Page 64 of Escape
I dropped my gaze from his. I hadn’t even realized how what I said would have come across. And that was likely because nobody had ever made me believe I didn’t need to ask for permission.
“Josie, look at me,” Huck urged gently. Pressing my lips together, I returned my attention to his face. “Do you want some tea?”
I gave him a nod.
He smiled at me, gave my hand a squeeze, and stood before reaching for our mugs and getting me another cup of tea while he refilled his coffee. Then he led me out to the deck and sat down in the chair beside me.
And after soaking up the early morning rays of sunshine for a bit, I decided I wanted to talk about something that had been on my mind. “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I want you to know I’d be okay by myself if you have something you need to do.”
“Did you want some time alone?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No. No, I enjoy spending time with you. It’s just that, I’ve been thinking, and I realize you’ve been doing a lot for me lately. I don’t want you to feel like I’m expecting you to drop everything in your life to help me.”
“I don’t feel that way,” he assured me. “I like spending time with you, too.”
Relieved to know this wasn’t about some sort of obligation he felt, I pushed for more. “Can I ask you a question?”
“You can ask me anything you’d like.”
“How have you not left my side?”
Confusion washed over Huck’s expression, his brows pulling together. “Pardon?”
“It’s been days,” I started. “With the exception of the one time that I wasn’t even aware of when you went to… deal with Kurt, and when you went home to shower because your mom made you, you’ve been with me. It’s been a long time. How are you here now and not at work?”
Huck seemed stunned by my question. It wasn’t shock in the way that people experience shock when something unexpected happens. It seemed to be more about disbelief at what he was hearing.
And that surprised me, because I didn’t think there was anything about what I’d asked that was illogical or outlandish.
Following several beats of silence, he replied, “I’m here because you need me. That’s it. That’s the only reason.”
He was here because I needed him.
I loved everything about what that made me feel, and perhaps that should have settled it. Unfortunately, I was still left with questions.
“But what about work? Don’t you have to work?”
Huck offered a slight nod and said, “Generally, yes, I do need to work. Right now, I’m here.”
“So, you’re not worried about losing your job because you’re here?”
For the first time since we sat outside, Huck laughed. It was a relief to see the amusement in his features instead of the confused or serious stare. “Do you recall the stories I told you about some of my coworkers when you were still in the hospital?”
“Of course.”
“When any of those men were going through what they were going through, the rest of us picked up the slack,” he explained. “That’s what we do. That’s always what it’s been about. We don’t leave men behind—not on the battlefield, and not in the worst times we experience here at home. You might not recall him, but when you called me to come and get you, my best friend, Greyson, came with me. He knows what I went through with you, and he’s working with the rest of the guys in the self-defense unit to cover my absence right now. It’s temporary. They know that. And if the tables are ever turned where I need to do the same for them, they won’t have to think twice about it.”
Understanding and a sense of gratitude washed over me. I was relieved to know that Huck didn’t need to be concerned about losing his job and that he knew he could depend on the people he worked with to cover for him.
“What about… money? Even if they’re able to work out scheduling and coverage for you, won’t this time off affect your income?”
He shook his head. “I’ve got vacation time.”
I cocked a brow. “And this is your idea of a good time? That hardly seems fair.”
Huck reached his hand out and rested it gently on my forearm. “I’m having the time of my life, honey.”
Was it too soon for me to feel like I was falling in love?