Beyond the Breaking Point - Lori Sjoberg Page 0,44
batch so there would be enough for Hector when he returned.
Once everyone had food, Wade filled a bowl with what was left in the pots and reclaimed his seat. Stomach growling, he ate a bite. Not bad, though it could use a touch more salt. All things considered, the powdered milk and cheese had reconstituted well to form a creamy sauce that complemented the ham and macaroni.
“Good job, Wade,” Austin said right before he shoveled another spoonful of food into his mouth.
Wade shrugged. “It’s no big deal; all I did was add water to a few ingredients.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a hell of a lot better than anything I could have made,” Austin said. “Probably the best thing we’ll eat until we get back to Orlando.”
Finished with his food, Navarre sat back against the trunk of a tree, tugged on his socks and boots, but left the boots untied. “When we get back, the first thing I’m going to do is buy an extra-large pizza with double everything and a case of Bud. Then I’m parking my ass in front of the TV and playing Demon Scourge until my thumbs lock up.” He looked to Jackson. “How about you?”
“I’m getting Essie back.”
“I thought you were giving her time to cool off,” Austin said and Jackson shrugged.
“She’s had a year. I’m tired of waiting.”
Wade didn’t know why the couple had split. It wasn’t any of his damn business. But he knew that Jackson had remained faithful to Essie during their estrangement. Hell, the man hadn’t so much as looked at another woman. For Jackson’s sake, he hoped the pair found a way to work past their differences.
“No offense,” Navarre said, “but the last time you ran into Essie, she wasn’t thrilled to share the same air as you.”
“I’m well aware of that, but I’m willing to do what it takes to change her mind.” The tone in Jackson’s voice made it perfectly plain that his mind was made up and God help anyone who got in his way. He turned his gaze to Austin. “How about you, boss? What are your plans for when we get back?”
Austin removed his cap and scratched the top of his head. “All I want is a full day off with my wife.”
“Doesn’t sound like too much to ask,” Jackson said.
“You’d be surprised.” Austin gave a rueful look. “There always seems to be something to gum up the works. I can’t remember the last time we had a full day off together.”
“You’ve got to make that happen, boss. You’ve got a good thing with Miss Nina. Don’t mess it up like I did.”
“I’ll try my best.” Austin tugged his cap back on. “How are you planning to get Essie back?”
“I don’t know.” Jackson shrugged again. “I’ll figure it out when I get home.”
“How about you, Doc?” Navarre asked Hope.
She held up a finger to signal him to wait until she finished chewing a bite of her food. “I need to visit my uncle. He’s the only family I have, and he’s got to be worried sick about me. After that…I don’t know. I suppose I just want to sleep in a real bed and eat a ton of junk food. Maybe get good and drunk.”
“Amen to that.” Jackson bumped fists with her.
“Your turn, Wade,” Hope said.
His gaze flicked to her, then back to his food. “Pass.”
“Oh, come on,” Jackson said. “There’s got to be something you want.”
Yeah, there was. He wanted to wake up in the morning and not feel the crushing weight of grief and guilt. Didn’t want to be angry all the time. Most of all, he wanted to feel like his old self, to forget about everything that had gone wrong in his life, at least for a little while. But he doubted any of that would ever happen, so he’d settle for simple revenge. “All I want is a bullet in Aranza’s skull. Everything beyond that is negotiable.”
Hector showed up moments later. “Am I too late for chow?”
“Not at all.” Wade gestured to the pot with food left in it.
Instead of a bowl, Hector picked up a spoon, grabbed the pot, and made a space for himself next to Austin.
“Damn, boy,” Jackson said.
“What? That’s one less bowl to clean.”
With a snort, Austin extinguished the Sterno and put the lid back on the can. He asked Wade, “When do you want to leave?”
“I don’t know. It depends on whether Hope wants to wash before we go.”