Icatch the smile thatZoetries to hide.Shehas to knowI’vetalked about her—Iknow she saw the white board in the office that shows how many missions each of us has won.Andsince we got back fromTurkey, every momentIhaven’t been working,I’vespent with her at her hotel.OfcourseI’vetalked about her.Non-stop.I’mnot embarrassed by it.
JaceandMackenzieboth shakeZoe’shand, andJacesays, “It’sgood to see you again when we aren’t trading intel or evading capture.”
Westart heading toward the deck to say hi to the others, whenZoesays in a low voice, “Youhave somuch family.”
“JusthowIlike it.”
Shenods as we walk up the stairs.Iknow the boot is awkward, soItry to go a little slower than normal. “It’snice.Um…”Shepauses a moment, soIglance at her.Herbrows are drawn together in confusion. “I’msurprised you don’t live like operatives.You’reall… living normal lives.”
“Yep.Whichproves it’s possible.”
“Butwhen you’re a field operative, having people you’re close to makes you vulnerable.”
“Idisagree,”Iwant to say more, but we’re already at the grill, soIsay, “Andthis isBlake.Blake,I’dlike you to meetZoe.”
Hesets down the spatula to shake her hand and say, “I’mglad to meet the woman who enchanted my brother and has him smiling like a fool.”
Okay,Imight be a little embarrassed about that.Igrab the spatula and peek under one of the burgers. “You’reburning them.”
Inone swift move,Blakehas the spatula in his hand and my arm pinned behind my back, which just shows that he can disarm an opponent as easily as any of us.NoCSAexperience needed.Hereleases my arm and we give each other playful shoves. “Thegrill: not part of your mission, bro.”
Iturn toZoe, and in a stage whisper, say, “Andyou thoughtIdidn’t like my mission being encroached on.”BeforeIturn around,Heidistands up on the bench where she was sitting, coloring at the table, and leaps onto my back.Igrab hold of her legs and turn so that she andZoecan see each other. “Andthis is my niece,Monkey.”
“SillyUncleLedger,”Heidisays, completely butchering herL’sand herR’sin a way thatInever knew could be adorable until she came along. “Myname isHeidi!”
“Right,”Isay. “HeidiMonkeyLancaster.”
Shegiggles and slides down from my back onto the bench again, then goes back to coloring.
“Andof course, you’ve met my mom,Evelyn, and my brother,Emerson.”
“Yes,”Zoesays as she shakes my brother’s hand. “Ijust didn’t know you wereLedger’sbrother at the time.”
Mymom sits down withZoeon the bench at the table and says, “I’vebeen trying to let you rest and not have to think about work, soIhaven’t gotten a chance to thank you in person for all your work on the mission withLedger.I’msorry you got injured.Ledgersays you’re going back into work tomorrow.Areyou feeling up to it?”
“I’venever felt more up for anything.Aweek is a long time to be off work.”
“Andyour injuries?”
“Thedoc saysI’llhave to keep wearing the boot for several weeks, but the ribs and spleen are healing quite well.”
Iknow it’s been so hard forZoeto stay away from work.Iget it.Iwould be going stir-crazy ifIwere her, too.
Blakeannounces that the burgers are ready, and we all bring the sides and condiments from the fridge in the house to the outside table.Everyoneis chatting, like normal, andZoeis joining in, for the most part.Iknow she grew up in several foster homes where there weremultiple kids, but she’s been out of the system for eight years.Soshe’s been the only one in her “family” for that long.Ican tell that this is very much not what she’s used to.
Mackenzieis looking at the potato salad onJace’splate that he’s covered in mustard like she’s equal parts curious and repulsed by it, soJacegets a fork full and holds it out forMackenzieto try.Shegives in and takes a bite, then actually looks surprised that she likes it and givesJacea kiss.Charliehas an elbow up on the table, her chin in her hand, watching them all wistfully.
Thenshe says to everyone, “So, who do you think will be the next of us to get married?”
“Thetwins,”Emersonsays.
Blakegrunts. “Likethat will happen.Milesis a player andLedgerwon’t ever give up his freedom.”
Charliesays, “Idon’t know.Ledgeris in the middle of his enemies-to—”Ikick her under the table, so she finishes with “in the middle of hisZoeera, so you never know.”
“And,”Mackenziesays, with her burger halfway to her mouth, “Ledgeris the only other person here who brought a date, so…”
“Eventhough he’s the oldest,”Isay, “IthinkBlakewill be the last because he is just going to growl at anyone who might potentially want to date him.”
