A Christmas Call of Duty (Sweet Christmas Kisses)

11. Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Colt

T he shrill ring of my phone jolts me awake, and I fumble for it on the nightstand. I squint at the screen. 0530. Who would be calling at this hour? "Sergeant Ralston," I answer, my voice still rough with sleep.

"Sergeant, this is Major Thompson. Sorry for the early wake-up call."

I sit up straight, instantly on alert. "No problem, sir. What can I do for you?"

"I'll keep this brief. You've been selected for a special assignment. I'll need you to report to base after the holiday for a full briefing."

My mind races. A special assignment? What kind of special assignment? "Understood, sir. I'll be there."

"Good. Enjoy your New Year's, Sergeant. You've earned it."

The line goes dead, leaving me with a knot in my stomach. What if I go back and receive orders to deploy? I fall back onto my pillow, knowing there's no chance I'll fall back asleep after that. My thoughts are a jumbled mess, and all I can think about is Shay and last night’s kiss.

One hot shower and two cups of coffee later, I go for my morning run to clear my head. Last night was the first time I’ve been out with a woman in longer than I can remember. And now that there’s a chance she might start seeing me as more than a friend, the last thing she needs is for another person in her life to let her down. I arrive at the community center around one, still feeling torn. But if military training has taught me anything, it's how to compartmentalize. I push my personal feelings aside and remind myself that tonight is about the fundraiser. And helping my team. Now is not the time to let my emotions call the shots.

Not that it does me any good because as soon as I step inside, I'm hit with a second wave of anxiety. The room is packed with people rushing around to set up. I spot Shay across the room, her blonde hair pulled back in a messy bun as she directs the ongoing flow of traffic, and let her voice slowly bring me back. "Colt! Over here," she calls out, waving me toward her. "Can you help Tyler hang that banner?"

I don’t know why, but I guess a part of me expected our first encounter of the day to be a little more… awkward? But clearly, Shay’s get her head in the game. Looks like I’m not the only one who knows a thing or two about compartmentalizing.

I nod, grabbing one end of the "Bark in the New Year" sign. As Tyler and I work, I can't help but steal glances at Shay. I know I need to tell her about the assignment, but when? How? The last thing I want is to upset her right before the fundraiser kicks off.

We continue working for the next three and a half hours until the community center is completely transformed into a winter wonderland. "Great work, Ralston," Tyler says, clapping a hand over my shoulder. "Time to get cleaned up and get this party started."

The rest of the guys and I use the bathrooms down the hall to get cleaned up while the girls run home to change, and soon after I'm decked out in my military best, the community center starts filling with guests.

The "Bark in the New Year" event is in full swing when Shay finally arrives. And man, does she know how to make an entrance. She's wearing a strapless black sequin dress, and her long blonde hair falls over one of her shoulders in an elaborate braid that somehow manages to look elegant while being messy at the same time. My eyes follow her neckline down to her very delicate, and very kissable collarbone. When I look up, she's staring right at me with a smirk. Busted.

I pitch back a sheepish grin as I make my way to the blackjack table to relieve Donny while he helps Lisa at one of the poker tables. This night is turning out to be everything we hoped for and more. Too bad I'll be spending it stressed about how I’m going to break the news to Shay about a new assignment.

A familiar voice interrupts my brooding. "Looking sharp, son."

I turn to see my parents decked out for the occasion. Dad is in his dress blues with a chest gleaming with medals, and Mom's wearing a floor-length emerald gown that matches her eyes. "You clean up nice yourself, old man," I say, reaching out a hand.

Dad takes my hand in a firm grip and leans in. "And don't worry about your brother. He decided to head back to base and celebrate with the guys at your mother’s suggestion. Tonight is your night, Colt. You earned it."

I nod, giving them both a look of understanding. “Thanks, Mom.”

"Well," she says, "Don’t just stand there and gawk. How about giving your mother a spin?"

I offer her my arm. "It’d be my pleasure, ma'am."

As we step onto the dance floor, I feel some of my earlier tension melt away. Who knows, with Mom and Dad here to keep me company, and Zane not around to crash the party, maybe tonight won't be so bad after all. But midway through our dance, something catches my eye. It's Shay. I watch as she frantically darts between groups of guests. She looks worried.

My senses go on high alert as I excuse myself and make my way over to her. "Hey, you okay? What’s going on?"

She whirls around with wide eyes but talks in almost a whisper. "Umm, not exactly. We have a major problem. I can't find Nugget."

