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So inside her melted as she realized that Most irl than be stuck with the responsibility of supporting a child, even just financially,an actual father But David had offered to adopt a baby that didn't even exist yet

It was at that moence and years of advanced education, despite her warnings to herself that she would keep her distance from David, despite the fact that his career and her principles could neverin her life

She'd fallen in love with David

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

David sat on the steps in front of the cabin the next ive Noelle time to work in peace She'd said she was close to a solution and he prayed she was right

The ari was cold and crisp with frost and smelted faintly of pine and fallen leaves There was littlebreeze and only the tops of the trees swayed as they were brushed by cold wind

"I keep forgetting how much I love this place," said Caleb

"Sure as hell beats the desert," replied Grant "There's nothing worse than getting sand in your shorts"

David eyed Caleb, taking in his soleed since they had worked together two years ago He was more serious than he used to be Quieter

David thought about what Grant had said about Caleb taking too e of career? You're one hell of a carpenter Why don't you take up cabinet and make this place your permanent holittering with excitement "We could help you expand the place Put on a real bathroo power lines run up here so you don't have to use the generator"

Caleb didn't even blink He sat there, coffee cradled in his huge hands, staring at the forest in that patient manner of his that made David want to shake hi to hiet satellite TV up here," continued Grant "Between that and a fridge full of food and beer, what more could a man want?"

One side of Caleb's jaitched, but he reh to see he was suffering, but from what, David had no idea Whatever it was, the conversation was hard on Caleb, so it was tie in topic Caleb would talk about whatever was on his mind if and when it suited him, which David hoped would be soon

"One of us is going to need to make a trip o," said Caleb

"I'll go with you," offered Grant, a little too quickly to be casual

David frowned at Grant, who gave hietic stare

"I'm not suicidal," said Caleb Hislike I can't take care of myself"

"I know you can take care of yourself," argued Grant "I also know that Monroe has labeled you as a man with limited self-preservation instincts"

Caleb's black brows rose at this news "Has he? Huh"

David looked at Grant to see if this was one of the lean ht now, he was dead serious "What the hell happened?" asked David

Caleb turned his head and studied the forest Grant's face darkened with anger Neithersound came from Grant's pants, and he reached into his pocket to pull out a phone Looking at the display, he let out a resigned sigh "It's Colonel Monroe," he said as he pressed the button to receive the call

"Lieutenant Kent speaking"

Grant listened, then winced "Yes, sir The desert is damn hot Sandy, too, sir"

David could hear the faint rumble of Monroe's voice

"No, sir Were we expecting Captain Wolfe on this op, sir?"

Grant shot David a frustrated look "Yes, sir If I see hi for hiot louder

"No, sir I'm fairly sure your boot will not fit that far up my--" Grant lifted the phone away froed voice boo out of the tiny speaker

There was a vile string of curses followed by the cooddamn phone, Kent!"

"It's for you," said Grant

David took the phone and started talking before Monroe got the first word in "Don't bla here; I ordered theive me a hand"

Monroe's voice was low and pissed "The hell you did I know those two ive you a hand The only reason they got aith leaving is because I wanted them to track you down I knew they'd find you no matter how deeply you'd buried yourself It worked, too"

"Yes, sir I suppose it did"

"Why the hell haven't you been answering the sat phone?"

"I didn't want to be tracked I don't like using this one either, so make it quick"

"Don't push your luck, son You're still underas she's with you"

David bit back a disrespectful phrase, just barely "What do you want, sir?"

"We found the inforents The Swarh by now, I'ation for forty-eight hours and I don't think he knows anything He's just the Swar himself to ask who it was for fear it would be someone he knew Someone he liked

Maybe he'd even ht now "Are there others?"

"Don't know We were hoping to get the current locations of the Swarm out of him, but it doesn't look hopeful