Page 71 of Hidden Nature

“He should be on his way.” Elsie walked over to take a good look at the lasagna. “This looks just right, Sloan. Thanks.”

“You’ve all been taking care of me, and doing a reasonably good job of pretending not to be taking care of me. Tonight, table’s turned.”

“And a pretty job of setting that table. Why don’t we all sit down and enjoy this wine?”

“See?” Sloan tapped a finger in the air at Elsie. “Taking care of me, pretending not to. But sitting down works.”

CHAPTER TEN

She didn’t tell them about Travis’s offer. She valued their input, but this had to be her decision. And she already knew they’d be thrilled if she opted to stay in the area.

Because she loved them, that weighed heavily on the pro side.

But she’d lived on the other side of the state for years, and they’d never lost their bond, the connection. Her family ties stayed tight.

She had family on the other side of the state, too, in Joel, Sari, his mom, and the rest. Would that bond hold, that connection remain? Would those found family ties stay tight?

With that on her mind, she texted Joel.

Can you FT?

The answer came barely a minute later when her iPad signaled.

“Hey, sis! Whoa, what? The hair.”

“Yeah, I went a little crazy.”

“What about her hair?” Sari moved on-screen. “Girl! I love it. You cut your way to some sexy sass there.”

“You think?”

“I know what I know.” Sari, her amazing cloud of hair dancing around her pretty face, put her cheek close to Joel’s. “You’re looking good! You’re looking so good!”

When her big brown eyes teared up, Sari rolled them and smiled. “Hormones, honey. I got a million of them. And hey, check this.”

She stepped back, turned sideways, and pointed at her belly. If Sloan looked hard enough, she could make out a tiny pooch.

Sloan widened her own eyes. “Holy shit, Sari, you’re enormous!”

“I think maybe I felt her move. It’s a little early, but I think maybe. I’m so glad to get a look at you and your sexy, sassy do! We miss the hell out of you.”

“I miss the hell out of you. Maybe you could come up for a couple days. I could see about getting that house you guys liked last time.”

“I can’t speak for my man— Hell yes, I can. We’d love it.”

“We would. Let me see about schedules and all. But it’s likely you’ll be back before we can work out the time. Just another few weeks, right?”

“It’s looking like I’ll be cleared within the month. I had my follow-up, and Vincenti was happy enough. I have to follow up with the doctor up here for the pec muscle thing to cover the bases. But something’s come up, and I wanted to talk to you about it.”

“You’re okay, right?” Joel asked. “You look a lot better, sis. You sound better, too.”

“I am better. Captain Hamm came by today. You know him.”

“Sure.”

“I don’t. Do we like him?” Sari demanded.

“We do,” Sloan assured her. “He’s the Western Region commander. And a friend of the family. He and my father go way back. He’s losing a sergeant to retirement, and wants me to take that position. Wants me to apply for it, test, and join his unit.”

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