Page 35 of Not Faking it with the Colonel

“Really?” Her mouth curved into a disbelieving smile.

“I recommend you observe quietly from the sidelines unless invited to participate.”

“I can do that. What should I wear? Camouflage so I don’t stand out?”

He nearly laughed at her instant enthusiasm, but she might not appreciate that. “Best not to wear camouflage. It’ll look like you’re trying too hard. Something casual that you can move in to follow the team around would be best.”

“No high heels. Got it.” She aimed a sassy smile at him.

“Right. They won’t take you seriously then. Though I should warn you, Captain Bryson has quite a sense of humor. That part of the post is restricted access, so meet me here at 0700 sharp. I’ll take you over and pick you up at the end of the day. That will also allow the team to see us together. Are you good with all that?”

“Definitely. Thank you.” She took a step closer. “I can’t believe this is really happening. I’m shaking.” She held out her hand to show him.

“Just be yourself and follow Bryson’s orders. You’ll win them over. Just don’t ask if they’ve killed anyone. They will shut you out in a heartbeat.” It was a question he didn’t want to be asked by anyone, even Erin.

Over dinner, they discussed the types of training that would be most beneficial for her to observe based on her story ideas. One day with Bryson’s team couldn’t possibly cover it all.

“The meal was amazing, and so was the company. I’ve missed this.” Having Erin in his house stirred up a mix of emotions. Sadness, yet hopefulness. He didn’t quite know how to describe the loneliness of losing the person you thought you’d be with forever, but Erin nodded in understanding. “I hope you’ll stick around for a while.”

“I didn’t plan to run off. This may be ‘an arrangement,’ but I’m not faking that I like you and spending time with you. I wouldn’t have agreed to this otherwise.” She held eye contact with him.

“Same. Though this could get complicated.” He took hold of her hand.

“Not if we stay focused on what we agreed to. And with what everyone says about the first relationship after divorce being . . .” She paused as if afraid to say the word.

“A rebound? They say the same thing in grief support groups.”

“I’m staying realistic. No commitment, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our time together.” She broke eye contact, squeezed his hand before removing hers, and started clearing their plates.

He got up to help. While they loaded the dishwasher, Erin’s phone rang. She looked over at it but didn’t move right away.

“That’s Piper’s ringtone.” Erin’s countenance changed to one of a concerned mother. “It’s late there. I better take it.” She released a deep breath.

“Use my office.” He pointed down the foyer. “You’ll have privacy there.”

“Thanks.” Phone in hand, she greeted her daughter as she entered his office and closed the door behind her.

* * *

“I’m sorry about that.”Erin returned her phone to her purse. There’d been no way to tell Graham things would take a while once Piper told her what was happening.

“No apologies needed. Is everything okay?”

“I wouldn’t say okay, but she’s better after we talked. The girl she’s rooming with on the trip went out with some others from the group tonight.”

“They didn’t invite her?”

“I didn’t ask. Piper’s not much of a party girl. The problem was her roomie coming back to the hotel room drunk with some guy in tow.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“No. Not when sharing a small room. It’s not like she could pull the covers over her head and ignore them getting busy.”

“What did she do?”

“First, she turned on the light. Only that didn’t stop things, and they invited her to participate.”

“Oh.”

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