Page 66 of Finding Love

By the time they walked out of the bathroom, only a handful of agents and cleaning staff were left in the house.

“What happened to John?” she asked after Ryder handed her a glass of water.

“Sit.” He motioned to the chair. “I’ll go find out.”

Shortly after Ryder had disappeared, one of the female agents sat next to her.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Better.” She took another sip of the water.

“We’ve got an ambulance standing by if you need to be looked over.”

“No.” Brook shook her head. “Really, it was just a scratch. Ryder cleaned and dressed it. I’m okay.”

The woman nodded. “They’ve taken John Reginald into custody. Hearing that, Mark Lindgren has cut a deal in exchange for a lighter sentence.”

Brook turned towards the woman. She remembered seeing her earlier, but now, she really looked at her.

She was roughly Brook’s age and around her own height and build. Her long straight black hair and deeper skin tone were an obvious hint of her American Indian heritage.

“I’m Dakota Blackfeather.” She held out her hand. “I’m the lead agent. I’ve been working this case for almost a full year. Ever since I was contacted by Bryan Ericson and Faith Reginald.”

Brook shook the woman’s hand. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

The woman’s smile slipped a little. “I’m sorry that my agents allowed John to slip in and hurt you.” She motioned to Brook’s side.

“No apology needed. How did he get in?”

“There you are. I was just looking for you to get an update,” Ryder said. He shook Dakota’s hand.

“I was just filling Brook in,” Dakota said to Ryder.

When Ryder sat beside Brook, Dakota finished telling them how John had attacked the agent standing guard in the garage. He had once again slipped onto the point by means of one of the neighbor’s properties. This time, they had found a small motorboat three docks down at a property that was closed up for the summer.

“For all the security on the Point, this is the second time someone’s broken in,” Ryder said with a sigh. “I guess it’s a good thing we’re leaving soon,” he said to Brook.

“Ryder’s filled me in on your new place in Pride,” Dakota said just as her phone rang. Before answering, she held out her hand. “It was nice meeting you,” she said to Brook.

Brook shook her hand. “If you’re ever in Pride…”

Dakota nodded and smiled, then stepped away to answer the phone.

Just watching the woman suddenly made Brook feel inadequate. All those years she’d trained to work with the coast guard. Sure, she couldn’t pass that one last test, thanks to her hemophobia. But over the past few years, she’d allowed that excuse to stop her from doing other great things.

With her training, she could do or be anything. So she couldn’t be active duty and out on the water with the rest of the crew. That didn’t stop her from doing other things. But what?

“Are you okay?” Ryder asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“I…” She took a deep breath. “I think I want a change.”

She watched his eyebrows shoot up, and a worried look cross behind his eyes. “A change?”

She took his hand, then tugged on his arm until he followed her out to the quiet backyard.

Willy followed them outside and rushed to chase some birds out of the yard.

Sitting down, she held onto Ryder’s hand.

“I need a career change. For as long as I could remember, I’ve wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps.”

“Coast guard?” Ryder asked, then his frown grew.

“Yes, but I could never pass the first aid portion of the exams, thanks to my hemophobia.” She sighed. “I let that stop me from doing other things. I’ve always felt like if I couldn’t get what I’d wanted my entire life, then…” She shrugged. “I fell into a pattern. I guess it was easy for me to work with my mother instead. It paid the bills and was, well, easy.” She chuckled. “But I want more of a challenge now.” She turned slightly towards him. “I plan on being very busy for the next year, remodeling and making our home.” His smile grew. “But when that’s done, I’d like to start something new. I don’t know what just yet, but…” She took a deep breath.

“Hey.” He pulled her close. “Whatever it is you decide. I’ll…” He stopped and looked over as Willy plopped down at their feet. “Correction, we’ll be right beside you.”