Chapter 22: Ruth

I'm surprised to see Chris Nelson walk into the bar the next afternoon, dressed in his uniform. He takes his hat off as he approaches the bar. "Is Jack here?" he asks. "Rumor has it you've got him washin' dishes."

I can hear the disapproval in his voice. "Rumor would be correct, then," I say. And clearly everyone thinks that makes me the bad guy. I suppose they're right.

Chris snickers. "Well, at least he's not cleaning toilets."

"What do you want with Jack? I thought all the unpleasantness was behind us."

"Oh, you mean the mob? Yeah, that's old news, at least as far as I know. I'm here for something else entirely. Did you hear the McIntyre SAR team is out looking for a missing young woman today?"

"I heard. Micah's flying his chopper around the region so Killian can use infrared to search for her." I finish pouring some draft beers for Chrissy. "But what does that have to do with Jack?"

"I'd like to ask him if he'd mind helping out with this. Face it, Ruth. He's got some seriously bad-ass skills I could really use. The search and rescue mission has a certain urgency about it, and we need all the help we can get. Turns out the young woman is pregnant."

"Of course you can ask Jack. He's free to do whatever he wants, and knowing him, he'll want to help." I point behind me. "You'll find him in the kitchen."

"Thanks." He raises an eyebrow. "So, you've got a ten-year US Navy SEAL veteran in the kitchen washing dishes?"

My face heats up. "Well, when you put it like that."

With a chuckle, Chris waves me off. "I'm sure you have your reasons. I'll go have a talk with him. If he agrees, it's okay with you?"

"Sure. Tom and I can fill in for him."

"Please tell me you've posted a HELP WANTED ad."

"I have." I point Chris toward the kitchen. "Go talk to him."

I follow Chris and hover near the open doorway so I can listen in as he fills Jack in on the situation. Jack listens, nodding a few times. When Chris is done, Jack dries his hands on a kitchen towel, removes his work apron, and grabs his jacket. On his way out of the kitchen, he stops abruptly when he catches me lurking in the hall.

"Chris told me he filled you in. It's okay with you if I leave for a while?" he asks.

"Of course. Thanks for agreeing to help in the search."

Jack nods. "How can I say no? If I can be of any help, I will."

Of course he will, because he's a selfless helper. He's a hero. Suddenly I realize how much time I've wasted keeping Jack at arm's length, when I should have been pulling him closer. We might have gotten off to a rocky start, but obviously, he's a good guy. On impulse, I reach for his hand. "Just be careful, okay?"

I think my gesture caught him by surprise. He squeezes my hand. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

"You'd better be, because there are things we need to talk about when you get back."

He grins. "Yeah?"

I can't resist smiling back. "Yeah."

"It's a date," he says, giving my hand one last squeeze before he releases it and heads for the rear door.

My heart skips a beat as I watch him walk away, admiring his ass and his cocky stride. The urge to call him back is strong. If it weren't for the missing girl, I'd take him upstairs to my apartment right now so we could have that talk.

* * *

I watch from my office window as Jack, in his Impala, follows Chris's patrol vehicle out of the parking lot. I imagine they're headed to the trailhead, where the search and rescue teams congregate to organize and coordinate their efforts. This mission is probably child's play compared to the types of missions Jack's used to, but still, anything could go wrong.

When I return to the bar, Tom offers to do dish duty while Jack's gone.

"Thanks, Tom." I pat him on the back. "I appreciate you stepping in. I'll post some help-wanted flyers in the diner and grocery store. We need to get someone in to fill that job on a permanent basis."

Tom laughs. "So, you're done punishing Jack?"

"Is that what it looks like? That I'm punishing him?"

Tom frowns as he nods. "Afraid so."

The afternoon passes slowly, and I try not to worry about Jack. I hope they find that young woman quickly and that she's in good health.

Chrissy walks up to the bar to place a beer order. "Two drafts. I heard Jack's going out on a search and rescue mission."

I shake my head as I fill the first mug. "Word sure travels fast around here."

"Is it true?" she asks.

"Yes."

She sighs. "That man, sheesh! Can he get any hotter?" She chuckles. "Look, if you don't want him, do you mind giving the rest of us a shot?"

Hell yes, I mind.

"Here's your order," I say tersely, handing Chrissy two draft beers.

Wisely, she walks away with her order, not waiting for an answer.