“I’m sure Reed is ready to eat. Aunt Gwen and Uncle Kodi are babysitting. You can rest on the couch while I cook.”
* * *
Wes rested on his couch. He knew Ian and Kieran didn’t drive down from DC without a reason. He recognized an op-planning session, and he knew any operation would have to include Eleanor to be effective. His melancholy thought was disrupted by giggles.
Kodi came into the room with Reed on his shoulder flying like an airplane. When he put him down, Reed saw Eleanor and raced toward her. “Aunt Lindy.” He hugged her leg.
Wes watched Eleanor’s eyes glisten as she picked up her little boy. “Oh sweet boy, I’m Momma Ellie.” She looked toward Wes.
Wes’s chest burned. He mouthed, “It will be alright.”
Gwen came in with Birdie. The tiny girl was dressed all in pink, including an adorable bow in her few wisps of blonde hair. “Miss Birdie has a clean diaper and a full belly. Master Reed has a clean diaper as well.” Gwen smiled.
“Alright, what does everyone want for lunch?” Eleanor took Reed’s hand and moved to examine the refrigerator. His eyes lit up at the sliced cheese. “Grilled cheese it is.”
Gwen placed Birdie in Wes’s arms at his request. Kodi kept a second set of eyes on Reed, who was in full exploration mode.
Wes cuddled the baby girl. His mind spiraled in a flashback, memory, dream. He was in that dusty basement with Kiara Gordon.
“Tell me about home?” he asked her to keep her distracted from her situation.
“I grew up in a rural town in Georgia. We had peach trees everywhere. I’ve got six brothers and four sisters. I’m the oldest.”
“I love peach cobbler,” he told her.
“Do you have a pad? I’ll share my Grammy’s recipe with you. It’s won ribbons.” She made him write it down.
She grimaced. “Are you in pain?” he asked as he injected more morphine into her IV.
“Could you hold my hand?”
Wes interlaced his fingers with hers.
“My church and my family do missionary work. I wanted to make a difference.”
“You have, and you will keep making a difference.”
“You are one of the nicest men I’ve ever met. Could I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
Her eyes were glassy with fever, but they were beautiful, nonetheless. Kiara swallowed. “Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Nope.”
“I’ve never had a boyfriend. I’ve never been kissed. Would you kiss me?”
Wes leaned down and chastely pressed his lips to hers.
“Tell my family I love them.”
“You’ll tell them yourself,” he said.
She gripped his hand and drifted off to sleep.
Wes felt Birdie being lifted from his arms. “Are you okay?” Ian asked.
Wes’s eyes opened to see Ian sitting on the floor beside him. Still on the couch, he looked at Ian.
