Logan and Bria both nodded.
“The best day of my life was when the two of you became mine,” Oz said. “I admit that I wasn’t prepared to be a dad, but once I settled in, I couldn’t imagine anything better.”
“You mean after you begged Riley for some junk food to feed me that first morning,” Logan joked.
“Yup. I would’ve been lost without her,” Oz agreed readily.
He wanted to stay there with his kids forever, soaking in the moment, but someone yelled Logan’s name. He apologized and said he had to get going. It was too soon before Oz was watching him jog toward his teammates. Bria hugged him and said she needed to get her baby home, since it was late. Slowly, everyone began to drift away to the parking lot, but Oz still stood where he was, watching where Logan had disappeared.
“It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come, isn’t it?” Trigger asked as he came up next to him.
“Like, how in the hell did we all get so damn lucky?” Lefty asked.
“I know how I got lucky,” Lucky said with a chuckle. “It’s all in the name.”
“Whatever,” Doc said with a roll of his eyes.
“Today was amazing,” Grover added.
“I think Shin-Soo told my son that if he wanted a job at the multimillion-dollar company his son-in-law runs back in South Korea, it was his,” Brain said. “Now I have to worry about the kid heading halfway across the world, where I won’t get to see him as often.”
Everyone laughed. Oz turned his attention from where Logan had disappeared to the men at his side. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw all their families waiting a short distance away.
It had been a while since they’d retired from the Army, but he was just as close to these men as he’d been twenty years ago, maybe more so. They’d gone through hell and back together, and this was their reward.
“At risk of sounding cheesy, I love you guys,” Oz said.
Not one of his friends made fun of him.
“Same,” Trigger agreed.
“Don’t know what I’d do without you all,” Doc agreed.
“I can’t imagine not having any of you in my life,” Lucky said.
“Best friends are the best,” Brain said with a grin.
“Love you too,” Lefty echoed.
“We’re all sappy old men tonight. But who cares? You’re all the best friends I’ve ever had,” Grover said.
Then a car backfired in the lot behind them, and the moment was gone. All seven moved as one, heading for their women and children, wanting to keep them safe from whatever evil might be lurking in the dark, even if it was only a car badly in need of maintenance.
Life was full of twists and turns, but Oz knew his friends all felt the same way he did…they wouldn’t change anything that had happened to them. Nothing they’d seen or done, if it meant ending up right here, right now, with their women and families at their sides.
I hope you enjoyed the Delta Team Two series…and in case you’re wondering about the guys at The Refuge…YES! They’re all getting stories!
Book one, Deserving Alaska, is available for preorder now!
And…I KNOW you’ve all been waiting on sweet Annie Fletcher’s story! You can find out all about if she made it to be a Green Beret and if she’s still with Frankie in Rescuing Annie
And if you haven’t checked out my other series, based on former military guys who form their own search and rescue team, you should get on that!
Book 1 is Searching for Lilly
**
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Also by Susan Stoker
Delta Team Two Series
Shielding Gillian
Shielding Kinley
Shielding Aspen
Shielding Jayme
Shielding Riley
Shielding Devyn
Shielding Ember
Shielding Sierra
Eagle Point Search & Rescue Series
Searching for Lilly (Mar 2022)
Searching for Elsie (Jun 2022)
Searching for Bristol (Nov 2022)
Searching for Caryn (Mar 2023)
Searching for Finley (June 2023)
Searching for Heather (Dec 2023)
Searching for Khloe (Mar 2024)
The Refuge Series
Deserving Alaska (Aug 2022)
Deserving Henley (Jan 2023)
Deserving Reese (TBA)
Deserving Cora (TBA)
Deserving Lara (TBA)
Deserving Maisy (TBA)
Deserving Ryleigh (TBA)
SEAL Team Hawaii Series
Finding Elodie
Finding Lexie
Finding Kenna
Finding Monica (May 2022)
Finding Carly (Oct 2022)
Finding Ashlyn (TBA)
Finding Jodelle (TBA)
Silverstone Series
Trusting Skylar
Trusting Taylor
Trusting Molly
Trusting Cassidy
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Dakota
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite
Securing Brenae (novella)
Securing Sidney
Securing Piper
Securing Zoey
Securing Avery
Securing Kalee
Securing Jane
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily (novella)
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie (novella)
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (novella)
Rescuing Annie (Feb 2022)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn
Shelter for Koren
Shelter for Penelope
Ace Security Series
Claiming Grace
Claiming Alexis
Claiming Bailey
Claiming Felicity
Claiming Sarah
Mountain Mercenaries Series
Defending Allye
Defending Chloe