26. River

26

River

We’d been home for a week, and Kat was still anxious about me going back to work. Today, she said she was ready, so she came into the office, trying to act like everything was fine.

“It’s good to have you back, Kat,” Gage said as he glanced at her.

“Thank you. I’m sorry I was gone so long,” she replied, sitting at her desk.

“You’ve got nothing to apologize for,” Gage said before I could speak.

She checked on me every ten minutes for the first seven days, ensuring she knew where I was. Today, she came out to the deck where Gage and I sat talking about our next job. The moment I saw her face, I knew something was wrong. I’d sensed it for the past week.

I stood up and wrapped my arms around her. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

Gage quietly stood up and gave us space.

“You know how much I love you,” Kat began. “I love you more than my own life, but... I’ve lost myself. I need to find who I am again. If I don’t, I’m afraid I’ll become someone I won’t recognize. I’m not someone who needs to be with you twenty-four-seven. I have to go away and figure this out on my own.”

“No, sweetheart, you don’t need to go anywhere. You can find yourself right here,” I pleaded.

“I know, but I really need to fix myself. I’ll be back, I promise. I’m not staying away for good. I just need to regain my strength inside my head. I know that sounds stupid, and it doesn’t make sense. But it’s how I feel.

“You are strong! You can get better here. I’ll help you. Please listen to me. I love you, and I don’t want you to leave.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve already made arrangements. When you see me again, I’ll be the Katrina McDonald you fell in love with. Right now, I’m not that person. Everyone is afraid to say anything to me—they’re all scared I’ll break down and cry. I’ll be back when I’m better. I can’t stand the idea of you having to babysit me. I don’t even like myself right now.”

“When will you be back?” I asked, my voice strained.

“I don’t know.”

“If you’re not back soon, I’ll come after you.”

“Just give me time to find my backbone again. I love you.” She kissed me, called for Penny, and picked up her suitcase. Then she walked out the door.

“I think she needs this,” Gage said, handing me a beer. “I’ve noticed how different she’s been.”

“The thing is, Kat doesn’t really know what she needs right now. But I do know she has to face being alone. Maybe this will help her.”

“Where’s she going?” he asked.

“Damn it, I forgot to ask.” I grabbed my phone and called her, but then I heard her phone ringing inside the house. She’d left it behind.

“Looks like I might as well take that mission in Iran. There’s no point in staying here. I’ve got a feeling Kat will be gone for at least a month, maybe longer. I don’t want to sit around wondering when she’ll come back. I’m guessing she’s gone to her family.”

“She doesn’t seem like the ‘run-to-mama’ type,” Gage replied.

“You’re right. I should have asked. Can you keep Sissy until her dog sitter picks her up?”

“Sure, tell her to get Sissy at my place. I want to talk to her about watching my dog, too.”

Three days later, I was in Iran, working to find a missing Navy SEAL. Oliver and I watched as some of the Iranian army passed by. We’d been told they were holding him in one of their prisons and planned to execute him sometime this week.

We didn’t have time to waste. If we were going to save him, we had to act now. That’s why we were dressed as members of the Iranian army, blending in with the soldiers. This was our third prison in two weeks, but we’d overheard someone say he was here.

This was my second time deployed since Kat left two months ago. I called Gage to see if she had returned, but he said no. Raven had moved into her house temporarily and considered buying a condo where we lived. I pushed thoughts of Kat out of my mind and focused on the mission.

The first thing I noticed was that the soldiers were drawing straws to decide who would be part of the firing squad for the American prisoner. They picked five soldiers, and to my surprise, Oliver was one of them. We exchanged a quick look, unsure of our next move. Then, they handed him a gun.

It was happening right now. I knew Oliver was as shocked as I was. We followed the men as they led us outside to the clearing, where the Navy SEAL was supposed to be standing against the wall. But when we arrived, the place was in chaos—guards were running everywhere, and the Navy SEAL had disappeared.

I glanced at Oliver and nodded for us to leave. We moved quickly, trying to make our way out of the area unnoticed. Then I saw her. She was grinning at me, and before I could react, she winked. She was pushing a man in a wheelchair through the gate and heading toward a jeep. Without hesitation, Oliver and I jumped into the back of the jeep as it passed by.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, surprised.

“I missed you too,” she teased. “I’m here to help this sick soldier get home.”

I heard a weak chuckle from the soldier. “Where are we going?” I asked her.

“To the plane,” she replied. “I’m glad you showed up. I hadn’t exactly planned that far ahead.”

“You’re coming home with me,” I said, my tone firm. “Wait, are you the Navy SEAL who was about to face the firing squad?” I asked the man.

“Yeah. Let’s lose these people. I can’t fight—I haven’t eaten in a week. The guards thought telling me they’ve been poisoning my food would be funny,” he muttered.

I turned to Kat. “How are you doing?”

“I’m starting to feel like myself again,” she said. “I was heading home after helping this soldier. ”

I leaned over and kissed her on the head. “Let me drive. We need to stay off the main roads—they’ll be looking for him soon.” She pulled over and slid out of the driver’s seat, and I stole a quick kiss as she got out.

“I missed you, Kat. More than you’ll ever know.”

“I missed you too,” she said, her voice soft.

The soldier chuckled again.

“You two can catch up later. By the way, Kat, I missed you too,” Oliver said, smiling. Just a heads-up—your files at work might be a little messed up now.”

She shrugged. “That’s fine. I’ll just be happy to get home.”

“How did you end up here?” Oliver asked.

“It’s a long story,” Kat began. “I’ve been helping medics in a neighboring country. I was about to head home when I overheard two guys talking about an American Navy SEAL being held prisoner here. They thought it was hilarious that the Iranians were poisoning him before putting him in front of a firing squad.”

“So, I decided to make a detour and rescue him,” she said casually. By the way, I need to stop and get Penny. I rented a room, and she’s there.”

I shook my head, listening to her. “Damn it, Kat. I hoped you’d stop running off to all these countries.”

She smiled. “I have. This was the last time.”

“Good,” I replied, relieved.