Covert Cargo

“So what’s your background?” she asked. He suspected she was fishing for more details on the case. “Carl said you came here from Maryland. I’m guessing Washington, DC.”

He had learned his cover story down pat. “Yeah,” he said. “I was working a boring desk job in the Office of Strategic Analysis, and I wanted to get back on the front line.” The act of lying to her again didn’t sit well with him, so he mixed in some truth. “For a long time, I couldn’t move away because I was taking care of my father, who was suffering with Alzheimer’s disease. After he died, I decided to make a change and take a new post.” He smiled. “I figured that moving over two thousand miles away was enough of a change.”

In reality, he had been based in Little Creek, Virginia, taking care of his father in Pittsburgh on weekends, while his sisters picked up the slack during the week. It had been hard work, but he was glad he did it. His father had spent the last few months of his life being looked after by those who loved him.

“That’s an honorable thing to do,” she said, clearly surprised. “Not many men have such a strong sense of family commitment these days.”

He noticed the way she flinched when she said these words, no doubt remembering the man who had so spectacularly dishonored her by abandoning her on their wedding day.

“There are plenty of honorable men around,” he said, thinking of the five men he had served with in Afghanistan during the Dark Skies Mission. “You just need to know where to look.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not looking.”

“I guessed that,” he said, placing his mug on the coffee table. He couldn’t blame her for deciding never to trust a man again. Any woman would probably do the same in her position.

“I’ll arrange the delivery of a new door from the hardware store tomorrow,” he said, inspecting the frame. “I’ll buy one as similar to the old one as possible, and once you put a new coat of paint on the walls, you’ll be almost as good as new.”

“Let me know how much everything costs,” she said, not looking him in the eye. “I’ll pay you back in full.”

He guessed that she was already concerned about the vet’s bill, and this was another expense that she just didn’t need. “We don’t need to talk money now,” he said. “You should go pack a bag. I’ll drive you to Helen’s house and stay with you until the protection team arrives.”

“Okay,” she said, turning to go through the door that led up a small flight of stairs to her bedroom. She looked back. “I appreciate everything you’re doing for me,” she said awkwardly. “It’s really kind of you to help me like this.”

He was surprised at her sudden and uncomfortable show of gratitude. He guessed that social interactions didn’t come naturally to her. “You’re welcome,” he said. “I’m glad to be able to do it.”

She smiled and disappeared through the door. He sat down on one of the chairs and let out a long, slow breath. He felt like a fraud for lying to her, especially considering she had commended his honor in taking care of his father. Being with her unsettled him. Just like the town of Bracelet Bay, Beth was beginning to creep into his affections, and he needed to put an immediate halt to it. He had no intention of getting too involved with her, and he couldn’t let her safety override the safety of the vulnerable people being trafficked into a life of misery. All he needed to do was keep an emotional distance, maintain a level head and stay resolute. How hard could it be?