Page 18 of Protecting Bree
Artem simply shrugged and turned back to the TV.
“Ten minutes,” Ellory told her sister. “Then it’ll be time to eat.”
Yana nodded, and Bree found herself following the little girl toward her room. It was obvious she shared it with Ellory, because half the room was filled with books and toys appropriate for someone Yana’s age, and the other half was more fitting for a teenager.
Ten minutes later, something made Bree look toward the door.
Smiley was propped against the doorjamb with a hint of a smile on his face, watching her. She was surrounded by what felt like a hundred Barbie dolls, and Yana had been babbling nonstop ever since she’d plopped down on the floor and began introducing Bree to each and every one. She spoke in a mixture of Ukrainian and English, and it was absolutely adorable.
Even though Bree could only understand half of what the girl said, she continually nodded and smiled. The little girl was open and loving, and Bree figured that was because MacGyver and Addison were great parents. They made Yana feel safe, which was probably the most important thing at this point in her young life. Smiley had told Bree all about how the three Ukrainian children had come to live with MacGyver and Addison, and she could only beamazed at how well adjusted they seemed after their ordeal.
Bree touched Yana’s arm and said, “I think dinner is ready.”
Smiley nodded, letting her know her assumption as to his appearance was correct.
“Sketti!” Yana exclaimed, jumping up and running toward the door. Smiley scooted out of her way at the last second to avoid a collision as the little girl disappeared into the hallway.
Bree was slower to get up; she wasn’t old, not in the least, but she wasn’t quite as nimble as Yana. By the time she got to her feet, Smiley was in front of her.
“Wanted to check on you.”
“I’m fine.”
He studied her face for a long moment before nodding, then put his hand on the small of her back and urged her toward the door. “I don’t know about you, but the last ten minutes have been torture smelling that dinner.”
Bree grinned. “You too?”
“Oh yeah.”
They walked into the living room, and Bree headed for the kitchen. “Anything I can do to help?” she asked Addison.
“Nope. You and Smiley can sit. The kids are responsible for setting the table and bringing food in.”
Bree looked toward the large table just off the kitchen, smiling when she saw the name cards the kids had made. She was apparently sitting between Ellory and Yana, which was fine with her. Smiley was directly across from Bree. Perfect. She could stare at him all she liked without seeming too obvious about it.
Except, as the meal progressed, every time she looked up, Smiley’s gaze was already onher. It was both nerve-racking and exciting to be the center of his attention.
Conversation around the table was lively, and by the time they’d all finished eating the spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and cheese-crusted broccoli, Bree was not only full, she felt as if she’d known this family forever.
After dinner, she helped Artem and Borysko with the dishes, and then everyone settled into the living room to talk until it was time for the younger kids to go to bed. Bree found herself reading a book—or three—to Yana in her room, and by the time she arrived back in the living room, found Ellory sitting at the kitchen table wearing a pair of headphones, working on a laptop, and the adults chatting quietly on the couches.
Bree sat next to Smiley, loving how their thighs touched as the cushions sagged, pushing her closer to him.
“So…welcome to our crazy,” Addison said with a small laugh.
“It wasn’t so bad,” Bree said immediately.
“Well, it’ll just get crazier with the addition of this one,” she said, putting a hand on her belly.
Talk turned to Addison’s pregnancy, then to the kids’ improving English, then to Ellory’s current Crohn’s treatment, and finally to the other women in their SEAL family. Ellory got up and kissed her mom, hugged MacGyver, said good night to Smiley and Bree then disappeared down the hall. And still the adults talked.
There was never a lull in the conversation, and Bree discovered that MacGyver was actually funny—and very much in love with his wife and family. He might not be thebiological father to the four kids living under his roof, but he adored them as if he was.
Bree had no idea how late it had gotten until Addison said something about PT in the morning. Looking at her watch, she was startled to see it was almost midnight. Smiley and MacGyver—and her too, since she was going everywhere Smiley went—had to be up in four and a half hours.
“Thanks for coming over,” Addison told her, when everyone had stood. She gave her a heartfelt hug as she said it.
Bree loved being included. It was a heady feeling.
