Sighing, I shake my head. “No, I’m sorry. I was just looking forward to more alone time for us. Go. You have women and children to save. One of these days you won’t be leaving me behind.”
“I love you, sweetheart. You’re the best and I will make it up to you.” His palm cups my cheek before taking my lips in a sweet kiss.
I want so much more, but there’s no time for that now. The urgency is pouring off him in waves. “I’ll hold you to that, honey. Be safe. I’ll be here when you get home.”
“God, I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of the sound of that.”
His words draw a smile from my lips. I don’t want him to worry about us while he’s in danger. “Me either, Tony.”
With one last, too brief kiss, he grabs his go-bag from the corner. I don’t know how I missed it sitting there. “Try to have some fun, baby.”
“I will.” I tell him, though I don’t really believe it. Instead, I see myself wandering around our new house alone. Or maybe I should go back to work early, too. I am sure there’s plenty to do on base since I’ve been gone for a week and Dr. David Thomson, who’s been covering for me, has his hands full. Yup, that’s what I’ll do. Busy is better than sitting at home wringing my hands like an old washerwoman.
By the time I’m out of the shower and dressed in my service khakis, since I don’t know if I’ll be seeing any patients and I have scrubs in the office I can put on if I need to. I stride into the kitchen to refresh my coffee and grab something to eat when the doorbell chimes.
It’s just after nine am but it’s too late for Tempest to stop by on her way onto base. Maybe a neighbor coming to welcome us? Leaving my mug on the island, I head toward the front door. A quick look through the peephole shows a short woman with shoulder-length strawberry-blonde hair. She’s wearing sunglasses. Even with the portion of her face I can see, I don’t recognize her, although I swear I’ve seen her hair color before and it’s so different I don’t know how I wouldn’t remember. She doesn’t look like a threat, other than annoying me when she tries to sell me something, so I pull open the door.
As she pulls her sunglasses from her face and gives me a quizzical look, I ask, “Can I help you?”
“I hope so,” she answers. Her voice is soft, with a definite Southern drawl. In fact, she sounds like home—Mississippi. “Are you Providence Sheridan?”
That she knows my name takes me by surprise. Maybe it shouldn’t. I’ve met hundreds of people over the years that I don’t remember, but surely I’d remember her.
Tilting my head to take a better look at her now that I can see her cornflower blue eyes, there is something familiar about her, but I can’t place her for the life of me.
“I am. Who are you?” Okay, that came out harsher than I’d planned, but that feeling is back. The one where my skin crawls and a shiver slips down my spine.
“Do you recognize me,” she asks in a voice that reminds me of sweet summer sun-filled days.
“No, I don’t. Maybe you’re looking for another Providence Sheridan.”
“You’re the right one. Can I come in so we can talk? I have a story to tell you, and I don’t think you’ll want to hear it on your doorstep,” she responds as she takes a step closer to the door. Maybe she thinks I’m going to close it in her face. She’s not wrong. The temptation to do exactly that is strong, but after a moment's hesitation, I step back and let her inside my house. It’s probably good Tony isn’t here. He’d be furious I let a stranger into the house. He forgets that I’m almost as well-trained as he is and can take care of myself.
“I was about to pour a cup of coffee. Would you like one?” I ask as I lead her into the kitchen.
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
“How do you take it?”
“Sweet and light, please,” she answers as she pulls out a chair at the island and sits down. I can feel her gaze on me, and that eerie feeling makes me reconsider my coffee. After I make hers, I go into the refrigerator and pull out a bottle of water. I’m jittery enough without extra caffeine. When my gut reacts this strongly to something, it’s usually a good idea to listen.
“Here you go. What’s this about a story? But first, who are you?”
“Oh my gracious, I’m so sorry. I should have led with that probably.” She takes a sip of her coffee and hums her approval. Then raises her gaze to mine and says, “I’m Amelia Rose Brown, but I go by Mellie.” It’s quiet as Mellie studies my expression.
I’m not sure what she’s looking for, but I sure as fuck don’t remember anyone named Mellie, not from my naval years or my life in Mississippi. It’s possible she might have been a neighbor’s kid, but other than her striking hair and eyes, I don’t have a clue.
“Okay, Mellie. Why do you think you know me?” I say, trying to hold the exasperation out of my voice. I don’t like surprises, and this feels like it’s going to be a whopper.
“Again, I’m sorry to just show up here. I was hoping you’d recognize me, although I’m sure I’ve changed. I’ve been searching for you for years. It’s just dumb luck that I found you now.”
“Searching for me? Why the hell would you do that? I don’t mean to be rude. But you show up at my door and act like you know me, when I don’t recall ever meeting you.” I drop into a chair at the other end of the island. I don’t like the vibes I’m getting.
Mellie doesn’t move for a moment, then slowly reaches into her crossbody purse resting in her lap. “After you see this, I think you’ll want to hear my story,” she says as she pulls a folded newspaper out of her purse. It’s old and yellowed, clearly not from this decade.
I reach for it as she slides it toward me. Glancing at her again, I unfold the paper and see a photo of two girls on the front page. I can feel the blood drain from my brain as I stare down at a photo of me and another girl who must be Mellie. It’s black and white, so I can’t see her hair color, but the girl’s light eyes are unmistakable. The headline above the photos readsKidnapped Girls Recovered.
Pushing the paper away, I grab the edge of the island as I try to blink away the dizziness. Panic drives me to my feet so quickly that the chair tumbles over onto the floor. To her credit, she stays in her chair. I’m not sure what I’d do if she approached me right now.
