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I hold my breath and wait, but he takes too long, so I decide to try my other concern,onething Agent York and I did agree on.
“I’m scared that if we don’t fix this soon, they might come after the house. Cole is planning on getting himself taken by The American again.” I step closer to Derek. “You of all people saw what happened to me while he was gone. I can’t let that happen again, so you either help me, or I’ll figure it out my way.”
He shakes his head. “Why haven’t you gone to Cole about this?”
“Seriously?” I roll my eyes. “Have you met Cole?”
A tiny smirk graces his face. “Point taken. I’m sure if he could wrap you in bubble wrap, he would.”
“I’m thinking more a foam-padded room.”
Derek starts to pace in front of me. I can picture the wheels turning in his head.
“You know he will have me fired for helping you.”
“I won’t let that happen. You have my word.” I try to hide my smile. “Are you saying you’ll help me?”
“You haven’t left me a choice, have you? I say yes and get you there and back safely, or I say no and you leave and get yourself in a shit load of trouble. Either way, I’m fucked.”
I sag with relief. “Thank you, truly, Derek.”
“Fuck,” he hisses under his breath, “why couldn’t you have asked Keith?”
“He would have said no and tied me to the chair until Cole comes home.”
“Smart man.” He starts walking down the porch stairs. “Come on, we should get back. I’ll make some calls tonight. Be ready to leave for ‘town’ tomorrow morning. Leave your bag packed inside your bedroom. I’ll grab it on my way downstairs, and we’ll head out from there.”
“All right.” I nod. “Thank you again, Derek. I knew I could count on you,” I say, feeling my stomach twist into a painful knot. I don’t want to lie to Cole, and I certainly don’t want to leave him, but I will not stand by while he gives himself over to The American. This ends now.
I fold the letter and place it on Cole’s pillow, knowing I’ll get a few days’ head start before he sees it. Hopefully, Keith will not want to tag along today. Poor Keith. I know he’ll be upset, but I hope in time he’ll understand too.
I fling my purse over my arm and head downstairs.
“Good morning,” Abigail says, handing me a cup of coffee. “I never got to ask you, how was your visit with Cole at Camp Green Water?”
I slide onto the stool, wondering where Derek is. “It was really nice to see him. After seeing what he does there, you can bet I’ll never cut it as a Green Beret.”
“Ha! Me either, dear.” She laughs, cracking two eggs into the frying pan.
She starts talking as I hear a hissing sound off to my left and see Derek, waving for me to follow.
He mouths, “Time to go.”
I feel uneasy as I get to my feet. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified about leaving the grounds…leaving this town without Cole. Wrapping my arms around Abigail from behind, I give her a big hug.
“I love you, Abigail.”
“Oh, sweetie,” she coos, covering my hands with hers, “I love you too.”
I don’t let go and hold on an extra minute. “Please know I wouldn’t be who and where I am today if it wasn’t for you.”
She turns to look at me, but I back away, ducking my head. “I’ll be back later.”
I think she thinks I don’t want her to see I’m emotional, because she lets me leave without another word.
I’m almost to the door before Keith calls out my name.Damn, almost made it!I suck in a sharp breath and turn to look at him as he trots up to me.
“Hey, I was wondering if you’d like to come with me to pick up Cole later on in the week. He’d love it.”
