Derek arrivedwith flowers for Holly just after breakfast, jet-lagged and pumped up on caffeine. He found himself in the OB waiting room with Laura and Corbray—and a gaggle of Holly’s friends from her journalism days. He knew most of them.
Kara McMillan, a freelance writer, and her husband, Reece Sheridan, the state’s lieutenant governor. Marc Hunter, captain of Denver SWAT, and his wife Sophie, who still worked at the paper. Julian, head of Denver’s vice unit, and his wife, Tessa Darcangelo, also a freelance journalist. Natalie McBride, a romance author, and her husband Zach, now the U.S. Marshal for the Colorado Territory.
“Hey,” Derek said. “I hear it’s a girl.”
“Aw, you brought flowers. Isn’t he sweet?” Natalie said.
Derek had just gotten back from Afghanistan an hour ago. Cobra had been tasked with providing security for negotiations between Talib fighters and Afghan security forces. While there, Derek had also taken medical supplies to the Kazi Women’s Hospital—a gift from Jenna. He’d had tea with Farzad, who had graciously accepted the supplies and sent his best wishes to Jenna. Hamzad, Derek had discovered, no longer worked there.
“After what he did, I sent him home,” Farzad had explained. “Any man who works for me must be loyal to me and no one else—not even The Lion.”
Derek had been happy to hear it.
Corbray motioned him over, and the two of them stepped off to one side.
“Any problems with Kazi?”
Derek shook his head. “He seemed a little less full of himself this time.”
“I’ll bet.” Corbray glanced over at Laura, who sat talking with Natalie. “It’s always hard for her when one of her friends has a baby. I told her she doesn’t have to come, but you know Laura. She faces everything head on.”
Derek respected her for that. “Have you two thought of having a baby?”
Corbray shook his head, but he didn’t explain.
He didn’t need to.
Some experiences changed a person forever.
“Here he comes!” Kara shot to her feet.
Everyone stood as Nick walked toward them, his gazed fixed on the bundle in his arms, the expression on his face that of a man in love.
Jenna walked beside him, looking tired but happy in blue scrubs, her hair in a ponytail. “Time to meet your adoring fans, baby girl.”
Nick walked to Derek and Corbray, held the baby so they could see her face.
Corbray shook his head. “You are in so much trouble, bro.”
Derek had to agree. “Yeah. You’re in for it.”
Darcangelo looked down at the sleeping baby. “In about sixteen years, you’re going to have your hands full.”
“Oh, she’s precious!” Tessa said.
Sophie took one glance and smiled. “She looks just like Holly!”
“She really does,” Hunter said. “Are we sure there was even a father?”
Nick grinned. “I’msure.”
Everyone laughed.
From the color of the fuzz on her little head to her long lashes to her perfect Cupid’s bow mouth, the baby looked just like her mother.
“What’s her name?” Sophie asked.
“Katerina—after my mother.” Andris let others take turns holding her.