There was no reason for those men to have been looking through her things that night. And now, they were both out there. Loose. And angry with her.
Stars shot through her vision and she realized she’d been holding her breath. She let it out in a whoosh, then deliberately took air back in slowly. Hiding in the cabin like a mouse was a bad idea. They wouldn’t need to come find her. She’d terrify the life out of herself.
She snagged a jacket and a small flashlight David had left for her before heading for the front door. Her hand on the doorknob, she froze. Maybe he’d known. That would explain why he’d sent her and Sophie back from New Hope earlier.
It didn’t make sense, though. Telling her and Sophie would’ve precluded any hesitation. Not that they’d been slow to follow his request. There just wasn’t any reason she could think of for him not to tell her. Unless he hadn’t wanted to frighten her.
But he’d been so serious, with so much conviction in his statement about her safety. His expression alone had been enough to unsettle both her and Sophie. The actual reason couldn’t be much more of a leap. Could it?
No way to know while she was still in the cabin. It might be dark outside but all the paths between the buildings were well-lit and the dog kennels and main house were in clear line of sight. Anyone on the paths would be seen by the people in the main house and most of the dogs on the property. She’d walk quickly and get from point A to point B. Calling one of the guys to come get her seemed like overkill.
As she stepped out into the night, the dark didn’t close in on her. Solar lights lined the walkways and there were overhead lights at intervals along the paths, too. She headed directly to the main house but paused as she heard the low tones of David’s voice over by the kennels.
Instantly calmer, she turned toward the sound and followed the covered walkway along the side of the main house. David was within shouting distance. The others probably were inside or similarly close by. Everything was a lot calmer. All she needed to do was not be alone.
“You can’t be mad because we left you alone all day.”
She stopped in her tracks. It hadn’t been all day. Then she realized he was talking to Atlas.
Leaning against the dog’s kennel with his broad back to her, David looked as relaxed as she’d ever seen him. Was there a single t-shirt he owned that didn’t fit him like a second skin? If there was, she’d hide it or give it to Atlas to sleep on. Fitted clothing suited her just fine.
“Everyone needs a day off, including you.” David carried on his conversation with Atlas. “Definitely her. She works hard as any person I’ve ever met, in or out of the service.”
She couldn’t help a smile. Funny, but the casual talk probably got Atlas used to the sound and cadence of David’s voice. After all, she did the same thing. Dogs were good listeners.
“Besides, she took you for a walk before she left. It’s not like you didn’t get time with her.” He might’ve sounded jealous. Maybe.
Or wishful thinking on her part. Hard to tell.
“At least she likes you.” Definitely some chagrin there. “I might’ve broke the camel’s back today. Situation came up and no time for an explanation. She’s the kind of lady who likes to be informed when things are happening. So I’m betting she is not too happy with me now.”
Well, she hadn’t been a while ago. Then there’d been a phone call and panic and she’d been reserving real anger until she found out if he knew what was going on and hadn’t told her. But this, this didn’t sound like the same thing.
David pushed off from the kennel and squatted, resting his elbows on his knees and balancing easily on the balls of his feet. “You and me, Atlas, we know what it is to be sent out into unsecured territory. Overseas, we went in ahead of anyone else. Drop zone, airfield, absolute middle of fucking nowhere. We went in to pull others out. And we’re okay with it. It’s what we signed up to do.”
There was a pause. Lyn thought hard about what David was saying. Years ago, other military wives would talk to her mother about safe, well-established Air Force bases well within American territory. They’d made it sound like there was minimal risk. Of course it was awful when husbands had to deploy, but there’d never been a hint of the kind of danger David was talking about to Atlas. What he and Atlas had survived—it was something she’d known some select few had to do, far removed from anyone she knew or cared for. Only, it wasn’t so far removed anymore.
“But she should be able to enjoy a safe afternoon shopping. That town is a freaking tourist attraction. It’s the small, historic place to go around here to walk around and have a relaxing day.” Anger was seeping into David’s voice and an answering low growl issued from Atlas in response. The rapport between the two of them was getting stronger. “Instead, I see a man who shouldn’t be there. Bad news. And my gut tells me she wouldn’t have to worry about any of it if it weren’t for us.”