Chapter 4 #2
“Garrison Holt.” I grin as I take her hand, enjoying the way mine envelopes her much smaller one. The touch feels warm. But it’s more than that. There’s a part of me that relaxes the moment we make contact. As though my soul recognizes that she’s important.
I shake it off. That kind of stuff doesn’t exist in real life…does it?
Withdrawing my hand, I plant it firmly on my counter as she stares back at me. “So, uh, what did you bring me?”
“Oh! Right.” She starts unstacking the trays and setting them side by side on the counter.
“Um, sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits. You can keep them in the freezer and pull them out one at a time for breakfast. Thomas loves them, so I brought you about a dozen of them. Then there’s frozen burritos—bean and cheese. ”
She lifts the lid to one of the trays, revealing parchment paper-wrapped food stored in a freezer bag.
“Then, in this tray, I have a few freezer bags of meals I prepared. Teriyaki chicken and white chicken chili. Though, I just realized you may not have a crockpot to cook them in.”
“I have a crockpot.”
“You do?” She arches a brow, clearly surprised.
“Yeah. It’s saved me from having to get takeout more than once.”
She smiles, and it’s like a hit to my gut because, while that haunted look is still there, her hazel eyes shimmer with relief. “Good. I know it’s not much, but I wanted to help out. Especially since, well, you know.”
“This is amazing. You have no idea.” I smile back, and our gazes hold.
There’s no way for me to even put into words the tension between us, but it’s there. A delicate weight that feels so unbelievably right and is unlike anything I’ve felt before.
“Well, I’m glad.”
“You really didn’t have to do this, though.
” I start to run a hand over the back of my neck, only to be reminded by a sharp stabbing pain that lifting my arms is still not a great idea.
Slowly, I lower it back down, hoping she doesn’t take notice of my pain.
“Oh, and thanks for cleaning up my floor. You really didn’t have to do that, either. ”
“I don’t mind. I’ve gotten good at cleaning up—” Her eyes go wide, and she laughs awkwardly. “Messes. I’m good at cleaning up messes.”
But I can read between the lines.
And as soon as she speaks those words, the haunted look becomes clear.
It’s a look I’ve seen in the eyes of more kids than I care to count. That mask worn to hide fear. Pain.
Abuse.
Anger slips into my mind, momentarily blocking out anything else. Who hurt her? Is that why she’s here in Stormwatch Landing? Is he locked up? Did she run?
Easy, Holt. That’s not how you get answers.
I force that anger back down and take a deep breath. “Well, I appreciate it more than I can say. I was actually thinking about bringing you dinner. Maybe when I’m back on my feet, I can cook for you and your son.”
“That’s not necessary.” She waves her hand in dismissal.
“Please. It’s the least I can do. You did save my life, then cleaned up my apartment.”
“After I nearly cost you your life. I’d say we’re even.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Please. I insist. I make a mean lasagna. It’ll be a rain check for when I can actually stand that long, but I really would love to.”
Katelyn draws her bottom lip into her mouth and chews on it, a move that has my body reacting in a way I would really rather ignore. Keep it together, Holt.
“You know what, sure. But just a heads up, Thomas will be prepared to ask you a million questions about your time in the military. Apparently, all the kids talk about it at school. You and your friends are local legends.”
I laugh because I’ve heard the rumors. It’s hard not to when most of those kids come hang out at the community center after school. I’ve even met Thomas a time or two. “Yeah, well, I can set some of those rumors to rest.”
“You weren’t actually a Navy SEAL?”
“No, I am.”
She cocks her head to the side. “Are you still enlisted?”
“Once a SEAL, always a SEAL,” I reply, feeling that familiar pang in my gut.
I love my life now, and what I do makes a difference, but I always thought I’d get to retire as a soldier.
Even though I’ve technically been out for six years, it still felt like I was enlisted until we were officially released two weeks ago.
“Got it.” Katelyn offers me another smile. “Well, I’d better get going. I need to make sure Thomas is ready for bed.” She starts toward the door, but I step in front of her.
The way she recoils confirms my suspicions, and guilt immediately snakes through me.
“Sorry.” I move out of the way without hesitation, putting distance between us so she doesn’t feel caged in.
“I just wanted to say thanks. For everything. You’ve done so much for me, and we don’t even know each other. ”
“Kindness doesn’t need familiarity,” she replies. “I wanted to help, so I did. Goodnight, Garrison.”
“Goodnight, Katelyn.”
She heads toward the door and slips out.
After crossing over, I open it and lean out, watching as she disappears into her place.
Only when she’s inside do I close and lock the door.
As I head back into the kitchen to rinse dishes, I note that the spare key I’d given to Anastasia for emergencies is sitting on the counter beside the trays of food.
Even though I know it’s foolish, there’s a part of me that wishes Katelyn had taken it with her.