Page 3 of River

“I was curious to see if you would return,” I remarked.

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re my team, and I love my job,” Kat responded.

“We don’t typically find ourselves in the midst of a derrick fire.” I pointed out,

“I know, that’s precisely why I love my job. I never know what to expect.”

I grabbed a ham and cheese sandwich and a bottle of water. Then I turned around. “Kat, I don’t want you anywhere around the burning derricks. They could erupt at any moment.”

“I understand. I won’t go near the fire,” she assured me.

I nodded and returned to work, instructing the others to take a break and eat. We worked tirelessly throughout the day and extinguished two of the fires. While I was carrying a large piece of steel, I heard a bullet whiz past my ear. I dropped to the ground and shouted for the others to take cover.

I watched in shock as Kat’s father was hit and sent flying backward to the ground. As I rushed to him, I saw Kat come running toward us, armed with a gun.

What the fuck is she doing.“Kat, get back inside,” I shouted. “Damn it, Kat, get back inside. Someone is firing shots out here.”

She completely disregarded my orders and reached her father, checking the severity of his injuries. When I reachedher, I shielded her with my body. She was so focused on caring for her father that she didn’t even notice my presence. I picked her dad up and ran with him to the office.

I was seething with anger at Kat, and I knew if I looked at her, I might lose control. She cut away his shirt and treated him as though she worked the front lines in a warzone. When one of her brothers opened the door, her gun was raised faster than mine.

Who the hell is this woman?

Junior stood there, not moving, until she lowered her weapon. “What the fuck happened out there. Who was shooting a gun at us, and why was someone shooting a gun at us? How’s Dad?” he asked.

“He’ll be okay, but we must get him to the hospital. I’ll take him,” Kat replied.

“Kat, what the hell is going on?” I demanded.

“What do you mean?” she asked, avoiding my gaze.

“Look at me! Why are you so experienced in this kind of situation? Were you in the war? Damn it, Kat, look at me!”

“Yes, I served as a medic in Afghanistan and Iraq. Didn’t I tell you that?” she said. “I’m sorry I don’t have time to explain it right now. I need to get my father to the hospital.”

“No, you didn’t mention anything about serving in Afghanistan, or anywhere else for that matter. Were you in the Army?”

“No, I was not in the Army. I’m a Marine, Lieutenant Katrina McDonald.”

Finally, she paused long enough to meet my eyes. “I’m sorry, River. I’m uncomfortable discussing my life over there. I’m a private person. I promise I’ll explain everything to you when I return.”

I carried her dad to their vehicle, who was awake by now and asking questions. “Kat, I want you to stay here. Jasoncan take me. My guess is someone doesn’t want us to extinguish the fires.”

I was confused. What the hell was going on? Kat clearly had a lot more to tell us.

“Daddy, I want to go with you.”

I’d heard enough. “Did you forget there is a fucking crazy man out there with a gun? So your married name must be Mellows?”

She didn’t say yes or no about her last name. “No, I didn’t forget about the man with the gun. I’ll be careful. I’m always careful.”

“That’s a damn lie. You weren’t careful when you ran out in the open to check on your dad. I don’t want you to take any more risks with your life.”

I wished I could keep her close and safe, but I didn’t have that right. “You should stay in town with your mom until we catch whoever’s shooting at us.”

“I agree with River. You’re staying in town,” her father said.

“Daddy, I’m not going to argue with either of you.”

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