Page 20 of Protective Assignment
She was just… There was something about her that drew him to her in a way he couldn’t quite put into words.He liked her—liked the way she made him feel, how at ease and relaxed he felt when he was around her.And seeing her smile and interact with the people they’d seen in town had been a gift.He hadn’t realized how much she’d needed that until he saw Mary fussing over her, and River’s face lighting up as they talked about making clothes.
Now she slept just a few feet away from him, in the other room of the cabin.If she was sleeping at all.Maybe she was tossing and turning just like him.He hoped so.He didn’t want these feelings he had to just go one way, but at the same time, he knew she had been through so much.Hewasn’t going to try and push her into something she wasn’t ready for, even if he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
It was getting late, and he knew he needed to get some sleep, but every time he closed his eyes, there she was, gazing back at him with that warm, open expression on her face.He couldn’t help but wonder exactly what she had been through to bring her here, beyond the few details she had shared with him so far.He hoped that eventually she would share the rest of her story with him.
For now, he would just try to focus on figuring out his own life and not the growing attraction he felt between them.He had plenty of other things to think about—like his recovery and whether he was going to join Lawson’s tactical operations team.Even though he knew his brother had some serious issues with it, Cade couldn’t deny how much the idea appealed to him.It was a chance to secure a new direction in his life, and give himself something to focus on that wasn’t the grueling reminder of everything he left behind.
He eventually drifted off to sleep and woke early the next day to the light peeking through the window next to him.He opened his eyes and lifted his head from the pillow, feeling a smile spread over his face before he could stop it.Something about waking up so close to River made him happy.Waking up in the same bed would be even better, but he quickly redirected his thoughts.He wasn’t going down that road…not yet anyway.
He climbed out of bed before his mind could wander any further, and headed out to the small kitchen.He expected to see River there, but she must have already headed out to work.The door to her bedroom was open, and she wasnowhere to be seen.He made himself a cup of coffee and sipped on it as he leaned up against the counter, watching as a few more leaves drifted down from the trees outside the cabin.He loved how peaceful it was this time of year.
He rinsed his mug and headed up to the lodge to grab some breakfast, and spotted River working on something in one of the rooms off the main corridor.Xavier must have gotten her set up with her own little space.He peered around the door to see her with a few needles pressed between her lips, brow furrowed as she fixed up one of the old windbreakers that looked as though it had seen better days.He thought about calling out to her, letting her know he was there, but thought better of it.He didn’t want to throw her off her concentration.
He grabbed a quick breakfast and then headed to another physical therapy session with Carter.If he was lucky it would just be physical therapy today and no brotherly concern like yesterday.
“You know,” Carter said casually while walking Cade through some mobility exercises.“Your physical recovery is just one aspect of a full recovery.You need to take care of your mental health too.You’ve been through a lot.”
So much for no brotherly concern.“I know that,” Cade said a little impatiently.“It’s just easier for me to focus on the physical stuff right now.”He’d never been great at talking about his feelings.
“You should go see our counselor here, Sarah,” Carter told him, raising his eyebrows at his brother.“She could help you talk through the things that have happened and teach you some strategies for moving forward.”
That sounded like torture to Cade.He’d rather run intoa burning building.“Why would I want to do that?”Cade asked.
Carter rolled his eyes skyward.“It’s what this place is for, Cade.Helping people make a full recovery, which means both physically and mentally.You’re nearly there when it comes to the physical side of things, but you have to focus on your mental recovery too.”
“Yeah, okay, I’ll think about it.Maybe I’ll see if I can schedule her in,” Cade replied to appease Carter.
Thankfully, Carter dropped it, and they spent the rest of the session talking about more neutral topics.
After he left Carter’s office, he went to find Xavier to see if he needed Cade’s help with anything.He enjoyed helping out around the lodge because it helped him stay busy and earn his keep.He also enjoyed it because it meant that he often ran into River throughout the day.
Like that very moment, as he saw her leaving the cafeteria.He couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face.
He fell into step beside her.“Hey, how’s your work going today?”he asked as they made their way from the cafeteria down to the room she had been working out of.She seemed happier today and she had a spring in her step that hadn’t been there before.It was amazing what good rest and enough food could do for someone.
“Hi, Cade.I think I’m starting to make a dent,” she replied with a grimace.“But there’s still so much left that needs to be done.I think it’ll take me the whole rest of the year to catch up with it.”
Cade grinned at the thought.Having her around for at least another few months?It sounded good to him.
“I see Xavier moved you up from the basement.You like your new space?”
“Actually, I do.I’ve got a window so I can see outside and it’s really helpful with the natural light coming in,” she replied more animated than he’d seen her yet.
“That sounds nice.Well, keep up the great work and let me know if you ever need any help,” he offered.“I’m not good with a needle but I am good company.”
Her smile lit up her face.“I’ll have to take you up on that sometime.”
He really hoped she did.
* * *
The next afternoon, when he was heading back to his cabin to grab a change of clothes after a gym session, he was waylaid by a woman he’d seen around but hadn’t spoken to before.She stepped out in front of him, extending her hand and offering a smile.
“Hi.I’m Sarah Peterson,” she introduced herself.“I’m the counselor here.Your brother mentioned that you might be interested in having a counseling session with me?”
Cade took her hand and silently cursed his brother for his meddling.He didn’t want to seem rude, but he also didn’t know if he was ready to talk about his feelings—especially with a stranger.
He shrugged noncommittally.“Yeah, he thought it might be good for me to have a couple of sessions to work through my…the stuff I’ve been through, I guess.”
