Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“You’ve seen how hard the team and I train. We do all of those physical exertions so that we’re trained to handle any obstacles we run into. I hope you know that I’ll move heaven and earth to come back to you. Every time.”
She nodded, trying to keep the tears welling in her eyes from tumbling. Aspen didn’t want him to worry about her while he was risking his life somewhere. “Be super careful for me.” She swallowed hard and forced herself to be brave. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, Aspen.”
Jerico stood and wrapped his arms around her, plucking Aspen from her chair. He squeezed her tight before kissing her with a passion that made her instantly respond.
It was like her body was hard-wired to react to the pleasure she knew he’d lavish on her. She looped her arms around his neck and held on tight when he lifted his head.
“I have to go, Aspen. I’ll be home soon, and I’ll show you just how much I love you. Look forward to that,” he suggested.
“Yes, Daddy.” She nodded her head, trying to be brave.
“Good girl.”
He stepped back, forcing her to release her hold, and walked to the bedroom to open the closet. She trailed behind him, waiting to see what would happen. Turning the corner, she found him petting Rexy and talking to the animal in a soft tone. He didn’t delay long before picking up a duffle stashed in the corner.
“You stay here with Rexy. Be safe. I’ll text you my commander’s name and number. Call him in an emergency.”
“I’ll be fine,” she rushed to assure him.
“I know you will, but I’ll worry. Take especially good care of yourself. Eat. There are frozen meals labeled in the freezer. Help yourself to anything. This is your house, too.” Jerico leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. Aspen could feel how much he cared about her.
He was gone before she could blink. Wrapping her arms over her chest, Aspen hugged herself. She felt cold and more alone than ever before. A warm fuzzy body leaned against her.
“Hi, Rexy.”
Thankful for the sweet dog’s company, she sat down on the floor to hug Rexy close. Tangling her fingers in his fur, Aspen leaned her forehead against the dog’s shoulders.
Please let Daddy be okay.
Rexy nosed her neck and gave her a kiss when Aspen sat up. She knew the sweet pooch wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. Rexy’s kisses weren’t as thrilling as Jerico’s were, but it did make her laugh as she wiped off the doggie drool.
Glancing at the clock, Aspen decided to get ready for bed. It was almost her bedtime. “Come on, Rexy. One last potty.”
As she opened the back door, Jerico’s motion sensor light triggered, illuminating the neatly manicured lawn. Rexy headed out for the spot in the back that he had decided was his bathroom spot. Standing in the doorway, Aspen couldn’t keep her thoughts from tracking Jerico. He had to be at the base by now. How long would it be before they left?
By the time she locked the back door and double checked the front, Jerico had sent her a message with his commander’s name and contact information. When there was nothing else there, Aspen knew the team was underway. She plugged her phone into the charger and headed for bed.
Curling up on Jerico’s pillow, she inhaled his scent as she wrapped her arms around herself. Quiet tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as she stared up at the ceiling. The bottom of the bed bounced, and she heard the tinkle of tags. Rexy made three circles before flopping.
“Thanks, Rexy. This bed was too lonely,” Aspen whispered.
She turned over on her stomach and rubbed her tears on the soft pillowcase to dry her face. Closing her eyes, she sent all the good vibrations toward the team.
Walking into work early the next day, Aspen went to HR and forced herself to open the glass door and walk in.
The receptionist looked up with a smile. “Can I help you?”
“The guard at the gate asked that I report a man using my name to get access to the base.”
“Someone who shouldn’t be here for base security or your security?”
“Mine, probably. The guard said if I report it, a warning will be sent out to all the gates to not allow him on base.”
“Do you have a protection order against him?” the receptionist asked.
“No. He used to be my neighbor. The police said he couldn’t be required to stay so many feet away from me because we lived next door.”
“So, you moved?” The woman looked at her with arched eyebrows, obviously assessing her story.
Aspen forced herself not to just say never mind and leave. She’d promised Jerico. “Yes. I had to.”
The woman turned and picked up a clipboard and turned the page on it over. “I see. Write out everything you know, and I’ll pass it along to that department. It’s not a person who works on the base, right?”