Deploy, Part One (Rawlings #1)(91)

A beat later Declan rounded the corner with little Nolan in his arms, his onesy unbuttoned and the fasteners to his diaper looking a little too loose as far as Justice was concerned.

Before she could say anything Declan looked up and his smile faded a bit as his gaze landed on his family.

Chasen cleared his throat as he stepped forward. “Not too bad for your first go, daddy, but let me warn you,” he reached to fasten the diaper a little tighter, “you want this on lock down, and keep a weather eye on it, they leak anyhow.” He fasted the buttons on the outfit. “Got to keep ‘em warm, too. But ‘for long he’ll be runnin’ ‘round in nothing but that diaper more than likely covered head to toe in mud.”

Declan clenched his jaw, his skin flushed a bit, the room was tense—so much so that a breath was hard to take.

“Good thing I got you to show me the ropes, then,” Declan finally said.

Chasen reached to pull Declan into a sideways huge then leaned his forehead to his. “Welcome home,” then not being able to handle it he turned and cleared his throat acting as if he was only after his coffee cup.

There was no apology, there was no anger, Declan simply letting his wall down, with one sentence that would seem common under any other circumstances erased a family feud that had lasted the better part of two years.

His brothers approached him, so did his grandparents.

All through breakfast, not even when strongly urged to do so, Declan did not put little Nolan down.

Not long after breakfast when the house was settling a bit, and Justice heard the rumble of male voices and laughter she loved so much, Providence showed up.

“What’s going on?” Declan asked, reading his friend’s face as he stepped out of his truck and made it to where Declan was sitting on the screened in porch.

“The Sheriff wants you down at the station.”

Declan’s gaze searched Providence, looking for the unspoken reference. The last person on earth Declan wanted to see was a Souter, least of all now.

“Why?” Chasen asked, standing, knowing no matter what was going on behind the scenes with any investigation this was a bad idea.

“To identify the truck he reported stolen.”

“How does he even know he’s here?” Chasen demanded.

“Called I guess,” Providence said. “He’s trying to walk this line, get the paperwork settled.” He paused before he went on. “Single car accident is how it’s going down.”

Everyone bowed their heads. Souters were so predicable it was almost comical at times.

“You know what,” Missy said, standing and walking to Declan so she could take little Nolan. “This little guy has never once come to visit my place. Let me take him for a spell, maybe let a cousin or two meet him, and that way you and Justice can take care of what you need to. You can help your daddy with what he needs to handle, too.”

Declan looked to Justice. He knew she’d had no sleep. They’d stayed up talking through it all. What she’d been through, what he was willing to tell her he went through on his last tour.

She’d asked him if he believed it now, if he could grieve for Nolan, find peace...he never answered, he just didn’t know. The tips of her fingers tracing his eyes had ushered him into his first deep sleep since he left her side, and she was up and about when he woke.

He felt guilty as hell she had done any of this on her own, and right now only wanted to send her to bed, and spend time with their son, staring at him, understanding him—focusing on a tomorrow.

This idea, little Nolan leaving his sight, Justice having to face the Souters—Declan hated it.

His classic instinct was telling him it was not good, not at all. His gaze landed on her, a gaze that argued for a few seconds, her telling him he was safe, she was, and him disagreeing.

“I think a visit is overdue,” Justice said quietly, walking to him. “I’ve been stingy with Nolan.”

“Rightly so,” he said with a grunt. “Precious cargo.”

Justice arched a brow. “Do you think anyone would dare cross Nash or Missy Rawlings?” There was a smile and a tease in her tone, there for the others to hear, but her gaze was coaching him, letting him know all was well. They were fine.

Boon looked at his daddy, a question in his gaze. The answer came fast, one nod toward little Nolan.

“I’ll go with ‘em,” Boon said, patting Declan on the shoulder. “I rock at changing diapers and heating those bottle things up,” Boon made a face at Nolan who turned his tiny head toward his father’s chest.

Declan glanced up to Boon, the man he’d become, and nodded stiffly.

Hours later little Nolan was packed for his first visit and driving away with Nash, Missy, and Boon.

Justice went with the boys to the station.

She was sure it was out of spite but they were kept waiting, for hours.

So long that Dawson ended up getting a late lunch or what could be known as dinner for everyone.

In the middle of eating, a deputy called Declan back. The only one he’d let come with him was Providence.

“You good, man?” Providence asked as they walked a few steps behind the deputy through the impound lot.

Declan shook his head. “He can’t be gone. You don’t get it—if anyone could have gotten out of a truck, it would have been him.”