Page 43 of Shadow Games
Between the restitution the Navy had paid him, the ‘nest egg’ Charlie had paid him, and the payout from Ken’s federal life insurance policy to his widow, they had more than enough to live on, jobless, for several years, as well as buy the house. So, they did.
Renovations had taken several months, but they weren’t in a hurry. Rowan’s father Norm had moved into the father-in-law suite they’d added to the side of the house, negating trips back and forth to Cleveland. The house was big enough that there was even room for Brett if he wanted to come down to see his brother and niece.
Brett hadn’t been too upset by the blown-up cabin. It had been a hell of a story for him to disseminate to his buddies. And it had been replaced, already. Brand spanking new and ready for visitors.
Echo raced by, hot on the heels of a rabbit. Wyatt was surprised there were still any left on the hundred acres they’d bought. She still preferred wild caught meals to the expensive dog food he bought her.
It had taken her less than a few days to get used to her newly plated leg. And if it wasn’t for the wounds in her stomach, she would have been running sooner. They had pained her for a good while, but the vet had said it would eventually go away. And it had. One day about two weeks after her injury she’d started running like normal, and she hadn’t seemed in pain since.
“If she comes in and yaks fur all over my new couch again, I’m going to be pissed,” Rowan said, standing on the porch and watching the fool dog. The breeze tossed her hair over her shoulder, and she pulled her flannel tight. Her hair had grown longer since they’d been here, and he liked the look.
Wyatt scoffed. “Whatever. You’ll be mad for a minute, then you’ll be rubbing on her like you always do. I can’t tell if she’s your dog or mine, anymore.”
“Well, she’s a good companion when you have to go to Little Creek or Coronado for meetings.”
He crossed the yard and went up the solid, brand new porch steps, stopping on the next to last one. He was still a little taller than her, but they were at a good kissing height. “I’m sorry I’ve been having so many meetings, recently. I’ll be going in less as soon as they get the swing of the new policies.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling at him. “I’m not complaining, at all. I’m glad you’re enjoying your job.”
Once all the dust had settled with the court hearings, they’d wanted Wyatt to come back to his team in a leadership position. He didn’t want to do that, though. As flattering as the offer was, he’d gotten used to his new way of life, and he missed working with the wood on his mountain. He agreed to try out a new consulting position they created for him, which would allow him to shape policies and procedures to hopefully safeguard against the misconduct they’d had.
Team Seven was the guinea pig, and if it worked well there, the policies would be implemented with the rest of the teams.
If they could just figure out that one sticking point...
Rowan kissed him, hard, on the mouth, bringing him back to the present. “And that’s why I would never tell you to quit what you were doing,” she said softly. “You get this look in your eye and I can tell you’re trying to solve something big.”
He grinned at her. “That’s why we have so much wood,” he said, motioning to the mountain of split logs he would eventually have to stack. “I problem-solve as I do manual labor.”
She chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, maybe you can bring an armload in to the den. I think a fire in there would be nice tonight, after dinner. Which is ready, by the way. Dad’s already gnoshing.”
Wyatt grinned. “Okay. I’ll bring in the wood and wash up. I love you, babe. I think we’ve finally figured it out,” he said softly.
She smiled a huge smile. “Enjoying life, you mean? Yes, I would agree. I just needed you.”
“And I needed you,” he finished, kissing her one more time. “I’ll be in in a minute.”
. Which suited him fine.He
