“To Lincoln and Ashley.” AJ McCall lifted his glass for a private toast with Ellen, Alex, and Leanne, their little celebration in the corner going unnoticed, like last year, amongst the other guests who spilled out onto the patio at his son Linc’s newly renovated home.
It was a beautiful May night, and the festivities were in full swing, with family and friends gathered to celebrate the couple’s engagement. The two tables full of food and desserts weren’t so full any more. Once again, his nephew’s wife, Kerri, lent her talents to cater another McCall affair, much to the joy of the guests. They still hadn’t stopped talking about the food she’d cooked for Logan’s wedding back in January.
That’s what started all of this. Logan’s wedding, where they’d put Operation Lincoln into play.
“Well, AJ,” Alex said, cupping his shoulder. “Once again, seems like you only had a minor hiccup.”
“Yes.” He nodded, satisfaction tugged at his mouth. “The fact those two used to sneak off as kids helped a lot.”
It was a no-brainer. That connection was the key to his son and Ashley getting through their rough patch. The matchmaking nudges helped, but it was mostly whatever Lincoln and Ashley brought to the table. And the way they clicked, it had to be strong for the poor girl to take a chance on another soldier. He had a lot of respect for her for that, and for walking away from a lucrative profession she didn’t enjoy, to start a new one she loved. According Hick, his niece’s new remodeling career was keeping her busy.
“It’s just so nice to see both of our sons happy,” Ellen said, sliding her arm around him, her happy expression marred by lingering shadows of their youngest. “I just hope the same goes for all three.”
The Equalizers still had no luck locating Mac. AJ’s chest grew tighter every day. It wasn’t like his youngest to disappear for so long.
“Is there still no word on Mac?” Leanne touched his wife’s arm, her gaze just as troubled.
Ellen shook her head and squeezed his hip as a murmur rumbled through the guests. “No. Not one word.”
“Uh…AJ?” Alex blinked at something behind him and his mouth broke into a slow grin. “I don’t think you have to look any further.”
About the time he turned around and sucked in a breath in unison with his wife, all conversation stopped. Even the birds stopped chirping, as everyone stared at the new arrivals: Chloe’s sister, Stefanie…and Mac?
Thank God.
Joy broke the shackles around AJ’s chest, and for the first time in months, he drew in an unhindered breath.
“Mac!” Ellen left his side to rush to their son who opened his arms, lifted her up, and spun her around.
AJ noticed two things while watching the happy reunion. One, the light returned to his wife’s pretty blue eyes, taking years off her appearance.
And two, Mac was sporting more injuries than the shiner starting to form under his left eye. The slight wince and clenched jaw while his wife held tight bespoke of a possible explanation to his son’s absence. But knowing Mac, he wasn’t going to discuss it.
That didn’t sit right with AJ, but for now, just having his son back was enough. As he waited for his wife to get in her share of hugs, then Lincoln and Logan, who introduced their women, AJ made a quick call to Kyle to let him know to call off the search, and a promise to update him as to where his son had been…if he was ever to get the actual details.
Doubtful at best.
Unable to stand by any longer, he finally walked over to carefully pull his boy in for a hug of his own. “Good to see you, Mac. You had us worried.”
His son stiffened. “Sorry. It was unavoidable.”
“And let me guess, classified?” He knew the routine.
Mac drew back and nodded, gaze hooded. Yeah, Delta Force. His son wasn’t going to give anything away.
Lincoln slid his arm around Ashley and raised a brow. “What about the shiner? That looks new. How’d you get that?”
Mac ignored the question by turning to the others still gathered to welcome him home. “Aunt Leanne. Uncle Alex. It’s been awhile.” He singled them out and gave them hugs. This time, AJ noted, the only visible sign of discomfort was the thinning of his lips.
A few minutes later, they were seated in two rows of Adirondack chairs, facing each other, getting Mac caught up on the events of the past year when Chloe’s sister walked over, her good-natured grin unusually absent.
“Here.” She dropped a bag of frozen peas into Mac’s lap. “Sorry about the shiner. Next time knock.”
Mac raised a brow. “It’s my cabin.”
Well I’ll be… AJ glanced at Stef’s hands, and sure enough, the knuckles on her right hand were swollen and red.
She folded her arms across her chest and stared down at his son, apparently oblivious to not only her bruised hand, but the fact the whole group was now watching their exchange. “A cabin you haven’t been to in years.”
Mac reeled back. “You think that gives you permission to take up squatter’s rights?”
“Squatter’s rights?” The furious woman’s jaw dropped open and eyes flashed aqua fire as she unfolded her hands to jam them on her hips. “Listen, pal, your brothers were the ones who offered the place to me. You got a problem with that? Take it up with them.”
Mac’s lips twitched and a gleam flicker through his eyes. “They’re not the ones invading my space, sweetheart.”
“Oh…that’s going to cost him,” Chloe mumbled, and Ashley agreed. “Sweetheart?” Stefanie sucked in a breath. “Invading your—” With catlike reflexes, she reached out and ripped the bag right from Mac’s face where he held it against his bruised eye. “Get your own damn peas!”
A deep crimson flush of anger enhanced her beauty, which his son had definitely noted. The flicker was now a spark in his dark eyes.
Ellen squeezed AJ’s knee, and Alex elbowed him, as they sat back and watched the fireworks.
With one last grumble, Stef pivoted around, marched to the garbage can by the buffet table, and dropped the bag in the trash.
“Well, little brother.” Logan chuckled, cupping Mac’s shoulder. “I see your way with women hasn’t improved.”
Lincoln nodded. “And you owe me a bag of peas.”
AJ added one more thing to his list of observations about his son. When the time was right, they wouldn’t have to look far to find Mac’s good woman. His ever capable, highly efficient D-Force son seemed to have done that all on his own.
***
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The fun began in Cole’s story ,
and continues in Connor’s story, , Kade’s story, , Kevin’s, , Brock and Jen’s story in the prequel, , then back to the present with Jace’s, , Tanner’s, Jesse’s, , Logan in, , Keiffer, in the Citizen Soldier/Harland County Crossover, , and Lincoln, in Her Hell No Cowboy. Keep an eye on the
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