Simon’s Irish companions were in awe of the cliffs and the coastline. He knew because they’d taken tons of pictures to document their outing and couldn’t stop talking his ear off about the scenery. The group had tried, to no avail, to use their cell phones to update their social media accounts with the glowing comments about their experience but couldn’t understand why they lacked service. “I thought America had cell phone towers everywhere.”

“We lost the nearest one a few miles back,” Simon explained to the twenty-something young woman with flame-red hair and a penchant for asking dozens of questions. “Surely, you don’t want us to stick a cell tower on a scenic overlook and mar the beauty. Don’t worry. Now that we’re on our way back, we should pick up service in less than thirty minutes.”

“You’ve done this before?” the woman named Fiona replied in a brogue so thick Simon sometimes had trouble understanding her.

“I trekked over this same ground a hundred times since moving here. The thing is I always find some angle that’s different than before and see something special on each trip that I didn’t see on the last one.”

“I love the California coast better than I thought I would,” the girl they called Christy admitted.

“What brought all of you here?”

“My boyfriend booked us on a summer tour, bumming around the countryside, seeing America for the first time. Pelican Pointe is the best place we’ve seen so far.”

Simon could relate. But as enjoyable as the hike had been, he was anxious to get within range of the tower to check his texts and messages. He’d been expecting a call from Gilly, or maybe an update from the daycare on Delaney, and certainly news from Quentin about the results of the paternity test. He’d also left Merlin behind with Quake.

But when they got closer to the B&B, there was nothing on his phone except several voicemails from Gilly about her mother.

He picked up his pace through the hilly scrub. But behind him, some of his charges were beginning to tire and drag. “Come on, guys. Just a few more miles and you’ll be back soaking your feet in your posh rooms. I promise you Mrs. Harris will have a nice supper waiting. If it’s Monday, the menu is pot roast and mashed potatoes.”

“Like shepherd’s pie back home?” one of them wanted to know.

“Yeah. But better,” Simon said with a wink.

When he finally reached the courtyard, Merlin ran up to greet him like he’d been away for a dozen years. Simon grabbed the dog around the collar and plopped down in one of the chairs to return Gilly’s calls while the others headed inside. With the privacy he’d been craving, he punched in her number. “Hey, how’s your mom?”

“Out of surgery and resting. No need to go by the church because Neenah Brewer took the kids home with her.”

“Then I’ll head there and pick them up.”

“Are you sure, Simon? You don’t have to take Jayden.”

“Well, it’s up to you, but I don’t mind taking him home with me. Delaney seems to like having him around.”

“But isn’t he too hyper for you?”

“Nah. He’s just an inquisitive kid with a ton of energy.”

That answer made her flush with pleasure. “As long as you’re sure. I don’t want you to think I’m pushing him off on you.”

“I don’t think that at all.”

“Then Neenah lives on Cape May.” She gave him the address. “You can always stop by and pick up my house key from the hospital and gather up more clothes for him.”

“Will your mom be okay?”

“Her vitals are good, but she’ll have to stay here for at least another three days to see how the shunt does.”

“Are you okay? Need me to bring you anything?”

Again, her heart felt like it flipped in her chest. “Food. I could use a burger from the Diner and some fries.”

Simon could hear her stomach rumble through the phone. “You got it. Anything for your mom?”

“She’s not able to eat that kind of greasy food yet.”

“Okay, then I’ll pick up the kids, grab the burgers, and we’ll all eat together. Plan to take your break in about an hour.” He thought about stopping by Blackwood’s office and altered his arrival time. “On second thought, add half an hour to that. I need to talk to Quentin.”

“He’s here at the hospital. Want me to mention that you need to talk?”

“That would be great. See you in an hour.”

It took Simon the entire hour to run all the errands and reach the hospital around suppertime. Gilly ran out to the parking lot to greet them. “How’s my gang doing?” she said, scooping Jayden up in a hug.

“Mama!”

“How’s my big boy? Are you being good for Simon?”

Jayden bobbed his head.

They made their way inside to the breakroom where Simon unpacked the food.

“Eat first or see Quentin?” Gilly asked. “I can see you’re anxious.”

“How long will he be here? I don’t want to miss him and have to go to his house for my answer. I thought he’d call.”

“Probably until eight. He’s been wrapped up in a patient dealing with stomach issues.”

“Then let’s eat first and hope I catch him before he leaves.”

