Cadence of Love by Willow Brooke Page B

baby. It’s okay. These are good people and are helping us, okay?”
    “I like Alex. She is a girl soldier. I want to be just like her when I grow up.” Alaina laughed, loving her daughter’s independent streak. That was one thing she would never have to worry about—there was no way she would ever depend on a man to take care of her. Elizabeth was going to be a successful adult.
    When they stepped inside, the dimly lit space was made up of a living/bedroom, a small kitchen and a door, which she assumed was the bathroom. There was a layer of dust, which suggested it had been occupant free for quite some time. “Okay, ladies, we are going to hang out here for a little bit. Make yourselves at home.” Alex’s lack of details either meant she was protecting them, or the situation involved less than honorable aspects.
    The three of them engaged in games of tic-tac-toe in the dust on the table to distract Elisabeth and pass the time. They made small talk, chattering about random topics. Alaina got a glimpse of the amazing woman Alex was under the hard exterior and envied her. She was the full package, looks, brains, brawn, and self-confidence. She was compassionate and from what she had seen, was great with kids. If she was given the chance, there was no doubt they would be great friends.
    Minutes turned to hours, and the sun finally retired for the night. Elizabeth started to yawn, and before Alaina could ask, Alex had gone over and made up the bed in the corner with the sleeping bags from the truck. Alaina’s heart warmed at the gesture. She went as far as tucking her in, and stepped away to let Alaina get a good night’s kiss. They walked back over to the table and sat down, relaxing from the front they had been putting on to keep Elizabeth from questioning anything.

Chapter Seven
     
    It was in the wee hours of the morning when Alex’s cell phone beeped again with a text. After typing back, she stood and stretched. Her eyes met Alaina’s and she sighed. “I need to go somewhere for a little while. I am going to leave you a couple MRE’s, my canteen, and my pistol. If anyone comes in this house you shoot, am I clear?” her tone was authoritative, bringing on an uneasy air in the room.
    Alaina had been preparing for something, and now she knew this was it. It was down to the hour of truth, and if her intuition was correct, Brian would never be heard from again. A newfound determination and empowering surge coursed through her. She squared her shoulders and nodded, mentally preparing for any situation that might arise. “No problem. Is everyone okay?” She let her voice insinuate more in the meaning than just health wise, hoping Alex caught it.
    “The boys are all fine. I am going to go help ‘clean up’ and we will be back to get you two. Try to get some rest because we are hauling ass to Montana the second all of this is taken care of.”
    “But, what about my house? And all of our things?”
    “Mrs. Sanders has packed up all of the important things, and we can come back to get the rest later. Right now, we need to get as far from here as we can. She has called both of your jobs and told them about your car accident, and your friends know that you are safe, so that buys time.”
    “Okay. Alex?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Thank you, for everything. I don’t know what I would have done without you all.”
    “This is what we do. We live for justice, no matter how far in the grey area we have to go to accomplish it. It has been so long since I have had any girlfriends that I should be thanking you. You and Elizabeth are pretty great.” Her face softened into a genuine smile, reaching straight to Alaina’s heart.
    Alaina walked over and hugged her, feeling an almost awkwardness from Alex. “Please be careful.” Did the woman never get hugged ? The lack of emotions the group shared must be the result from hard Army training. With Alex being a female, it seemed more upsetting for some reason.
    “We always are