Page 81 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
“Petra says Fletcher needs more glitter in his beard,” Trinity announced, giving Baily a wink. “I think Fletcher needs to shave.”
“I totally agree.” Baily gave Fletcher that look—the one that said the razor better come out if he had any chance of having a second kid.
“I’ll take that under advisement—the one about the glitter,” Fletcher said with mock seriousness. “Only if Petra leads the styling session.”
“Put me down, Daddy.” Petra kicked her legs. “Play with Sean!”
“Only if you promise to stop squirting him in the face.” Keaton set her down, holding her by the shoulders. “He doesn’t like that, and Uncle Foster will take the squirt gun away again if you do.”
“Okay, Daddy.” Petra wobbled down the stairs.
Dawson burst out laughing.
The Oregon crew had arrived earlier that afternoon. Foster and Mac stood near the base of the deck, with their son, Sean, hiding behind Foster’s legs.
“That kid is a holy terror,” Hayes said.
“I can’t wait to have another one.” Keaton chuckled. “Trinity’s so afraid it will be another one just like Petra. Every time we talk about it, she’s like, How did we get the Audra of the group?”
“Oh, I can see a lot of Trinity in that girl,” Fletcher said as he glanced around at what had become one of the busiest places in town. He puffed out his chest with pride. He only wished his parents could’ve seen what he’d managed to do. How he’d filled this place with love and family.
Kash and Jordan sipped sweet tea by the bar while keeping one eye on Ember as she inspected the edge of the railing. Saylor was tucked into one of the rocking chairs nearby, her newborn Drew sleeping soundly in her arms. Greer, visibly pregnant, stood with her husband Chase, hands entwined.
Fletcher was grateful that all of Foster’s team had been able to come. While Foster was Keaton’s cousin, they were all brothers-in-arms—bonded in a way others might never understand.
“It’s like a damn baby boom.” Keaton raised his glass. “And we need to feed my wife some of the water, because I want another one. She’s the only one not pregnant.”
“Bite your tongue,” Baily said. “I’m not, and I don’t want to be again for a bit, thank you very much.”
Fletcher laughed. “It’s like all the chaos had to give way to something better.”
“You mean diapers and sleepless nights?” Dawson asked, raising an eyebrow.
Fletcher looked out at the water, watching as the setting sun lit the sky in strokes of orange and pink. “I mean family.”
Baily leaned into his side, and Kendra stirred slightly. He glanced down at her tiny face—so much like Baily’s it hurt—and felt that familiar tug in his chest.
“Hard to believe it’s been two years,” Jordan said, settling next to them.
“Harder to believe the Barbaros are locked away for good,” Foster added. “Both got three life sentences each. No chance of parole.”
“Good riddance,” Chase muttered.
“They tried to burn the town down,” Fletcher said. “Now this town’s stronger than ever.”
“It’s a nice place to visit, but I still wouldn’t ever want to live here.” Foster cocked a brow. “Too many eyes in the water.”
“Speaking of eyes,” Dawson said. “Where are Todd and Chad?”
“Plotting their next ambush, I assume,” Baily said, just as Chad came barreling up the deck with a slice of cake in each hand. “Mom! Dad! Can we have seconds? Please? We ate all our dinner. All our vegetables, too.”
Mom. Dad.
It never got old. Fletcher’s chest tightened.
“That’s fine,” Baily said, ruffling his hair. “But don’t smear that icing on your brother again.”
“No promises!” he shouted as he raced to a table where a couple of his friends and his little brother were seated.
