He sounded so much like he used to that her words could barely escape the thickness in her throat. “You did. You were amazing.” She held out her good hand to get a fist-bump from him, lost her battle to restrain herself, and pulled him in for a hug.

His giggle was high and infectious, and when she let him go, his face was flushed and his crooked smile simply huge. “We was all good. Cuz Hawk ‘n’ Caz moved fast so they’d getted looked at ‘n’ JJ made a big noise ‘n’ Regan was a-tillery.”

“Artillery,” Hawk corrected.

“That’s me,” Regan agreed and gave Hawk a big hug.

When his blue-gray eyes turned soft, and his hard face turned gentle, Kit’s heart went to mush. The man might present himself as a hardass, but he loved that little girl—and Aric.

“Crew.” Bull’s laugh was deep and hearty. “Frankie said, if Aric and Regan’s team won, they’d get cupcakes.”

More cheers echoed off the trees.

Even as Kit’s mouth watered, she was appalled. Frankie’s sugar-loaded, sprinkle-covered frosted cupcakes?

They’d never get the children to calm down tonight.

“While we eat, we’ll debrief—what we did wrong, what we did right, and what we can do better next time.” Gabe punched Bull’s shoulder. “Neither of us expected a four-year-old to sneak past us.”

“True that.” Bull eyed Hawk. “You’ve been working with him, haven’t you, bro?”

“Some.” Hawk pulled Aric’s cap off and ruffled his hair. “Caz is up next.”

“He has skills.” Caz nodded. “I’ll take him when Regan and I go out.”

Regan grinned. “Papá is the best.”

Kit eyed the combatants and saw they agreed. Sneaking was Caz’s skill—and he’d work with Aric. They were playing to their strengths. Building on them. Working together to achieve the goal.

She could hear Hawk’s voice when he’d talked to her after the firefight at the cave. “A team is stronger than a person alone.”

What would it be like to be part of a family who felt that way?

It was something she’d never know. And all too soon, she’d be moving away from the Hermitage.

But maybe if she and Aric stayed in Rescue, they’d still be friends. Aric could have their support in growing his skills. She’d have Frankie—and maybe Audrey and JJ too.

She just needed to find a job.

I can do that.

Chapter Eight

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning. ~ Louis L’Amour

On Monday afternoon, Hawk was in his armchair reading while listening to the murmur of the kids. Seated on the floor, Aric and Regan were clicking pieces together to create a marble run. Each new twist, chute, tube, or spinner involved a discussion.