Page 45 of River

As we flew back toward the ship, the helicopter began sputtering. “Hold on, everyone!” Roland shouted. “I’ll try to rock this thing to squeeze out more fuel.”

For some crazy reason, we all laughed, the weight of the situation finally lifting. We were so damn happy we just let it out as Roland skillfully landed on the ship. Cheers erupted from the servicemen on the deck when they saw Kat.

26

River

We’d been homefor a week, and Kat was still anxious about me going back to work. Today, she said she was ready, so she came into the office, trying to act like everything was fine.

“It’s good to have you back, Kat,” Gage said as he glanced at her.

“Thank you. I’m sorry I was gone so long,” she replied, sitting at her desk.

“You’ve got nothing to apologize for,” Gage said before I could speak.

She checked on me every ten minutes for the first seven days, ensuring she knew where I was. Today, she came out to the deck where Gage and I sat talking about our next job. The moment I saw her face, I knew something was wrong. I’d sensed it for the past week.

I stood up and wrapped my arms around her. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

Gage quietly stood up and gave us space.

“You know how much I love you,” Kat began. “I love you more than my own life, but... I’ve lost myself. I need to findwho I am again. If I don’t, I’m afraid I’ll become someone I won’t recognize. I’m not someone who needs to be with you twenty-four-seven. I have to go away and figure this out on my own.”

“No, sweetheart, you don’t need to go anywhere. You can find yourself right here,” I pleaded.

“I know, but I really need to fix myself. I’ll be back, I promise. I’m not staying away for good. I just need to regain my strength inside my head. I know that sounds stupid, and it doesn’t make sense. But it’s how I feel.

“You are strong! You can get better here. I’ll help you. Please listen to me. I love you, and I don’t want you to leave.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ve already made arrangements. When you see me again, I’ll be the Katrina McDonald you fell in love with. Right now, I’m not that person. Everyone is afraid to say anything to me—they’re all scared I’ll break down and cry. I’ll be back when I’m better. I can’t stand the idea of you having to babysit me. I don’t even like myself right now.”

“When will you be back?” I asked, my voice strained.

“I don’t know.”

“If you’re not back soon, I’ll come after you.”

“Just give me time to find my backbone again. I love you.” She kissed me, called for Penny, and picked up her suitcase. Then she walked out the door.

“I think she needs this,” Gage said, handing me a beer. “I’ve noticed how different she’s been.”

“The thing is, Kat doesn’t really know what she needs right now. But I do know she has to face being alone. Maybe this will help her.”

“Where’s she going?” he asked.

“Damn it, I forgot to ask.” I grabbed my phone andcalled her, but then I heard her phone ringing inside the house. She’d left it behind.

“Looks like I might as well take that mission in Iran. There’s no point in staying here. I’ve got a feeling Kat will be gone for at least a month, maybe longer. I don’t want to sit around wondering when she’ll come back. I’m guessing she’s gone to her family.”

“She doesn’t seem like the ‘run-to-mama’ type,” Gage replied.

“You’re right. I should have asked. Can you keep Sissy until her dog sitter picks her up?”

“Sure, tell her to get Sissy at my place. I want to talk to her about watching my dog, too.”

Three days later,I was in Iran, working to find a missing Navy SEAL. Oliver and I watched as some of the Iranian army passed by. We’d been told they were holding him in one of their prisons and planned to execute him sometime this week.

We didn’t have time to waste. If we were going to save him, we had to act now. That’s why we were dressed as members of the Iranian army, blending in with the soldiers. This was our third prison in two weeks, but we’d overheard someone say he was here.

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