Page 14 of Missing Marcus

“Did you guys decide to build your own little platoon?” he asked. “Taco Shadow and Patch will need to catch up.”

Saint laughed. “The more the merrier. Lizzy and Michael will arrive any minute. They took in a foster child and Tyler fits right in. I won’t be surprised when they announce he’s become a Harris. We’ll help with the kids before getting down to business.”

Two hours later, the men helped wrestle the children into the dressing rooms while the women set out lunch. Tess, who stayed at the community center, sent along a feast. His sister brought dessert, and the other women brought paper plates, napkins, and drinks.

Leo watched his daughter Melody run from the dressing room. “June Bug, what’s our rule?”

Melody slowed to a walk as she approached. “No running, Daddy. I need Mama.”

Leo pulled the little girl into his arms as he scanned her face. “What’s the matter?”

Melody hesitated as she peered at the group of men. “I got water inside my ear, but it hurt before we started swimming and now it feels really bad.”

Leo pressed his hand to her head. “You feel warm. Why didn’t you tell us before we came swimming?”

“Cause I didn’t want to stay home and not come with my friends,” she informed him honestly.

Instead of getting upset with the little girl, Leo pulled his daughter onto his lap. “When our bodies tell us something isn’t right, we must listen. It can make things worse when we don’t.” Leo turned to Michael. “Did you bring your bag?”

Michael shook his head. “No, I left mine in my car but it didn’t start. We brought Lizzy’s to save time.”

“Mine’s in the back of my truck,” Doc offered.

“I’ll grab it,” A young man volunteered as he rose from the table.

“Thanks, Squid,” Doc responded. As the young man exited the pool area, Doc turned to Knight. “José’s training to become a SEAL. He’s taking a test for his GED and working with us.”

Leo worked on towel-drying Melody’s hair. Catherine rose, noticing her daughter holding her ear.

“What’s the matter?”

“Melody’s got an earache. Squid’s grabbing Doc’s bag to check it out. She said it hurt before she went swimming. Michael will take a peek and ensure everything’s okay. Did you need something else to drink? I have everything handled over here. I’ll give you the verdict when he’s done,” Leo assured his wife.

“I’m fine. Come see me after Uncle Michael checks out your ear and I’ll untangle your hair,” she ruffled her daughter’s bangs and kissed her head before returning to the women.

José returned with Doc’s bag. Doc pulled out the otoscope and handed it to Michael. “Can I peek in your ear, June bug, and see if a gremlin might be hiding there?”

Melody clung to Leo and he whispered into her ear, reassuring her. She nodded, slid from his lap and walked to her uncle.

Michael leaned in and inspected the area of concern. “Yep, it appears a gremlin crawled in your ear and made a cozy home. Shall I check the other one to make sure he didn’t bring any friends?” Melody turned and he checked the other ear. “How does your throat feel?” he asked gently.

“It’s scratchy but not like when I got sick last time,” she explained.

“Oh, I don’t think you have strep. It appears your ears are infected. We’ll get some special ear drops and you’ll have to take some medicine but it tastes like bubblegum.”

“Really?” Melody’s eyes widened as she glanced toward Leo. “Uncle Michael’s giving me bubble gum medicine to get the gremlin out of my ear,” she informed her father.

“Will it get worse since she played in the pool?” Leo asked.

“No. I’ll call in a prescription for ear drops to help with the pain and an antibiotic.” Michael turned to the little girl. “When you come to my office, remind me to let you pick two prizes from the treasure box.”

“Thank you, Uncle Michael.” Melody wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.

Leo rose and scooped Melody in his arms. “I’ll run down and grab the meds. Let me tell Catherine.”

“Call it in at the hospital and he can pick it up there,” Doc suggested. “It’ll save him time and a trip off the mountain.”

Michael pulled out his phoneand called the pharmacy. Leo knelt beside Catherine as she pulled her daughter into her arms, kissing and soothing her while Leo explained the ear infection to his wife.

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