Page 65 of Trapped (Sheppard & Sons Investigations #6)
Nathan
“ Y ou knew about this, didn’t you?” I asked Ashley. It was a stupid question. Gran was front and center welcoming me back.
“Who, me?” Ashley batted her long eyelashes, playing innocent while beaming at the crowd and the Welcome to the Family banner hanging in front of my office. A Welcome Home banner hung over John’s door.
I didn’t tear up often, and if anyone asked I’d lie about it, but damn if my eyes weren’t a little blurry.
Family .
A bark cut Ashley off just as she opened her mouth.
“Havoc. Come here, boy.” Havoc sat at my feet, sweeping the floor with his tail as I praised him.
“Good to see you back on your feet.”
I stood and hugged Kroupa. “Thanks, man. I see Havoc is cone-free.”
“I took it off for the party.” He laughed. “He may not let me put it back on.”
Havoc barked again before rushing off to play with the only kid in the office. I assumed he was Chase, Doug’s son. Watching them play, I couldn’t tell who was happier: the kid or Havoc.
“Thanks for letting Havoc play with Chase.” Doug’s voice sounded anything but thankful. “Of course, now he’ll never stop asking for a puppy.” Doug clapped Kroup on the shoulder.
“Sorry.” Kroup laughed. “If you want help finding one, I know a guy,” he answered.
“You don’t look or sound sorry,” Doug said. If his smile was any indication, he’d buy that kid the moon.
“I’ll be around more often now that Blaze is settling in. I’d be happy to train your new puppy.” Kroup suggested as if it were a given that Doug would have one sooner rather than later.
Doug ran his hand through his copper-red hair. “Beth would kill me.”
We all laughed.
“Ma just texted. They’re almost here.” Meg updated the group.
A few minutes later, John and Mary walked in. They looked tired, but seemed happy. And genuinely surprised.
John scanned the room, nodding as he made eye contact with everyone. “Thank you,” he finally said.
He walked slowly around the room, stopping to hug or shake hands with everyone. When he got to me, he pulled me into a hug, slapped my back and said, “Welcome to the family.”
If anyone asked, I’d have to lie again about the extra moisture in my eyes.
“Thank you. How are you feeling?”
“Good. Mary’s pissed I won’t take more than ibuprofen, but I’m done sitting around. You?”
I glanced up to see Mary watching John like a hawk. If I had to guess, it’d be a long time before she let him out of her sight.
“You’re lucky to have her.” He looked over and smiled. His love radiating off of him.
“I am.” John glanced at Ashley. “So are you.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“Speaking of, you’ll want to re-propose.”
“Sir?”
“She’s a hopeless romantic, and while a surprise proposal in a hospital might seem romantic to us, I’ve been informed it isn’t.”
“It’s not?”
“No. Or so I was told by someone wiser than me.” He looked back over at Mary.
“Noted.” John’s fatherly advice, offered with humor, helped me feel even more accepted.
“Let’s go. The foods in the back,” Jamie said.
As soon as the door opened, the rich scent of grilled meat hit my nose, making my stomach rumble. “Tell me you’re grilling burgers.”
“Steaks,” AJ answered.
“Even better.”
Two grills produced mouth-watering aromas. They’d set up folding tables, which were covered with food and dishes.
“You must be Nathan” A guy I hadn’t met wiped his hand on his jeans before holding it out for me to shake. “I’m the other new guy, Matt Robinson.”
“Nice to meet you. Thanks for cooking.”
When he said, Hooyah, it set off a chorus of Hooahs and Oorahs.
“The Army guys and Marines will never let our Hooyah go unanswered.” We laughed.
“I heard you started your career with a bang.” He looked down at my leg. Not that he’d see anything—the bandage was under my pants.
“Two, actually.”
“And a proposal?”
“Only one of those so far.” When he raised an eyebrow, I explained that according to John’s sources, I’d have to do it again. I called Ashley over and introduced her.
“We’ve met,” Ashley said. “You’re literally the only person he hasn’t met.” She patted my arm.
That made sense. He would’ve interviewed with the team, just like I had. And since he’d been here all day, he would’ve met the significant others too.
Lunch was delicious, loud, and chaotic, reminding me of outings with my SEAL brothers. I finally got to try Meg’s famous bacon mac and cheese, and it didn’t disappoint.
I excused myself and went inside to use the men’s room. And to take a minute to process the overwhelming emotions flooding my system.
“You good?” Kroup asked as soon as I walked back out into the hall.
Ashley, the Sheppards, and everyone at SSI had given me the family I’d always wanted. Well, half of it. Ashley was on her own to give me the rest of my dream family.
“Yeah, just a little overwhelmed.” In the best way possible .