His son’s laughter drifted in through the screen. Dante smiled, warmth filling his chest. That sound always righted his world.
“Themonsterwould be your housewarming gift, courtesy of Cooper and Abby and Hunter and Christa,” his friend Dex informed, walking into the room with Noah’s gigantic toy box. “Seems their kids insisted your son needed it.”
“I see.” He chuckled. “Good choice.”
As he understood it, Cooper’s daughter, Mindy, was only two months younger than Noah, and Hunter’s son, Dillan, was a little over a year older. All three were chasing each other and climbing on the gym set while several adults looked on.
A picture-perfect, happy setting that reaffirmed for Dante that his decision to move to Harland County had been the right one. Peace whispered through him, bringing a smile to his face.
“It took the two squids over a day to build that monstrosity.” Carter, another of his D-Force buddies smirked as he sat on the floor hooking up a large smattering of electronics by the loaded entertainment center that apparently Dante no longer needed to purchase.
In fact, all the items on his “To Buy” list were officially covered.
When he’d walked into his new house for the first time, besides the crowd, he found every piece of furniture he expected to buy already in place. Curtains also covered the windows, dishes filled the cupboards, the big-ass fridge was packed, and the heavenly aroma of freshly baked cookies even greeted them at the door.
Shock had rippled through him, and he couldn’t believe they’d accomplished everything in barely twenty-four hours.
Yesterday, after his two morning closings in Phoenix, Dante had instructed the local realtor to hand his new house keys over to Dex. Because of this, apparently, his friends and their families had made sure that he and his son walked into a welcoming home instead of an unfurnished, sterile house.
Gratitude washed through him then and now. Had they worked through the night? He hoped not. He was damn lucky, and his appreciation went beyond words, although his chest was tight with them.
Dante blew out a breath. “I appreciate their gift. Noah is having a blast,” he said then turned to face his friends. “In fact, I appreciate all of this, not just for me, but for making this move much easier for my son. You guys have gone above and beyond anything necessary.”
Holden cupped his shoulder again before releasing him. “That’s what brothers do.”
“Exactly,” Carter agreed, rising to his feet, all the electronics in their places and the clutter of cables magically absent. “Hooah.”
Mac and Sinjin connected the rest of the sectional into place before they straightened and echoed the sentiment.
And in the corner, Dean and RJ, two of his SEAL buddies, followed that with aHooyah—their Navy battle cry—as they stacked several boxes near the toybox…and a frowning Dex.
The Delta Dog quirked a brow and added another, “Hooah.”
Smiling, Dante shook his head at the battling battle cries. “Doesn’t matter who’s responsible for what, I just want you all to know I appreciate the help, both in Phoenix and here.”
“What you’ll really appreciate is Loni’s baking,” Dean said, warmth and pride lighting his eyes.
“And Lori’s,” RJ added, wearing a similar expression.
He cocked his head. “Are they the ones responsible for that delicious smell that hit me when I walked through the door?”
Holden had already informed him of the talented sisters and their bakery located in the small strip mall next to ESI headquarters and that they made a mean caramel-topped donut filled with a brown sugar custard. Dante intended to sample one come Monday morning.
He was a little bummed that the guy no longer worked at ESI but thrilled to hear his buddy had found his place in life as the manager of an animal sanctuary he co-owned with his fiancé.
“Damn straight, that’s what you smelled.” RJ grinned.
Now Dean cocked his head. “I take it by that question you haven’t tried any of their cake and cookies yet.”
Carter snorted. “He’s not stupid enough to go sniffing around your women.”
Holden rolled his eyes, Dex and Mac shook their heads, Sinjin remained deadpan, and as expected, both SEALs frowned.
“Not what I meant,dufus,” Dean grumbled.
“Calm down,squiddo,” Carter said, a dumb grin on his face. “I know that. I just like to see the vein bulging in your neck.”
Dante smiled and scratched his temple with his thumb. “Jesus, Carter. Nothing’s changed. You still like to live dangerously.”
