“She’s upstairs. Waiting.”
I move past him into the hallway and catch that cedar and espresso scent that lives in my memory now.
Professional.
You are a professional.
Ben’s door is open. She’s already in bed with Frederick. When she sees me, her whole face lights up. “You came!”
“Of course I came.” I settle onto the edge of her bed. “Frederick texted me. Said it was urgent.”
She giggles and hands me the Italian story book.
I read about brave knights and patient princesses and dragons who just needed someone to understandthem. When I finish, we do the Brave Rules squeeze. One, two, three. Then the breathing.
Her eyes are already heavy.
“Night, sweet girl,” I whisper.
“Night, Jess.” She’s nearly asleep already. “I’m glad you’re here for me.”
Me too, kid.
31
Marco
I’m plating seared scallops at the test kitchen counter when I realize it’s time.
The cabin trip.
The one I mentioned to Jess a while back after that wilderness drill in the park.
I’d said “in a few weeks, once she’s more comfortable with the protocols.”
Well, it’s been a few weeks. Ben’s anxiety is down. She knows the satphone script cold. I’ve been practicing it and the other protocols with her every other day.
She’s ready.
Time to stop planning and actually go.
It’s exactly what Ben needs.
A cabin weekend.
Just us.
Some fresh air.
Maybe even take her hunting.
The way my old man took me when I was her age.
A rite of passage. The kind of thing that buildsconfidence without wrapping a kid in bubble wrap and hoping for the best.
The kind of thing that builds character.
I text Jess immediately.Need to talk. Tonight’s debrief?
