Free The Soldier's Surprise Family by Jolene Navarro Page A

side, standing next to the covered Rio, Anjelica smiled at him. “To them, family just shows up when needed. They do seem to have adopted you.” She grinned. “Really, I’m so sorry. The concept of personal space is foreign to them, especially when they have a mission.”
    â€œMission?” With a gentle unsure touch, he removed the straps of the car seat.
    â€œOh, Garrett, I’m sorry to tell you, but you and your new family just became mission number one.”
    His head came up fast and he hit his head on the edge of the door frame. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Spots danced behind his eyelids.
    â€œAre you okay?”
    He nodded. “Great, now I’ll have a headache.”
    â€œRelax.” She winked at him. “I promise most of the time they’re harmless. They’ll clear out fast.” She nodded to the little boy, who was pretending to disappear. She tugged at the blanket. “Rio, this is your new home. There are some people that want to welcome you, but they won’t be staying. They just want to say hi.” The blanket hung over her shoulder, but Rio kept his eyes closed. He had Selena’s long leash in a tight grip.
    A crowd had gathered on the front porch. Everyone had huge smiles on their faces as they waited.
    He looked at Anjelica as she made her way to his side. With her free hand, she squeezed his arm. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go in and ask them to leave?
    â€œIt’s going to be okay.” Maybe if he said it enough, he would believe it.
    With a sigh, he picked up the sleeping Pilar. The strangeness of holding her was already giving way to a peaceful wonder. Her lax body molded to his hard frame, her soft cheek pressed against his shoulder.
    Trust and love given without asking. He took in the smell of baby shampoo in the thick curls of her dark hair.
    The easy acceptance that made her feel safe enough in his arms to sleep scared him a bit. Picking up the diaper bag from the floorboard, he glanced at his son. The now-familiar glare worried him. How was he going to make this work if his own son hated him? Had he scowled at his father the same way?
    He tried to pretend they were not being watched by a bunch of people he didn’t know.
    With his free hand, he reached for his son to reassure him they were in this together.
    Rio jerked his shoulder out of Garrett’s touch and turned his head away from him.
    Anjelica patted Rio’s back. “Come on—let’s go check out your new room. My mom and Buela, along with a bunch of cousins and friends, are waiting to say hi.”
    The little boy leaned back and took in all the people standing on the porch. He narrowed his eyes and then looked back at Anjelica. She gave him an encouraging smile, then turned it on Garrett. “You’ll both be fine, and Rio will learn to trust you. Just give him time.”
    The not trusting was a survival skill his son had unfortunately had to develop. The kid had a great deal to get over before he would trust Garrett.
    â€œI know you have an abuelita . I have one, too. We call her Buela.” She nodded. “She wants to meet you and Pilar. My mom and cousins, too. Everyone here is very nice.”
    He pulled back and made a whimpering sound. The dog gave a low rumble of a growl.
    â€œThis is too much for him.” Maybe he should tell everyone to leave now.
    The front door opened, and the screen door banged shut. From the side of the house, Bumper came running, followed by leaping and kicking baby goats. She started barking and dancing around Anjelica. A cold sweat coated Garrett’s skin and his breathing became labored. At the end of the leash, the Catahoula’s hair stood along her spine as a low growl rumbled from her throat.
    â€œBumper! Stop it.” Anjelica picked up Rio and balanced him on her hip, then scooped up the energetic dog with her free arm. “Shh, be nice. Rio, this is