Page 3 of Her Loving Hero

“I’ve cleaned the latrine for a barracks of forty men.”

“What does that have to do with cleaning up garbage?”

“I’m thinking we have something extra special waiting for us in the back of the van,” he said reluctantly.

“Like what?”

“All I know, is that Brant took a look and sat elsewhere.”

“Eww,” she wrinkled her nose. “It must be bad.”

“Yep,” he sighed.

“In that case, thank you. This time I’m buying the coffee.”

Have mercy!

Emily hustled out of the van while Wyatt whistled his way to the toolbox that also contained latex gloves, industrial spray cleaner, a plastic garbage bag and paper towels. He’d seen the look on Brant’s face when he’d originally chosen to sit in the back seat of the van. There was something in the back seat that was probably a biohazard, because he’d quickly moved up a seat.

Wyatt grinned and winced at the same time as he snapped on the blue latex gloves.

“Hello Miss July, it is a damn shame what some young boy did to you.” He picked up the corner of the soiled magazine and dumped it in the sack. Then he wiped up the back of the van seat and the floor with the bleach and paper towels.

Yep, there wasn’t a chance in hell he wanted Emily anywhere near this.

He carried the bag with the gloves and evidence out and found the pretty blonde waiting for him. She raised her eyebrow. “So, was it as bad as you thought?” she asked.

“Typical teenage hormones. But nothing I want a lady to have to deal with. Let me dispose of this garbage sack and wash my hands, then you can buy me coffee.”

For a brief second, he saw a look of sorrow flash over her face, but it was quickly masked by an over-the-top smile.

“Well, thanks for saving me. But that’s what you Navy SEAL’s do. You save me.” She did an about face and walked quickly into the YMCA building.

Dammit. She’d been doing so well. Damn teenagers.

Wyatt made a quick stop to the side of the building to the dumpster and threw away his bag, then walked slowly toward the building, trying to think of a way to make Emily smile again. How could he get her to not think about that awful time in Saudi Arabia when she’d been raped by those animals? Especially since he was part of the SEAL team that got her back to the states. He might not have been on the ground in the Middle East, but his voice had carried over the receiver, so he was still part of that nightmare.

Fuck.

He pushed open the door and was met with a blast of air conditioning and Emily’s hands on his chest.

“I’m sorry Wyatt. I overreacted. I’ve got my head on straight now.”

He searched her face. Her eyes were steady and calm, and she gave him a reassuring smile.

How did she do that? How was she able to pull herself together like that?

“Hey Wy! How’s it hanging?” He looked over Emily’s head at the woman sitting behind the circular reception desk, as Emily jerked her hands away. Halindra was an institution at the center. Apparently, she was one of the first employees and had been manning the front desk ever since.

“It’s going great,” he called out.

They walked over to the smiling woman. “Can I get a rundown on a couple of the kids?” he asked.

“Sure Sugar, whatever you need. When you going to come in wearing your uniform? That sure would be a sight for sore eyes.” Her big brown eyes turned to Emily. “Wouldn’t you like seeing your man in his dress whites?”

Wyatt watched as Emily blushed. “He’s not my man, Halindra. We’re just friends.”

“If I were you, I’d take him out of the friend’s column. I’ve got an eye for good man, and he’s prime.”