Page 16 of Shane
Shane’s chest expanded with relief. “I didn’t think bringing my girls into an interview with me would go over too well. Besides, they’re smart,” Shane replied, the barest smile curling the corners of his lips. “They might’ve kept Everlee from falling in the first place.”
Alex nodded, suddenly aware he was seeing Shane through Kelsey’s eyes. Shane was all man, and he’d been a damned good sniper. Alex knew that for certain. He had a copy of Shane’s military records. But there was a whole lot of kid beneath the hard, manly façade Shane led with. Reminded Alex of himself when he’d joined the Corps. He’d been straight out of high school, too.
“Well, go get them,” he groused. “Bring your dogs to work with you, every day if you want. Other agents bring theirs. You might as well get used to having plenty of service dogs around. They’re welcome in any section of the complex.” He looked over at Mark. “Make sure he meets Harley. Maverick, too. Harley handles ourPuppers-for-Vetsprogram, Shane. Maverick runs the therapeutic riding program we offer for special needs children and vets,Everyone’s a Cowboy.”
“Puppers-for-Vets?” Shane asked.
“One of Harley’s boys came up with the name,” Kelsey explained. “Oh, just wait until you meet everyone.” She clasped her hands together under her chin. “I think I’ll serve roast beef, mashed potatoes, and gravy for dinner. Would you like that?”
He gave her a head nod. “Yes, ma’am, sure would. Been years since I’ve tasted home cooking.”
“You’re going to love it here,” Kelsey replied, but Alex caught the drift in her voice. He’d bet odds she was thinking the same thing he was, that Shane’s last home-cooked dinner had been when his mother was still alive.
Alex scrubbed a quick hand under his tie and over his heart, hurting for the pain he’d unintentionally caused this brave combat veteran. God, it was true. There was something to be learned every damned day.
Mark jerked his chin at his door. “Welcome aboard, Junior Agent. Let’s get you oriented. I’ll discuss TEAM benefits while we walk.”
“Thanks, sure,” Shane replied and then turned to Alex. “Thank you, too, Mr. Stewart.”
Alex growled. No sense being lead dog if you couldn’t keep thepuppersin line.
“I meant, err…” The cords in Shane’s neck worked until he finally spit out, “Thank you,Alex.”
“You bet. Welcome back. Better yet…” Alex grabbed Shane’s hand and squeezed the hell out of it. “Welcome home.”
Chapter Six
Shane couldn’t believe how much better walking back to Everlee’s desk felt. He’d expected Stewart to be hard-assed. Had thought he’d mentally prepared for it, especially given the bombshell Shane dropped on him. Marines fought dirty, and Stewart wasn’t above hitting below the belt. Neither was he above admitting he’d been wrong, and that, right there, made one helluva difference between him and the commanding officers Shane had worked for in the Corps. They’d only been interested in two things, getting another star or stripe, and making themselves look good to their superiors. Stewart’s sincere apology still amazed the shit out of Shane. No one had ever treated him so good, and that welcome home? And the sweet hug from Stewart’s wife?
He brushed a hand over his eyes before he choked. For the first time in years, Shane felt like he might just enjoy this job. But man, Stewart’s wife looked younger than him. A lot younger. She was stunningly beautiful, with her chocolate-brown hair tied up in a messy bun, while Alex was gray at his temples. He might dress like he belonged on Capitol Hill, but his nose had been broken a time or two. What the hell was a classy woman like her doing with a street-fighting bastard like him?
Guess opposites did attract.
Shane shook the puzzle off. He had a plan for the evening. The dinner invite was going to be short and sweet, over and done before the sun went down. This game he knew how to play. Show up on time. Be respectful. Schmooze a little. Keep his opinions to himself. Eat small portions of what was offered. Then leave.
But wow, he couldn’t shake the lovely image of Stewart’s wife out of his mind. For a moment there, when Kelsey’d grabbed him into a hug, she’d rocked Shane’s world. Not in a sexual way, but in a way that was so damned motherly. He’d missed the tender touch of a good woman, and she’d hugged him exactly like his mom used to. He could’ve bawled like a baby.
Because life had been damned miserable after his shitty father deserted his mom and him when he was thirteen. With her working two jobs while Shane finished junior high, they’d been sinking fast. But once old man Swanson hired him to stock shelves at the neighborhood grocery store, well, Shane worked his ass off to impress the guy. Eventually, the after-school job included Saturdays. Never Sundays. Swanson closed up shop on Sundays, said smart people didn’t shop nor work on the Lord’s day. He must’ve known something. Because within a year, thanks to Shane’s weekly paycheck, his mom was able to quit her second job. From then on, Shane made attending the Catholic church on the corner of his street an every Sunday morning habit. And after Mass, he fixed dinner for his mom.
God, he missed her. She was why he’d never hooked up with loose women for one-night stands. His old man had cheated on her with one woman after another until it broke her heart and damned near broke her spirit. Shane wasn’t made that way, had never wanted to be anything like the bastard who’d fathered him. Still didn’t. Yeah, he’d had a few close encounters with women, but none lately. He’d never felt he was good enough for the nice ones, considering his profession. What lady wanted to hook up with a professional killer?
“Girls,” he called out as he rounded the corner. “Time to go. Come,” he said, slapping his thigh to get their attention. Molly and Dolly charged him, two furry bundles of energy. They were just like little kids. No matter what he did, they loved him, and their smiles proved it.
“Well? Are you leaving or are you staying?” Everlee asked.
“Staying,” he replied. Man, it was good to be able to say that. He had the job he’d wanted.
“Congratulations!” Excitement glittered in her eyes. “You actually look like you’re going to live now.”
“Yeah, being employed helps, thanks.” He ran a hand over his head. “But I’ve got to go with Mark for a while, and these girls get to come with me.”How great is that?
“May I come, too?”
“I guess. Sure. Alex said something about the barn and Harley and Maverick, though. Sounds like it might be a lot of walking. Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“I meant to dinner at the Stewarts. May I ride with you? We all just got a blanket email invitation, and” —she waggled her boot at him— “I can’t drive. Give me a ride over?”
Blanket invitation?“Everyone will be there?” Stewart hadn’t said anything about inviting a crowd. But he had recently closed his Seattle office. It made sense. “How many are you talking about?”