“I promise.”
Jessen pulls me in for one final embrace, and then he’s gone. He walks away without a backward glance, his hands clenched into tight fists – the only indication that having to walk away is as difficult for him as watching him leave is for me.
23
LUCKY
If there was ever a moment in my life I’ve had to do something so intrinsically against my instincts, this would be it. Having to leave Agatha standing on that dock is probably the most difficult thing I’ve done to date. With each step I take away from her, the voice in my head shouts a little louder for me to turn back, to snatch her up and run as far and as fast as I possibly can to keep her safe.
But I have my orders, and unless I’m willing to face the consequences of not following them, I put one foot in front of the other and leave her safety in the hands of other people. I can’t even turn around to look at her one last time to ensure myself she’s safe and unharmed. Because I know if I do, I won’t make it onto the ship.
Bear walks silently beside me. Without me having to say a word, he knows this is hard for me. The benefits of having worked together for years. We meet up with the rest of the team, and Knight gives me a thorough study.
“Ready?” is all he asks.
I shake my head. “No, but let’s do it anyway before I can change my mind,” I reply.
“All right, gentlemen. Your chariot awaits you. Let’s move.” He indicates the Zodiac waiting for us and, one by one, we pile in.
One of our ships lies just inside the mouth of the cove, waiting to receive both personnel and civilians. The waters rough with the ever-building storm conditions, our boat gets buffered about and progress seems to take forever to reach the ship.
Once aboard, we’re shown to a cabin where we can connect with Commander Hurt and give a situation report on the rescue. No doubt, the base commander is chomping at the bit for news on his goddaughter’s safety.
“Gentlemen, I hope you have some good news for me,” is the first thing he says when the call connects.
“We do,” Knight replies.
“Excellent. I’m glad to know I can return to the commander with good news.”
It’s well over an hour into the debrief we hear the vessel fire up her engines, the vibration strong under our booted feet. My gut tightens as I wonder if Agatha is safely aboard. Academically, I know she is, but until I see her for myself, there’s always that doubt.
By the time the briefing’s done we’ve already docked, and the civilians have been escorted off the vessel to the transport organized to take them back the to the US. Disappointed, I make my way to the plane that will take the guys and me home. The rest of the team are walking just ahead of me, Bear beside me.
“She’s the one, isn’t she?” he asks.
“What makes you say that?” I answer his question with my own.
“I have eyes, dude. I’ve seen how you’ve been lately. I saw how you were with her back on the dock.”
I sigh. Not much point denying it. I’m not even sure why my kneejerk reaction was to deny it. “Yeah, bud. She’s the one. It feels so weird to be saying it out loud since I’ve not even so much as told a woman I love her, but here we are. I haven’t even told her yet, so keep it to yourself for now, will you?”
“I’ve never been in love, but watching first Wolf’s team find their women, and then Knight getting together with Indigo …” His words trail off. and Bear’s quiet for so long I think he’s lost his train of thought. “I’m jealous. For the first time in my life, I feel this need to connect with someone like that. But I’m terrified of turning out like my dad, you know?”
I’m so taken aback by Bear’s words I can’t immediately respond. He’s the quiet one on the team, the grumpy bear with the heart of a marshmallow. I’ve seen how he is with women and children when we’re out on missions. But he’s built a mile high protective barrier around his heart. He certainly never opens up about his feelings and emotions, never allows himself to be vulnerable. I’m shocked he’s doing it now. And I’m curious to know what’s prompted him today.
“Bear, I’ve known you for years, and I’ve met your dad. You are so far from being your dad it’s almost like you’re the post man’s child. You are nothing like your father. I’ve seen you around women and children, and frankly, in my opinion, a woman would be lucky to have someone like you love her.”
“I don’t know, man. I just don’t know. And that makes me terrified to take the chance.”
I don’t get a chance to respond as we reach the plane, but his words stay with me the entire trip back stateside. The thought of never having found Agatha, not ever getting the chance to be with her – my life would be poorer for it. And it saddens me to know my friend – my blood brother – will miss out on having a good woman in his life to love him for who he is saddens me.
As the wheels touch down on home soil, I forget all else as my thoughts turn to just one thing. Getting to Agatha is my number one priority.
* * *
Tossingmy gear in the trunk, I circle around to the driver’s door.
“Hey Lucky, you joining us at Aces?” Gator yells across the parking lot.
