Cole grinned and rose to his feet. Brody mimicked him. “Thank you, Kassie. We’ll be model citizens,” he promised.
“Trust me, Cole. I have no doubt. Remember, I may be Kassie Winters, but I’m a woman with a SEAL team and a construction crew at her disposal. If you hurt one of my patients, you’ll have to deal with me. Oh, and don’t forget the Russians,” she said, moving toward her desk.
He nodded as he shut the door. What was it with these Russian remarks? Leo didn’t lie about his tin of cookies, but he figured he might be the target of some team fun. Yet they never mentioned it again. Scratching his head, he returned to the cozy living area where the sign-up sheets hung on a wall. He scribbled his name and left. His thoughts drifted back tothe startling green eyes that met his. It felt like a lightning bolt zapped him as he got lost in them. When he cleaned her fingers from Brody’s slobber, he noticed the slender hands marred with marks around the wrists. His mouth tightened at the image of someone trying to hurt her.
He glanced down at Brody as he took one of the trails back to the cabin. Maybe his four-legged partner felt something, too. Maybe Hannah was the reason he felt the pull to Serenity Mountain.
CHAPTER 8
Hannah touchedher fingers where the dog placed the pinecone. The sharp edges pricked her fingertips when she grasped it, but she welcomed the feeling. Anything felt better than the nothingness she experienced for months on end. She didn’t even know how long her body remained shut down, but it seemed like forever.
The sweet dog kissed her cheek after placing his gift in her lap. Hannah didn’t notice the slobber until Cole gently wiped her hand, murmuring his apology. While she watched him clean off the remnants, it gave her time to study his features up close. His jet-black, short hair complemented his startling blue eyes. Cole’s hands doubled the size of hers, making her body tense. Yet, the gentleness with which he held her hand didn’t terrify her at all. Putting two and two together, she surmised this man must be the elusive new employee Scarlett spoke about.
Her thumb glided over the tips of her fingers, taking in the indentations as she tried to relive the feeling in her mind. She did feel something, didn’t she? Maybe the electric current that ran through her body when Cole gazed into her eyes caused the sensations.
A knock on her door alerted her to another visitor and she immediately shut down.
“Hello, Hannah. I wanted to come in and check on you. I heard you got a surprise furry visitor today. His owner, Cole Martin, met with me about volunteering. I wish you had seen his face when he realized Brody went missing. I think his jaw hit the floor,” Kassie said, giggling. “He’s volunteering to work at the community center and he’s asked to see you again. See, you make a wonderful, great impression even without speaking. Of course, I’ll leave it to you if you want him to drop by. If you prefer he didn’t, you can shake your head,” Kassie offered.
Hannah froze. Did she want to see the mysterious man again? She kinda liked his dog. She imagined he might get into trouble for running into her room and she struggled to tell Kassie not to punish him. She refused to shake her head, wanting to ensure the sweet animal didn’t get any consequences for saying hello.
“I’ll take it as a yes. He’s only staying for half an hour with the door open at all times. I really wish you’d allow us to take you out of this room and get some fresh air before the weather turns colder. The leaves have changed, and the entire mountain resembles a painting. My friend, Leo, the one I told you about, says Cole impressed all the team members. I’ll check in tomorrow after his visit. If you don’t want him to come again, I’ll revoke his privileges,” Kassie said, smelling the candle. “I see Scarlett brought you her gift. It smells incredible. She must’ve gotten it at Samantha O’Neil’s spa. The scent lingers for hours. One day, we’ll take you there for a haircut. Her spa’s like no other. As soon as you enter, you go into a state of Zen. I must get going. Dr. Winters still has a couple of hours left on his shift and the munchkins will be clamoring for dinner. Don’t forget, I’ll drop by tomorrow.”
Hannah watched her leave, almost jealous of Kassie’s large family. It went beyond her children and husband. Once upon a time, Hannah wanted a partner and children, but it all seemed like a distant memory. Who’d want her after learning about her past? She heard the hospital staff after they flew her to Germany on her first night there. The two women thought her medicated as they went about fixing her IV’s and changing her gown.
“Don’t get me wrong, women have a place in the military. They don’t belong in the units with the men. She’s probably the reason why her buddies got killed. They died saving her. And what good came of it? Those assholes raped and tortured her anyway,” the first nurse rambled as she turned Hannah on her side and placed a pillow between her knees.
“A woman doesn’t ask for rape,” the second nurse argued. “I think it takes courage to work with a bunch of men in a male-dominated role. We don’t know her situation. They probably considered her the weak link and tortured everyone to get her to talk first. You don’t know she’s the reason the men died.”
“You and your liberal views. We can work in places like this and be safe. When a woman enlists in positions like hers, you’re only asking for trouble,” the first nurse scoffed.
The second one defended Hannah. “She has the right to defend her country. Just because she didn’t enlist as a female led profession doesn’t mean she deserved this.” The woman pulled the blanket over her and turned down the light as the first one left the room. She heard the woman approach the bed and whisper near her ear. “Don’t listen to her. She has a narrow mind.”
It didn’t matter. Hannah already recalled the moment when she informed her father of her decision to join the Army.
“How long do you think a little girl like you will last in basic?” he growled in his military voice.
“I won’t fail, sir,” she said, firmly.
“Ha,” he exclaimed as he threw up his hands. “Who recruited you? Maybe I can talk to someone and get you out of this little stunt.”
“I’ve already signed the paperwork and will leave on Friday,” she informed him.
“Friday?” he repeated as if the wind got knocked out of him.
“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll make you proud,” she assured him.
Her father didn’t say anything. Closing the door behind him, the disappointment drifted off of him in droves. Hannah realized she’d never be the son he wanted. It only firmed her resolution to prove him wrong. She excelled at basic and proudly announced when she learned they planned to ship her to Afghanistan. Surely her dad might respect her, knowing the dangers there.
When her parents appeared the following day, he stared at her with pity in eyes.Hannah let him down again.
CHAPTER 9
Cole smiledas he helped Mrs. Harper to a table and set her food tray before her.
“Here you go. Can I get you anything else?” he asked.
“No, you’ve done your job. I’m sure Ida Henkins will tell everyone she saw me with you. Maybe it’ll get Frank off his bum and he’ll finally ask me out. A girl my age can’t wait around forever.”
