Page 12 of Wicked Healing

“Ah… I’m sorry. Are they not dealing with your injuries well?”

“Among other things,” he agreed. “I just have a lot on my plate. And I should probably prepare you for what you’ll see.”

Erin’s heart softened. “It really won’t make a difference to me.”

Luca snorted on the other end of the line and it kind of sounded… defensive. She hoped she hadn’t sounded dismissive to him. She really enjoyed writing to him and talking to him. “I know the kind of man you are. You care for your dog and your men. That tells me exactly what your values are.”

The silence grew, until he cleared his throat a little. “Thank you, Erin. I kinda needed that boost today. I’m getting to the point that they’re probably going to release me soon.”

“Oh, congratulations!” she said, genuinely happy for him. “That has to be exhilarating.”

“In a way. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure what I’m going to do once I get out of here. I won’t be able to go back to my team.”

His voice faded away and Erin thought she could hear the quiet desperation in his words. When servicemen brought her their dogs to board, it was easy to see how excited they were and how proud they were to serve their country. That had been taken away from Luca. “You will find another way to serve, believe me. I know how all you diehard military types are.”

“Yeah. You’re probably right,” he said eventually, but she could hear the doubt in his voice. “Listen, I need to go. The staff on the floor knows you’re coming.”

“Okay, and I have the directions you sent. I should be there Saturday morning. I’ll send you an email tomorrow about Boss’s prosthetic.”

“Thanks, Erin. For everything. It was really nice talking to you.”

“I thought so too, Luca. See you soon.”

Erin hung up, wishing she could call him back and talk a little more. Which was ridiculous. She didn’t even really know the man. She did know parts about him though, and those parts were building a picture that she admired.

The animals needed exercised and she was sitting here worrying about faceless men. Get your butt in gear, Erin.

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