I take a step back and start scanning the floor with my eyes. Nugget is one of the shelter puppies who also just happens to be way too curious for her own good. She's still not old enough to adopt, but Shay was planning on using her for the kissing booth at midnight. My mind immediately shifts into problem-solving mode. "Okay, let's just think for a minute. We should probably do a full search of the perimeter. But we're going to need more manpower if we want to find her before people start catching on."

"I think we can manage that," she says, scanning the room for Tyler and then waiving him over. Shay fills Tyler in on the situation, and Tyler recruits help from the mayor while I round up my mom and dad, then pull Donny and Lisa from their post at the poker table.

"Listen up everyone, we've got a missing puppy. A two-month-old golden retriever. Goes by the name Nugget." I announce to the rest of the search team. "I need everyone to partner up. Donny and Lisa, you take the northwest corner. Mom and Dad, you take the northeast. Tyler and the mayor can take the southwest, and Shay and I will take the southeast. As soon as someone finds her, return her to the kissing booth area and let the rest of us know. Any questions?"

Everyone shakes their heads no, and we split up with each team methodically combing their assigned area.

It doesn't take more than five minutes before Shay and I look over to see Lisa fishing a wiggling yellow ball of fur out from under one of the buffet tables. "Crisis averted," Shay says after a long sigh of relief. "Let's see how long we can manage without another.”

I let out an uneasy laugh. If only she knew.

Shay meets Lisa and Donny back at the kissing booth station to retrieve the lost package while I call off the rest of the search party, then make my way over to the donation tracking board on the south wall. The total seems promising for our first event. We've already raised over $15,000, and we're only halfway through the evening. But the shelter is still a long way from its $350,000 goal. My stomach churns as I think about the possibility of leaving soon.

Just then, I spot Tyler by the refreshment table and walk over, ready for a distraction from my thoughts.

"How's it going, man?" Tyler asks, handing me a glass of punch.

"Good, good," I reply automatically. I hesitate, then add, "Actually, there's something I need to—" But then I stop myself. As much as I want to tell him about my phone call this morning, it wouldn't be right for Tyler to find out before Shay does. "Never mind, brother. I’ll tell you later. Good thing we found that dog before someone else did," I say, forcing a smile.

Tyler gives me a curious look but doesn't press it any further. "Yeah, that was a close call. But hey, the night is young. Still plenty of time to make that bread, right?"

I nod, hoping he's right.

Fortunately, the rest of the night goes off without a hitch, and I glance at my watch as Shay and I take our positions at the kissing booth. 2355. It’s almost time. Nugget's tail wags non-stop as guests line up for a New Year's kiss, and Shay kneels to lift her up and place her on the table.

"Looks like we finally made it," I say, trying to break the tension.

Shay looks up at me, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Yeah, we did."

Our eyes lock, and I feel that old familiar pull. It’s the same one I felt last night. And the same one I've been fighting all day. The countdown begins in the background, but it feels distant. Right now, my world has narrowed to this booth, this moment, this… amazing woman. Shay's blonde hair catches the light, and I resist the urge rake my lips across the nape of her neck.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!"

"Ready for the rush?" she asks, gazing deep into my eyes.

"Seven! Six! Five!"

"Ready as I'll ever be," I reply, my eyes dropping back down to her perfectly heart-shaped mouth.

"Four! Three! Two!"

My heart races as we lock eyes again. There's something behind them I haven't seen before, a vulnerability that makes it hard to breathe. For a split second, I imagine letting myself close the distance between us and tasting her sweet lips one last time before the clock strikes midnight. But guilt in my gut twists like a vice, and it’s enough to hold me back.

"One!"

The countdown reaches zero, and cheers erupt around us. Shay's still looking at me with a question in her eyes, and I want nothing more than to answer it. To pull her close and forget about everything else. But I don’t.

"Happy New Year!" The crowd's excitement is palpable, but I'm frozen in place, torn between duty and desire.

Shay's smile falters, and I watch as confusion spreads across her face. I open my mouth, wanting to explain. But as the first guest in line steps up to the booth, the moment is lost. We work through the line, stealing glances at one another between puppy kisses. There’s a tension between us that feels like it's electrically charged, and I’m not sure or it a good thing or bad.

Finally, the last guest leaves and she turns to me, her blue eyes searching mine. "Colt, I—"

"I have to tell you something," I blurt out, cutting her off.

Her hopeful expression shifts in an instant. Behind her, through the wall of windows, fireworks explode, but all I can focus on is Shay’s beautiful face and the rapid beating of my own heart.