Page 39 of Call Sign: Thunder
"And the bags under her eyes. They're gone. You got her to sleep?"
"Yes, sir."
"How?" Zach's face must have given a hint to some of the more salacious activities that had occupied a good portion of their time since they'd last seen her father. The elder retracted his statement. "Never mind. Forget I asked that."
Zach couldn't hide his smile. "Yes, sir."
The three of them stood awkwardly in the foyer. He had hoped for a few minutes of privacy with Allison for their goodbyes, but her father seemed reluctant to leave.
Zach finally took a deep breath and said the words he knew would hurt Allison. "Well, I guess it's time for me to head out. Thank you again for the charter flight back to my base, sir."
Allison's tears were flowing again as Zach started to try to extricate himself from her clinging embrace. It broke his heart to hurt her, but he told himself this was for the best. They’d agreed to email and text. That would have to be enough.
He kissed the top of her head as he hugged her one last time. "Be a good girl, now, Allie. Remember your promises to me."
Like pulling a Band-Aid off a wound, he pulled himself away from her and took off stalking toward the front door. It took all his effort to resist turning back when he heard her sobs.
His hand was on the doorknob when her father's voice stopped him in his tracks. "What are you doing for Christmas this year, Captain Garrett? Do you have any time off?"
Had her father really just opened the door for more time with Allie?
He turned, trying to understand the dynamics at play. "I do have some downtime, yes. I'd planned on heading home to Chicago to spend at least part of the time with my family."
Zach glanced at Allison. She'd stopped crying and was looking at her father with pleading eyes he suspected had her father wrapped around her little finger. It was a look he'd love the opportunity to spank off her face if she'd tried it with him.
When the senator looked back at Zach, there were tears in his eyes. "Well, if it's not too much trouble, Allison and I would like it if you'd join us in Vail for the holidays. We usually spend Christmas and New Years at our home there. The skiing is great."
Zach had been so sure he'd be locked out of Allison's life by the powerful senator that he’d been too afraid to even hope for a future. Moreover, as a realist, he still knew they had many hurdles to clear before they might get something close to a happily ever after, but he let hope seep back in.
Allison raced across the foyer and back into his arms, clinging to him again as the men exchanged a knowing glare behind her back. The senator's message came through loud and clear. Zach was welcome as long as he made his little girl happy, but God help him if he hurt her.
Lucky for him, the only pain he currently planned on causing Allison was on her adorable little butt if she broke any of the wellness rules he’d set out for her.
"I'd love to spend my time off with you in Vail, but I have just two conditions,” he said, looking back into Allie’s eyes.
She looked up at him, ready to promise the world.
“First, you’ll start going to your therapy sessions starting this week.” When Allison started to complain, he lifted two fingers to her lips to shush her. “There is only so much help your father and I can give you, honey. You have suffered through a horrific experience and you need to talk through what happened with a therapist you trust. Someone who can help you sort through all of the emotional waves you’re going through.”
“But I already feel so much better… I don’t…”
Zach cut her off. “I’m glad you feel better, but this weekend is just the turning point. I still live far away and I have a demanding job. You need to find someone who is better prepared to guide you through your recovery.”
“Okay… if I have to,” she agreed.
Zach glanced up in time to see her father swishing away a tear with a hankie, his relief visible.
Allie asked, “What’s the other condition?”
Zach grinned. "You'll have to teach me to ski. I've never been."
Forgetting her father was standing right behind her, Allie put her hand on his chest seductively. "That's okay. We don't have to ski. We can stay back and do other things."
Her look was hot enough to melt the floor beneath them. Zach was helpless to stop from kissing her, sweeping her into his arms and planting an open-mouth, toe-curling kiss on her. Only the sound of her father clearing his throat convinced them to pull apart.
He cleared his throat as he resisted the urge to reach down to rearrange his package that was straining against the zipper of his jeans. Willing it to go down, he said his goodbyes. "Be a good girl now. I'll be checking to make sure you eat healthy and get enough rest. I’d hate for you to be in more trouble when I see you in a few weeks if you haven’t been taking good care of yourself.”
She batted her expressive eyes at him and he knew he was in trouble. "I'm always a good girl."
