Embattled Return (Lost And Found Book 6) Read online

  Embattled Return

  JM Madden

  Copyright © 2020 by JM Madden

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the vendor and purchase your own copy. Do not take part in piracy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Any logistical, technical, procedural or medical mistake in this book is truly my own.

  Cover created by https://www.justwritecreations.org/

  Created with Vellum

  This one is for Grandma Marshall- you are a blessing.

  Bad Moms, thank you for keeping me sane!

  Contents

  Foreword

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  Take a minute to follow JM!

  Also by JM Madden

  Foreword

  For all the John and Shannon lovers. John, especially. Thank you for loving the fuck out of him. Lol!

  Lost and Found Discussion Group- thank you all for being amazing and giving me incredible ideas for naming the Columbus group! I would have named you all off individually, but, honestly, FB deleted my post. Sigh…

  Sandie, thank you for being my backup and the impetus in the discussion group. I appreciate you more than you know! Actually, I believe the whole group appreciates you!

  Love you all!

  Jen

  Prologue

  Dear Shannon, My Brilliant Fucking Wife…

  Hey, babe. I love you. I know you’re going to come into the hotel room dragging ass after being in classes all day, but I wanted to let you know that everyone is okay and breathing. As soon as I finish this email I’m heading to bed myself. I promised you I would let you know what went on today.

  You know, when I offered to watch the kids while you went to this damn conference, I had no idea what the hell I was agreeing to. Yes, they’re my kids, but I had no idea what holy fucking terrors they’d begun to morph into! My God, woman, what the hell did we doom the world to by bringing these future despots to life?

  This computer system or whatever the hell it is you’re learning had better be fucking worth it!

  Your parents are on their way to Arizona now. They were an incredible help and want you to call them when you get a minute.

  I went to pick up the kids from preschool at four-thirty, just like you said, and I will never do it again. Chad or Zeke can go get them for me, or Duncan, since he sent you to the damn conference. The two girls that work there (is it Candice and Nene?) need to be sainted or something. As soon as I got out of the truck and started rolling into the building, women swarmed me. Have they never seen a man in a wheelchair before? One woman with brown hair in the tightest fucking ponytail I’ve ever seen insisted she open the door for me. Whatever. I’ve had people do that before so I let it roll. But then she followed me! Asking me if I needed help finding my own kids. I finally had to tell her to fuck off. You should have seen the outraged look on her face. I thought I was done with her, but the look changed into something truly terrifying.

  “Oh, you naughty boy,” she said, smiling this evil-ass smile. Then she tried to give me her damn business card!

  Do all men get hit on this way or was I just special?

  To make matters worse Flynn was in there picking up Raven. You know for a fact he’s going to tell all the guys at work about the harpy that tried to pick me up.

  The women that work there (they really need a raise or a bonus or something, babe, seriously) fought off the rest of the women trailing along behind me and found my kids. I put the harnesses on them, told Flynn to leave and made those kids chase Raven out of the building, pulling my ass all the way like sled dogs. I think I might have run over one woman’s foot, but if she hadn’t been so close it wouldn’t have been an issue.

  We got to the truck and mounted up, thanks to Flynn, again. Since we were both there at the same time do you think he’d mind picking our kids up while he’s getting his own? Then I wouldn’t have to run the pity gauntlet.

  Anyway, Wyatt said he was hungry so I pulled through Micky D’s and got them each a kids meal. Yes, I KNOW you told me not to, but they were crying and shit! I forgot the bag of snacks you packed. I had to do something! They chowed down and we took off. But within about three minutes Wyatt said he didn’t feel good. Approximately twenty-three seconds later he was spewing not-so-happy nuggets all over the back of my seat. As I sit here now I still get occasional whiffs of vomit, and my mouth waters. It was like that time I ran through Carmella’s dog shit when she was a puppy and I got it into the tread of my wheels. It took forever to get it all out! Remember? And I gagged constantly. Same now, ugh…So, I’m glad they were dressed warm because we came home with the windows down on the truck. They loved catching the snowflakes in the back seat and eating them. When we got home I left the windows open while I took the boys inside. I didn’t figure the extra moisture on the vomit could hurt…Thinking I would save time I stripped their little asses down and we all three rolled into the big shower. On the one hand I’m patting myself on the back for getting them clean and ready for bed early. On the other hand I’m worried that they have a new game. I’m sorry, babe. I really am. Don’t let them shoot you with the shower hose. I told them no but then they were giggling like crazy and it was so damn cute. I hope I wasn’t this bad when I was a kid. Maybe that’s why my mother gave me up. *insert cynical laughter*

  So, I wrangled the little monsters out of the shower but I might have swung Caden too hard. He yakked in the shower. Or maybe he was laughing too hard. I left it running with cold water in the hopes that it will magically go down the drain with no assistance… I’ll check before I head to bed. Happy Meals, the meal that keeps on giving.

