Page 24 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

My phone buzzes again, this time with a text from Axton.

Axton: Two heads are better than one. Meet me at Millie's for a late lunch. You in?

I glance at the clock. It's later than I thought. But the girls need to eat, and I could use a change of scenery to clear my head.

Everett: Meet you there.

I stand, stretching out the kinks in my back. Time to see what hurricane the twins have unleashed in the living room.

As I step out of my office, I walk past the kitchen, and I'm met with a scene of cheerful chaos. Couch cushions are strewn across the floor, forming a makeshift fort. Hazel peeks out from behind a pillow, her curly hair a wild halo around her face.

"Daddy!" she exclaims. "We built a castle!"

Harper emerges from the other side, her eyes wide with excitement. "Yeah, and we're the princesses!"

I survey the mess with a smile. "I see that. But princesses need to eat, don't they? How about we head to Millie's for some lunch?"

Their squeals of delight are answer enough. As I help them put on their shoes, Specter's words echo in my head.

Two weeks to decide the course of my future—and, by extension, theirs.

The drive to Millie's is filled with the girls' chatter, their excitement about lunch a welcome distraction from the thoughts swirling in my head. As we pull into the parking lot, I spot Axton's truck.

Inside, the diner is quiet. We missed the lunch crowd. Axton waves us over from a booth near the back. The girls rush ahead, eager to greet their "Uncle Ax."

"Well, if it isn't my favorite troublemakers," Axton grins, scooping them up in a bear hug.

I slide into the booth across from him, nodding my thanks as Betty sets down a steaming mug of coffee in front of me. She wears her signature apron, which is bright pink with the words "Kiss the Cook" boldly embroidered across the front.

"Here you go, sugar! Fresh brew, just the way you like it," she beams, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she leans in slightly. "The usual for you boys?"

"Yes, ma'am," I reply. "And chocolate chip pancakes for the girls."

As Betty bustles off to put in our order, Axton leans forward, his expression turning serious.

"So," he says, keeping his voice low. "What's the word from our mutual friend?"

I take a sip of coffee, buying myself a moment. "I told him I'd have an answer by the end of the week," I mutter. "But we've got two weeks to put together the team."

Axton lets out a low whistle. "Shit, that's not much time. You got names in mind?"

I nod, glancing around to make sure no one's within earshot. "You, obviously. Then Owen, Callum, and Jace."

"Good calls," Axton nods in thought. "Owen's the best to oversee the on-the-ground strategy. Callum’s a master sniper with reconnaissance expertise, so we need to stay one step ahead. And as for Jace, there’s no better pilot out there—he’s a damn ace in the cockpit. Nobody handles a bird like he does."

"My thoughts exactly," I agree, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. Axton's confidence in the team selection eases some of my doubts.

Our food arrives, momentarily pausing the conversation. The girls dig into their pancakes with gusto, chocolate smearing their cheeks.

As we eat, Axton and I discuss logistics in hushed tones. How to contact the others, where to meet, and what cover stories to use. It feels good to be planning again to have a clear objective.

But as I watch the twins, their faces alight with joy over something as simple as pancakes, a familiar ache settles in my chest. How can I balance this new mission with being the father they need?

"You okay, Everett?" Axton's voice breaks through my thoughts.

I blink, realizing I've been staring into space. "Yeah, just... thinking about the logistics of it all."

Axton's eyes soften with understanding. "We'll figure it out, man. We always do."

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