Page 2 (2/2)
Wordlessly, he stepped forward and pulled her into his arot up every imen that he did on his own, but he also trained with his brothers at the KGI facility The co to in just a few days
She inhaled his scent, the muskiness of sweat and the faint hint of soap fro else she never took for granted During her captivity, so that had been as crippling as the torture she’d endured
He kissed the top of her head and gave her an extra squeeze
“Call me if you have any problems”
She smiled “I will I promise”
“Is your cell charged?”
Her se the daet in touch with her They both still battled their deain, and he liked to knohere she was at all times He checked in frequently with her and worried endlessly if he couldn’t reach her
It ht annoy some women, but Rachel understood his need for reassurance He wasn’t controlling He was scared to death There was a huge difference
“It’s charged, but don’t call htly “I left e so you’ll knohat time my classes are I’ll text you when I can”
Ethan sighed and slowly released her “I know I’ bastard I can’t help o back to work, but I want you to be happy, so if this does it, then I’m okay with it I’ll deal I promise”
“I love you,” she said,back into his arms “Remember that, okay?”
He lowered his ue “I love you too,” he said in that low, growly voice that always sent shivers down her spine “Be careful and text et there so I know you made it safe”
She rolled her eyes and withdrew, checking her appearance in the et Your ht to help box up some stuff Rusty’s home for the weekend, and she’s volunteered her services”
“I won’t be late,” Ethan pro with the new recruits for Nathan and Joe’s team”
Rachel’s lips turned down into an unhappy frown “Have you heard anything from PJ yet?”
Ethan went quiet and then shook his head “Not a da Cole Steele’s not taking it very well either The team isn’t the same without her, and Steele refuses to replace her”
“Good,” Rachel said fiercely “She just needs time She’ll be back I know she will”
“I hope you’re right,” he said, his tone somber “I said the team’s not the same without her, but the fact is, KGI isn’t the same without her either”
Rachel sighed and slid past Ethan into the bedrooet her shoes PJ Rutherford was the only feht anymore Skylar Watkins was a new recruit, but Rachel didn’t know her well She’d only met her once
Things had gone terribly wrong for PJ on a mission, and she’d walked away in the emotional aftermath Rachel’s heart ached for the other woe part of yourself To be at loose ends
“Okay, wish me luck,” she announced after she’d slipped on the low heels and picked up her briefcase
“You’ll be awesome,” Ethan said, pride evident in his voice “You were a daood teacher before Mom was so proud of you She was over the moon when you followed in her footsteps All you did was take a little time off It’ll come back to you in a flash The kids will love you, just like they all did before”
She went into his ar”
He squeezed her hard and then reluctantly let her go
“I’ain and then head over to the compound I’ll talk to you soon”
Rachel watched as he disappeared into the bathroom, and then she squared her shoulders and walked out of the bedrooe where her car was parked
She was terrified Her pal wheel, and it irritated her that such a s for hten her after all she’d been through
Her therapist would tell her all things in time It was a mantra she’d repeated a lot over the last year And it was true enough Everything in good time She just had to be patient and cut herself some slack
Moving was a good step A positive step in the right direction Ethan hadn’t understood why she’d gone in such a different direction with the new house they were building He’d thought they’d have the same house built inside the coether and had incorporated all their favorite things
As she backed out of the garage and stared at the house that had once been her dream, she took a deep breath The truth was, she couldn’t wait to move away from the house that now represented some of the unhappiest moments in her life
Her husband had once stood in the living rooned and handed her divorce papers
She’d never be able to settle back in and just forget that it happened
She had a new drea in the past To s right and to leave the past precisely where it belonged
Chapter 2
When Rachel pulled into her driveway a few minutes after four, she was surprised that Ethan’s truck was already there She got out, eager to see him and to tell him about her day
She hauled her briefcase froer seat and started up the ay Halfway there, the door opened and Ethan stood against the fra her approach One hand was behind his back, and as she orgeous bouquet of flowers he was holding
They were her favorite Roses that were a beautiful shade of peach Not quite orange and not quite pink For the longest time, Ethan had been unable to buy the the year she’d been believed dead
“To celebrate your first day,” he said
“They’re beautiful, Ethan!”
She gathered therant blossoms
“How did it go?” Ethan asked as he ushered her inside
She went in search of a vase and, after stuffing the ste it ater, she turned an excited smile on Ethan
“It went great!
He sently at her enthusiasm and then pulled her into his arms
“I missed you”
She laughed “No you didn’t You were at the coone to work or not”
He kissed her nose and squeezed his ar in his arhts she woke in a cold sweat and there he was, always right beside her to hold and coather her into his embrace and whisper in her ear that she was safe and that he was here and that nothing would ever hurt her again Then he’d tell her over and over again howher doubt it
“Just knowing you’re here in our home while I’m away makes me feel like I’m with you”
As they walked into the living rooly around her, she noticed the packing boxes scattered around
“You did get ho, I see”
Ethan suys are co over later to help move the furniture and Ma and Rusty are on their way over now to help pack the smaller stuff”
Just thinking of her falow that never failed to vanquish the shadows of the past She was loved, and she hole again The e had finally been filled
“Guess I should get to it then,” Rachel said, staring around at the living room
“Uh no,” Ethan said, his voice fir to sit down, put your feet up, and I’ to crack open a bottle of wine to celebrate your first day at work”
She sighed “You spoil me shamelessly”
He cracked a grin “Yup, that’s et the wine”
He took her briefcase and carried it with him toward the kitchen while she settled onto the leather sofa and, as he’d directed, propped her feet on the ottoman
Her gaze wandered over the living rooed since they’d moved in The piano still occupied the sa and of other faether—were still neatly in their places