  By the time we all three got dressed (just FYI, I have the biggest peepee ever!, according to both boys!) it’s heading toward 6. Because they yakked I didn’t think they’d be hungry, but we sat on the couch and watched Paw Patrol for a while. It’s pretty cute, by the way. I don’t mind them rotting their brains on that. Within about half an hour they were demanding food again, so we headed into the kitchen. Thank you for getting the family sized box of Honey Nut Cheerios. By the time we’d all three eaten a bowl of cereal and I had cleaned up what they’d spilled, and Carmella cleaned up the ones from the floor, we’re down to about a quarter of a box. Her farts now smell awesome though!

  Babe, I have to apologize. You are an absolute Wonder Woman. I thought I did a lot around the house, but I have to tell you, after wrangling these cats for just 4 hours, I’m whipped. Your parents helped out a lot and now that it’s just me, I really notice the lack of you guys. And I understand why you do all the little prep work things
you do. It does make it easier when you have everything ready. I still have to do a load of happy meal laundry, get them to bed AND clean the truck! Now, as I’m typing this on my iPad, they’re watching dirt bike crashes on YouTube and I’ve actually had a chance to take a breath. They’re giggling their asses off and I hope they just fall asleep here on the couch with me. I’ll roll them to bed when I get the chance.

  Please have fun and enjoy yourself, but know that we miss you. (My big peepee misses you too!) come home soon! Please!

  Night babe.

  John

  P.S. Don’t bitch at me about the water bill next month.

  Dear John,

  Ok, I might have giggled when I wrote that. Remember that oId sitcom? I can hear the song in my head.

  Maybe I should cut back. I might have drunk just a smidge too much wine int he airport. The woman next to me started to sing too, though! Hey, that was fun! lol

  I hate to tell you this babe, but I’m not going anywhere. Or coming anywhere. *damn* The world has ground to a halt in Toronto. The board says my plane is on the ground, but no one is getting permission to leave right now. There’s this funky, icy spring snowstorm leaving a layer of ice on everything. The Torontians, Torontites? um, Delta people say this happens every once in a while and that I need to chill. Or warm up with a drink. So that’s what I’ve been doing. Killing time and drinking. They have really good complimentary wine in the lounge.

  As much as I want to see the boys, I think you’re gonna be on the daddy hook for just a while longer. Yeah, the day care is an estrogen-laden man trap, and they have enough hits on their lures to keep things interesting. You wouldn’t believe how many babies there are from hookups. The gossip! My gosh… I hope I’m never that interesting! I’m sure they saw you as sex on wheels, just like I do. Even your brilliant, shining, people-pleaser personality could be seen as a challenge. Sorry, babe. Flynn manages to wade through it so you should be able two too! To too.

  Mickey D’s is a definitely no-no! You’ll get no sympathy from me about your truck. I told you not to take them there. Yes, they beg for it and yes, I know how damn cute they are. I gave birth to the little despots (good word by the way!) and I know how cunning they can be. When did you become so gullible you listen to 2 year-old tyrants? They must have really flattered your ego with the peepee compliment, although I do agree! lol

  You know, I know we don’t have sex as much since we’ve had the kids, but man, I’m craving you BAD! It’s only been a week, which we’ve done before, but I think it’s the fact that I CAN’T have you that makes me want you so bad. Does that make sense? Oh god, maybe I’m turning into one of those desperate women at the day-care!

  But, wait, I get sex… that doesn’t apply.

  We really need to get some of this yellow fish wine. Yellow Fin? Yellow Tail? No, that wasn’t it. It’s really good and it goes down too easy. And I’m indulging because I really don’t have anywhere to go. I guess I could go to a hotel but that feels like admitting I won’t get home to you tonight. I’m going to stay here until I absolutely have to leave! Prosie. Promise. Not to freak you out or anything but the boys have a doctor’s apartment, appointment tomorrow. 9:30. I think. Let me check my phone. Yup! 930.

  Speaking of phone, I’m tryong to converse, by battery. Not sure but I think I might have left cord at the hotel. May have. Which is it? Anywhere, I’m at 18% and dying. I’’l see if someone has a cord I can use. There’s a guy down the row from me that has every coord imaginable, it looks like, and he keeps smiling at me. You’d probably like him. Maybe I’’l ask him for power.

  Shut, John. Shit. They just announced that all flights are cancelled until further notice. They have that deicer stuff but apparently it keeps refreezing and the snow keeps coming down. The wine lady up here says that it happens a good bit. I guess I get to hang out for a while longer. It’s been the longest week ever, babe...