Simon had learned by now that meals with kids were never dull---an overturned sippy cup, a messy face that needed swiping, all the contagious giggles and laughter that seemed to accompany eating with toddlers. For a solitary guy, the disordered hubbub should’ve been annoying. But Simon found a kind of comfort in the racket.

Tonight, Gilly seemed the same. She ran her fingers through Jayden’s hair as he nibbled a fry. “I have to work tonight and Grandma is here with me.”

“Is Grandma sick?”

“She’s feeling better, but she won’t be able to look after you tonight, maybe not for several more days. Do you want to stay with Simon and Delaney again? Would that be okay?”

Jayden bobbed his head.

“Is he sleeping okay?”

Simon scratched his chin. “I think so. I put him to bed and he stayed there until morning. Merlin found him playing in the living room.”

“He gets up early.”

“So does Delaney. You’d think they were both in the Army. Look, I need to corner Quentin before he leaves. Where’s his office?”

“Go around behind the reception area, first door on the left.”

After settling Delaney on his hip, he started out of the room. “I’ll be right back. It’ll give you some alone time with Jayden.”

Quentin was standing outside his office talking to his wife when he spotted Simon. “I was expecting you to call. You didn’t have to hunt me down, I would’ve phoned you tonight.”

“It’s already tonight. I couldn’t wait any longer,” Simon declared. “I’ve waited for a week as it is.”

Sydney sent him a smile and ran a hand across Delaney’s mop of golden hair. “I’ll leave you guys alone then. Want me to entertain your little monkey?”

“Do you have that kind of time?”

“I’ll make time,” Sydney declared, taking the toddler out of Simon’s arms. “If you need us, we’ll be playing nurse.”

Quentin rounded his desk and opened a file folder. “I’m not gonna build up to the results. You’re Delaney’s father, plain and simple. DNA markers line up perfect as a match.”

“I figured as much. Even though my blood type is B positive?”

Quentin nodded. “Even though. As I said on Friday, the mother was probably either A or O. What’s important is that now we’re certain about Delaney’s blood type. Yours too. And prepared for anything medical down the road. Aside from that, there’s no mistake about the DNA. You did father that child.”

Simon blew out a breath. “Whew!”

Quentin smiled. “Good to know it’s a relief. How’s her ear?”

“She’s better. The antibiotics have helped. I feel like I should…do something…celebrate. But Gilly is here at work and I’m helping her out babysitting Jayden. With all that going on, I don’t think Gilly will feel much like partying during her free time, at least not until the weekend gets here.”

“Let me guess, Connie doesn’t approve.”

“You got it. Still not sure why.”

“Don’t take it personal. Now that we have a diagnosis, Connie may go back to her old self again,” Quentin explained. “It could happen.”

“Is there a possibility she won’t?”

“Since you aren’t family, I’m not allowed to discuss Connie’s specifics, other than her procedure went well. It’s wait and see now.”

“For Gilly’s sake, I hope she has a complete recovery.”

“We all do,” Quentin said. Getting to his feet, he changed the topic back to parenthood. “I’m glad to know you’re happy about the paternity results. Since Sydney and I adopted Beckham we’re experiencing a whole new area of our lives. Nothing about it is easy, though.”

Simon got a brief glimpse of horror…Delaney growing up and hitting puberty. “Oh, my God, she’ll be a teenager one day. I’ll have to fight off boys.”

Quentin slapped him on the back. “Circle of life, my friend. Learn to deal. Having kids is a whole other experience.”

“So I’m learning on the job.” Simon shook Quentin’s hand and left to go find his daughter. His daughter. Instead of dwelling on why Amelia had chosen to cut him out of the picture, he focused on the present and the future.

He couldn’t wait to share the test results with Gilly.

She took the news in total Gilly fashion. “We should throw you a party. As soon as Mom is back home and able to function, I’ll get Jordan to help me with the food. No one caters a shower better than Jordan.”

“A shower? You mean for a baby? But I’m a guy.”

“But you’re still in need of baby things.”

“Not sure I could sit through that. Besides, that lawyer is supposed to be sending her stuff here.” He gave her a chaste smack on the lips. “We’ll talk about it later. I’ve gotta get the kids to bed. When my mother gets to town, maybe you’ll let me take you out to dinner.”

“You mean like a real date without the kids?” She tilted her head with newfound interest at the prospect. “When is your mom getting here exactly?”

“I’m picking her up from the airport on Thursday.”

“Are you working tomorrow?”

