Page 16 of Peach

The EMT shook his head. “That’s totally normal. A lot of women feel like they don’t deserve to have help.”

Ginger squeezed her hand. “You do deserve to be helped. But I understand if you think you don’t need an ambulance. The ambulance rides can be expensive. My husband and I have a charity for people who need medical transport to the hospital. I’ll meet you there and fill everything out so you aren’t charged.”

Haisley shook her head. “Oh no. I can’t?—“

Ginger put her hand on Haisley’s arm. “Yes, you can. If anything happens to that baby, I’d never hear the end of it. Davey will be beside himself once he learns that you are pregnant.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Unger,” Peach said.

Ginger flashed Peach a huge smile. “Think nothing of it. We’d do anything for you.”

Haisley couldn't believe so much was being done for her. No one had ever cared this much other than Ellen and John. They had taken her in and treated her like she mattered. Being treated like a human was different. It brought up emotions she didn't know what to do with. Was this how life was supposed to be?

Chapter 12

Before leaving the house,Peach grabbed their bags and locked up. Sheriff Eason had been put in his place, but there wasn’t any way Peach trusted the man not to harm Haisley later. There wasn’t any way he could stay in Georgia.

Haisley hadn't come out and explicitly said those men forced sex on her, but he'd seen enough to read between the lines. They'd drugged her, then had their twisted version of fun, and then tossed her out. They'd probably hoped she'd died, but she was still alive and had evidence that could be used against them.

No question, they wanted her dead, which meant Haisley had to move to California with him. She wouldn't like it. He would have to talk fast to convince her to come with him.

When he arrived at the hospital he was surprised to see Senator Unger with his wife. Peach made his way to them, glad that he’d had a chance to shower.

“Senator Unger, I’m Petty Officer Robert Barclay. My friends call me Peach.”

Unger shook his hand and patted him on the back. “It’s an honor to meet you, Peach. I’m glad we could help.”

“Yes, we took care of the medical bills,” Ginger said. “So don’t let the hospital tell you she owes money.”

He couldn’t believe they’d paid for her hospital stay. “Are you sure?”

Unger nodded. “Absolutely. It’s my pleasure. And it’s my pleasure to meet another SEAL and tell you how much I respect the job you all do.”

The twist of embarrassment wasn't something he usually dealt with. Then again, he didn't tell most people he met that he was a SEAL. He worked hard and did things that were impressive. But he didn't like getting praise for what was just a job for him. That he got to do some wild things and kick ass sometimes made it even better. Sure, SEALs had saved people and stopped horrible terrorist activities, but they were still just guys who showed up for their jobs.

He didn't want people to make a big deal out of what he did for a living. He was just like anyone else earning a paycheck. The fact that he loved his job, the danger, the rush, and all the other stuff that came with being a SEAL set him apart from a lot of other people. It was still a job.

“Thank you for helping Haisley out. She’s been through a lot.”

Ginger shook her head. “I just can’t imagine someone wanting to hurt her.”

“I’m looking into some stuff. She’s had some threats against her.”

“The sheriff showed up and tried to convince us that she was dangerous. He didn’t have any specific charges, but honestly, it sounded like—“ Ginger glanced around andmust have been satisfied that no one was close. “Bull hockey.”

Peach nodded, not laughing at the words she'd used. It had been ages since he'd heard someone use that word. On base, the men used much cruder language. Other people he knew just said bullshit or BS, but here, in backwoods—or what used to be backwoods—Georgia, women refused to use curse words.

“It is bull hockey. I’m certain she did nothing illegal.”

“We could move her into the guest house, but we’re due back in DC soon,” Ginger said.

"There's no need for that. She's going to California with me." Peach spoke the words like it was a done deal, but that wasn't the case. He had no idea if Haisley would agree to go with him. He needed to talk to her about it and find out if she would move to California with him.

“That’s good,” Senator Unger said.

"She will need support. I guess it's better out there. At least the mortality rates for both mother and child are better. Hopefully, she'll get the help she needs and can have a healthy baby."

Peach nodded. “Yes, I’ll make sure of it.”

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