Page 51 of Natalie's Nighthawk

“You were with the Red Cross, right.”

“Right,” Lauren answered simply.

Graham leaned closer to Natalie to join the conversation, his arm across the back of her chair. “Phillips is amazing when it comes to handling people who are having the worst day in their life.”

“It’s not that hard to care,” Lauren admitted blushing slightly at his praise.

“It is for some people,” Natalie mused. Graham figured she was thinking of her mother.

“I just did my job.” Lauren wasn’t acting like her normal cheerful self, instead she was somewhat cold and distant. Graham wondered if there was something wrong with her and made a note to remind himself to have a chat with her.

In the meantime, he would keep singing her praises. “Phillips has been amazing with the Nighthawks team. She keeps us all organized and often assists us if we get called out on a SAR. She helps to keep the family and friends of the victims occupied so that we can do our jobs. She has a special way with people.”

“That is such a rare talent to have,” Natalie said. “Do you teach any of the seminars? You know, something that teaches about dealing with victims and their loved ones during a crisis?”

“That’s a good idea. Most counties have some sort of victim services unit, but they often don’t have extensive training. Learning how to comfort someone who is going through shock at a catastrophe, crisis intervention can be an enormous job for the untrained. What do you think, Phillips?” Graham asked. “Would you be interested in teaching something along those lines?”

“I don’t know, maybe.”

“I bet you’d be good at it,” Natalie declared.

“It’s a good idea, chickadee,” Graham said after giving Natalie a quick kiss. “Think about it, won’t you, Phillips?”

“Sure.” Her lips were pressed together tightly; her expression closed up. Graham shot her a concerned look. She seemed so unhappy, angry even, and that was so unlike the Lauren he knew. Something must be wrong. Graham was surprised he didn’t know what; she usually shared everything with him. They had that kind of close friendship where they could talk about anything and everything. She was like a sister to him. He didn’t want to see her hurting.

Just then, Miss Letty walked up to their table. “This looks like a fun party!” Natalie introduced her to the group. And Letty being Letty, walked around and met each person individually. Shaking each hand.

“Won’t you join us, Miss Letty?” Graham offered.

“I don’t want to interrupt.”

Will stood then, offering her his chair, “Nonsense. We’d love for you to grace us with your presence, pretty lady.”

Natalie and Maddie stared at their father in shock, jaws dropped. Graham chuckled at the expressions on their faces. Their dad was flirting and though it was unexpected, it was charming. Miss Letty waved her hand at Will. “You flatterer.”

Will grabbed an empty chair and placed it next to hers. Graham leaned closer to Natalie and whispered, “Look! They are wearing the same sneakers.” Natalie snorted and glanced down at their shoes. Both Will and Letty wore flat canvas sneakers; Miss Letty’s were red while Will’s were blue. The two of them continued their banter as other conversations started back up around them. Seemed to Graham that Jolene’s was becoming a great place to meet people. And maybe, just maybe, fall in love? He looked from Finch and Jolene - who were deep in conversation - to Will and Miss Letty. Then he turned his gaze to the amazing woman beside him, an overwhelming feeling of love filling him. Yup. No two bones about it. He had fallen in love with his little chickadee.

He must not have been able to mask the flurry of his thoughts because Natalie looked at him, concern in her emerald eyes. “You okay?”

He smiled at her, sure that his eyes reflected his love for her. “Yeah, chickadee. I’m good.” He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.

Miss Letty overheard them. “What did you just call her?”

Natalie blushed as Graham answered. “Chickadee.”

“That’s such a unique nickname. Wherever did it come from?” Suddenly the table was quiet, all equally curious about the nickname.

“We shared a nice afternoon together in high school, full of ice cream and conversation.”

“And Tornados,” Natalie interrupted with a smile.

“Right, but before that, I asked to see some of her artwork. The chickadee was one of the first drawings I saw. It suited her with her cap of dark hair. Not to mention the fact that she’s just so tiny,” he teased. Graham could practically hear the women around the table sigh as the men chuckled.

“I hadn’t realized you two had known each other for that long,” Miss Letty mused.

“We grew up together as neighbors,” Graham answered. “We lost touch after I graduated, though.”

“When Natalie asked for his help to find Colin and Lucy, that was the first time they’d seen each other in … what was it again?” Maddie asked of Natalie.

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