Page 15 of Nora
“All the dogs look good. They didn’t suffer any effects from the travel, and I’ve entered all the data into the NATO system. Everyone will be good to go tomorrow.”
He nodded, not sure what else to say. It would have surprised him if something had shown up, but it was always good to have confirmation.
“Can I help you with a bag?” Nora shot him a look, but he didn’t miss the smile that touched her lips. At least this time, he’d asked.
She shook her head. “I have it, thank you.”
His brow dropped and he almost snapped at her to stop being so stubborn. Then thoughts of Violetta crept into his head. Nora wouldn’t tattle, but it appeared that Violetta was becoming his conscience. A thought he didn’t want to contemplate too deeply.
She locked the door behind them, and they headed back into the night. It was too cold for him to try to make conversation—or so he told himself—and they made the ten-minute walk in silence. A silence that continued as they climbed the stairs to the third floor. He did get a “good night,” though, when she unlocked her room.
He nodded and waited until her door closed before opening his own.
Now, if he could only avoid her for the next three weeks, his life could get back to how he liked it.
CHAPTERSEVEN
The next morning,Lucian stood looking out his bedroom window. This time of year, it would be hours before the sun rose. The minimal streetlamps in the parking lot reflected off the frost-covered ground. With not enough moisture in the air for snow, the world below him appeared dry and brittle.
He was certain he wasn’t the only one awake at this hour. Like him, most of the participants had traveled from time zones five or six hours ahead, making it closer to ten in the morning than five. He, James, and Ingrid had arrived the day before the others, but even so, at his age, two days wasn’t enough time to adjust.
Thinking of the coffee maker sitting on his desk, he started to move away from his spot. Then suddenly, a shaft of light poured from the building onto the parking lot. He paused. Who on earth would be outside at this time of the morning and at these temperatures?
Curious, he remained in place, and a few seconds later a form he knew well emerged from the residence hall. She was accompanied by another he also knew, though less well. Based on what Nora and Willa wore, it was obvious they were going for a run. Why they were out in twenty-two-degree weather and at five o’clock in the morning was a question he had no answer to. The training program didn’t start until nine. It wasn’t as if they had to rush and fit the workout in. They had plenty of time. And when had Nora even coordinated with Willa?
He remained by the window until the two women were no longer in sight. He considered going after them, but he had no idea where they were going. In the time it would take him to change and get downstairs, they could be anywhere.
Scowling to himself, he stalked to the coffee maker. Forcing his thoughts away from Nora, he mentally ran through the schedule for the day as he made a cup. The morning session was dedicated to straightforward exercises that would give him, James, and Ingrid a chance to assess all the dogs. Then, in the afternoon, they’d split the group and work half on scenting and half on agility.
By the time he’d gone through the exercises he’d planned, and sorted out what clothing to wear, his coffee was ready. Taking his cup from the machine, he returned to the window.
Fifty minutes later, Nora and Willa came back into view. Judging by the way their breath was fogging in the morning air, they were talking as they walked. Maybe even laughing.
He watched until they disappeared into the building. Then he waited until he heard Nora’s door open and close before jumping into the shower himself. Fifteen minutes later, he was dressed and toweling off his hair. A few minutes after that, he was taking a seat in the lounge beside the fire with another cup of coffee. Breakfast wouldn’t be ready for another thirty minutes, but the staff had laid out coffee and some fruit.
He stared into the fire for over an hour before Nora came down. Unfortunately, she was talking to Jonah and Craig, and they did little more than offer him a “Good morning.”
With his plan to pull Nora aside thwarted, he waited another ten minutes before joining the group in the dining area. Scanning the room, he saw Nora and the two men sitting with Anne, the four chatting amicably. He considered asking her to join him at a different table but stopped himself. He didn’t really have anything to talk to her about. He was curious why she was out so early. But was it a problem? No. Was it something he needed to worry about? Again, no. Well, probably not. She could take care of herself. Of that, he had no doubt. And yet he still didn’t like the idea of her out running in the pitch-dark of the early morning. Even though she’d had company.
Giving himself a mental shake, he turned away and grabbed a plate. Picking a few items from the breakfast buffet, he then joined Ingrid and James at a table. He was there to help run the program with his co-trainers. He needed to focus on that.
* * *
Once again, Lucian found himself alone in the lounge. This time, at least he had a glass of wine. And since it was from one of Cencio’s bottles, it was a good one, too.
He twirled the glass, and the firelight reflected through the deep red wine, turning it shades of ruby and garnet. The day had gone exceptionally well, and he’d been pleased to see that both the K9s and their handlers had retained what they’d learned in the prior sessions.
He’d kept his distance from Nora and joined Anne, Marie, and Jean for lunch. He’d even made an effort to talk with his tablemates and had asked Anne about her young son. The looks of confusion on all their faces had been an uncomfortable revelation. Had he been so antisocial before that a harmless, common question had come as a surprise?
He didn’t think so. He was obviously social enough to know Anne had a four-year-old son. Of course, he only knew that because he’d overheard her talking to Cencio about kids one day.
After lunch, they’d worked long into the afternoon. Darkness fell early this time of year at this latitude, allowing them to fit in nighttime exercises without it actually being nighttime. Unfortunately, the temperatures dropped, too—not too cold to work, but they’d have to keep an eye on that.
Now he was enjoying a glass of wine and a warm fire in the hour before dinner. And maybe waiting for Nora.
As if conjuring her, she pushed through the hall doors and walked into the lounge. Seeing him, she nodded and said, “Lucian,” but she didn’t join him. Instead, she continued to the foyer just as a young soldier walked in carrying a long packing tube and a large envelope.
“Hi, Andrew,” Nora said, her natural warmth bringing a smile to the soldier’s face.