“Nope. Not unless something last minute pops to the top. I’ll have all day to spend with the kids.”

“I’ll walk you to the car. Come on, Jayden. Mama has to get back to work. You be good for Simon tonight. Okay? Go right to sleep after your story. Promise me. No getting up playing with your action figures.”

Jayden’s face puckered up before he stuck out his lower lip in disappointment. “Aww.”

Simon traded a glance with Gilly and then bursted out laughing. “Your kid is a riot. He gets these looks on his face like he’s practicing his actor poses.”

“I know. He’s like a miniature Leo DiCaprio.”

 

 

Later, after the kids were asleep, Simon put in a call to Logan. “I want the house on Tradewinds.”

“Nick said you needed time to think it over.”

“I’ve thought it over and I need a house. The farm’s noisy for a kid and because it’s commercial, there are a lot of trucks going in and out of the gate. It isn’t safe for a toddler.”

“I have other houses for sale. I could email you the list. Look over the descriptions and the locations and see which one fits the bill.”

“Nah. I want this one. I’ve never bought a house before, how does this work?”

Logan went through the steps, but added, “Nick says you were preapproved and that makes the paperwork so much easier. You’ve already done the hard part, now you basically sign away your life to a thirty-year mortgage at closing. It takes a few weeks because the loan department at the bank is so backed up. Nick’s looking for help, but so far he hasn’t found anyone willing to move here.”

“Is that the hold up? No one wants to live here? Their loss. Will you let me know when it’s time to sign the offer letter? In this case, there’s no real estate agent to ask.”

“I have a standard letter I’ve used in the past. I’d say get a lawyer, but that would be my wife, so whether it comes from me or Kinsey, it’s the same letter.”

“Let’s get the ball rolling because I’m ready to move on this.”

Simon went to bed happy about his decision but beat. It had been a long day and he was ready to crawl between the sheets.

Needing shuteye, he unwillingly slid into nightmares that were forever dragging him back to where he didn’t want to go.

The wind whipped through the arid desert blowing dust so thick the eyes had a hard time getting a fix on the target.

But focus he did.

Protecting convoys came with a deadly aim and Simon had one. Sitting atop a hill, overlooking the village, Eagle Eye scanned the horizon for any movement. They knew the 1st Battalion would be rolling in with supplies at any moment. It was their job to make sure there was no ambush, no surprises from the enemy.

Eagle Eye went on alert and pointed toward two men crawling belly-first on the ground at a thousand yards.

Simon couldn’t get the image out of his head. It seemed too much for a twenty-year-old to handle, even if that young man had been a swaggering, tough guy with a big mouth. He’d been too naïve to think it wouldn’t affect him. But it had been his first kills, two Taliban shooters creeping in from an odd angle. They wouldn’t be his last. Nor would it be the last time he’d experience flesh and bone disintegrating right before his eyes. A .50 caliber tended to damage anything beyond repair, least of all a human being.

If he wasn’t reliving those images, there were the firefights, up close, personal. Sangin. Helmand. Ganjgul. Gunfire erupting from all sides. Facing off with the enemy, often armed with AK-47s. And all the ambushes they’d walked into, leaving them surrounded, outgunned, outnumbered.

Simon woke in a sweat, trembling. He felt fur and realized Merlin’s head rested on the side of the bed. It was like the dog knew his distress and had come over to comfort him.

“You’re a good boy, aren’t you?”

The dog woofed.

Simon patted the side of the bed and the Newfie hopped up, curling into his side. Simon wrapped the dog up, resting his head on Merlin’s, glad for the company, and hoping to drift back to sleep.

 

 

Working the graveyard shift didn’t come without its eerie spookiness that often occurred somewhere around the witching hour. Having grown up in town, Gilly had long been aware that the hospital had once been a working cannery, abandoned for decades after the business fell on hard times. It had remained in that rundown condition until Quentin had moved to town and acted on the brilliant idea to turn the place into a state of the art treatment center.

Even now, she could hear the water lapping at the pilings where Logan and his crew had structurally reinforced the beams. But that hardly compared to the noises she sometimes heard coming from the lower level, an old, dark, and dank storage area that could still make her conjure up ghosts and goblins---and that was during daylight hours. She never went down there while she was on duty. It was just too creepy.

Even the fog that rolled in and engulfed the building could often get the imagination spinning into overdrive on those quiet nights when the place was devoid of sick people. She could usually look out over the water and enjoy the serene setting. But on those nights when the mist was especially thick and heavy, its color could change from green to blue depending on the whip of the wind.

