Page 24 of Breathless
“Hank believes in the work you are doing here at The Village. The fact that Chaney became a volunteer here made him realize the shelter might need some help. He wanted to contribute,” Rawlins said. “He had a vision for the Brotherhood Protectors and the organization has grown exponentially since it started. I haven’t known him long, but I value his opinion.”
Hannah nodded. “Are you finished with the task I gave you?”
“I have.”
“Then the two of you can go home for the day. We’ll see you bright and early in the morning,” she said.
“Should Chaney be worried about Roger?” Rawlins asked before they left.
“No,” Hannah said. “As I just informed Chaney, we’ve found another program for Roger and hope to have him moved to there in a day or two.”
As they headed to the car, all Chaney could think about was what a challenging first at the shelter. She wondered what tomorrow would be like.
CHAPTER 7
All the wayback to her condo, Chaney kept stealing glances at Rawlins as they rode in silence. She couldn’t get it out of her head that his reaction to her confrontation with Roger was that he had to like her. And if he wouldn’t admit it, then she was going to coax it out of him.
When they arrived, she got out of the car and hurried to the front door to unlock it. “I think I’m going to take a shower and change,” she said.
“Don’t you think we need to discuss your behavior?”
“No. I already told you why I stood up for Josie. I’d do it again if presented with the same circumstances.”
“Why are you being so stubborn?” Rawlins demanded.
“I’m not. It’s clear that we’re not going to see eye to eye on this,” she said.
“I’m going to go for a walk. I need to clear my head,” he said.
“Fine,” she told him, marching past him.
He watched her go inside not understanding how she’d gotten under his skin so quickly. He didn’t know what he’d do or feel if something happened to her. He was her protector. He was supposed to keep her safe. How could he do that if shedeliberately put herself in harm’s way?Or was she showing her strength and independence?
Turning away from the condo, he returned to the park and the swings, trying to work out his feelings over what had transpired that afternoon. It was clear he needed to figure out a way to stay close to Chaney while at The Village until Roger was gone. He had a sinking suspicion that Roger would not let this issue drop, no matter how much the counselors talked to him.
For some reason Chaney had decided to become Josie’s champion. He had to admire her for this, but at the same time, he couldn’t allow her to put herself in danger with Roger. Roger needed to stay away from Josie which would keep Roger away from Chaney. Otherwise, this could all blow up into a big mess for everyone.
And more importantly, he needed to figure out how Chaney volunteering at the shelter wasn’t going to become part of the problem of him keeping her safe. And of interfering in their relationship–whatever that was. It was important to Chaney to help Josie right now and he got that. She needed to feel useful after everything she’d been through.
He’d had a similar need after his hospitalization when he’d been told that his lungs had been damaged from toxic fume inhalation after rescuing Rafferty and his teammates on that fatal mission. If he hadn’t jumped that Blackhawk to visit Raff and his battalion, his brother, might have been lost when they’d been called out to rescue that convoy. The thought still made his heart hurt.
Perhaps Chaney had been right. He wouldn’t have stood by and allowed Roger to get at Josie either. Just like he hadn’t been willing to let Rafferty and his men go out to save that convoy shorthanded. He’d willingly gone with them. And his being there that day meant that every one of those men made it back alive.Sure, some were injured and had to be medically discharged like him and Rafferty, but they were alive.
His chest constricted and he had trouble breathing at the memory of his injury and he unzipped his utility pouch, digging out his inhaler. He put it to his mouth and pumped, breathing in receiving the relief he needed and turned back toward Chaney’s place.
He let his anger go for now, but he vowed to keep a close watch over her until Roger was gone. It was the only thing he could do.
When he returned to the condo, he found Chaney and sat her down on the sofa. “I want to ask you to be more careful where Roger is concerned,” he said. “It’s my job as your protector to keep you safe. Why do you think I’m at The Village to put in the security system? Hank made it possible for me to be there so I could still keep an eye on you.”
“I understand, but–”
“No, buts, Chaney. This is serious. I can’t have you putting yourself or others in danger,” he said. “You’re only a volunteer. Not a counselor. Leave Josie’s problem to the counselors.”
The next day…
Chaney was glad Rawlins’ anger had subsided for the most part after his walk the day before. She took his advice and decided to avoid Roger if she could while he was still at The Village. She just hoped Roger could stay away from Josie.
She was shadowing Lydia again and she sat in on her 10:15 session. The same teens showed up, minus Roger, which seemed to make everyone more relaxed. Afterwards, Lydia took Chaney to meet with Tom, one of the counselors who had been working with Roger.
