Unbreak My Heart (Rough Riders Legacy #1)(90)

“I leave it in my locker.”

Beneath his name on his nametag was a bunch of letters. I ran my fingertip across his chest below the white rectangle. “What do these mean?”

“They’re the medical areas I’m certified in.”

“That’s a lot.”

“They’re army courses. The designation doesn’t mean anything to anyone but me.”

“If they weren’t important they wouldn’t be listed, would they?”

“Probably not.”

I glanced up at him. All traces of teasing Boone were gone. “Something else going on? Did you hear from Oakley? Or your dad?” I knew he worried his dad would flake on him.

“I talked to Oakley earlier. She says the electricity is back on, Rock is home and Mom has been…decent.”

“That’s all good to hear, but something has put a wrinkle in your brow.”

Boone retreated and rubbed his hand across the top of his head. “Me’n Raj were called into the hospital early today and were told all of our shifts this week had been cancelled. No explanation. Our preceptor doesn’t know what’s going on either. And our liaison on base is out of the office for two weeks.”

“Has this happened before?”

“No.” Boone started to pace. “But it’s not like I can poke around and ask questions of anyone else in that department. We’re in a tight spot. Me’n Raj working with a civilian medical program while we’re still on active duty…it’s so far out of the norm that there is no precedent.”

“I’m confused.”

He muttered, “Welcome to the club. There’s some funky stuff going on with our transfer papers or whatever they’re calling it today. Christ. Red tape is no joke.”

My stomach plunged. “Something funky like…they might demand you return to Fort Hood?”

I appreciated that he looked me in the eye when he said, “I’m not sure.”

I wanted to yell, I just got you back! You can’t leave again. But he could be yanked away from me at any moment.

Clearly that was a real possibility if he was worried enough to mention it to me.

I wandered over to the window. I’d intended to talk to him about the PCE offer tonight. After my discussion with Mrs. Nash, I realized that perceptions were always skewed. Everyone had a different way of looking at things, so maybe I needed Boone’s take on this opportunity. But he had more than enough on his mind with the military stuff that was his career. So it appeared I’d continue to wrestle with the biggest decision of my adult life on my own.

Boone moved in behind me. “You okay?”

“I’ve been better, to be honest.”

“What can I do?”

“This. Keep me wrapped up in you.”

Several long moments passed. We stayed like that, me resting against him as we both gazed out the window.

Finally I said, “My mom called today.”

“Did she apologize?”

“Sort of. My dad and I call it an ‘Ellen apology’—along the lines of ‘I’m sorry you made me yell at you.’ She asked if I was still mad or if I planned to attend the wedding. And if I had a ‘plus one’ she needed to know your name so the wedding coordinator could add you to the seating chart.”

“Jesus. What’d you say?”

“I hadn’t decided if I was coming. I’d have my assistant call her wedding coordinator when I solidified my plan. The bratty kid in me wanted to say, Neener neener! Suck on that!”

He chuckled.

I turned my head and kissed his jaw before I stepped aside. “You have an entire week off?”

“Looks like. I won’t know what to do with myself. Since Raj is in the same boat we’ll figure something out.”

“Just make sure you don’t—”

Before I finished, the door banged open.

Greg stormed in, Nikki hot on his heels, silently apologizing with her eyes.

“You want to explain this memo from personnel? Which is total bullshit. But I expected no less from you.” Greg’s sneer became a leer when he saw Boone. “I see your secretary covers for you when you want to play grab-ass—”

“Watch it,” Boone said in that don’t-f*ck-with-me tone.

Of course Greg cowered. He also shut his mouth, which was the real bonus.

“Nikki is my assistant, not my secretary. In the future, if my door is closed? Do not barge in. That’s a violation of privacy, which is spelled out in the employee handbook. Since we have a meeting in ten minutes to discuss that memo, I’ll ask Frannie from personnel to bring a handbook for you so you can brush up on protocol.”

Greg acted like he wanted to argue, but for once, he did the smart thing and left.

“That’s the little f*cking weasel giving you grief?”

“Yes.”

“Want me to beat him up for you?”

I laughed. “I’d love that. But I have to fight my own battles.”

“My money is on you. And you are smoking hot when you go all ‘I’m in charge, get the f*ck out’ badass businesswoman.” He kissed me. “See you at home, McKay.”





Wednesday night I arrived home from work, hoping for the peace and quiet that used to exist in my house.