She blinked a few times. “I got flowers the other day. Jase said he didn’t send them. I forgot to call the florist to see if they could tell me who they were from.”
“They were delivered by the florist? Not left by the door?” He picked up his pen again, taking more notes.
“Yes. The one on Main Street. Uh…Love in Bloom, I think?”
“Detective,” Mr. Dell said. “Bree has plans to go out of town this weekend. Do you have any more questions?”
He finished writing. “Not right now. We’re hoping the latest victim will be able to tell us more when she regains consciousness. Let me know if you receive any more deliveries or gifts.” He handed her a business card. “My cell is on the back, if you need to reach me for anything.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that,” she said. They shook hands, and Mr. Dell ushered her out of the conference room.
Jase paced in the hall. As soon as she cleared the door, he grasped her face between his hands and searched her eyes. His thumbs traced the edges of her brow. “We’re good?”
She wrapped her hands around his wrists. “Yeah.”
He closed his eyes and dropped his forehead to hers. She reassured him with a kiss, leaning up into him and tightening her grip. Pulling away, she ran a thumb along his cheekbone, tracing the line of his beard. “We’re good.”
He smiled at her and released his grasp on her face. They turned as a door opened down the hall. Chad stepped out with the other detective. He glanced down the hall toward them. His skin was pallid and his eyes were red, making the bags under them more prominent. His dirty blonde hair stood up on end like he had been running his hands through it. It was the first time she’d seen him look so unkempt. He broke eye contact and walked toward the entrance.
Bree squeezed Jase’s hand and gave him a small smile. “Let’s go camping.”
“I’m worried about her,” Jase squatted down next to Denise. He watched Bree laugh at something Chris said. The tightness around her eyes and stiffness in her shoulders belied her carefree response.
Denise set the last tent peg in the ground and stood. “She’s good.”
Jase rose from his squat. “Why’d you guys leave the dogs at the rescue?”
“There’s too much going on out here for them.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “We’ve brought them hiking before. But with so many people, and since we’re staying out here a couple of nights, it was better to leave them at the kennel.”
“What if she needs Polly while she’s out here?”
“Polly helps Bree because she senses her moods. She touches her to provide her comfort. To bring her back to the moment.”
“Okay. And?” What was she getting at?
She raised her eyebrows and gave him a small smile. “Jase, you do the same thing.”
“What?”
“Jeez. You’re telling me you’re worried about her? That’s sensing her mood. You touch her all the time. Bree is a touchy-feely kind of person. She leans into your touch and takes comfort from it.”
He pushed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing.”
She smirked. “That’s probably not why you were touching her, but that’s what she takes from it. Most of the time, anyway.”
He rocked back on his heels. “Thanks.”
“She’s family.” She shrugged. “But I’ll still feed you to my dogs if you fuck up again.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“I figured.” She turned and looked back at the group of people. “So is there a plan or are we just going to sit around and drink all weekend?”
“Just tonight. Probably tomorrow.”
“So, all weekend then?”
He grinned. “Yeah, pretty much. There’s fishing and hiking tomorrow, if people want.”
“Cool. Let’s get to it then.”
They joined the group standing off to the side of the small fire burning in a good size circle of stones.
“Denise, this is Paul Coleman. We call him Cole.” He pointed to each guy in turn. “Jordan Grant. You know Chris. Matt Baldwin. Patrick Shaw. Guys, this is Denise Reynolds.”
“Why Cole for you, but everyone else goes by their first names?” Denise asked.
“We had six Pauls in our unit. It was either that, or number us,” Cole explained in his thick Texan drawl.
Jase pulled Bree close to his side and lay his hand on her hip as they talked with Patrick and Matt. She leaned her weight against him and rested her head in the crook of his shoulder. He smiled. Denise was right.
He used every opportunity to touch Bree. The small of her back. Holding her hand. Every time she smiled at him. Returned his touch in some way. He never realized the power of something so small. Not to arouse lust or slack desire, but to reassure and comfort.
