Page 19 of Gentle Warrior

After a moment’s hesitation, Nancy reached out carefully to grasp a flower stem. Her fingers trembled slightly, but a determined spark shone in her eyes. Elena watched closely, her throat tightening with emotion, understanding how much effort it took for Nancy to engage with the world in her own way—and how meaningful these moments of connection were for them both.

12 - MOOSE

Early the next morning, after a hearty breakfast courtesy of Eloise and Lukas, Moose hugged all the kids goodbye, promising to be back in a couple of days. He leaned down and gave Flora a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so glad to see you back to your old self after the horrific year you had.”

Flora smiled warmly at him. “It was a rough year, but we’ve all come back together and formed this wonderful home for all of us.” Her resilience shone through, a testament to the strength she had shown after surviving several attacks from a disturbed woman. It was those experiences that had prompted Bear to leave the SEAL team and start a new chapter of the Brotherhood Protectors, originally founded by Hank Patterson in Montana. Now, Bear, Link, and Moose were developing their own chapter called the Blue Ridge Protectors here in Virginia.

Just then, Bear tugged Flora away from Moose, teasing, “You can’t have my wife!”

Moose laughed while the kids all groaned at Bear’s antics. Flora rolled her eyes playfully as Bear leaned in to give her a deep kiss, stopping just short of being X-rated. The moment was filled with warmth and laughter, a reminder of the family they had built together.

After saying his final goodbyes, Moose climbed into the truck and started her up, the engine rumbling to life. He waited patiently for Bear, glancing at the clock on the dashboard. “Okkk, Bossman, we have a four-hour drive ahead of us, and we need to be there before lunch…”

Bear emerged from the house with a grin and gave Flora one last kiss goodbye before hopping into the passenger seat. “Let’s roll.”

Moose’s foot stayed heavy on the gas, his impatience to get back to his hometown pushing them forward. Three and a half hours later, the truck slid into a spot at the Blue Star Diner.

“Here’s where we grab some lunch and catch up on the local buzz,” Moose said, his voice dropping low. “And keep an eye out for any strangers hanging around.”

Moose’s mind had been racing throughout the drive with thoughts of Elena and the gang she was running from, The Latin Counts. Ever since learning about her situation, he had been worried that the gang would reach Banner before he could warn everyone. The last thing he wanted was for his mom or anyone else to be caught in the crossfire.

As they stepped out of the truck and made their way into the diner, the familiar scent of coffee and grilled food filled the air, momentarily easing some of Moose’s anxiety. The diner was a staple of the community, a place where locals gathered to share stories and news.

Opening the door, Moose was suddenly transported back to his childhood. This diner had been the hub of the town, where everyone came to catch up and exchange the latest gossip. The moment he crossed the threshold, memories flooded back—laughter, the clinking of silverware, and the warmth of friendly faces.

A shout rang out from behind the counter, breaking the nostalgic spell. “Mikey!! Oh good Lord, Mikey, you’re back!”

Everything in the diner came to a halt as Gladys hustled around the counter. She rushed toward Moose, enveloping him in a huge hug. The embrace was warm and familiar, filled with the kind of affection that only comes from someone who has known you since childhood.

“Gladys!” Moose exclaimed, his heart lifting. “It’s so good to see you!”

“Oh, it’s been too long!” she said, stepping back to look at him. “You’ve grown into such a handsome man! How long has it been since you’ve been home?”

“Too long,” Moose admitted, a smile spreading across his face. “I’ve been busy with work; you know how it goes.”

Gladys’ expression shifted slightly, her eyes narrowing with concern. “You haven’t been hurt again, have you? I told you to duck when you’re out on those missions of yours!”

Moose laughed lightly as Bear slapped him on the back. “Yeah, Mikey, you were supposed to duck!”

Smiling, Moose nodded. “Yes, Ma’am, I’ve learned to duck better now. But hopefully, I’m done with missions for a while.”

“Come on, sit down! I’ll get you something to eat, and you can fill me in on everything,” Gladys said, bustling back toward the counter, her energy infectious.

Bear followed Moose to a booth, a wide grin spreading across his face. “So, Mikey or Moose… which one should I use?” he joked.

As they settled into the booth, Moose sighed listening to the comforting sounds of clinking dishes and friendly chatter, a reminder of simpler times. He glanced around, taking in the familiar faces of patrons who had been part of his life growing up. It felt good to be back, even if just for a short while.

Bear leaned back in his seat, still grinning. “So, what’s the plan, Mikey? You’re not just here for a meal, are you?”

Moose rolled his eyes before his expression grew serious as he thought about the situation with Elena and the gang. “Nope. I’m going to let Gladys in on the situation. She’s the first to know if there are strangers in town. I want her to warn everyone to be careful and not to give away any information. Unless you’re sick or dying, everyone in this town pops in the diner at least once a day.”

Bear nodded, his demeanor shifting to one of understanding. “Good idea. Hopefully, no one knows Elena is in town yet.”

Just then, Gladys returned with a steaming plate of food, and Moose caught a whiff that made him clutch his chest dramatically. “Oh, Gladys, you’re a miracle worker! Your cooking could bring a man back from the dead.” He gave a theatrical sigh, a playful grin spreading across his face. “Can you sit with us for a few minutes? I want you to meet my boss and catch up a bit.”

Gladys smiled, her eyes sparkling with warmth. “ ‘Course, love to!” She slid into the booth beside Moose, ready to share in the conversation and the comfort of old friendships.

As the men ate, they filled in Gladys and Shorty, who had come out from the kitchen and joined them at the table, on the situation regarding Elena. They explained that she was an innocent caught in a bad spot, running from a dangerous gang.