Chapter 15 #2
“Yeah. She’ll have fencing and strength-training equipment in the gym.
She’s trying to work with the city and YMCA to get pool time.
She does want to eventually buy horses the kids can train with, and of course they can run anywhere, but she’s heading out with Julio and Marie tomorrow to look at some land where they want to make a cross-country course and laser-shooting stations. ”
“It’s good that she’s not going alone,” Lefty observed.
“I asked that she not go anywhere by herself until we had a handle on the online threats,” Doc told his friends.
“If you need help with anything, all you have to do is let us know,” Trigger said.
“I know, and I appreciate it.”
“And I’m sure Ghost and his team would help as well.”
Doc nodded. “I’m planning on talking to him soon.”
“No offense, but is having a girlfriend who’s so damn famous worth it?” Grover asked.
Doc didn’t even have to think about his answer.
“Definitely. I admit, at first I couldn’t imagine how in the world it would work.
She’s instantly recognized, and I’m in a profession where we do our best to fly under the radar at all times.
But honestly, when we’re out in public, no one even looks twice at me.
And Ember isn’t hung up about her fame in the least, or her looks.
I’ve barely seen her wear makeup since she’s been here.
She’s been one hundred percent focused on opening her gym. ”
“For what it’s worth…she’s the coolest famous person I know,” Brain said with a grin.
“You don’t know any other famous people,” Oz told him with an eye roll.
“Right, so that still makes her the coolest famous person I know,” Brain insisted.
“She gonna continue to work out with us?” Lucky asked.
“I hope so,” Doc said. “She said she enjoys it. That it’s nice to work out and know she doesn’t have to impress a coach or worry about a fellow athlete looking for weaknesses to exploit.”
“That’s true,” Lefty said with a nod.
“Will you thank her for me for going to visit Riley yesterday?” Oz asked.
“Of course. But I think it was good for Ember too,” Doc told his friend. “She told me that they had a great time visiting and chatting about nothing in particular. They’ve already made a date to get together again in a few days.”
“Bria told me last night that she wants to learn how to be a pentathlete,” Oz said with a grin. “Logan’s too busy and infatuated with baseball, but I think Ember has already converted Bria.”
“Good,” Doc said with a smile.
Trigger looked at his watch. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m beat. I’m ready to call it done and go see what my wife’s been up to today.”
Everyone agreed, though Grover stopped Doc before he left the room. After saying goodbye to the others, he turned to his friend. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted you to know that if you need help watching over Ember, all you have to do is ask. I need to stay busy right now, and since the others are all occupied with their wives and families, I’m happy to volunteer.”
Doc put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Thanks, Grover, that means the world to me.”
“I just don’t want her to disappear like Sierra. I know it’s weird that I’m as concerned about this woman as I am, but I can’t help it. There was something between us when we met, and the not knowing is torture.”
“You don’t have to convince me you have a connection,” Doc said honestly.
“I’m the last person to judge you for being attracted to someone you only saw a few times.
Outside our circle, people probably wouldn’t understand how I can go from being single to wanting to spend every free moment with Ember in a span of days.
They’d probably think I’m using her for some asinine reason.
But that’s not it at all. She’s different from anyone I’ve ever met, and I can’t imagine her disappearing without a trace. ”
Grover nodded. “I know I’ve been moody lately, but for the record, I like Ember. She’s good for you.”
“I hope I’m good for her too,” Doc said with a chuckle.
“You are.”
“Thanks. And I’ll definitely take you up on your offer if I need to.”
“Good.”
“Grover?”
“Yeah?”
Doc paused, thinking hard about what he wanted to ask his friend…and ultimately felt he needed to. “Do you really think she’s still alive?”
“Yes. And I know that’s crazy, because she’s been missing for so long, but something deep down inside tells me she’s out there.
Waiting for someone to find her. And that’s what hurts the most. Here,” Grover said, putting his hand over his heart.
“I can’t stop thinking about what she may have endured over the last year. It literally makes me sick.”
“We’re going to do everything we can to find her,” Doc told his friend.
“And you’re right, most people probably think she’s dead and buried in a cave somewhere in the mountains of Afghanistan, but we’ve all seen some pretty miraculous things in our time.