“We doin’ a beer hunt?” Matt rolled the bottle in his hand, sloshing the little bit of liquid in the bottom.
“We’re hunting bear?” Bree asked.
“Bear’s not in season for another five months.” Denise said over her shoulder.
“Wow,” Paul said. “I’m impressed you know that.”
“I still go out with my dad every year.”
“In any case, he said beer, not bear,” Patrick said.
“What’s a beer hunt?” Denise asked. “And why are we hunting beer instead of drinking it?”
“It’s a friendly competition we do when we come out,” Jase said. “We stage beer at designated points and record the coordinates. Divide into two-man teams. Try to find as many of the locations as possible.”
“What’s the winner get?” Bree asked. Her hand rubbed in a small arc across the middle of his back. He wasn’t even sure she knew she was doing it.
“Lots of beer,” Chris said.
“What’s the loser get?” Denise asked.
Chris grinned. “Less beer.”
“Did you set out the beer?” Denise asked.
“I did. Wasn’t sure you girls were going to be up for it, so I brought extra in the truck,” Chris said.
“I hear a challenge.” Denise faced Bree, hands on her hips. “Did you hear a challenge?”
Bree dropped her arm from his back and stood up straight. “I did, in fact, hear a challenge.”
“Y’all think you can beat us?” Cole asked.
Bree and Denise shared a look. A twinge pulled deep in Jase’s chest. He and Tony used to do that — know what the other was thinking with just a look. Fondness rode behind the ache instead of the guilt that usually followed. He kissed the top of Bree’s head. Without her, he may never have gotten to this point. The pain might never go away, but maybe that was okay.
He jerked at Denise’s loud clap. “Alright,” she said. “Let’s do this. What are the rules?”
“Chris, you got everything in your truck?” Jase asked.
“Yeah. Give me a sec.” He set off in a jog to the edge of the clearing where everyone’s cars were parked.
“Each team gets a map, a compass, and a list of coordinates.” Jase handed out the maps, lists, and V.E.T. Adventures backpacks to carry the beer in. “You get an hour to find as many points and beer as you can.”
Bree pulled her hair back in a ponytail. “What happens to the beer that isn’t found?”
“We get it tomorrow.” Matt shrugged. “There are usually a few bottles left out there.”
“Cool. Let me get my hat,” Bree said to Denise. She came back from their tent, her hair pulled through a faded blue ball cap.
“You sure you don’t want to join up with a couple of the guys?” Chris asked.
If looks could kill, he would have keeled over instantly from the glare Bree and Denise shot him. Jase chuckled. This was going to be interesting. He wasn’t sure Chris or the other guys knew about their CST experience. They’re going to hand the guys their asses.
Denise folded her arms across her chest, her stance a challenge on its own. “I’ll bet you ten bucks we come back with more beer tha
n the guys.”
Chris matched her stance and smirked at her. “I’ll take that bet.”
Jase looked at Bree, who tried to hide her smile, without success. She shook her head slightly and pursed her lips, clearly used to this side of Denise.
“Yo! We doin’ this or what?” Cole asked.
Chris and Denise continued their staredown for several more seconds. “Ten minutes to plot your points,” Chris said, never breaking eye contact.
Denise grinned and threw him a saucy wink before she pivoted and joined Bree, already marking the map.
“You and Denise have something going on?” Jase asked him in a low voice.
“Just having a little fun,” Chris said.
“You know she’s got an industrial meat grinder, right?”
Chris stared at him a moment.
“Mind out of the gutter, ass. She grinds her own meat for dog food.”
A slow grin spread across his friend’s face. “Yeah. Not what I was picturing at all.”
“Asshole.” Jase shook his head.
“Ready,” Patrick said.
“Ready,” Jordan said.
“Ladies?” Cole asked.
“What?” Bree asked, distracted from her whispered conversation with Denise. “Oh. Yeah. We’re ready.”
Jase checked his watch. “Okay. I’ve got sixteen-oh-four. I’ll give you ’till seventeen-oh-five.”
