by Laura Scott
Before he could tell her not to bother, she left him alone in the kitchen. He crossed over to the adjacent living room, and stood for a moment, feeling uncertain.
Every cell in his body wanted to stick close to Vanessa after everything that had transpired, but deep down, he knew staying here wasn’t smart. He was already too close to the edge, desperate to move beyond friendship, seeking something more.
He scrubbed his hands over his face, weary of trying to make sense out of his feelings. Emotions weren’t logical, so there was no point in trying to dissect and analyze them.
“Here you go.” Vanessa returned with a light blanket and a pillow, setting them both in the corner of the sofa. He stared at the flowered pillowcase, wondering if it smelled like her.
If that was the case, he’d never get any sleep. Not that he was expecting much shut-eye anyway.
“Thanks,” he said. “You should try to get some rest, especially if you work in the morning.” Glancing at the time—nearly zero three hundred hours—he winced. “In a few hours, I mean.”
“I don’t, but am scheduled on Saturday.” She hesitated, then added, “I’m off Sunday, too. I was—um—thinking, or um, hoping, you’d consider joining me and Aiden at church services. I don’t know if you’ve heard Pastor Harmon speak, but he does an amazing job.”
His initial instinct was to refuse. It had been too long since he’d crossed the threshold of a church, much less found solace in one. But remembering his promise to protect her, he nodded in agreement. “Yeah, sure. I’d like that.”
“You would?” The sheer joy radiating from Vanessa’s dark eyes almost did him in. He was suddenly willing to do anything—stand on his head or turn cartwheels—if it made her this happy.
“Yes.” He offered a hesitant smile. “I don’t know Pastor Harmon, though. I haven’t been to church services since I’ve been back on base. Between my flashbacks and fighting through the red-tape bureaucracy, I felt completely alone, with the military red tape in getting Beacon home dragging me down.” He took a step toward her, silently pleading for her to understand. “But then, I came here in time to prevent the masked man from stealing the puppies. I prayed, desperately and reverently, for your safety and Aiden’s. Now that you and Aiden are safe, it makes me think God must have been watching over you. Over me, too.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I was wrong to stay away for so long.”
“I’m so happy to hear you say that.” Vanessa smiled tremulously, looking as if she might cry. “It’s during times of stress that we need Him the most. And I’m extremely grateful God brought you into my life, Isaac. Not just because of your incredible timing, but because I’ve never met someone like you. Someone who bravely faces adversity with steely determination.”
“Vanessa.” Her name came out as a groan. She moved toward him at the same time he reached for her. Then she was in his arms, where she belonged, and he was kissing her the way he’d longed to do from the moment he’d realized she was safe.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, reveling in her softness.
“You’re not so bad, yourself,” she whispered, tipping her head back to look up at him.
He stared at her dainty features, as if to memorize the expression of desire on her sweet face and moist lips. Yet at the same time, he knew that this couldn’t go anywhere. He forced himself to move backward, putting space between them. “You need to get some sleep. Good night, Vanessa.”
“Good night, Isaac.” She pulled out of his arms and moved away, disappearing down the hallway leading to the bedrooms.
He stood where he was for several long moments, telling himself he’d done the right thing. She deserved someone better. Someone whole. Someone with a future.
And none of that applied to him.
He finally stretched out on the sofa, ignoring the blanket but resting his head on the pillow.
Breathing deep, he inwardly groaned. The pillow carried Vanessa’s honeysuckle scent.
Tormenting him with what he’d never have.
NINE
The incessant ringing of her phone dragged Vanessa awake, blinking groggily in the sunlight streaming through her window. Squinting against the glare, she fumbled for the phone. “Gomez,” she answered in a hoarse voice.
“This is Captain Blackwood. Lieutenant General Hall would like to see you and Captain Goddard at zero nine hundred hours.”
“Uh, okay.” She pushed her hair behind her ear. “What time is it now?”
“Zero seven thirty. See you then.” Justin disconnected the line.
She had just over an hour, which wasn’t a lot of time, especially when she was still exhausted from her eventful night. Sleep hadn’t come easily, especially after Isaac’s toe-curling kiss.
He’d called her beautiful. And unlike Leo, who called everyone gorgeous, she sensed he’d really meant it.
Or maybe that’s what she wanted to believe. Shaking her head at her foolishness, she ducked into the bathroom, showered and then changed into her dress blues. She idly wondered why Isaac’s attendance was required, then figured it must be because he had firsthand information about the attack that she didn’t.
The formal request had to be related to the early-morning invasion of her home. Why else would the base commander ask to see them?
She walked into the kitchen, surprised to be greeted by the enticing scent of coffee. Isaac stood leaning against the counter, sipping from a mug. He eyed her cautiously over the rim.
“Did you talk to Justin?”
She nodded and helped herself to a cup of the steaming brew. “You, too?”
He nodded. “I didn’t want to leave without making sure you were up, but I need to get home to shower and change.”
“Understood. Do you want to meet here in thirty minutes?”
He hesitated, then shrugged. “Sure. Half an hour is a lot of time. It won’t take us that long.”
“I just don’t want to be late for a meeting with the top brass.” She grimaced. “That would be a CLM for sure.”
