Page 127 of Missing Marcus

The team burst into laughter and Knight joined them, finding his place among the men.

Saint and Bryanna walked in. His sister appeared uncomfortable as Saint led her to the chair. “How much longer, sis?”

“Dr. Beecham promised a couple more weeks then she’d induce if I don’t start labor before then,” she informed him miserably. “Don’t worry. Miss Edie and Miss Maddie plan to help with Marcus. Don’t hurry back.”

Gabrielle came out of the bathroom, refreshed and ready to go. She glanced at her son, debating on leaving him.

“Come on. We’ll only be gone a couple hours,” Knight coaxed.

She kissed the infant and held Knight’s hand as they walked out the door. She stopped in her tracks and stared at the pink SUV.

“Happy belated birthday,” he whispered.

“You bought me a pink car?” she asked slowly.

“No. It’s white underneath the pink wrapping. The one I wanted needed transporting. It came like this and since I asked Patch to drive it home, I requested they leave the wrapping on.”

“You didn’t.” Gabby laughed.

“Let’s keep it going for a bit. I owe him one for smacking me at the hospital.”

Gabby shook her head.

“I love it, thank you.” She kissed him when they climbed inside the vehicle. “Since it’s mine, can’t I drive?”

He opened the glove compartment and pulled out a pink bandana. “I have one more surprise and I need you to close your eyes.

She noticed his nervous expression and did as he requested while he tied the material over them. He buckled her in and held her hand as he drove down the mountain. He slowed and parked the car.

“Stay here.” He jumped out and came around the SUV to help her out.

He took her by the shoulders and led her carefully across the grass until he found the perfect spot.

“Please wait until I tell you to open them,” he said as he untied the blindfold. “Okay, now.”

Gabrielle stared at the big Victorian house with a swing on the porch.

“Patch told me about the house going on the market. I made her an offer. It’s ours, Gabrielle. I put it in your name. You’ll never have to worry about me hurting you again.”

“Oh Knight,” she breathed as she scanned the lovely home. Her mind already picturing adding a tree with pink blossoms in the front. Then she glanced at the house beside hers and cringed. Maybe not a pink tree.

“Guess who lives there?”

“Who?” Gabby asked as she watched the huge grin spread across his face.

“Patch.”

“No way. He lives there and you bought the house next to him?”

“I thought you liked him.”

“Open your wallet and give me twenty.”

“Why?”

“Because I can already see the two of you leaving for work and yelling across the yard, ‘Hey asshole, let’s go to work.’”

Taking a page from Leo, he handed her forty. “You’re right.”

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