Rescuing Ryder (Serenity Securities, Team Hawk #1)

Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

Claire pulled out her pepper spray and gripped it tightly as she walked toward the house. She scheduled the security company to install the alarm at the end of the week. Planning on spending another night on her office couch, her idea failed when Chase insisted he walk her to her car at the end of the evening. Now, the dark house loomed before her, and dread filled her.

She sighed, put the key into the lock, and turned the knob. Claire entered the house and paused. She thought she heard something. Thinking she needed to call the electrician to fix the entryway light, she felt along the wall until she found the lamp and flipped the switch on.

A chorus of ‘Welcome Home’ met her, and she didn’t think as she screamed and pushed the button, spraying mace into one of the intruder’s faces. Someone screamed and fell to the ground, gasping for air. Claire dropped the canister as she witnessed Catherine drop to her knees to help Kassie. Leo launched over and picked her up, shouting orders to his teammates. A few seconds later, Chase ran in with a diaper bag and straight to her bathroom.

Elizabeth Harris, the hospital coordinator and wife of the town’s pediatrician, approached her. She placed her hand on Claire’s arm as she stood in shock, wondering why all these people were in her house.

“We’re sorry, Claire. We only meant to surprise you,” she explained hesitantly.

“Oh my gosh, I sprayed Kassie with mace! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt her. You all startled me,” she gushed out an explanation. Saint ran out the door, and Leo nervously waited outside the bathroom door as Chase helped his wife.

Claire ran to the edge of the bathroom. “I’m sorry, Kassie. What can I do to help?”

“I’m fine, Claire. I’m sorry I startled you. We wanted to throw you a surprise welcome home party,” she explained, half sobbing.

“Claire, do you have any milk?” Chase asked as he held his wife over the faucet in the tub. “I’m afraid my sample size of baby shampoo isn’t working.”

“Yes, I’ll get it for you.” She turned to find Leo already handing the carton over to his friend.

“Do you have a robe or something Kassie can put on? We want to eliminate any traces of the mace. Do you have any soap for her to shower with? I’m afraid we’ll need to scrub her down.” Chase started unbuttoning Kassie’s clothes with his gloved hands and Leo remained in front of the door as Claire rushed to her bedroom, grabbed a clean pair of pajamas and returned to pass them to Leo.

“I feel terrible,” she choked.

“You didn’t know. It’s our fault for scaring you half to death,” Shadow assured her as he guided her into the living room. “PITA always wants to experience some of what we do to learn how to combat it. You can bet she’ll research the heck out of this one.”

Leo called to Catherine, handing her an overly large T-shirt and pointed toward the bathroom.

Lizzy and Bryanna, Kassie’s friends, joined them and sat beside her.

“Kassie’s a tough cookie and you know how Chase acts with her. She’ll feel right as rain in no time,” Lizzy attempted to comfort her.

“Taco said the can expired. It’s not at its strongest strength,” Bryanna offered. “Leo’s making Catherine change clothes in case any residue ended up on her clothing. The men opened the windows and doors to allow some fresh air in. Taco’s mopping the floors.”

Claire put her head in her hands. “Poor Kassie,” she moaned. “I can’t believe this happened.”

Lizzy passed her a tissue. “Leave it to the Serenity crew to give you a memorable party,” she mused.

“Trust me, Kassie’s in the best hands. Between two nurses, a physician, and a SEAL team, we’ll get her handled,” Catherine assured her, walking into the room. “They’ve almost finished cleaning everything up.”

Claire wanted to huddle into a ball and die. First, her situation with Ryder, then the housewarming party from hell. She wanted the day to end.

An hour later, Kassie emerged. Her eyes and nose area remained angrily red and puffy. She held a wad of tissues to her nose. Taco left to purchase more items while Chase led her to the couch.

Tears streamed down Claire’s face at seeing the painful expression on Kassie’s.

“I’m fine, Claire. The burning sensation went down, and I think the milk helped more than the baby shampoo or the combination of the two.” Shadow handed Kassie a bottle of water while Chase listened to her chest.

