Page 48 of SEAL's Sky
When the news broke that Kurt Walker, the famous New York attorney was a serial killer and that Jen was the only survivor, they were inundated with requests for interviews. It was like a circus. But she just wanted to hide from it all. The less she said his name the better as far as she was concerned. Just thinking about him gave her a panic attack, even knowing he was dead.
Two weeks later, Murph and his team had left on a mission. Jen was a wreck, and she realized how much she’d relied on her SEAL. Every noise freaked her out, and she had nightmares every night. Her only distraction was helping get the bar ready for the reopening celebration.
She’d been alone for three days when Chrissy called to invite her over for a girls’ night. They were remarkable women and when she told them, so they tried to convince her she was too.
“You’re just a remarkable, maybe more so. You saved yourself, and not just once, you had to do it twice,” Miranda reminded her.
“Exactly, you’re a hero, you saved your mom too. Rafe said Tex keeps talking about how you had the forethought to call him,” Meghan told her.
“I didn’t really. It was just luck. I called him because I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Then I went through the doors into the kitchen and saw him. I’d already dialed the number, but when he saw the phone in my hand he didn’t know it. I just prayed that Tex would pick up.”
“Okay, but you still did it and kept the fucker from even realizing it was an open line,” Chrissy added.
When Jen heard Chrissy’s story she couldn’t believe how the woman had taken out a terrorist and saved Ryan. That was hero material, not her. When she went into the kitchen to get some water, Miranda followed her in.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, mostly. If I could get rid of the nightmares that would help.”
“Have you thought about talking to someone?”
“Murph mentioned it, but I don’t know. I’d have to rehash all of it and I’m already a wreck.”
“Here.” Miranda handed her a business card. “I’ve been seeing her since the kidnapping. She’s really amazing. I think she’d be able to help you.”
“I don’t know,” Jen really didn’t want to tell another stranger what an ass she’d been.
“Just take the card. Then if you change your mind, you have her number.”
A few days later Miranda called to check on her. After they spoke some more, Jen broke down and called to make an appointment. Even after only one week, it made a huge difference, mostly because she learned that she didn’t have to hide her feelings or her fear. That it was all okay. It would be a long process until she stopped jumping at shadows, but now she knew she’d get there, and she couldn’t wait for Murph to get home to tell him.
* * *
When Murph had walked in the day before, she nearly jumped for joy. He’d been gone two and a half weeks, but she’d survived with the help of her friends and new therapist. Even though she’d been doing so much better, sleeping curled up against Murph made her heart happier than she could ever remember.
They hadn’t done more than kissing. Murph was waiting for her to be ready, but she was worried she’d freak out in the middle and ruin their relationship. She’d shared her worries in counseling and Dr. Marsh told her when she was ready she’d know. Jen wasn’t yet, but she wanted to take things a little further. Now that Murph was home she had a plan.
After almost two months of hard work and lots of changes, it was finally time to reopen the Ready Room. When they opened the doors, she and her mom were surprised how many people were waiting to get in. Apparently, they were famous now that their chef had taken out a New York serial killer. Tony didn’t want the notoriety. Her mom was so proud of him that she had a plaque made and hung it behind the bar. They’d also finally started officially dating. Jen couldn’t have been happier for her. She’d been alone for too long and deserved to find love again.
Her mom suggested she put a reserved sign on the team’s usual table. It had been a good idea because by the time they arrived there wouldn’t have been room for all of them and the women.
Murph came to find her since she’d gone early to help finish setting up for the celebration. Her back was to the door when he came in and swept her up in his arms and twirled her around then put her back down. It’s when she realized she really was healing. In the past, she’d have been totally freaked out, full-on panic attack. Being in his arms gave her butterflies but they were the good ones.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
“Hi. Do you realize you picked me up from behind, right?”
“I was so excited to see you I didn’t even think. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m very okay. For the first time in ages.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Miranda was right, Dr. Marsh is amazing.”
“I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. Seeing you smile without the shadows in your eyes is the best gift ever.”
“Oh yeah? Maybe I can top that later,” she said with a wink, knowing her cheeks had to be bright pink from how hot they were.
