Page 48 of Code Name: Tank
For the next few hours, I watched Dragon become part of my family. She helped my mom in the kitchen, listened to my dad’s stories about his Navy days, played endless games with Powell and Sophie, and she even managed to get Riley to giggle by making funny faces.
“She’s great,” Cam said, appearing beside me as we watched Dragon show Powell how to fold napkins properly.
“Yeah, she is.”
“You love her.” It wasn’t a question.
I should’ve hesitated, but I didn’t. “Yeah, I do.”
“Good. She loves you too, by the way. It’s written all over her face when she looks at you.”
Thanksgiving dinner was everything I’d hoped it would be. My mom had outdone herself with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and three different pies. But the best part was watching how at ease Dragon seemed. Gone was any nervousness she had prior to last night. She sat between my mom and me, laughing at my dad’s jokes, and looking like she’d been part of our family forever.
“What are you thankful for, Piper?” my mom asked when we went around the table sharing gratitudes.
Dragon turned to me and took my hand under the table. “I’m thankful for this family welcoming me, and for learning that, sometimes, the best things happen when you least expect them.”
My mom wiped away a tear. “Oh, honey. I just love that.”
That evening, after dinner was cleaned up and everyone had settled in the living room, Dragon and I walked down to the dock.
“Thank you,” she said, leaning against me. “For sharing your family with me.”
“Thank you for letting me,” I replied, wrapping my arms around her. “You fit right in.”
“I’ve never been around a big family. I loved it.”
“Now, you’re part of one. And, Piper?”
“Yeah?”
“This is just the beginning.”
Friday morning’sgoodbyes were harder than I’d expected.
“You have to come visit us,” my mom told Dragon, holding her hands. “I mean it. You’re family now.”
“I’d love that,” Dragon said, her voice steady and warm.
After they left for the airport, Dragon and I returned to the Cedar Point’s dock, wanting a few more minutes of “vacation” that really wasn’t one but felt like it had been.
“No regrets?” I asked.
“None. Your family is amazing.”
“We should get back to the compound. Hartwell will be here before you know it.”
Her eyes opened wide. “God, I forgot he was coming. That isn’t like me.”
“Can I ask you something?”
She studied me. “Of course.”
“What’s the deal between the two of you?”
“He and my dad were friends for years. When Flint left me to face the fallout of Prague alone, James stepped in to support me. He even recommended Doc and Merrigan hire me when it was all over.”
“Wow,” I said under my breath. “That actually makes me like the guy.”
