets protecting our kids.

It doesn’t get any more qualified than that.

Have Nick call a nanny service and hire some help if he needs it.

He’s got access to discretionary funds. He knows what to do.

I hired them because Commander Mackenzie gave them a five-star review.

Nick is solid as a brick wall. Just trust him, sugar. ”

“I don’t like not putting my family first, Beau.”

“I don’t either, but what choice do we have? Even if I wanted to fly you home right now, I can’t. Ours was one of the last planes to land in Dallas because that damn hurricane has turned its snarling face toward Texas. The airport’s closing soon, mama.”

“Bless your heart, Beau Richardson.”

“Now, don’t you start cussing at me in southern, darlin’. It’s not my fault. You give Nick my best. I have no doubt he’ll handle the situation just fine.”

Angie came back on the phone. “Did you hear all of that, Nick? Are you okay with it? I promise to get the first flight home once this weather clears.”

“Everybody’s fine, Angie. I simply wanted to keep you informed and let you know what was happening. Beau’s right. We’ll handle it. Try to relax. I’ll text you with updates every few hours.”

“I’m so sorry. I’d appreciate the update texts. Are the kids asking for me?”

“Not at the moment. They’re having fun.” He gave them both an extra high push on the swing and held the phone out so she’d hear the squeals of laughter.

“They sound happy. I won’t ask to speak with them now. Hearing my voice might upset Ollie’s apple cart. Call me if you need anything . ”

“I’m sure we won’t, and I’ll send those text updates.” He ended the call.

He threw the ball across the yard to Precious again and texted Biggs, the next guy on duty for the three-to-eleven shift.

Don’t even think about being late, bro. Bring a gear bag with shorts, tees, relaxed shoes. That means plural. You’ll need them—heh heh.