Lisa Harris - Sheltered By The Soldier

“I also know how easy it is to keep searching for an explanation when someone dies.”

Gabby felt a ball of anger begin to bubble inside her gut. Hadn’t she spent the last year and a half trying to combat those feelings? Weekly counseling sessions with her pastor, dozens of books on grief, along with advice from half the people she ran into while she tried to work full-time and raise Mia.

“I’m not just looking for answers.” She bit the edge of her tongue. Healing was raw and personal. She knew that. Knew how easy it was to snap back a response that she’d later regret. But you couldn’t just throw out grief with the trash and expect everything to simply switch back to normal. Healing was a process and losing Will had changed her forever.

“I’m sorry.” He stepped in front of her and rubbed the back of his neck. “All I meant was that nothing can change the fact that he’s gone. We know how he died and digging for answers is just going to hurt more.”

“Maybe. But then why did someone ransack my house and follow me here? This all has to be related.”

“All I know for certain is that Will died in an ambush. We all knew our jobs were a risk, but it was a choice he made every day in order to serve his country.”

“I understand that, but what if there was more involved? Because I believe there was.”

She’d been around Liam enough to know he was far more methodical than impulsive. His questions weren’t a dismissal of what she believed, but rather his way of working through a problem.

“Do you have his letters with you?” he asked.

“I’m not really sure why, but I’ve been carrying them around in my car. Now I’m glad I did.”

“Do you think that’s what the intruder was after?”

“It makes sense. The only problem is I don’t know what they think is in them.” She blew out a slow breath. “I thought maybe you’d see something I didn’t.”

Liam pulled out one of the chairs and sat down in it. “Will seemed distracted before he died. But to be honest, I thought it was because he was ready to get back home. It just seems odd he never mentioned something like this was going on.”

She caught the fatigue in his eyes, making her second-guess her impulsive decision to come here. He had enough of a burden to carry without her adding to it. He might not have died in the explosion, but he carried the physical scars as reminders. Months of therapy had healed most of them, but she understood all too well that it was often what couldn’t be seen that hurt the most.

“You know, I’m sorry,” she said, taking a step back. “I shouldn’t have come. I just thought maybe you’d spoken to him and that you might have some of the answers. But you don’t know anything, so—”

“Gabby, no.” He stood up and bridged the distance between them. “You did the right thing. Of course, I’ll help. I’ll do anything I can, but in the meantime, I want to get you somewhere safe. I’ll take you up to the ranch. I’ve been staying there the past few weeks while waiting to get approved for active duty. You’ll be safe there, and it will give us a safe place to figure things out.”

She caught the sincerity in his voice, but that didn’t sway her response. “I couldn’t impose. I’ll just stay at the hotel here in town. I can’t just drop everything, either. I’ve got my job—”

“Forget it. My mother would never forgive me if I don’t insist you come. And in fact...” Liam turned toward the woman who’d just stepped into the doorway of the room, wearing a flowered scrub top and matching pants. “You remember my mother.”

“Of course. It’s good to see you again, Mrs. O’Callaghan.”

“Please call me Marci.”

“Alright, but I’m sorry you had to come down here. I’m fine. Really.”

The older woman set a small padded medical bag onto the table. “Even at low speeds, there can be issues with whiplash and back injuries after a car accident. It’s not something you should play around with.”

Liam shot Gabby a smile. “If I were you, I wouldn’t argue with my mom.”

Mia started fussing in the car seat.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve forgotten your baby’s name,” Marci said.

“Mia.”

“That’s a beautiful name. Liam...why don’t you entertain Mia while I look at her mama. I’ll check her over next.”

Gabby glanced at Liam. “You don’t mind?”

“Of course not.”

She handed Liam Mia, her stuffed giraffe and a small tub of Cheerios.

“We’ll just wait for your mama in the hallway, won’t we, Mia?”

Gabby turned back to Liam’s mother while he stepped out of the room.

“You said you didn’t have any complaints?” Marci asked.

“Besides being chilled to the bone, I feel fine. It could have been so much worse.”

“Any bruises or cuts that you noticed?”

“No. I’ve got a slight crick in my neck, but it honestly isn’t bad enough to even take Tylenol.”

“Any trouble moving it?”

Gabby turned her head to the right, then the left. “No. None at all.”

“No pain or dizziness?”

“Nothing.”

She glanced at the hallway where Liam was pretending the giraffe was an airplane. Mia laughed, all smiles.

“He’s really good with her.” Somehow, she’d expected Liam to shy away from kids, but apparently she had been wrong.

“Liam might be a soldier who’s served on the battlefield, but he’s always had a soft spot for kids.”

Gabby smiled, filing that information away with what she already knew about him.

“What about your parents?” Marci asked, slowly moving her hand down Gabby’s spine. “Do they live near you?”

“They did until about a month ago. They’re used to wintering in Florida, and I insisted they go this year. They’ll be back for the holidays and some skiing this winter.”

“It’s got to be tough, raising a child on your own.”

“Thankfully, I’m a graphic designer and able to work at home. And Mia’s an easy baby. Most days anyway.”

It had taken her a while to convince her parents to take their yearly winter in Florida, but for some reason, doing things on her own this winter had been an important step forward for her.

“At this point,” Marci said, “I don’t notice anything to be concerned about, but some injuries can take several days to show up, especially in your spine or neck. If you have any numbness, swelling, back pain or headaches, you need to let me know immediately.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“How old is Mia?”

“She turns one in a few days. I can hardly believe it.”

“Seems like my boys were that age not too long ago, though that’s not exactly true.”

Gabby laughed.

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Marci asked.

“I’m an only child.”

Mia threw her giraffe onto the floor and started fussing.

Liam made his way back over to them. “I think someone needs her mama.”

“You’re good with her, but she’s getting sleepy, and I have a feeling she won’t be herself until she gets a proper nap.”

Mia just nuzzled her head into Gabby’s shoulder while Marci quickly checked her out.

“From what Griffin told me, the accident was very minor, but you’ll still need to watch Mia for anything that seems off like vomiting, not sleeping and unusual crying. I’d also suggest you do a follow-up with your pediatrician when you get home.”

“I will. Thank you.”

“I was serious about coming out to the ranch for a few days,” Liam said. “I can make sure you’re safe, and it will give us time to figure out who hit you.”

“Your family’s already done so much. I couldn’t impose. I could get a hotel tonight—”

“That’s out of the question. Besides, we have plenty of room. Right, Mom?”