Rescued by the Major (Winter Rescue)

12. Anders

12

ANDERS

Seeing the fear on Eve’s face when she saw her ex show up almost tore me in half. Every protective instinct I had rushed to the forefront in that moment, and I won’t deny the temptation to knock him out was there. But that’s not what my Eva needed. She needed to see she could face him and that she didn’t have to do it alone.

When the deputies arrived, we were all questioned, and Eva answered all their inquiries without faltering. We learned Mickey ran into the guy in town at the local diner, where they’d both been eating breakfast. Mick’s the kind of guy who’ll talk to anyone and when Gary mentioned he was worried about his girlfriend being stranded up on the mountain, Mickey offered to give him a ride. He had no idea Gary wasn’t supposed to go anywhere near Eva.

I felt bad for him. This whole experience had shaken his faith in his fellow man and he confessed he felt guilty for putting Eva through it all. She hugged him, and told him he did nothing wrong, then invited him into the cabin for coffee. Mickey left an hour later with a smile on his face and a promise to bring her some of the pie from the diner, because it was the best she’d ever have.

“You did great,” I say to her as she snuggles against my chest. Holding her tight, all the tension still running through me uncoils and I can finally take a deep breath.

“I was so scared when I saw him, Anders. It was like I was right back there again, that night.” She sighs, and her arms tighten around me. “I felt like a coward.”

“That was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen,” I tell her, guiding her head up until her eyes meet mine. “You were afraid, and you faced him. That’s courage, not cowardice.”

Her eyes go glassy with moisture, and I wipe away the tears as they start to spill free.

“Aw, don’t cry, sweetheart.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “I’m crying because that has to be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“Well don’t tell Max and Livvy that or you’ll ruin my reputation as the biggest grump they know.”

I’m rewarded with another laugh and that last little bit of worry in my chest slips away.

“Speaking of Max and Livvy,” she says as I lead her over to the couch and pull her down beside me. “They offered me a job. Working in Livvy's clinic and helping her run the animal shelter. They’re training service animals for veterans, now, and need more help managing everything.”

I nod and wait, feeling sure there’s more she wants to tell me.

“I'm going to accept their offer… starting in the New Year.”

Silence stretches between us. She shoots a hopeful glance at me, before looking down to where her fingers are twisted together in her lap. I take hold of her hands and wrap mine around them.

“I think that sounds like an amazing opportunity for you. It’s a job you’ll be amazing at. I have no doubt about that.”

Eva nods, but there’s a sadness in her eyes I don't like. I tell her what I need her to understand most. “I love you, Gracie. If this is what you want to do, I will support it any way I can. Even come with you, if that’s what you want.”

The smile that curves across her lips as I say that fills me with joy. “Are you sure?” she asks, her voice hesitant.

“If you want me there, I’ll be there.” I kiss her quickly, a fleeting peek at what I plan to do more of later. “Having you here made me see I was hiding from the world. I don’t want to do that anymore.”

“I don't want that, either. You’re amazing, Anders. People need the chance to know you.” She snuggles in closer to me, and I scoop her up, draping her over my lap so I can kiss her easier.

“Promise me one thing,” I whisper, and she smiles wider, waiting for me to continue. “That we’ll still come up here every once in a while. To remember how we met.”

She wraps her arms around my neck, and leans in, her lips hovering over mine. “I promise.”

We seal that with a kiss.