Page 28 of My Mail Order Valentine

"About that…"

"What?"

"She's staying with us."

"Then take me there to see her."

"I don't think she wants to see you. She was pretty terrified after seeing you that night. You need to talk to her, but give her some time."

"I don't know that I can do that."

"Fine. Be stubborn about it."

The captain changes direction toward his house. My mind races, and I wonder what Elena is thinking. Pretty soon, we arrive at a pretty big but modest cabin. The captain has five kids, and he's added to the main structure as the years have passed.

When I see my truck parked there, my heart starts beating fast inside my chest. The captain, wanting to avoid conflict, takes off as soon as I get out of the car. I walk to the front door and pound on it. When the curtain moves, I know she's seen me.

"Open this door, Elena. I know you're in there."

I pound on the door again for good measure, and just a few seconds later, she opens it. Her eyes are red as if she has been crying, and she looks worse for wear.

"We need to talk."

Elena hesitates for a moment before stepping aside to let me enter Captain Miller's home. She should be with me and Evie at our house. I dismiss that thought as soon as it crosses my mind. I don't know where we stand right now.

Once I step inside, I begin to pace in the captain's living room. Elena moves over to the couch and sits down cautiously. I examine her closely and notice she's lifeless, like a zombie.

"Why did you leave me, Elena?"

"I didn't…"

"The truth, please. We owe that to one another."

I watch as she caves into herself. I hate myself for making her hurt more than she already does, but I need to know what the real issue is. Otherwise, we don't have a future together.

"I left because I don't think I can live with a man whose work brings him into danger every single day. I left because I'm scared that I'll be left alone to take care of our children. I left because seeing you hurt like that, even though everyone told me they were minor injuries, squeezes my chest until I can't breathe."

She puts her elbows on her knees and rests her head on her hands. I'm not sure what to say to her. Her feelings are valid, and I'm often scared that I won't be there for Evie in the future.

I stop my pacing and sit down beside her.

"My parents died in a fire, Elena."

This brings her head up, and she looks at me in horror.

"That's why I became a firefighter."

"Then you, better than anyone, knows how devastating a fire can be. How can you put Evie through that? How do you expect me to live in fear all the time?"

"Life is fragile, Elena. Anything can happen to any one of us at any given time. Yes, my job has a bigger percentage of risk, but I'm committed to it."

"I don't think I can live this way."

"Did you hear me when I said that I loved you?"

"I love you too, but sometimes that isn't enough, Hunter."

I reach for her hand, and she reluctantly allows me to take it.

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