“Aww, man. That’s so generous, that extra minute,” Cole said.
“Ready?” Jase asked.
“Wait,” Bree said. “Are the locations marked with anything?”
“Orange tape,” Chris said.
Bree nodded and leaned close to Denise to whisper something.
“Go!” Chris called.
“Bree.” Jase flipped her ponytail over her shoulder. “Be careful.”
She winked and tweaked the brim of her hat like she was Humphrey Bogart in a fedora. She jogged after Denise, and they headed off into the woods.
“Fuck.” Jordan stopped cold in his tracks, staring slack-jawed as Bree jogged after Denise.
What the fuck? Jase looked at Jordan’s ashen face.
“Jordan. You comin’?” Patrick called out as he hurried off.
“What was that about?” Chris asked.
“I have no idea,” said Jase.
“You know the girls headed off in the wrong direction, right?”
Jase grinned and clapped Chris on the back. “Don’t count your ten bucks just yet.”
“Why’s that?”
“They’re heading to the last point first.”
“What?” Chris looked in the direction the girls had taken.
“Think about it. We usually run out of time before we hit all the points. If we do get to the last point, we’re dragging on the way back. Hit the last point first and work back. Better chance of hitting all the points, and shorter distance to run back.”
“Son of a—”
“Smarter, not harder.”
“I think I got played,” Chris grumbled.
Jase threw his head back and laughed.
The girls came back with six more beers than either of the other teams.
“I still say Chris gave them an advantage.” Patrick set a foil pan full of burgers and dogs on the large picnic table.
Chris dropped another pan full of foil-wrapped potatoes next to the meat. “Dude. I lost ten bucks.”
Denise laughed. “If it makes you feel better, sure. We had an advantage.”
Patrick pointed the tongs at Denise, then Bree. “I knew it. What was it? Jase plot the route? Put more beer at the points?”
Bree smirked and shook her head. “We used our superior intellect.”
A chorus of groans rang out.
Matt picked up a plate and dug into the bag of hamburger buns. “I’ve got to go with Patrick on this one. The Army didn’t issue you smarts, so you don’t get to use ‘em.”
“Good thing Bree was Air Force, then.” Denise took a sip of her beer. “Ahhh. Refreshing.”
“Don’t be mean.” Bree picked up her beer. “Their fragile egos are already bruised from getting their asses handed to them by women.”
“You’re right. I’ll be nice and share my honestly-gotten gains.”
Jase pulled on Bree’s ponytail, forcing her head back. He leaned over her so he was looking at her upside down. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
She grinned. “Yup.”
He shook his head at her and gave her a quick kiss. Letting go of her ponytail, he sat next to her at the table and pulled her closer. His heat enveloped her side where they pressed close to each other. She relaxed into his embrace.
Laughter flowed as freely as the beer while the sun set. The guys continued to accuse them of cheating. She smirked at Denise every time one of them tried to find a reason for their victory.
“Do either of you two-step?” Cole asked.
“She does.” Denise pointed at Bree.
She glared at Denise, then looked at Cole. “So does she. She just doesn’t like to admit it.”
“Alright then. Matt!” He smacked his hand on the table. “Turn on some music.” Cole unfolded his legs from under the table and rounded it. “Jase. Out of the way. You can paw her later.”
Jase’s look was questioning. She kissed him. “You can paw me later.” She threw a leg over the bench and Cole reached for her hand to help her up.
“No slow songs,” Jase said.
Cole smirked at Jase. “I make no promises.” He led Bree to the other side of the fire and took both her hands in his.
A high-tempo country song played on the radio Matt had turned on. Cole pulled her close, then pushed her away. He crossed his arm over her head so her back was to him before pushing her out and spinning her away — right into Denise and Matt. She threw her head back and laughed. It had been a while since she’d danced with anyone. She fell back into the rhythm of the steps. Cole was a good lead and easy to follow. They danced for two songs before Patrick cut in.
I need a break.
