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And I’m okay with that.
“… this weekend, if you’re up for it,” Kellen says, and I blink furiously, trying to remember what he just said.
“I’m sorry… what?”
“Bebe and Griff’s wedding is this upcoming Saturday, and I wanted to know if you’d be my date. I don’t know your schedule.”
“Yes, I’d love to go. I’m actually on shift, but I know someone who can cover me.”
“Perfect.” Kellen stands from the bench and pulls me up. “Now, tell the truth. How are you feeling physically?”
I take in a deep breath. “Lungs feel good.” I rotate my left shoulder. “Still a little sore, but nothing a few more ibuprofen won’t knock out.”
“Hmmm… not sure I believe you.” Kellen’s eyes gleam as he scoops me into his arms and starts back up the path. “I think I might have to examine every inch of your body, just to be sure.”
Laughing, I wrap my arms around his neck and hang on for the ride. No part of that offer sounds bad to me.
CHAPTER 16
Abby
It’s good to be back in the clinic. My mind has been mercifully occupied today by nonemergent visits. Allergies, vaccinations, one dental cleaning, and a stubborn husky that won’t leave porcupines alone so I spent a solid hour pulling quills from his snout.
The routine helps. I feel grounded again.
But I’ve got a lull until the next appointment in about an hour. Christy ran into town to meet a friend, and I’ve got nothing but time to get lost in thoughts again.
I glance over to the corner where Bubba and Princess sleep beside each other. They’ve become best pals in such a short time. Princess now has personality, and she’s regaining strength. Kellen is an angel for taking her.
Which makes me miss him all the more. He left this morning for an assignment to work private security for a politician. He’s only been gone a few hours, and I miss him already. He’ll be back late tomorrow night, but even that’s too long.
That’s just the woman in me who is completely enamored, though I know travel is part of his job. I won’t apologize for liking him so much that I pout when he’s away.
Kellen was surprised because he was initially offered an upcoming mission in Turkey. He wouldn’t tell me details because it involves operations that he called “black” and “off the books,” but he admitted it was dangerous and exactly the type of stuff he loves doing at Jameson. The mission was supposed to last a week to ten days, but he opted out because he’s still worried about Hellman. He asked Kynan to bypass him until things settled around here, and Kynan—who, by all accounts, is an amazing employer—agreed without hesitation. It helps that Jameson is apparently stocked with dozens of men and women who can easily step into Kellen’s slot.
Kellen is still worried about Levi Hellman, but I’m not.
Two days ago, Kellen and two of his Jameson mates descended upon Dr. Schoen’s property and outfitted it with high-tech security gear—motion-activated lights, infrared cameras, alarms, bells, whistles, and all manner of stuff that will either deter a trespasser or record them in the act. They didn’t hide this stuff either. The cameras are prominently positioned and signs have been posted at the driveway alerting anyone who pulls in that they are under surveillance. They even stapled signs to trees surrounding the entire twenty-seven acres.
It seemed overboard to me, but it was also incredibly sweet. I was worried about the cost, but Kellen assured me that Dr. Schoen approved it.
That caused guilt to flare in me because it’s an expense Dr. Schoen shouldn’t have to bear. It’s my fault that the security gear is needed, but Kellen told me not to worry about it.
Those two are thick as thieves now. He handled that dreaded call to Dr. Schoen about the barn and since then has been the point of contact on everything. I’ve only had one conversation with her, that day after I got home from the hospital. She fretted over the phone and ordered me to rest.
God, I feel terrible. She’s due back in the States in two weeks, and I intend to tell her the full truth. I can’t do it over the phone—it has to be face-to-face. I have to look her in the eye when I apologize.
The thought of that conversation makes me queasy. I’m so ashamed of what I’ve done. My actions almost cost the horses their lives, and it’s going to cost a lot of damn money to repair the barn and replace the ruined equipment, tack, feed, and other supplies that were stored in there.
The arson investigation is complete, but they said it would take up to thirty days to finish the report. Until such time, the insurance company won’t move to pay the claim. If it’s determined to be arson, insurance will deny payment, and I’m assuming that is what will happen.
