Page 25 of Protective Assignment
Sarah shook her head.“Wow,” she replied in surprise.“You have incredible instincts, then.Have you ever thought about training as a therapist?”
“Uh, no,” River answered.“I just… I’ve seen people act like that before and I just wanted to help.It was my fault after all.I dropped my bag and the noise startled him.”
River tried to turn and walk away, but Sarah stopped her before she could get too far.River tensed up slightly, not sure exactly how this interaction was supposed to go, but deciding to see it through either way.She couldn’t keep running from everything.
“You really did an amazing job with him,” Sarah remarked, as the man turned in the opposite direction of them and continued on his way.“I’ve seen plenty of specially trained PTSD therapists who don’t have the instincts you do, River.”
“Thanks,” River replied with a slight blush staining her cheeks.Was that a compliment?It felt like one.The way Sarah was smiling at her, it seemed like she was truly impressed with what River had done.
“If you’re ever looking for something else to do around here,” Sarah continued, “you come by my office, I could always use some help.”
“Your office?”River replied, confused.
“Yes, to help out with some of my clients,” she continued.“In a peer-mentoring type setting, since you don’t have any formal training.But I think you could do a lot of good with people who are dealing with flashbacks.”
River stared at her for a moment, trying to wrap herhead around the offer that was being laid out in front of her.There was a part of her that was flattered that someone like Sarah, who clearly knew what she was doing, would see potential in someone like her.But could she really risk creating any more connections to this place and the people here than she already had?The more ties she put down at the lodge, the harder it was going to be for her to leave when the time came.
River offered her a smile.“I’ll think about it.”
Sarah grinned back.“Wonderful,” she replied.“Well, I hope I’ll be seeing more of you, River.You did something really important with that man today.I hope you’re proud of yourself.”
River felt her face heat under the other woman’s praise.She wasn’t used to being complimented, and having a professional like Sarah tell her she had done something worthwhile made her chest warm in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.This place, it was full of people who seemed to see her differently than she saw herself.They saw more, even, than she knew she was capable of.They looked at her and didn’t see a failure or a pathetic loser with no job skills to her name.They saw someone who was actually worth something.
As Sarah turned and walked away, River filled up her water bottle and pondered the offer.Maybe it would do her good, going outside of her comfort zone to help others who needed it.She didn’t really know what she was doing, but it had felt good to help that man through his crisis.Heck, maybe she could even pick up some skills to navigate the pain she carried herself.
The offer was something she wanted to give serious consideration, but only if she stayed.
She could not think of making this detour on her journey permanent right now.She had other priorities to see to first—her family and all their safety.But maybe in the future, it would be something for her to consider.For now, she needed to remember her purpose for being here.
She arrived at the room off the lobby, where she’d been working.She appreciated Xavier letting her use this space instead of having to stay in the basement.River loved having a window to look outside.As soon as she stepped through the door, she felt her heart skip several beats in her chest.
Because she wasn’t the only one there.No, someone else was in the room, inspecting her work like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.
It was Cade.
Chapter Fifteen
Cade wasn’t entirely sure what he had hoped to achieve by coming to see her.He knew it wasn’t a wise decision, especially after what happened earlier in the bathroom at their cabin.He should keep his distance, give them both a little space.He just couldn’t seem to stay away, though.It was like an invisible force pulling him toward her.
River stopped on the spot when she saw him, and Cade grinned at her.
“Hey,” he greeted.The tension in the air was thick between them, which didn’t surprise him.How could it not be, after what had happened?Her lips slightly parted in surprise, and it took every bit of restraint he had not to lean forward and kiss her again, remind himself how good her mouth felt against his.
“Hey,” she replied, her voice a little higher than usual.
She must have been able to feel the heat between them too.Even though he had stopped himself before things could go any further, he still wanted her so much it made his head spin.
“I was just checking to see if you’d made any progress on that winter jacket for me,” he joked.He knew it was a lame excuse but it was all he could think of right then.
She smiled.“Not yet, but I haven’t forgotten.I just need to find the right shade of pink for you.”
“I trust you to know what looks good on me,” he teased back.
She tucked a loose strand of her long hair back behind her ear.The way the light was coming through the window beside her, she looked almost radiant, as though she was exuding her own halo.
She flicked her gaze up to meet his, eyes darting back and forth as she looked at him.
Taking a deep breath, she spoke again.“Cade, I just… I wanted to apologize about what happened between us,” she began, shaking her head.“I know I shouldn’t have kissed you like that.It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing, and I know it’s not appropriate, given that we’re living together now.”
