Page 37 of Zale's Little Girl
“Wait. Koa was hanging from a tree with his pants down? His… stuff was hanging out?” Aspen asked, giggling throughout the entire question.
“Even better, a swarm of rats marched through the jungle under his feet. He’d had to jump up to avoid them,” Caden shared.
“A lot of them?” Pippa asked.
“There had to be over three hundred. I took shelter in a tree as well,” Zale said.
“Did you see them coming?” Aspen asked. “Were they friendly?”
“They came from behind me. I just heard this rumble of chittering. I don’t think they wanted pets, Aspen,” Koa told her.
“Why were they swarming?” Pippa asked.
“It turns out the bad guys had blocked the river to flood the area. Thank goodness he got caught with his pants down. We had enough warning to get to higher ground,” Zale said.
“So, if Koa moons us, we should run to the top of a hill?” Aspen said, struggling to keep her face straight.
“I am never going to live this down, am I?” Koa asked, rolling his eyes.
“Probably not. It’s the perfect storm of memorable events—pants down, rats, forest,” Zale pointed out.
“What else have you found in a forest?” Pippa asked, as if trying to distract everyone from teasing Koa.
“We had that camel that fell in love with Max,” Caden suggested.
“I think he fell in love with her, too,” Hank pointed out.
“She did have the longest eyelashes I’ve ever seen,” Max said with a straight face.
The laughs around the fire felt good. Zale squeezed his little girl as he considered his teammates. They were all so different, butlinked by their dedication to their jobs and their commitment to each other.
“You’re really lucky to be on a team with these guys,” Pippa whispered in his ear as if reading his mind.
“I am, kitten. I’m even more fortunate to have you in my life.”
“Especially because I’m the favorite thing you found in the woods. I have to say, it’s not too tough to beat rats and camels. They spit,” Pippa pointed out.
Zale chuckled. “Definitely. That’s another reason the camel liked Max. He can spit farther than she could.”
“That was never proven,” Max called, and Pippa dissolved into giggles.
Glancing around the fire, Zale celebrated being here with everyone. Life kept getting better. An ominous shiver ran down his spine. Was he jinxing something bad to happen?
The clean-up went fast. All the guys pitched in as the Littles dozed in their chairs. Soon, the fire was extinguished, and all the containers brought by the men returned to them.
Koa gave him a one-armed hug. “Congratulations, Zale. I’m glad you found her.”
“I hope your Little shows up soon.”
“Me, too. It will happen when it’s supposed to. Do you have a plan for your Little?”
“Keep her happy for the rest of her life?” Zale suggested with a smile.
“I mean, when we’re out of town. Do you think the threat is over for her?”
“The chatter is sounding more like they’re going to send us soon, isn’t it?” Zale said, instantly serious. He thrust a hand roughly over his military short hair. “I wish I could move her on base.”
“Is there any way to do that?” Koa asked with a skeptical expression. “Ask Caden. He knows.”
