Search and Rescue by April Wilson

Bonus 1 - Meanwhile Back in Chicago

Beth McIntyre

It’s late, and it’s past bedtime for two sleepy kids. While I nurse Ava, Shane reads a bedtime story to our toddler, Luke.

Luke is nestled against Shane’s broad chest, sucking his thumb while his other tiny hand has a fist-hold on his daddy’s T-shirt. I listen hypnotically to Shane’s low, slightly raspy voice as he reads Luke his favorite story—one about Thomas the Train.

Ever since Shane’s mom gave Luke a wooden Thomas the Train playset, the child’s been fascinated by trains.

“Hannah seems really happy,” I say as I think back to Hannah and Killian’s recent visit.

“Who?” Shane asks distractedly as he turns the page and continues reading aloud.

“Hannah. She seems really happy. They both do.”

This has become our nightly routine—the four of us lying in bed together, cuddling and enjoying some quality family time before we put the kids to bed. Ava still sleeps in the bassinette at the foot of our bed, and Luke sleeps in his crib in the nursery right next to our suite.

“Yeah. It was only a matter of time,” my husband says as he turns a page.

“What was only a matter of time?”

“Before she realized they were perfect for each other. She hardly gave Killian the time of day since they met, but he never gave up. That kind of devotion is rare.”

“I’m glad to see her happy with someone. I always worried about her being so far away from home and all alone.”

“My parents are certainly relieved. They know Killian will take good care of her.”

I chuckle as I elbow him lightly. “And she’ll take good care of him. Never underestimate Hannah. We should go out and visit them sometime. I’d love to see the mountains.”

“When the kids are a little older, sure.”

Shane’s gaze lights on our two-month-old daughter, who’s currently latched onto my nipple and sucking eagerly. She’s a noisy little eater, making loud smacking sounds. Fortunately, I haven’t had any of the difficulties getting Ava to nurse that I did with Luke. Of course, the challenges with Luke were mostly the result of my inexperience and anxiety.

When Shane reaches the end of the book, Luke grabs another one from the little stack beside them and hands it to his father. “Dada more.”

Shane laughs as he cracks open another book. “This kid would have me read all night long if he had his way.”

Luke pats Shane’s chest and says, “More.”

Shane looks to me and rolls his eyes. “This could go on all night, you know.”

As soon as Shane starts reading, Luke yawns widely and his blue eyes begin to drift shut.

I smile at the picture the two of them make. Father and son. Two peas in a pod. “Five minutes more,” I whisper, “and he’ll be out like a light.”

While Shane reads the second book, I finish nursing Ava, who’s falling asleep herself. I snap closed my nursing bra cup and carry her to the changing table for a diaper change. Then I lay her in her bassinet and head to our bathroom to get myself ready for bed. When I return, Shane has closed the book, and he’s stroking Luke’s back as the baby sleeps soundly against him.

I smile. “I told you. Five minutes.”

“I don’t think he made it that long.”

Shane carefully rises from the bed, Luke secure in his arms. “I’ll be back.”

While Shane’s putting our son to bed, I slip on a nightgown and walk out to the kitchen to get a drink of water. I love this time of night, when the penthouse is dark and quiet, and the view out the three exterior glass walls in the great room is magical. The lights from the surrounding buildings twinkle in the inky darkness, and the stars overhead seem close enough to touch.

The sound of bare feet padding along the wood floors catches my attention. I turn to see Cooper coming down the hall, from the direction of the suite he shares with Sam. He’s wearing a pair of red flannel PJ bottoms and that’s all. His short silver hair is mussed, and he has a sleepy, satisfied expression on his face. “Everything okay?” he asks when he notices me standing in the kitchen.

“Yes. I came out to get some water.” Since I’m nursing, I try to make sure I stay hydrated. “How about you?”

He chuckles. “Sam’s hungry. He needs a snack to tide him over ’til morning.”

I laugh, too. “Sam’s always hungry.”

I pour a glass of cold, filtered water and sit at the breakfast bar to drink it while Cooper puts a tray together for Sam: cubes of various cheeses, crackers, and cuts of turkey, ham, and salami left over from the party. He rinses off some fresh strawberries and cuts them in half, then adds a few clusters of purple grapes and a handful of mixed nuts. Lastly, he cuts a slice of leftover cake.

I shake my head. “That’s some snack. You spoil him rotten.”

Cooper meets my gaze with a pleased grin. I don’t think he minds in the least.

“Who’s spoiled rotten?” Sam says sleepily as he joins us in the kitchen. He’s dressed in a pair of silk boxers, and that’s it. His red hair is sticking up in tufts as if someone’s been tugging on it.

I smile, thinking somebody probably was.

I notice a few red patches on Sam’s throat and chest. “Whisker burn?” I ask, grinning at him when his face flushes. With his red hair and fair complexion, he blushes a lot.

Sam winks at me as he walks up behind Cooper and slips his arms around Cooper’s waist. Sam leans close and kisses his partner’s bare back.

“Is this the after-party?” Shane asks as he rounds the corner and joins us. He switches on the baby monitor sitting on the counter so we can monitor the nursery.

“Looks that way,” Cooper says in his deep, baritone voice. When he’s tired, his southern accent is more pronounced.

“I worked up an appetite,” Sam says as he lays his cheek on Cooper’s back.

Shane and I both laugh. “I’m sure you did,” I say.

The baby monitor crackles, and then we hear a shrieking cry from the nursery.

“That didn’t last long,” Shane says as he turns and heads back the way he came.

“He’s got a pair of molars coming in,” I explain.

Shane returns a moment later with a sobbing baby propped against his shoulder. Luke’s chewing on his fist as fat tears stream down his cheeks.

Sam takes a teether out of the freezer and offers it to Luke. “Here, buddy, chew on this.”

Luke pushes the teether away and locks eyes on me. “Mama,” he wails, reaching for me.

Shane hands me Luke. I cradle him close and rock him in my arms.

“Looks like it’s gonna be a long night,” Cooper says, all sympathy. “Good luck.”

Cooper and Sam head back to their suite with their charcuterie tray, and Shane and I retire to ours, with Luke. I sit in the rocking chair by the hearth and rock him back to sleep while Shane lies in bed watching me intently.

“What’s so fascinating?” I ask him.

“You are.”

I chuckle. “Me? Why?”

“I’m so in awe of the woman you’ve become, and the mom you are. Our kids are lucky to have you. Hell, I’m lucky.”

Once Luke is back to sleep, I carry him to the nursery and lay him in his crib. When I return to our bedroom, Shane pulls me down on top of him, his hands going to my waist.

“No, I’m the lucky one,” I tell him as I lean in to kiss him.

He laughs softly as he rolls us so that he’s on top. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart,” he says, as he slips a gentle finger between my legs.

I gasp as pleasure ripples through my sensitive flesh, a tingle coursing up my spine.

“I love you,” Shane murmurs as he kisses me. “To the moon and back.”