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“In this case, I am. Because the rumor involvedme.” Better to put it out there since he had nothing to hide.
“You?”
“There’s absolutely no truth to it. We happened to be at the grill on post at the same time and spoke to each other.”
“Even if it’s false rumors, Mateo clearly doesn’t trust his wife. He has to make a choice.”
“Even though 7thGroup would be a fresh start, he wants to stay here for family reasons.”
“I can’t have him deploy if his focus is here rather than on the mission.”
“I agree. But I’d like to see how things shake out before we make a decision that can’t be undone.”
“I understand you wanting to give him another chance, but it’s not just your neck on the line if this goes south. I’m responsible for what happens under my command.” McKittrick remained silent for several seconds, then sighed long and loud. “And it goes beyond this incident with Mateo. With what happened previously in the unit, all eyes are on you. There could be more rumors—now that you’re single. And sympathetic.”
The general’s tone turned Graham’s blood cold. “Sir?”
“We’d discussed plans to keep you here beyond your initial assignment for continuity, but we need to look at posting options for you.”
Graham had made plenty of moves throughout his career. While he’d never minded it, the idea of leaving Fort Liberty and starting over again on his own dredged up a fresh wave of grief. He’d always had Bethann at his side. And for years, the kids.
When Graham was offered command of the elite Green Beret unit, it had been a no-brainer decision to return to Fort Bragg, now renamed Fort Liberty. His daughter and her husband were already here and would be long-term since his son-in-law served in 3rdGroup. Then, his son chose the 82ndAirborne, also based here at Liberty. Having the family all based at the same post had been a miracle and a blessing.
He also loved this posting. In large part because of the caliber of men he commanded. “What other alternatives are there?” Graham asked.
“Where would you like to go? Vincenza? South Korea? Back to Fort Lewis?”
No. No! And no. His son had just returned from his first overseas deployment. Graham didn’t want to be across the country, much less an ocean, while they were still trying to find a new normal without Bethann. Outside of an opportunity with USSOCOM at MacDill in Florida, he wanted to stay with his family here at Fort Liberty. Joint Special Ops Command was here and a good fit. He also hoped to utilize his decades of experience by teaching and developing the next generation of problem solvers through the JFK Special Warfare Center and School eventually. That both were here at Liberty and he wouldn’t have to relocate, other than down the street, made it worth a shot. “JSOC or Swick.”
“Don’t we all. Those slots tend to be invitation only.”
“What options keep me here? In my current position.”
McKittrick drummed his fingers on his desk. “Have you thought about getting remarried?”
“I, uh, haven’t even thought about dating.” First, Bryson, and now the general with the same outlandish suggestion? He needed to get Mateo and any other men in his unit with doubts to trust him. Would marriage lessen their concerns when both the prior commanders were married and still messed around with the wives of men under their command?
“I understand the first year’s the hardest, but it’s been over a year and a half since Bethann died,” McKittrick said.
“It’s not like you hit a period of time and things magically get better.” The first six months had been crushing. It was getting better, but the grief still came in waves, like with each milestone. First birthdays—his, hers, the kids. Their anniversary. Every holiday. He’d made a brief appearance at last year’s military ball—alone. That had been harder than he expected.
“I hand-picked you to replace Thomsen because, with your wife at your side, I knew you had the integrity to restore trust between command and the men carrying out the mission. This garrison needs not only a strong man at the helm but one with an equally strong wife at his side. And that’s no longer you. This whole situation isn’t fair, but a pretty new wife could alleviate concerns. Let the men focus on their missions rather than worry about their wives back on post with their widowed commander, who’s younger and considered more attractive than your predecessors,” McKittrick smiled like a salesman about to close a deal. “I can’t make it an order. However, for the good of the unit, it’s worth considering.”
“I don’t think anybody will buy it if I suddenly turn up married. It could make things worse.” Like he was covering up something. Not to mention how his kids would react.
“Of course not. Though, people would see you together while dating. A proposal at this year’s ball would be a nice switch from the drama of the past.”
“The ball is in less than four months.” Graham hadn’t even come to grips with the idea of dating, and the general had him publicly proposing marriage ‘for the good of the unit?’
“And Bryson’s team deploys in seven. You want to give Mateo a chance to stay? This isyourchance.”
For a man to make it through the grueling selection process to become a Green Beret, getting bounced from the team because of his wife’s actions could be as hard a blow as her infidelity. It could well end the marriage they were trying to save.
Recalling the innocent face of Mateo’s preschool-age son, Graham didn’t want to play even a small part in the boy growing up without his father regularly in his life. However, Graham’s options seemed limited to findinga new wife or bouncing Mateo. Neither of which he was ready to do. Especially since transferring Mateo might be like putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound.
ChapterTwo
After the dingfrom the incoming message tone assigned to her daughter, Piper, Erin picked up the phone to see the reply to her earlier text.
