“A wise choice.” Kit smothered a grin. Dealing with even a quiet Aric had probably pushed Hawk’s patience to the limits at times.

After ordering and collecting their food, they went out onto a wide patio overlooking the grounds. Mountains encircled the resort, and the air held a crisp tang from the still snowy peaks. Ski season was over, and the people on the patio ranged from tourists with children to couples in shorts and hiking boots, to fishermen in flannel shirts and rubber boots.

She started to take a center table, but Hawk pointed to one near the wall of the building.

After setting Aric up with food and squirting ketchup onto the plate for french fries, Kit took a bite of her own cheeseburger and moaned happily. “I missed burgers.”

Hawk grinned. “Welcome back to this century.”

“As it happens, I prefer the twenty-first century.” She glanced at her son. He wasn’t paying any attention to them, perfectly happy with drawing ketchup circles with a french fry. “In spite of their preference for the good old days, the PZs seem perfectly happy using modern weaponry.”

“Yep.” Hawk frowned. “You need to stay on guard.”

She stiffened. That was essentially what Gabe had said. She’d relaxed too much, hadn’t she? “It bothers me that I didn’t see them coming today. And I didn’t know what to do when they did.”

His nod indicated she’d messed up. She’d kind of been hoping for a pat and a don’t worry your pretty little head about it. Only that would have annoyed her too. “What should I have done differently?”

“Good for you.” A corner of his mouth lifted, then he deepened his voice. “Mako would say, ‘You fucked up, boy. Now tell us how you’ll avoid stepping on your dick next time’.”

She laughed. Those poor boys. “Okay, tell me.”

“Close your eyes.”

She stiffened. Not a chance.

“Ah, right. Don’t look—and tell me who’s on the patio.”

“I…” She bit her lip, trying to think. “A couple of men to my right. A family, I think to the left. And…I don’t know. Who should I have seen?”

She looked up at him.

He motioned to the two men. “Middle-aged males. Jogging gear, no weapons.”

A motion toward the family. “Young couple. Two toddlers. No weapons.” He held her eyes without looking around. “Patio door—three unarmed older women. Railing—two hikers in their twenties, unarmed. Right railing—four fishermen in their thirties. One has a handgun, three carry knives.”

Her mouth dropped open. “I didn’t even think of looking at people like that.” What if there’d been PZs in the crowd? She’d been watching her son, enjoying the flowers, anticipating the food. Not watching for trouble.

“Situational awareness. Be aware. Sit or stand where you can keep an eye on things.”