He lifted a curious brow. “A what?”
“Career Limiting Move.”
Isaac chuckled. “Okay, then. Thirty minutes it is.” He downed the last of his coffee and set his mug in the sink. “See you soon.”
“Sure.” She carried her mug and followed him as he took Tango and left through the front door. Aiden wasn’t out there, but was in the backyard, working with the puppies.
Her brother really seemed to have a connection with the animals and she couldn’t help wondering once again if it was possible that he could get reassigned to the K-9 training center. She made a mental note to discuss the possibility with Westley James, although she knew it wasn’t completely up to him. Aiden was on medical leave and he needed permission from not only his current captain, but Lieutenant Colonel Flintman’s recommendation, as well.
“Hi, Aiden,” she greeted him, then turned and nodded at the cop stationed outside the door. “How are the national parks doing this morning?”
“You should see how well trained they are,” Aiden gushed over the progress the puppies had made. “Even with their mother recuperating at the vet, they’re getting the hang of this. They’re truly amazing.”
“Because of you,” she reminded him. “You’re doing an awesome job with them. Hey, I have a meeting at Base Command at nine. What time is your doctor’s appointment?”
“Um, not sure. Maybe three this afternoon?” Aiden answered distractedly. “Why?”
“You asked me to watch the pups, remember?” She wondered if her brother was suffering from lapses in memory, which was not unheard of in cases of PTSD.
“Oh, yeah. Right. Aw, good girl, Shenandoah, you’re managing to keep up with your brothers and sister.” Aiden lifted the runt of the litter and snuggled with her for a moment.
She smiled. “I’ll make sure I’m bac
k well before fifteen hundred, okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
She left him with the pups, and made a quick breakfast. After eating her omelet, she made one for Aiden. She worried about him. He was so focused on the puppies, she wasn’t sure he was taking care of himself.
Isaac arrived in exactly thirty minutes as promised and they left for the meeting. She brought Eagle with her, for added protection and so Aiden would have one less animal to worry about. Her loyal and protective K-9 jumped into the back of the SUV without any trouble.
Impeccably handsome in his dress blues, Isaac smiled and nodded as he slid into the passenger seat.
“Where’s Tango?”
“I left him at home.” Isaac slid into the passenger seat and closed the door. “If there’s time, I’d like to stop by the vet on the way back, to check on Beacon.”
“Have you heard from Kyle?”
“Not yet.” Isaac’s expression was troubled. “I’m hoping no news is good news.”
“I agree. I’m sure Kyle would let you know if there was a change for the worse.”
Isaac nodded, but didn’t say anything further. A strained silence filled the car, making her wonder what was going on in Isaac’s mind.
She told herself he was probably reviewing the sequence of events from yesterday. The gunfire at the Winged Java, followed by the nightmare and the attempt to steal the puppies, were probably replaying over and over in his head.
Hopefully, he didn’t regret their kiss—or worse, agreeing to go to church services with her.
She parked on the street and slid out from behind the wheel, releasing the back so Eagle could jump down. Clipping the leash to Eagle’s collar, she walked beside Isaac.
Because they were a few minutes early, they were shown into a small reception area to wait for Captain Blackwood. Eagle sat tall beside her and she scratched the Doberman between the ears.
She’d gotten Eagle a few months ago, when events had escalated on base. The top brass had agreed that anyone targeted by the Red Rose Killer could keep their K-9s at home with them at all times. The smart Doberman had accepted her without a problem, and she was thrilled to have him as a guard dog.
Ten minutes later, the door opened and Justin beckoned to them. “Lieutenant General Hall is ready for us.”
Vanessa felt unaccountably nervous, second-guessing her decision to bring Eagle along for this meeting. She’d wanted to be sure the general knew she was taking the threat seriously, but she wished now she’d left Eagle behind.
She entered the room first, greeting Lieutenant General Nathan Hall with a sharp salute. “First Lieutenant Vanessa Gomez, sir.”
Isaac mirrored her salute. “Captain Isaac Goddard, sir.”
“At ease,” the base commander said after returning their salutes. “Have a seat.”
Vanessa sat and gave Eagle the hand signal to sit, too. The dog dropped onto his haunches, sitting tall, ears perked forward as if awaiting his next command.
“I understand there was a break-in at your home early this morning.” Lieutenant General Hall steepled his hands together, gazing at them intently. “A civilian wearing a black mask was killed at the scene.”
A civilian? She risked a quick glance at Isaac.
“I stumbled upon the masked intruder attempting to steal a box of puppies from Lieutenant Gomez’s home,” Isaac said. “He threw them at me and pulled a knife. He ran after I disarmed him, so I gave chase. Unfortunately, he attempted to cross the road right in front of a large semitruck delivering supplies, and he was hit and killed on impact.”
Base Commander Lieutenant General Hall nodded. “Lieutenant, does the name Ricardo Meyer mean anything to you?”
Vanessa blinked. “No, sir. Is that the identity of the civilian?”
“He apparently worked at the hospital as a janitor,” Lieutenant General Hall continued without directly answering her question.
