9. Kat

9

Kat

Why was he ignoring me? Maybe he didn’t want a relationship with me after all. It would be breaking the rules. I decided to act like nothing had happened. We’d been home for two weeks, and while River worked, I did everything I usually did, only speaking when asked a question.

But when Gage brought me a little German Shepherd puppy, I couldn’t hold back my tears. Then, the whole team walked in with their puppies. We had all of them, and Farron even had the mother.

“I swear to God, I love you guys. This is so beautiful. I went back to the shelter to get a puppy, but they told me they’d all been adopted. You adopted all of them.”

“River adopted all of them,” Gage said. “He went to pick up the one that peed on his boots and decided to get the whole litter. So now we have to teach our puppies not to pee or poop in our homes. I’m not a fan of potty training puppies.”

I chuckled, knowing how much Gage likes to keep his place spotless. Hopefully, potty training won’t take too long. Maybe River does want to be with me if he adopted all the puppies and their mother. His door was closed, so I’d thank him later.

But just five minutes later, Miss Hot-Ass Charlotte walked in and went straight to River’s office. I heard them laughing, then silence. Thirty minutes later, they walked out of his office and out the front door together.

Gage went to the door. “Where are you going?” he asked.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” River said, and my heart shattered.

Why can’t I have a happy life? I worked and ignored the guys, knowing they were watching me. Finally, I finished up and stood, picking up my puppy. I walked to Gage’s office. “I’m off to the pet store,” I said with a smile. I wondered if he could tell it was a fake smile.

“I need to do that too. So, what do I need to buy?” Gage asked.

I shook my head. “I’m going to ask one of the workers. I only had one dog when I was little; he was already grown. I need to find out about the food and everything else. I’ll also need to get a dog bed. I imagine there are a ton of things I’ll need,” I said, babbling away. I forced myself to shut up.

“Kat, are you alright? I thought maybe you and River would get together after that kiss before we went to Iran.”

“No, we’re not together,” I said quickly. “Oh yeah, I need to buy a leash to take her on walks. I also have to pick out a name. Have you named your puppy?” There I go again, babbling like an idiot.

“My puppy’s name is Rex because he’s going to be massive one day, and I wanted to give him a big dog’s name.”

“I think Rex is a perfect name. I’ll see you tomorrow morning. ”

“Okay, see you tomorrow. I might even see you at the pet store.”

I nodded and left. I went to the pet store and bought so much stuff that it barely fit in my little Cooper. It’s a small car, but I love it.

I refused to think about what River and Charlotte were doing. I thought he was done with her months ago. I refused to get all worked up over River. He never said anything to me about wanting to be with just me.

Everything was in my head. River never once said he wanted me. It was just that one hot kiss. I have to stop imagining things. Just because I’ve wanted him for so long doesn’t mean he’s wanted me. Besides, it’s against the rules. So screw him, if he ever kisses me again, I’ll bust his lip.

I loved my puppy. She was so good about going potty in the backyard. I decided to take her for a walk on her new leash. I should have gotten a puppy years ago.

I laughed more than I walked. My little girl kept getting tangled up in the leash. I almost tripped before realizing I needed to keep the leash away from my legs.

I called my mom and told her about Penny—I loved that name for her. I took pictures and sent them to my family. I was getting ready for bed when my phone rang. When I answered, it was a voice from the past.

“Captain Jackson, what are you doing?”

“I’m in a pickle. I need your help with something we might get thrown in the brig for.”

“What is it?”

“I just found out Janelle had a child. Her mother called me. My daughter’s name is Sierra Jackson. Janelle died, and her father wants to marry my daughter to an old man. I have to save her. She’s my daughter. Steven is going with me, and I’m sure we’ll have more help. I’m hoping to get in and out in three days,” Joel explained.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Afghanistan,” I said, picturing the city where Janelle lived with her family. I haven’t been back there since I was shot in the back. I knew that place inside out, but I’m sure it’s changed. The Taliban has taken over the entire place. They would kill an American on the spot—or hold them prisoner for ransom and do all kinds of horrible things to them,” I was almost raped and murdered when I was in that country.

“You know that place better than anyone. The Taliban will kill my daughter if they find out who her father is. Did you know Janelle was pregnant?”

“No, but it doesn’t surprise me that she didn’t tell you. She thought you didn’t love her.”

“It wasn’t that—I wanted to marry her. It was her who didn’t love me. I wanted her to go to America with me. She didn’t want to leave her mother. She never said anything about a baby. I do know her father was a bastard back then, too.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Tuesday morning.”

“That’s in two days.”

“Yep. What do you say?”

“Of course, I’ll help you save your daughter. Where do you want me to meet you?”

“We’ll pick you up at five on Tuesday morning. You might not want to tell anyone where you’re going.”

“I’ll just say I’m taking vacation time. Do you know where I live?”

“Yes, you’re about sixty miles from me. Steven will be at my place tonight. We’ll see you soon. Don’t worry about what to pack; I’ve got everything you’ll need. Goodnight, Lieutenant McDonald.”

“Please, call me Kat.”

“Okay, Kat, and you can call me Joel.”

After hanging up, I started thinking about poor Janelle. I wonder how she died. There’s no telling, given that she lived in a country run by those murderous Taliban. They killed so many of my friends. They probably stoned her for having a child without being married. I remember her father was a horrible man.

I needed to do this to get away from River and determine if I needed to leave this job. I couldn’t keep working for the Golden Team and loving River—it was too hard, especially after that kiss. After we rescued Joel's daughter, I could use the rest of my two weeks off to decide what I wanted to do.

I had to find a sitter for Penny. Who could I ask? Maybe Myrtle and Jack would watch her for me. It was only for a few days.

Myrtle agreed to watch Penny, so I headed to work. Thanking my lucky stars, Myrtle and her match-making friends have stopped trying to match me up with a man. The first thing I did was tell the guys I was taking two weeks off. I didn’t tell them where I was going; I knew they’d get upset and try to stop me.

“Where are you going on your vacation? Is this the first time you’ve taken a vacation?” Tag asked.

“Yeah, this will be my first regular vacation. I usually take a few days at a time.”

“Where are you going?” Tag pressed.

“I’m going to visit an old friend.”

“That should be fun. Where does she live?”

“She lives out of the country. I’ll visit her for a week, then spend the rest of the time with my family. ”

“I know you’ll have a great time, and that’s what counts. What country does she live in? And what are you going to do about your puppy?”

“I named her Penny. Isn’t that a great name? She’s going to stay with Myrtle, my neighbor. I should have asked if I could bring her today—I didn’t want to leave her alone.”

“We all brought our dogs because they’re too young to stay home alone. I set up a large area in the back on the grass where they can all play together,” Gage said.

“Oh, good,” I said, heading to my desk. I wondered where River was. I set Penny’s bed and kennel beside my desk. Then, I let her outside with the other puppies.

Gage walked over. “River just called. He’s not coming in today.”

“Okay, thanks for letting me know,” I said, continuing to type, wishing the day would hurry and be over. I knew where River was—I’m not stupid. He’s with that skinny-ass model.

Fine, I’ll have to find a new job. He can have all his women. I don’t want a man who’s with another woman when I thought he had feelings for me. He said he might have to fire me. Wouldn’t you think that meant he wanted me?