It turned out to be more than enough to build a life on.

Chapter 20 — Gentle Extraction Protocol

Out on the patio, the glass doors slid open, and Arthur led two thoroughly victorious five-year-olds back into the sunroom, leaning his cane against the table.

“Sloan,” he called, his weathered face creasing into the warm, unhurried smile that had become one of the fixed and load-bearing things of my life.

“These two captains have secured the perimeter.

They are now demanding pancakes as their official military compensation.