  You know, I’ve been thinking. I think I want another baby. What do you think? I’m gonna go see what that wine is because I think the girls would love it. I know I dooo. Maybe is just hitting me so hard cuz I never get a chance tp drink.

  I love you babe. Stay strong. And hard. Lol

  Shannon

  PS I won’t comalpn about the water bill. probly.

  1

  Holy fuck. The woman was drunk and about to ask a man she didn’t know for juice.

  John read over the email again, wondering what the heck he was going to do about tomorrow? The Columbus team was coming to the office tomorrow, and they were hashing out some personnel issues before they signed the final contract. How the hell was he supposed to get the kids to the doctor at 930 when the meeting was at 900?

  For the first time in a long time he felt inadequate, and it pissed him off. It was not Shannon’s job to raise his kids. It should be both of their responsibility, and he realized how much he had taken her natural mothering for granted. Shannon had been born to have children, and she made it all look so effortless. She was such a natural mother.

  But, another one? He didn’t know about that. At least not right now.

  As he thought about the past two years, he realized he hadn’t been responsible for his own children for more than a few hours alone in that entire time. And in that two years this was the first time Shannon had really gone out alone. There had been a girls’ trip with some of the other wives last year, but his in-laws had been here to help out with the twins that weekend. Just like they had been this week. Literally, they had only left today for Arizona because they knew Shannon was flying home tonight.

  John started to feel a little offended. Did she not think he could take care of them? No, she wouldn’t be like that. He knew for a fact she saw him as more of a man than anyone else in his life.

  Caden conked out first. Very carefully, John hoisted him against his shoulder, trying to squeeze him between his upper arm and chin and still manipulate the wheels of the chair. This was the only time he ever wished for an electric chair. Normally he was okay with wheeling himself around. His lightweight racing chair was maneuverable and faster than any electric chair. Well, it wasn’t faster than his tracked unit out in the garage, but that wasn’t a normal vehicle anyway. But times like these were fleeting. The boys were growing like crazy, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to do this much longer.

  When he rolled into the room, he saw it was already made up for bed. Thanks, Mom, he thought, wishing he could give Shannon’s mother one last hug. She was so amazing. He couldn’t ask for any better in-laws.

  Caden snuffled in his sleep as John placed him on the mattress and he went still. Should he change the boy’s pull-up? Nah, he’d just let him sleep. He’d deal with it if he woke in the night.

  Pulling the light blanket up to Caden’s chin, John began to pull back. Then Wyatt was there, climbing into the bed with his brother. Smiling at the boys, and their connection to each other, John tucked them in, then drew back.

  They had two toddler beds in the room, not that it did any good. From a young age one or the other of the boys would escape their cribs and climb into the other’s. Usually it was Wyatt climbing into Caden’s, because Wyatt was a little bigger and stronger and it was easier for him to get out. Every morning Shannon found them cuddled together, and sometimes she found them cuddled together with Gray Cat. It was damn cute and more than once John wished he’d had that kind of comfort when he was a kid in the orphanage. He’d had a brother but it hadn’t done him any good at that time.

  Now, though, he considered Aiden one of his best friends as well as his brother. The relationship had developed into more than he ever could have dreamed.

  A lot had happened that he never could have imagined for himself. It had been a little more than ten years since he’d been injured, and he could still remember sitting in his chair on the balcony at Walter Reed, wondering if he was high enough up to die if he made it over the railing. He hadn’t been in a good head space then, even with Duncan and Chad’s friendship, and if he co
uld have figured out a way to off himself he probably would have.

  And if he had, he never would have seen his beautiful sons. Reaching out, he ran his hand over Wyatt’s soft hair. It was as dark as his own, but Caden’s was beginning to lighten, more like Shannon’s chocolate brown.

  And Shannon. If he’d offed himself he never would have felt the love of such an amazing woman. Every day with her was a blessing, and he didn’t say that lightly. He wasn’t wild about churches or religion for personal reasons, but he could recognize the fact that miracles happened. Shannon was his miracle and salvation, on so many levels.

  Worry edged in and he wanted to talk to her. Wheeling out of the boys’ bedroom he headed toward their bedroom. Parking in front of the window, he drew out his phone and pressed the appropriate buttons. ICE-Shannon. He knew he was under her own In Case Of Emergency listing.

  The phone on her end rang several times before dropping to voicemail. Maybe she had her tablet out and was trying to conserve her phone battery. Swiping through the screens he found the messenger app and PM’d her. No response, and there was no little checkmark that she’d seen the message. Fuck...

  He was left to stew in his own juices as he sent her a message to call him. Then, with no other options for procrastination, he rummaged beneath the kitchen sink to find supplies to clean out his vomit-reeking truck.