Rescuing Ryder (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk #1)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

Matthew parked the truck in front of the Serenity Securities building and his home for the last year.

“You live here?” Tex asked as he exited the vehicle and stared at the massive structure.

“Yeah, Kassie offered to build me a cabin, but I’m leaving for Texas within the next year. She built us a dormitory and I stay in one of the rooms. Each team member has a bunk here to destress after a mission or prep for one. What brings you here to our small corner of the world?”

“I have a friend who needs help. I wanted to tour the hospital as it’s building a reputation as one of the best.”

He chuckled. “You won’t find a better one. Doc and his wife brought in a great staff. Kassie’s a planner and prepares for everything. She put her heart and soul into the hospital when she thought Chase and the team died on a mission.”

“She appears very similar to a woman I thought you were smitten with. Or am I mistaken?” he asked as Matthew led the way to the kitchen.

One of the team members cooked at the stove while another sat at the table with a computer with a dog at his feet.

“Things have changed since then. I want you to meet Taco and Whiskey.” He indicated the two men, who gave him a chin lift in recognition. “How about a beer?”

“I’ll take water if you have it. Can you tell me more about the hospital? I toured it this afternoon with Dr. Winters and Dr. Meyers. It wasn’t what I expected, even from doing my research.”

“Whiskey helps run the groups for PTSD,” Matthew offered. “He might be able to help you determine if this feels like the right place for your buddy.”

The man at the table glanced up at his name. “I suffer from PTSD and run the groups with Claire. You won’t find a better place. It may come from a biased view, but she refuses to give up on her patients. Chase recently hired another doctor, and he seems very committed to the projects they’re working on. If you met Doc and Kassie, you already see their time invested in this place. She’s passionate about the teens and he works with the vets, but it isn’t necessarily separated. There’s an application waiting list for staff members wanting to work here and there’s rarely any turnover. The last nurse left because she chose to stay home after giving birth to her daughter.”

“What about the therapy? Do you have people who initially don’t take it seriously? My friend has already undergone a few treatments and I’m afraid he’ll balk at trying another one and tends to react with sarcasm.”

All three men laughed. “He hasn’t met the gang.” Matthew handed water to Whiskey and Tex. “The women alone act as a force to be reckoned with. This place offers peace, and they don’t give up easily.”

“I know they don’t. The team brought me here. At the time, I wanted to end it all. I divorced my wife and stayed in this cabin. This place healed me,” Whiskey admitted. “I see the same thing in my brothers in arms when they come here. They’ve lost hope.” A dog sitting beside him raised its head to view her master and he absently petted her head. “Now I manage things here, run a few of the groups, help when someone struggles, and find potential matches for the team.”

“Matches for the team?” Tex asked, confused.

“Leo’s considering a second team. Plus, I need operators for Texas. If someone wants to continue outside the military, we evaluate their strengths and weaknesses here to determine if we might offer them employment with us or one of our contacts.” Matthew leaned back in his chair and placed a hand on his knee. “How’s Wolf and the team?”

“They’re doing great. Ice and Wolf visited us before leaving for a wedding in Hampton.” He opened his water and sipped as he scanned the facility. He envisioned Patch liking the place. “Kassie asked me about attending a family BBQ tonight at the hospital.”

“All of us pitch in. We help run the grilling areas and the teens help set up the movie. It’s an enjoyable evening for everyone. Kassie recognizes anyone graduating from the facility. The Serenity kids love to help and deliver meals to veterans at the table. They don’t miss an opportunity to turn it into a community event.”

“Doesn’t the crowd bother the men?” Tex asked.

“Yes, there’s a separate area for those who don’t want to hang in the crowd or feel overstimulated by the noise. Kassie doesn’t want anyone to feel left out,” Taco explained.

Tex nodded as he thought about all his research into the group. It didn’t touch the surface of what he saw in person. He tried calling Patch, but his phone went straight to voicemail. Knowing Wolf agreed to stay until he checked in, he contacted Ice. She always managed to get Ryder to see reason.

“Hi, Tex,” she answered.

“I need your help, Ice. I went to visit the Winters Foundation. It’s different than the other places. But you know Patch will refuse another admission into a facility. He’ll listen to you.”

Ice paused. “His apartment’s cleaned out, Tex. There are no pictures on the walls, empty cupboards, and the fridge appears cleaned out except for a few bottles of beer. It feels sterile as if he’s prepared everything…” her voice drifted off.

“We must convince him to try one more time. I hate to lay this on your shoulders, but he’ll keep us at bay. If you can persuade him to come to the mountain, I believe they’ll offer him something the other places didn’t,” Tex explained emphatically.

“I’ll do everything in my power,” Ice promised him, determination sounded in her voice.

“Thank you, Ice. I know you will.” Tex assured her before he hung up the phone. He only hoped they would succeed in the battle with his friend so Patch would win the war he fought alone.