A slow song came on and Jase stepped in. “My turn.” He pulled her close, tucking her right arm in, close to his chest. She wrapped her other arm around his back. Firelight glinted in his eyes, giving him an otherworldly look.
“Having fun?” he asked.
“I am.”
“Good.”
She laid her head on his chest and listened to the beat of his heart. Wasn’t there a new country song about this very situation? Her lips curled up, and she closed her eyes. His thumb brushed back and forth across her fingers, keeping time with the music. Everything else ceased to exist. It was just the two of them wrapped in firelight and darkness. She sighed when the song ended, switching back to a higher tempo song.
“I need a drink,” she said. He walked her over to the folding camp chairs set up around the fire.
“Tampax.”
Bree’s head snapped up and the bottom dropped out of her stomach. She hated that damn call sign.
Jordan stared right at her. “I thought it was you, but I wasn’t sure. Not until you did that thing with your hat. You always did it with your booney hat down range. You’re her.”
Bree swallowed hard. “Yeah.” She’d recognized him when they’d arrived. He hadn’t said anything, but he’d been quiet since they came back from the woods. She’d caught him watching her, studying her, like he was trying to figure out where he knew her from. So much for hoping he wouldn’t remember until after the weekend.
“What? What’s her?” Cole asked.
“She was a CST,” Jordan said. “Imbedded with our team. On a mission, riding in a convoy. It wasn’t that far – fifty or so miles, but like most fucking routes, only one way to go. Three-quarters of the way there, we get hit. Coordinated attack. IEDs, RPGs, small arms fire. Insurgents were just waiting for their chance.”
Jordan took a pull of his beer as he stared into the fire. The other guys were quiet. Waiting for him to continue.
; Bree closed her eyes and swallowed hard. Please, god, don’t. She didn’t want to see the looks on everyone’s faces. The assessment. Or the judgment. She opened her eyes, trying to stave off the tears.
“Lead vehicle made it through. Second and third Humvees got caught in the center of the ambush. Ten guys. All of them took hits. Tore ‘em up.” He locked eyes with Bree. “We were in the second-to-last vehicle. I turned around to tell her to stay put and her crazy ass has her door open. You looked down to check the road. I remember thinking at least she knows enough to do that. Then you were out and running to the third vehicle.”
Bree’s lip trembled and she sucked in a breath. The screams echoed in her head. Could smell the burning metal and flesh. She flinched when hands rested on her shoulders. Jase.
“You managed to pull the door open. Had to put your boot on the side of the vehicle to get enough leverage. Pulled your cutter out. Got Dantes out of his seat belt and dragged him out of the back. Pulled him down onto the road, back to our vehicle, out of the line of fire. Must have been thirty, forty yards. I didn’t think you’d be able to do it, but you did. Did it five more times.” He took another pull of his beer and looked away.
“We were laying down cover fire, fighting off the ambush, and she just kept dragging guys out of the wreckage.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks. Denise reached over and grabbed her hand. Bree clutched it like it was her last lifeline.
“Fucking angels watching over you.” Jordan looked back at Bree. “Didn’t get hit once.”
“No,” Bree whispered. She’d come close. Some small pieces of shrapnel, but that was it.
“We finally got some air support. Attack’s over. Twelve of us took hits. Four guys dead. Sawyer took a round to the leg. Nicked a vein. Dark red blood bubbling out of his skin like lava flowing over the top of a volcano. Couldn’t get it under control. We’re all thinking he’s going to bleed out.” He took a pull from his beer, then let out a short laugh. “This crazy bitch pushes through, kneels down next to him, and pulls out a tampon. We’re all like what the hell is she going to do with that, right? She pushes it into his leg and plugs the hole.” He rubbed his free hand through his hair, making it stand up on end. “Damn things are designed to expand. Put pressure on the wound from the inside.” Jordan let out a small snort and looked back at Bree. “Damndest thing I ever saw. Medic trick. Saved his life. He got to go home to his wife and kids.”
Stitched Up Heart (Combat Hearts Book 1) Page 23