The SEAL's Valentine (Operation: Family) by Laura marie Altom Page A

circumstances...”
    Tristan asked, “What happened?”
    Cayden had the phone. “You still want me to call?”
    “Hold off for a minute, bud.”
    Cradling the phone, Cayden sat next to his mom, wrapping his arms around her waist. “I was so scared.”
    “I’m sorry, sweetie. But really, I’m fine. Just had a pretty surprising call.” She managed to sit up, resting against the footboard of her brass bed.
    “Who was it?” Tristan asked.
    “Baseball commissioner, Ted Stevens. First, he apologized for not being able to contact me sooner, then he said they’ve officially closed Mack’s case, all of their intended targets have been apprehended, charged and await trial, so they’ve not only worked with government authorities to release Mack’s frozen assets, but are now prepared to make a public statement clearing him of all wrongdoing. The whole time, he was actually working with them. His death was a horrible accident.” Covering her face with her hands, she said, “I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry. Maybe both?”
    “Whoa...” That news left Tristan a little wobbly himself. “This changes everything. You could return to St. Louis and step back into your former life.”
    “I could. The commissioner is working with the Cardinals to host a special game in Mack’s honor.”
    “Can we go?” Cayden asked.
    “Of course.” She hugged him extra close.
    Tristan asked, “When do you think it’ll be?”
    “Later this summer.” Exhaling, she curved her hands to her belly, for the first time in months, feeling as though her lungs were receiving an adequate amount of air.
    “We should celebrate,” Tristan said. “Hell, the whole town should throw a party. I knew from the start there was no way Mack could’ve been wrapped up in all that. He truly loved the game. And sounds like he loved and was wholly committed to you, too.”
    “Yeah...” In a heartbeat, just as abruptly as her life had changed the day of Mack’s death, her whole life had once again been turned upside down, only this time for the better. “Cayden, hon? Would you please get me a cup of juice?”
    Hopping to his feet, he asked, “Apple or orange?”
    “Apple, please. Thanks, sweetie.”
    In a flash, he was off, giving Brynn the privacy she needed. “Is it wrong for a part of me to be angry all over again?” she asked Tristan. “Why did Mack lie about being part of something that tore our lives apart? And all of the sudden, I’m supposed to celebrate his glory. But how can I do that? If he walked through the front door, after everything he’s put Cayden and me through, my first inclination would be to tell him to walk right back out.”
    Tristan sat on the floor in front of her. He inched his hands toward her—as if he might ease his fingers between hers. But he didn’t. And that raised a knot in Brynn’s throat that had her all the more confused.
    “Look,” he said with a sigh, “I can’t begin to relate with what you must be going through. But for the record, I’m sorry.”
    “Here, Mom.” Cayden thrust her juice in her face, in the process, spilling a little on the dress she’d not so long ago been excited to wear.
    “Thank you, baby.”
    He nodded. “I’m real glad you’re alive, Mom.”
    “Me, too.” She finished her juice, then pulled him against her.
    “So does your call mean Dad’s alive, too? Since he’s gonna be in a game?”
    “Oh, baby...” His hopeful question made her especially teary on what was supposed to be a fun night for all of them. With Cayden on her lap, she stroked his hair from his forehead. “More than anything, I wish Dad was playing that game for you, but remember what we talked about? How Dad’s gone forever?”
    He nodded. “But I want him.”
    “I know, baby. I know.”
    * * *
    W ITH C AYDEN ’ S BATTING PRACTICE over, Tristan sat with Brynn, watching her son ride bumper cars. The miniarcade/sports complex featured enough quarter-fed activities to keep Cayden smiling for as