LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter Two

      Like anesthesia, it had worn off.

      For the first day after the reception, the memory of her bandit and his words about darkness and dawn had been enough to keep Kate’s head held high. She’d been certain everything would somehow work out with her parents, and her grandfather’s health, and the whole mess her family had become.

      But now, the following day, some of that certainty had started slipping away. “I always thought my family was stable, you know?” Kate jogged around ruts with Bri on their favorite outdoor running trail. “Of course, that’s not to say there were never any problems....”

      “Like when you came here?” Bri suggested as she caught up with Kate. To their left, scenic Eagle Point Lake scrolled by. To their right, lush emerald foliage scented the air.

      “Exactly. Dad and Grandpa weren’t happy I ended my military service, against their wishes. But look where their careers got them. One disabled, one about to get divorced. If Dad had ever stepped back from his career and focused on his marriage—made home and family a priority the way I wanted to when I left the service—then maybe he wouldn’t be getting a divorce today. And Grandpa’s surgery wouldn’t be nearly so risky if his service hadn’t ruined his lungs. Why can’t they see that I was right to leave it behind when I did?”

      Bri’s countenance reflected compassion. “You were a terrific military nurse, Kate, but you’re doing great work here, too. No one has the right to blame you for wanting to go where you could be happy and have the life you want.”

      “Yes, the civilian life. Thanks for understanding.” Lifting her face, Kate inhaled fresh air and absorbed the breathtaking scenery. “I love Eagle Point. It’s serene and quiet and quaint—everything that I want out of life.”

      Sunlight glittered off the lake, highlighting impressive Southern Illinois bluffs and hiking trails. “In all my military moves, it’s the first time I’ve felt truly at home. I never want to leave it.”

      “Especially since I’m here,” Bri teased.

      Kate laughed. “One more lap around the lake?”

      Bri groaned. “You just enjoy punishing my leg muscles.”

      In truth, running and the scenery calmed Kate, took her mind off things and caused her heart to reach and yearn for its creator. Maybe He’d help save her parents’ marriage.

      “Ah, well. We’re working off the massive amounts of cake we consumed at Lauren and Mitch’s wedding,” Bri conceded with a laugh.

      “You’re next.” Kate winked and refocused her breathing.

      Bri smiled brightly. “Three months. I feel bad my wedding plans are interfering with us hanging out.”

      “It’s okay. It’s a season. I’ll adjust. Things will go back to normal soon.” Yet even as Kate said it, she had the horrible sensation things never would. Not as far as her family went. But the last thing she wanted to do was put a damper on Bri’s joy. “I’ve got a few new things to keep me busy. Keep my mind off my parents’ junk.” Kate kept her tone light and expression upbeat.

      “Like what? Finding a certain bandit?” Bri winked.

      Kate laughed. “Well, if he tracked me down again, I wouldn’t say no.... But seriously, I know I’m not likely to see him again. No, I’ve got some other projects lined up that should keep my summer pretty busy.”

      Bri’s cheeks flushed with exertion so Kate slowed the pace as she continued to explain. “Mitch hit me up to be on the fund-raising committee for Eagle Point Trauma Center expansion projects. First item on our agenda is Lauren’s grandpa’s first annual storybook ball.”

      “I heard Lem was considering that but didn’t know it was a go yet.” Bri slowed as they neared the end of the run.

      “Yep.” Kate glanced to the side. “You realize proceeds from the ball go to your bunkhouses, right?”

      As Kate knew she would, Bri balked. “That’s not necessary.”

      “Quit being tough on yourself when people reach out to help. Everyone knows you and Caleb almost lost the lodge, and everyone wants to see you make a success of it, instead. It benefits the community. Plus, you’re remodeling two bunkhouses for family members of trauma victims, which will be a terrific boon for our trauma center.” Kate swigged from her monkey-themed water bottle.

      Bri nibbled her lip and sighed. “I guess it will be helpful for the town overall. Housing and hotel options are virtually nonexistent in Eagle Point.”

      “Precisely why I’m glad you’re letting me move into the first of your cabins that passes inspection.” Kate paced her breathing. “Mitch has been merciful about the distance I live from EPTC, but the fact is, when I’m on call and we get a bad case, I need to be less than fifteen minutes away. My apartment is twenty.”

      “The cabins should all pass inspection next month.”

      “Great. Because crashing in EPTC’s nurse call room is not conducive to rest.” Kate sighed as her phone buzzed on one hip, her beeper on the other. “Ian.” She grimaced at Bri. “Since your fiancé is blowing up my phone instead of yours, I’m assuming we have an incoming trauma.” Kate hit the answer key.

      Ian came on the line. “Kate? All is well here, but you have a rather interesting delivery at the nurses’ station.”

      “My favorite Chicago-style pizza with anchovies?”

      “Hardly. You should probably just come get it.”

      Kate didn’t miss the probing curiosity in Dr. Ian Shupe’s voice. Head anesthesiologist on their trauma team, he was like a protective older brother to Kate.

      “Fine. I’ll be right there.” Kate disconnected and nodded to the trauma center. “Apparently I have some sort of special delivery. Ian wouldn’t say what it is. Mind coming with to see?”

      “I’d be glad to.” Bri grinned and toweled sweat off. “Especially since it means I get a glimpse of my man in scrubs.”

      Kate shook her head and sauntered toward the glass-and-brick structure across the parking lot and next door to Bri’s main lodge. Inside EPTC, Kate’s coworkers parted like the Red Sea when she reached the desk.

      Kate’s sneakers screeched on the polished floor. On the desktop ledge, her elaborate sapphire-feather mask sat neatly atop a parchment envelope.

      Oh, my! He didn’t. Kate gulped. Ignoring the stares and curious grins, she forced her hands to move slowly as she reached for the items. “Who brought this?”

      Ian leaned in. “That’s what we were all wondering.”

      Kate straightened. “You mean no one saw him?”

      Ian’s grin exploded. “Aha! So it is a him?”

      “That’s not your business.” Giving up all pretense of nonchalance, Kate snatched the items, scowled at her coworkers and marched to her nurse’s call room.

      “Kate, wait. Ian was kidding.” Bri caught up, giggling.

      Kate whirled once they were safely behind closed doors. “How did he manage to get this stuff in here without anyone seeing him? We need security cameras installed at that desk.”

      Bri bit her lip but a grin burst through. “Open it!”

      Kate sighed and fingered the gold scrolling font on the envelope’s front.

      For Sweet Kate.

      “He knows my name,” Kate

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