Page 116 of Her Summer Hope

Ellie beamed, clearly thrilled to see her mom so happy. But the boys made gagging sounds.

"Gross!" Jack protested. James elbowed his brother. "Yeah, yuck!"

Kyle chuckled while Maddy just shook her head indulgently.

"Can we go shooting now that we're older?" Jack pleaded, redirecting the conversation.

Murdock sauntered in. "I was younger than you when I first fired a weapon," he said.

Maddy shot him an exasperated look. "Why am I not surprised?"

Kyle released Madison and walked over to ruffle Jack's hair. "Maybe in a few years if your mom says it's okay."

Murdock's expression shuttered. Without another word, he turned and left.

Kyle and Maddy shared a puzzled glance. What had set him off?

The boys rushed off to find John, their enthusiastic shouts fading down the hall. In the kitchen, Kyle drew Maddy close again.

Their tender moment was interrupted by a commotion from the other room. Wyatt came through the door, a giggling boy tucked under each arm.

"Caught a couple of sappers trying to infiltrate the base," Wyatt announced. "Should we execute them or torture them for information?"

"Torture them!" John shouted, pushing through the door and joining in the game.

Wyatt grabbed James and Jack again, flipping them upside down as they shrieked with delight. He proceeded to tickle them mercilessly until they were red-faced and gasping for mercy.

Maddy watched with a mix of exasperation and tenderness. Her boys were in heaven, relishing the attention of the men who had become like surrogate family to them.

Kyle drew her close, feeling the same swell of emotion. "Everything okay?"

She smiled up at him, her expression radiating contentment. "Everything's perfect."

He kissed her softly, the world fading away until Wyatt's voice intruded again.

"Heading into town for the evening. Gonna drag John along before he drives the rest of us nuts." Wyatt eyed Kyle meaningfully. "You should track down Murdock. Something's eating at him again and if you don't get to the bottom of it, he's liable to go all Rambo on the countryside."

Kyle sighed, the warmth in his chest dimming. His friend was right. "I'll handle it."

As Wyatt ushered John out the door, Kyle gave Maddy an apologetic kiss. "I need to go after Murdock."

"I understand." Her brow creased with concern as she glanced toward the woods. "Be careful."

"Always am." He grinned, hoping to reassure her, and headed out.

The forest loomed before him, thick and almost foreboding today. Somewhere in that sea of trees was the man he'd shed blood with, his brother in every way but blood. And Kyle would do whatever it took to ease the demons hounding Cal's steps.

Kyle made his way along the winding trail, his senses alert.

There.

A flicker of light through the trees, the sharp tang of wood smoke. He headed toward it.

Murdock sat staring into the flames, a beer dangling from his fingers. His shoulders were hunched, face closed off and grim.

Kyle hesitated, then took a seat on the log beside him, gaze fixed on the fire. Silence stretched between them, but it was a companionable one. They'd long ago moved past the need for constant chatter.

After a time, Murdock spoke. "You're serious about her."