Page 86 of Her Guarded Hero

Dalton glanced over at his friend and saw the genuine happiness on his face. Then Dalton went back to looking at the freeway. “I’m surprised Dex wasn’t the one to tell me. I would have figured he had hacked her medical records, including the sonogram.”

“Don’t be to sure he didn’t,” Hunter said sardonically.

Dalton shook his head in wonder.

“A son. The boy is going to be lucky to have you.”

Dalton’s hands clenched on the wheel of the truck, he could feel sweat forming on the leather. He wished he was as confident as Hunter.

“I worry,” Dalton said softly.

“I hope when the time comes, I’m half the father you were with Reagan Elizabeth. There was never a happier little girl.”

For the first time, for the very first time, his eyes didn’t feel gritty and his jaw didn’t clench.

“You’re right she was a happy little girl. Remember her second birthday party when she ran around the yard trying to catch her shadow? I thought beer was going to snort through Gray’s nose.” Dalton smiled at the memory.

“Where in the hell did you find a pink plush seal?” Hunter asked. “I thought she was going to squeeze the stuffing out of that thing.”

“That was her favorite toy,” Dalton remembered. It had been worth all the trouble tracking the damn thing down.

Hunter’s cell phone rang. “Yo Dex.” He answered, then put it on speaker for Dalton.

“Gunnar says there’s a good place for lunch up ahead, wanna stop?” Dex asked.

“Sounds good,” Dalton said.

“Take exit after this one. I’m going to call Tate and Zebadiah,” Dex said.

“Okay.”

Hunter disconnected the phone.

“A son,” Hunter said again. “I can’t wait for the day that Aliana and I start a family.”

* * *

“I am so mad that you two get to go and I don’t,” Crystal hissed as she got into her SUV. “I don’t get to do anything fun anymore. I’m such a soccer mom.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Miss Fredericks of Hollywood?” Lindy demanded. “Or should we call you Mata Hari? You’re lucky we don’t tell on you to Danny.”

“As long as I wear the bra with Danny, I’m golden.”

“I’m going to tell Danny about Rex,” Lindy said.

Crystal paled. “Now that’s not funny Melinda Sue Dressler. You take that back.”

“Go home already, we’ve got to get to Yuba City, you know Lindy is just yanking your chain. I expect to see you, Taylor and Mark the day after tomorrow for their riding lessons. Got it?” Aurora said.

“Got it,” Crystal saluted. “I’m saluting so you can get used to your new life as a Navy wife,” Crystal smirked.

“Get the hell out of here. Go. You’ve worn out your welcome.” Aurora was still laughing as Crystal’s SUV was halfway down the drive.

“You ready?” Lindy asked Aurora.

“Yep, I’ve already gone to the bathroom. I’m raring to go.”

“We’re taking my car,” Lindy said pointing to her Dodge charger.