Chapter 24

Micah pulled in front of Casey’s house and threw Old Faithful into park. Hard to believe he hadn’t wanted this hunk of metal, hadn’t wanted to stay in Dallas. Okay, it wasn’t that hard to believe, but a woman like Casey could make any man with sense change his mind. And Casey was a keeper. He still couldn’t believe she wanted to go with him to Fort Worth today.

He stepped from the truck and slammed the door, noting more cars on her street than normal. Someone must have family in town.

Casey was part of his new life. She hadn’t been present with the deployments, the wondering, jumping at phone calls. She hadn’t seen him in his world, but today she would. Casey was right. He was a SEAL and Whitney and her little girl, Juan’s little girl—they were part of his family. He halted at her front door. Today, he would go pay his respects, merge two of his worlds, and say goodbye, not out of guilt but out of gratitude that Juan had been his brother, his friend.

The door swung open. “Are you just going to stand out there all day?”

Micah’s mouth dropped open. Kaylan stood on the other side of Casey’s door, her auburn hair pulled to one side. In her plaid shirt and jeans, she definitely looked like she was back to her old southern self.

“I’m sorry. I must have the wrong house. Or state.” He stepped into her hug, still confused. “What are you doing here?”

“What do you think, Bulldog?”

He would have failed every awareness test right there. Just past the entryway stood several members from his special team—Jay, Colt, Titus, Logan, and Nick. It was Nick who stepped forward. “You’ve done far too many of these goodbyes alone and for the wrong reasons. This time, we do it right.”

“Together.” Micah clasped hands with his best friend and brother-in-law, casting Casey a knowing look from where she stood in between Colt and Jay.

“Jay, keep your hands to yourself, man.”

Jay grinned—always a dangerous sign—and held up Casey’s left hand. “I don’t see a ring, Bulldog. This gorgeous lady is still free game.”

“I might be persuaded,” Casey said, casting Micah a wink.

Micah growled. Actually growled.

“Down, Bulldog. I’ve got the kids under control.” Titus pounded his back. His blue shirt accented his dark skin and slightly hazel eyes. He and his wife, Lisa, had just adopted their first little girl from Haiti, thanks to Kaylan’s influence, and now Lisa was finally pregnant.

“How’s your bride?”

“She is happily exhausted. She couldn’t be more thrilled with Mia and a little future SEAL on the way.” Titus’s grin was brilliant.

“A little boy? That’s awesome! Congrats, man.” Micah hugged his friend. “Tell Lisa I’m so happy for y’all, and I miss her annoying teasing.”

“We miss you, too, Bulldog. She sends her love.”

“Alright, my turn, my turn. I’ve missed my surfing buddy.” All five foot ten inches of Colt lifted Micah into the air, a wild grin plastered on his face. “We miss you at home, brah.”

Right now, Micah was missing it, too. Casey found her way to his side and slipped under his arm. He loved the way she openly showed affection now.

“You found yourself a girl.” Kaylan sniffed. “I might actually cry.”

Micah laughed as his sister hugged her husband. “Don’t even start.”

“Technically, I found him,” Casey chimed in.

“By found you mean almost ran over.” He squeezed her closer, enjoying the teasing glint in her eye.

“You almost ran him over? That’s my kind of girl. Are you sure you are content with Bulldog? He really is a grouch in the mornings,” Jay whispered so the whole room could hear.

Casey had eyes only for Micah. “He’s a little rough around the edges, but I think I’ll keep him.” She wrapped both arms around his waist.

Kaylan squealed. “You are perfect for him. I told you he had met his match.” She elbowed her husband, drawing a groan.

“Now we just need to get you two with good girls.” Kaylan pointed to Jay and Colt. “Got any cute friends, Case?”

Already Kaylan was shortening her name. Micah grinned. Kaylan and Casey were going to get along just fine. Another Richards lady would be joining his clan very soon.

“One. But I don’t think she’s what you’re looking for.”

“Fair enough. I’ll just have to find them girls in California.” She crossed her arms.

Jay groaned, and Colt held up his hands. “Whoa, I am a free agent. I do not want to be tied down. I’ll pass on that.”

“You’ll be whistling a different tune when I’m finished,” Kaylan assured.

Micah didn’t think he had ever seen Colt look so terrified or lost at the same time. “Guys, tell her. I’m a free spirit, not a family man.”

The room broke into laughter for a moment. Micah felt at home—with his old team, with his new team at his side, with his family.

“I still don’t get how you knew or why you are all here.”

Everyone turned to look at Casey.

“Casey . . .”

“You needed your team with you Micah. You needed to remember that you don’t have to do this alone.”

“But how?”

“I might have stolen your phone, copied Nick and Kaylan’s numbers, called and suggested they come for the weekend, and they took it from there.”

“Did you think we would let them come without us?” Titus asked, insulted. “Man, how long did we serve together?”

“We operate best as a team. Even I know that, and I’m the Lone Ranger here,” Colt shrugged. “We should have done this with you all along.”

“Maybe you wouldn’t have felt the need to leave,” Jay said.

Micah shook his head. “I never believed I would say this, but it was my time to go. I never knew if I wanted to stay in long-term, but everything that happened earlier this year was just the catalyst to get me where I need to be.” He squeezed Casey closer. “Right here. I think I just needed to know that you guys were still there, too. That you didn’t hate me.” He swallowed the lump in his throat.

“You know how this goes, Bulldog. Any day. Any time. We will always be here for you. Just in different zip codes. Besides, when I became your brother-in-law, you officially got stuck with me for life.” Nick clapped him on the back.

“Did you finally earn the title of ‘wise one’ once I left?” Micah flashed his brother-in-law a grin.

“I’m sorry, I believe Titus holds that title hands down,” Jay scoffed.

“True.” Micah conceded.

“We all have our roles to play,” Titus spoke up. “Jay is the hothead. Colt is the mischievous daredevil. Nick is our eyes and ears. Logan is our leader. I’m the one keeping us all on track. But you, Bulldog,” he turned to Micah, “you are the heart of what we do. And we’ve missed that.”

This time Micah swallowed back tears. “You are definitely the wise one. And thank you.” He smiled at Casey and then at those gathered in the room. “All of you. I’ve been dreading today, saying goodbye one more time, looking Whitney in the eye, seeing their little girl, and knowing Juan won’t ever watch her grow up. But with all of you, today feels . . . easier.”

Nick clapped him on the back and steered them all to the door. “Let’s go honor Juan’s bride in the way he would want.”

They piled into cars and pulled out in a caravan with a direct line to Fort Worth.