She sat back in the front seat and put her hands over her very full stomach, trying not to be resentful of Mr. Washboard no matter what he ate. She’d probably gainedfivepounds after that monstrosity of pie, ice cream, whipped cream, and caramel—with a cherry on top, of course. And that was after the chicken-fried steak.
If she’d been hoping for one of the hipster-version country kitchens that had popped up in some parts of the country, she was to be disappointed. Annie’s Country Kitchen was good ol’ country-fried everything with not a grain of quinoa or leaf of kale to be seen.
It had been delicious.
But now they were back in the car heading... south.
Back to DC, Natalie assumed. She’d known shewouldn’t be able to delay him taking her in forever—even with the baby—and the attempt on their lives had only hastened the inevitable. She didn’t have any reason to be upset. He’d protected her family, which is more than she should have asked from him. She knew what helping her could cost him.
And even though Scott might be helping her, she did not delude herself that he was ready to forgive and forget. He obviously thought she was still hiding something.
Besides, with a man like Scott, she wasn’t even sure “forgive and forget” was possible. Her betrayal had hit him in the place that was the most important to him. Not just his pride, but the pride he took in his job. She knew how much being a SEAL officer meant to him. With his background he could have done anything. He could have been making millions as an investment banker somewhere and hanging out on golf courses and in private clubs.
But he’d chosen a different path. A path that was all his own. He’d told her the story of the family friend who’d recognized his strengths in high school and had encouraged him to think about the military. She knew how his parents had been surprised but supportive. And she also knew how proud Scott was of all he’d accomplished on his own—without his family’s influence or money.
He had a right to be proud of all he’d achieved and the bright future that he seemed destined for.
Destined for until she’d entered his life, that is. He’d never talked about what came next—he was too focused and happy being a SEAL—but once or twice he’d mentioned something (usually in frustration) about needing people who actually understood how wars were fought and how to use the military effectively being in position to make policy decisions. She knew he wanted to be one of those people.
He had the right stuff, and she wasn’t the only one to see it. Once after a meeting, she’d overhead the secretary of defense and her boss talking about Scott and that command was expecting “big things” from him.
By helping her, he was putting that future even more in jeopardy. And if things went wrong... Her heart squeezed. He would have every right to blame her.
He’d seemed relaxed at their late-night dinner, but now that they’d been driving for a while, she could tell he was anxious about something. He kept tapping his thumbs on the steering wheel and glancing at the phone in the console between them.
“Are you expecting a call?” she asked.
He frowned. “Yes, from Kate. I got ahold of Colt, and he was supposed to have her call me. I hope nothing is wrong.”
It was clear he had a very particular kind of wrong in mind.
“From what you told me about their divorce, I’m surprised they can stand to be in the same room together.”
“Yeah, it hasn’t been easy on her the past month having to spend time with him again, while trying to figure out what happened with my blown op.”
She heard what he wasn’t saying. He was blaming himself for getting her involved. “It’s not your fault, Scott. From what you’ve told me of your sister, she would have never forgiven you if you hadn’t gone to her for help. That’s what people who love each other do.”
The irony of her words was not lost on her. That was what she should have done. But she hadn’t trusted that he’d returned that love. He’d never told her that he loved her, but looking back she thought he had.Hadin the past tense.
The enormity of what she’d lost hit her hard. It was too late for regrets, but that didn’t mean she didn’t still feel them.
She covered up the sudden awkwardness that had sprung up between them by picking up the phone and handing it to him. “You should call her.”
Normally she wouldn’t encourage someone to use a cell phone while driving, but the two-lane highway they were on was deserted—and breaking cell phone laws was the least of their problems.
“It’s after midnight.”
“She won’t care.”
He must have agreed because he made the call. Natalie tried to keep up with his half of the conversation, but it was clear that Colt hadn’t passed on Scott’s message. It was also clear that Kate wouldn’t say why, and Scott’s “What the hell did he do to you?” summed up what he assumed happened.
It was also clear that Kate wasn’t talking. She shut down his protective-brother instincts so fast Natalie wished she could have heard how she’d done it. With guys like Scott who were used to giving orders and having them followed, that was a useful tool to have in the toolbox.
Natalie wasn’t exactly pretending not to listen to his conversation, but her ears really perked up when—after explaining what had happened and assuring Kate that he was fine (no, his shoulder hadn’t opened up again)—he told her that he needed a place to hole up for a while.
Hole up? Startled, Natalie’s gaze shot over to him. But he didn’t notice. He was concentrating on the road and on his sister. Whatever Kate’s response was to his request, it was clear he didn’t like it. His expression got that stony look that Natalie hated, and his flexed jaw was about as yielding as El Capitan.
“I was thinking more along the lines of a safe house,” he said.