Having had his own brush with death in a hospital parking lot, Quentin made sure there were surveillance cameras inside and out. He often stressed that security was of the utmost importance. And since the police chief lived right across the street, Brent Cody had assured him that patrols would be a routine practice. That’s mainly why Gilly could do her job without spending long hours alone and afraid.

But tonight, something had her feeling uneasy, like she was being watched. She was alone in the half-circle reception area, but not alone in the building. Her mother was still down the corridor in room number 3, and Prissie Gates, who’d been admitted earlier, slept soundly in room number 4.

She checked the cameras outside but saw no movement on the bridge or in the parking lot. She rechecked all the hallways but saw nothing out of the ordinary. After going over the entire building via surveillance, she headed to the breakroom to get a bottle of water, assuring herself that she was simply edgy from lack of sleep.

 

 

Afraid he was back in the fight, Simon shot straight up again, wide awake, sweat beading off his face and trickling down to his neck.

When he kicked off the covers, he heard Merlin whine.

“Sorry, boy. It’s just a dream,” Simon reminded himself. He was here, not back in a war zone. He swung his legs around and started to get to his feet when he spotted Scott sitting in that same chair in the corner.

“Do you ever knock?” Simon groaned, holding his head in his hands.

“What would be the point?”

“Invading a person’s privacy like this is so…wrong.”

“You needed to talk.”

“How do you know? Never mind. I don’t want to know. On second thought, how long do these nightmares last?”

“Over time, they fade, but you’ll never completely be rid of them.”

“Gee, thanks. You really know how to give a pep talk. Not.”

“You’ve had your share of them through the years. Gung ho. Military-style. You don’t need another one from me. If you’re worried that Gilly won’t understand, she will.”

“How do you know? Are you having conversations with her now, too?”

“There’s no safe way to approach a single mom. But suffice to say, I watch out for her, especially when she’s alone at night at the hospital.”

Simon’s hard edge, softened. “Damn. You’re a regular invisible sentry. Thanks for that.”

“It’s what I do.”

“What else do you do besides watch over Hutton?”

“She’ll always come first. But there are so many here that need a little guidance. It never hurts to offer a helping hand.”

“I should text Gilly.”

“That’d be nice. But then you’d have to explain why you’re up at this hour.”

“You said she’d understand, right?”

Scott smiled. “Don’t text. Call her. You’re here for a reason.”

“Why do you keep saying that?” But there was only silence. Simon glanced over at the empty chair. “Damn, that’s annoying.”

He picked up his phone and punched in Gilly’s mobile. “Hey, what are you up to?”

She smiled at the sound of his voice. “I’m rethinking working these hours in such a small hospital. I’m hearing things.”

Simon’s spine straightened. “Like what? Is someone bothering you?”

She laughed. “No, that’s just it, there’s no one here. This is an old building and I think it might be haunted.”

If only he could tell her that ghosts were not unfamiliar to him. He knew all about seeing the faces of the dead. “Want me to come over and sit with you?”

She went into a little happy dance, knowing he couldn’t while watching the kids, but loving the idea of him showing up to protect her. “Sure,” she said, playing along. “Be sure to wear your armor. I couldn’t bear the thought of you getting hurt.”

“Me? It’s you I’m afraid will get hurt acting all Florence Nightingale.”

“But you’re the one risking life and limb going into battle. It’s probably a good thing that I didn’t know you when you were a soldier. I’d worry constantly. How did your mother handle that?”

He leaned back into his pillow, beginning to relax. “You can ask her when she comes to town. By the way, what are you wearing? Scrubs I hope. You look so sexy in them.”

That had her giggling. “I’m not sure anyone’s ever thought scrubs were sexy.”

“Then I’m the first. I love your hazel eyes with just the right amount of brown around the fringes. They get darker whenever you get flustered.”

“You noticed my eyes?”

“The first time I saw you.”

“The first time you were pretty wound up dealing with Delaney.”

“Doesn’t mean I didn’t notice the cute way you moved.”

Heating up, she said the first thing that popped into her head. “I could stand to lose a few pounds.”

“Why? You’re perfect the way you are.”

“Wait a minute, is this conversation for real? Maybe I fell asleep hours ago, and I’m really dreaming.”

“Gilly, you’re beautiful. How is it you don’t know that?”

“History.”

“Forget history. I thought I was the one plagued by demons.”

“Nope. Just a different kind.”