“I had to make it seem as if I was their enemy rather than someone who needed their help.”
“Because you felt as though you were being watched.” Cassie nodded. “Yeah, he told me that part, too.”
“Your husband and his friends had every right to treat me the way they did,” Kaamisha admitted. “And I understand their hesitation to believe anything I have to say, but?—”
“Logan also told me how you helped Van after the plane crash landed.”
The unexpected praise took her completely off guard. “Logan…said that?”
“Mmhmm.” A soft smile lifted the corners of Cassie’s lips. “He said you sprang right into action as soon as you saw that Van was hurt, and that your only concern seemed to be making sure that he was okay.”
Her heart swelled a little, knowing one of the men on Van’s team had appreciated the help enough to pass along that part of the story to his teammate’s wife.
“He was so still and covered in blood. For a moment, I thought perhaps he was…” Kaamisha didn’t say the word. “Thankfully, Donov…um…Van was simply knocked unconscious.”
The shortened version of the enigmatic man’s name still felt foreign on her tongue. But his offer for her to refer to him as such seemed quite personal. Like the first stirrings of a sort of trust that was possibly beginning to form between them.
“You know, Kam…” Cassie started. “I haven’t always been the best judge of character when it comes to those in my personal life. And I might be making a mistake with you, but I don’t feel as though you are a threat to my family. I really hope you don’t prove me wrong.”
“I won’t.” Kaamisha shook her head in earnest. “You have my word.”
The two women shared a solemn look before Archer’s wife pulled in a deep breath and released it with a smile. “Good. Now, back to the clothes.” She changed the subject completely. “I know the outfit isn’t your usual custom, but I figured it would work until we can find you something different.”
“No, no, it’s fine,” she hurriedly assured her. “Really. When I am back home, in Afghanistan, I do adhere to tradition out of respect for the culture there.”And also out of fear.“But I’m not so strict with myself when I’m in the United States. I used to be, back when I first came to America to attend University. But I soon found I rather enjoy the fashion of your country. Plus, I don’t get nearly as many dirty looks or strange stares when I’m in a sundress or jeans.”
“No, I don’t imagine you do.” Regret filled the woman’s blue gaze. “I’m sorry about that. People can really suck sometimes.”
But Kaamisha merely laughed. “Yes, they can. Inallparts of the world.” She glanced down at the newly borrowed clothes once more. “I still can’t believe my luck that we’re almost exactly the same size. Thank you again.”
The faded jeans were a bit snug around her hips and toned thighs, but the white t-shirt and canvas shoes fit her perfectly.
“Of course.”
“And thank you again for allowing me to use your shower,” she added. “I can’t tell you how good it feels to finally be clean again.”
“I can only imagine what it was like going through all of that. First, the attack at the hotel, and then the crash…”
Kaamisha didn’t miss the haunted look that had flashed behind Cassie’s blue stare. “It must be hard being married to a man in such a dangerous line of work.”
“At times it is.” A flash of emotion crossed over the woman’s flawless features as she gave a slight nod. “But thework Archer and the others do…the way they help people in their darkest, most desperate moments of need…it makes it all worth it in the end.”
Her chest tightened as she studied the woman a bit closer. “You say that as if you know from personal experience.”
“That’s because I do,” Cassie admitted freely.
“We all do, actually.”
Hearing a voice she didn’t recognize, Kaamisha turned to see three other women standing just outside Cassie’s open bedroom door.
“Hi.” The petite brunette who stood in the front entered the room with a smile on her face and an outstretched hand. I’m Natalie Hayes.”
“You must be Logan’s wife.” Kaamisha returned the kind gesture. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kaamisha. But you can call me Kam.”
“Good to meet you, too, Kam. This is Ellie and Scottie.” She pointed to the other two women respectively. “Ellie is Lucky’s wife, and Scottie belongs to Chase.”
“Um, excuse me…” The adorable blonde who’d been introduced as Scottie frowned with a teasing tone. “I am my own woman, thank you very much.” And then, “Hi, Kam.” She smiled. “I’m Scottie. And as Cass pointed out, I’m the one who’s married to Chase.”
Married and, if the small bump at her lower belly was any indication, the woman was also a few months pregnant.