Instantly she thought of Joseph Kramer, the janitor who died of a Tyraxal overdose. Did these two men know each other? Was it possible that Ricardo blamed her for Joseph’s death?
“Lieutenant Gomez?”
She snapped her gaze to meet the commander’s. “Sir, I don’t know a Ricardo Meyer, but I took care of a civilian janitor named Joseph Kramer who died of a drug overdose a couple of days ago.”
The commander’s eyebrows levered upward. “You think they’re connected?”
“Honestly, sir? I don’t see how. Even if we assume the two men were friends, why would Ricardo blame me for Joseph’s death? And even if he did, why go after the puppies instead of me personally?”
“Lieutenant, we know Boyd sent you a rose, but we can’t find a connection between Ricardo Meyer and Sullivan, either. Is there anyone else who may be upset or angry with you?”
“Captain Leo Turner.” The name popped out of her mouth before she could stop it. Her cheeks flushed and she avoided Justin’s blatantly curious gaze. “I broke off my relationship with the captain several months ago.”
“Has he been harassing you?” Justin asked.
She forced herself to meet his gaze, hoping her embarrassment wasn’t too obvious. “No, he hasn’t. However, he’s the only other person I’ve argued with over the past few months. I don’t believe he hired someone to invade my home, but I wanted to be completely honest about who might be upset with me.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant, we will take that information under advisement,” Lieutenant General Hall said.
“Sir, may I ask whether or not you believe Ricardo Meyer is linked to the Olio Crime Organization?” Isaac asked.
There was a heavy pause before the commander spoke. “We don’t have any evidence of that at this time. Captain Goddard, I assume you also don’t know Ricardo Meyer?”
“No, sir.”
“Well then, thank you for coming in on such short notice.” Lieutenant General Hall rose to his feet, so she and Isaac stood, too. “You’re dismissed.”
They saluted the commander and waited until he left the conference room. Then Justin shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll be in touch,” he said before following his boss out.
Vanessa released her pent-up breath, glancing down at Eagle, who’d behaved admirably during the meeting. “Doesn’t look as if they’re going to tell us anything more.”
“Guess not,” Isaac agreed.
They left Base Command and returned to Vanessa’s SUV. She opened the windows to air it out before asking Eagle to jump in the back.
She headed back down Canyon Drive. “Do you want to stop at the veterinary clinic?”
He hesitated, then nodded. “I’m sorry to hear about your relationship.”
“Yeah, well, trust me—I’m happy I learned about his cheating before things got too serious.” She glanced at him. “I felt like an idiot when I realized everyone else suspected long before I found out.”
“He’s a jerk, not worth your time.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I was in a relationship before the crash, but Amber couldn’t handle the way I’d changed after the traumatic event.” He glanced at her. “I’m not good relationship material.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to argue, but then she realized what he was really saying. This was Isaac’s way of warning her off. His way of telling her not to expect anything from him, despite their amazing kiss.
Her stomach knotted and she tightened her grip on the steering wheel. She didn’t agree with Isaac’s assessment. That was something he needed to figure out for himself.
* * *
Isaac inwardly grimaced as his statement hung like a radioactive force field between them. He hadn’t intended to come across so blunt, but it was probably better in the long run.
He’d spent what had been left of last night wide-awake in a vain attempt to keep Vanes
sa from invading his dreams. He couldn’t ever remember feeling so tied up in knots over a woman.
She pulled over to the curb in front of the veterinary clinic and parked in one of the short-term slots. He almost wished she wasn’t coming in with him but he needed to remain with her, refusing to go back on his promise to protect her.
He went around back and stood in front of her, casting a glance up and down the road. “Ready?”
“Of course.”
Keeping her and Eagle in front of him, he entered the clinic and caught Airman Fielding’s eyes. “Is Captain Roark busy? I’d like to check on Beacon.”
“He was examining Beacon earlier. Let me get him for you.” The young woman left the main desk, returning in less than a minute. “Captain Roark has Beacon settled in exam room number three.”
It was frustrating to have to see Beacon in the exam rooms, but sensed it would be better than touching him through the metal bars of a kennel. He entered the exam room, suddenly feeling an odd sense of peace that Vanessa was beside him.
Kyle stood next to the table, holding Beacon’s collar. The German shepherd lifted his head and thumped his tail as Isaac approached. “Hey, buddy. You’re looking better today.” He bent over to bury his face in Beacon’s neck.
“He is better today,” Kyle confirmed. “The area of hemorrhage has shrunk considerably, which is a good sign.”
The news was a balm of relief. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Kyle stroked Beacon’s fur. “He was definitely feisty last night, giving Airman Fielding a hard time.”
“I’d apologize except that’s Beacon’s normal nature, which makes me happy,” Isaac said with a wry smile. “It must mean he’s getting better.”
“I think so, too.” Kyle gave a nod of satisfaction. “In fact, if the CT scan looks good tomorrow, I’m inclined to send him home with you.”
“I’d love it,” Isaac said. “As long as you think he’ll be okay.”
“I wouldn’t discharge him if I wasn’t sure of that.” Kyle stepped back. “I’ll give you a few minutes, then I need to get him back to the kennel.”