“Does she have problems breathing?” Claire asked, worried.

Kassie shook her head. “No. At first, I did, but now my throat burns. Leo assured me I handled it like a champ,” she answered her with pride.

Claire grimaced. “I appreciate the gesture and the hard work you must’ve done to pull this off. You’ll probably feel better if you go home and rest.” Saint walked in, carrying t-shirts for all the men.

“I’ve cleaned the floor and the wall. Luckily, it only hit Kassie. Catherine, Bryanna sent me over with fresh clothes, and with the baby and all, you might want to shower, too. Shadow’s prepping the bathroom now for you.”

“Oh, all right.” She followed the large man into the other room.

“Can I get you anything?” Claire asked, feeling guilty.

“No. Chase will tend to me. We came to throw you a party. I placed the food in the kitchen, and we put the gifts by the fireplace.”

“I sprayed you with pepper spray and you want me to open gifts?” Claire asked her miserably.

“Yes. We want to welcome you to Serenity. I might disappear for a few minutes, but I’ll survive,” Kassie smiled and winced.

The men and Catherine changed while Chase fussed over his wife.

Arriving late, Samantha and Whiskey walked into the room.

Samantha rushed to her friend and knelt, “Does it burn very badly?”

“At least we know Claire can wield one mean can of pepper spray. Now, stop fussing and grab some food.” Kassie ordered as Chase placed a cool towel on her neck and chest.

Samantha turned to Whiskey, “Run back to the house and bring me the green ointment can. It’ll help with the burning sensation on your skin. Unfortunately, I can’t think of anything for your eyes and throat.”

“Michael, can you pull some banana popsicles from our freezer? It’ll help with the throat,” Lizzy suggested.

“See? We pitch in to take care of everyone, including you. Let’s open presents and eat. Taco, take Claire into the kitchen and help her get a plate. Tess will arrive shortly. She’s finishing up at the community kitchen. Go on,” Kassie tugged at Claire to rise. “Really, I’m all right.”

Claire reluctantly rose and Taco led her to the kitchen.

Catherine leaned over to Kassie. “How do you really feel?”

“Chase, can you bring me one of those popsicles?” she asked.

Chase kissed the top of her wet head before heading toward the door to meet Michael.

“It hurts like hell,” Kassie cried. “My throat feels on fire, and my eyes feel like someone laser-beamed them. Don’t tell Chase or Claire. He’s already hovering and she’s absolutely miserable.”

“Oh, you poor thing,” Lizzy soothed.

Samantha moved to the couch. “The oil will help draw out the burn. Do you want to go home and we’ll hold the party?”

Kassie shook her head. “No. I want Claire to feel like she fits in here. I don’t think she’s entirely comfortable with me and I’m not sure if it’s because she acted as my physician or she doesn’t like me.”

Catherine shook her head. “Don’t be silly. You’ve never done anything to her.”

“I’m technically her boss, and I fired her once for thinking she and Chase dated,” Kassie confessed. “I offered to find a new doctor, thinking she might join our circle and become better friends.”

“Oh, honey. I’m sure she doesn’t even remember it. Plus, you gave her a full spa day as an apology because you felt bad. I thought it was over and done with.”

“I’m not entirely sure. She brought up the fact Chase and I remained her bosses and she didn’t want to blur the lines. Do you feel the same way, Lizzy? You work as the administrator,” Kassie asked through blurry eyes.

“Absolutely not. I know tonight went a bit rocky, but one day we’ll think back at this and laugh,” Lizzy consoled her.

“I’m your best friend, and we work together every day. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. I love the fact we have such a tight-knit group,” Catherine reassured her friend.

Kassie nodded. “I like Claire and want her to feel welcome. She’s one of us now, but I don’t think she realizes it.”

Catherine put her arms around Kassie. “If this doesn’t show her how much we care, then she’s not deserving of our friendship. Hopefully, she’ll catch on soon enough.”

Lizzy smiled. “I’m sure she will.”

The women went to join Claire and the men in the kitchen for a housewarming party to remember.