If you think she’s out there, then she’s out there.
I’ll support you however I can, and I’ll talk to Trigger and see if he can’t pressure the commander a bit to let us do more than we’re already doing…
which is a lot of sitting around and waiting for information to trickle down from over there. ”
“I want to go to Afghanistan and look into things myself,” Grover admitted quietly.
Doc didn’t let his surprise show on his face. “I thought that’s what Trigger was pushing for.”
“He’s trying to get the commander to agree to send all of us. I want to go by myself,” Grover clarified.
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea,” Doc said quietly. “We work as a team.”
“I know, but the seven of us don’t exactly go unnoticed when we head into a situation.
Once we’re on the hunt, we can fade into the background, but when we first arrive?
Everyone has a pretty good idea who we are and why we’re there.
If I go over alone, I can talk to the soldiers on the base and get their impressions of what’s going on.
I’d be able to talk to the contractors—those who are still there—and get their take on things.
See what info I can get on Shahzada and if he’s even involved, like we think he is.
I might even be able to talk one-on-one with the base general, see if I can read him better in person than we can from those damn reports and emails. I need to do this, Doc.”
“How long are you thinking?”
“Maybe a week. Not forever. I’ll see what intel I can find out, and if I think it’s worth having more boots on the ground to shake Shahzada out of whatever tree’s he’s hiding in, you guys could join me.”
Doc had to agree that Grover’s plan had merit. “Have you talked to Trigger?”
“I’m going to, but I was hoping maybe you could have some words with him too…let him know you support the idea.”
“I can do that,” Doc told him.
“I’d appreciate it. And, Doc? I’m truly happy for you and Ember.”
“Thanks.”
Grover gave him a chin lift in return and the two of them headed out of the conference room and down the hall.
Doc pulled out his phone and shot off a quick text to Ember, checking on how things were going.
He needed to stop and pick up their dinner, then hopefully he’d have time to get everything set up at his house before she arrived.
Ember: Today was amazing! There’s one more parent we’re waiting on, then I should be on my way home. Are you done for the day?
Doc: I’m about to head out now.
Ember: Great. Need me to stop and pick up anything?
Doc: Nope. Shoot me a text when you leave, and make sure security walks you to your car.
Ember: You find out something that I should be concerned about today?
Doc: Not specifically. We’ll talk later.
Ember: Okay.
Doc: Be safe. Love you.
Ember: I will. Love you too. Later.
Doc: Later.
Doc put his phone in his pocket and tried to ignore the way the back of his neck itched. He sometimes got the same feeling when they were on a mission and something didn’t seem right. It usually happened right before the shit hit the fan.
But Ember was fine. He was good. As far as he knew, everyone on his team was okay as well.
He was probably just overly sensitive right now because of the threats on Ember’s posts.
The words he’d seen directed at her were hateful, poisonous, and hard to get out of his head.
He’d just found Ember; he couldn’t lose her.
Shaking off his uneasiness, Doc did his best to concentrate on the mini-celebration he’d planned for tonight.
He was proud of how much she’d accomplished in such a short period of time.
She’d worked her ass off, and he had no doubt her gym was not only going to be successful, but it would be a positive change for their community as well.
Giving kids who’d never otherwise have a chance to ride a horse, learn to swim, fence, or even shoot was ambitious and generous, particularly when she was footing most of the bill for the participants.
Doc hadn’t sat down and discussed money with Ember, but he knew she had more than enough to cover any business expenses that might pop up for a long time to come.
Feeling lighter as he climbed into his vehicle, Doc knew it was because he would see Ember soon.
He loved his job and the men he worked with, but there was something incredibly soothing about having a partner, someone you could talk to and share your hopes and fears with and not be judged for them.
Not that his team judged him, not even close, but he knew Ember would always support him without reservation. Just as he’d do for her.
Ember couldn’t stop smiling. Not only had opening day gone well, but Craig had surprised her with an amazing dinner—and cake too! Okay, cupcakes, but they were really just pieces of cake portioned in bite-sized pieces.
Now she was sitting on his couch, wrapped in his arms, and she’d just finished telling him about the amazing girls and boys who had been at her gym today, and how everything had gone.