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She studied the woman who had been there for her through thick and thin and never seemed to ever take offense at anything. An old memory came to her, one she had treasured since. Rosa was ministering her homemade chicken soup when Astraea had been struck by the flu, making her take fluids and rest, barring her from going to work.
Astraea crossed to her and took the hands that she offered. “Feeling better?”
“A little,” Astraea said, sitting on the chaise across from her.
She tightened her grip on her friend’s hands, and deep in her heart, Astraea knew that Rosa was her trusted and close friend. “I’m so happy you’re here.” She took a hard breath. “Not just because I so desperately needed you, but because I learned so much about myself through that terrible ordeal.”
“What kinds of things?” Rosa asked.
“Like how good you’ve been to me over the years and how I’ve never acknowledged you as a friend, not even to myself. But it’s true, Rosa. You are so important to me.” Astraea blinked back tears. “Do you know that you’re the only person who pursued my disappearance with the State Department, and because of your relentless contact, they sent a team of Navy SEALs to get me out?” She let go of Rosa only long enough to swipe at her tears. “Then, when I was a fugitive in a foreign country, your sister risked her life and that of her family to save mine and one of the SEALs I was with. Without her aid, we wouldn’t have made it.”
“She called me and told me that you were very kind. She, Hugo, and the twins fell in love with you. Your Jimmy Choos will feed them for two months and pay their rent.”
“It’s the least I’m going to do, Rosa,” Astraea said as the preliminary plans for her future started to germinate. “I’m going to change my life and I want you to be a part of it, but I don’t have anything concrete right now.”
Rosa smiled and squeezed Astraea’s hands. “That makes me very happy. You deserve more than that company, Jack.”
“No, call me Astraea. Not Jack. I’m not that person. I’ll never be that person again.”
The thought of starting out fresh and new and being dependent on no one but herself was a notion she found incredibly enticing. And there was always that deep-seated hope that maybe with a new purpose, new friends, a new kind of life that was all her own, she could finally escape the need to be anyone else than Astraea Devers. Throw off the guilt and shame and regrets that weighed heavily on her conscience, as well as the shadow of the past hanging over her.
“Okay, while you’re thinking about the future, I think we should get in my rental and storm the gates at Walter Reed. After what you told me, you have a right to see him before you go. I will stay with you through the funeral and go with you to your family for support if you wish.”
Astraea laughed softly. “I would love that. All of that.”
“Then go get dressed, woman. We’ve got a man to see.”
A half an hour later, Rosa and Astraea were standing at the gate arguing with the very rigid guard. “Ma’am, as I said before, you must have a military ID to get on the grounds. You will have to go to the NSA welcome center in the morning for a pass. Besides, visiting hours are over.”
“I can’t wait until the morning,” Astraea said. “I love him, please. I’ve got things going on all day and I must see Easy before I leave. Please, he saved my life,” she pleaded. “Don’t you believe in love? Don’t you believe that he has a right to see me, too?”
His stony face softened. “You are very persistent, ma’am.”
“Could you contact Lieutenant Michael Penn? He will clear this up.”
“What is the name of the sailor?”
Hope blossomed in Astraea. “Matthew Hitchcock.”
He sighed and said, “Wait here.”
He walked to the guardhouse and picked up the phone. She could hear him talking to several people until finally he said, “Lieutenant Penn?” He paused. “Yes, sir, I have two women here who are pretty persistent about seeing one of your team members, Matthew Hitchcock, sir.” He looked at the car and smiled. “Yes, sir, one of them has light brown curly hair and a stubborn disposition.” He listened some more. “Yes, sir. I’ll tell them.” He hung up and walked back to them. “Lieutenant Penn is on his way and yes, lady, I do believe in love.”
Finally, after another fifteen minutes to get there, she was in front of Easy’s room. Rosa was in the waiting room. She’d passed most of his teammates, warmed by their show of commitment to him.
“I pulled some strings with the doctor, but he’s adamant that you only stay for fifteen minutes,” Tex said. “Easy is heavily sedated. I’m not even sure he’ll remember you were here.”
She swallowed hard. “That’s all right. I just have to see him. What is his prognosis?”
“He didn’t need surgery on the bullet wound. It missed any organs, appearing to be a low-velocity round.”
“A sidearm,” she whispered.
“Yeah, that’s what they think. He does have a concussion, two cracked ribs, and many hematomas. But all of that will heal within four to six weeks.” He turned to go.
She touched Tex’s arm before he left. “I’m sure you’re aware of who your men are, but he’s amazing. He never wavered one bit, got me out of danger time and again fearlessly, but more importantly, he made an impact on me that changed my life. He has a big heart. I will never be able to find the words to explain how important his dedication and commitment means to me. You are lucky to have him.”
Tex rubbed at his bloodshot eyes. He looked wrung out, but he did have a man missing for five days with their mission objective, only to have to rescue him. She couldn’t even imagine how being in command would affect him, but it was clear he was concerned about his teammate. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
