Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,114
bit about you. No details, just that you kind of know what he’s going through. I hope that’s okay.”
“I’m glad you did.” Jesse squeezed her hand. “Why don’t you introduce us? Logan would like to run a few tests before we get him settled into his cottage. I’m sure you’re all tired and hungry. Mom and Ellie and Riley cooked a huge welcome home dinner.”
Addy’s stomach rumbled at the thought. It’d been a long time since they’d had Momma Mason’s cooking. Her team relaxed their stances when Olaf released the back of her shirt.
What had calmed him?
Russian.
She and Jesse had started talking Russian. He hadn’t understood what Sinclair said earlier because it’d been English. Damn.
“I’m sorry, Olaf,” Addy said. She turned and took his hand. “I’m sorry we were speaking English earlier. That was rude. I want you to meet a few of my friends. You remember Jesse? I mentioned him before.”
Olaf’s eyes widened as his gaze moved to where Jesse stood. “That’s him? The one that was…”
Olaf nodded and stood fully. His lean frame was draped in baggy clothing. He stepped toward Jesse, but he looked over at Addy. “Does he sign?”
“I’m afraid I’m not very good at it, but we’re all learning,” Jesse said in Russian. He turned and motioned.
Bree approached and held out an electronic tablet. She spoke in English. “Hi, Olaf. I’m Bree. I don’t know Russian or sign language, but I made this for you. It’ll translate everything we say and show it in sign language and in written Russian. I hope you like it. And me.”
She smiled and held the device out.
Olaf looked at Addy.
“Go ahead, take it. It’s for you,” Addy said. Pride filled her. Of course Bree had thought ahead and done something to help him feel safe. “This is my friend Bree. She’s really smart.”
Olaf offered a half-toothed smile and took the tablet. His hand trembled as he looked at it, then up at Addy. Addy looked down at it and hit the green button at the bottom.
A computerized voice spoke in Russian as the screen flashed a signed interpretation of what her friend had said. Olaf’s eyes widened.
“If you push the green button it will translate everything we say,” Bree said. “We all have the same app on our phones. Whenever you want to talk to us, hold up a fist and we’ll know to turn the app on. It’ll translate your sign language so we know what you’re saying. That way you can talk with us, even if Kristof or Addy aren’t with you. Okay?”
Addy translated what her friend had said. Olaf pushed the green button and smiled again as the device did exactly what Bree had explained. He held up a fist.
Bree grinned and pulled out her phone. She nodded as she pointed the device toward him. He signed. “Thank you. I am Olaf. You did this for me? Why?”
“Because you’re family. That’s what we do. I wanted you to feel safe and fully included. There are a lot of people here, and it’s really overwhelming sometimes. I figured this might help you.”
Olaf tapped the green button, then nodded vigorously afterward.
How had Bree finished it so quickly? Surely it took more than a few days to complete something that intensive. Addy studied her friend. Dark circles beneath her eyes.
She hadn’t slept.
Damn.
Bree and Rhea always got caught up in their work. They’d spend days in their basement-level labs without leaving if allowed to do so. Addy spent half her time at The Arsenal dragging to two out and forcing them to interact with other humans.
But that was before Fallon had fallen in love with Rhea. Had he looked out for Bree?
The man stood nearby with his arms crossed. His gaze narrowed when it met hers. Okay, yeah. He wasn’t happy, which meant Bree had likely ignored his interventions. She was stubborn.
“Hi, Olaf. I’m Doctor Logan. I’d like to run a few tests and make sure you’re feeling okay. Then we’ll get you and Kristof settled into your cottage so you can rest.”
“After we eat,” Shep added. “Food comes before the cottage.”
“Of course,” Logan said. His gaze swept to Kristof. “I’m going to take a look at your cousin, too.”
“We can stay together?” Olaf signed.
“Yes.” Logan smiled and motioned toward the golf cart. “Let’s get this part over with. Jesse’s mom and sister made a welcome home meal for everyone. Trust me, they’re great cooks.”