Chapter Twenty-One

Dawn arrived before she knew it, beautiful and heart-wrenching all the same.

Her ideal life clashed with the real world, leaving her saddened and upset. A week with the man she loved wasn’t nearly enough time. Lily’s mind told her to be rational. She had always known he had a job that kept him on the move. On the other hand, her heart encouraged her to cling tightly to him, lest he walk out of the door and never return.

“I’ll be back. Don’t worry.”

Lily nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “I believe you.”

He pulled her close, pressing butterfly kisses to her cheeks, soaking up the tears. “Then believe this. I’ve never had anything as wonderful as you to come home to before. I know you’ll be there waiting for me and nothing will keep me from returning to you. Promise.”

“I love you, Cale.” She hugged him all the tighter.

“I love you, too.”

Stunned surprise stilled the hamster wheel inside her mind. The words she longed to hear. She could hardly believe her ears.

Cale grinned down at her, his heart in his eyes. “I mean it. I do love you.”

So excited, she nearly bowled Cale over when she threw herself into his arms, squeezing him for all she was worth. “I love you, too. So much.”

He chuckled, holding her tight for a moment longer.

She rained kisses over his face, still giddy about his declaration, the moment bittersweet as he finally said the phrase she feared he might never utter to her, then having to immediately ride off into battle once more.

A horn honked behind them.

Coming back to reality, Lily wiped the tears from her eyes, looking up at Cale.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can. Take care. You have our numbers in case you need them?”

She nodded. “I’ll try not to be a pest.” Last night, he had given her a list of important phone numbers but cautioned her that on most jobs they shut down communications for the protection of them and their loved ones. Technology could be easily traced and the men they dealt with had no problem using innocent people for a means to an end. Not only that, but distraction could be deadly. After her experience with Lansing, she understood completely. The thoughts of how close they had all come to a shootout at her house and possible death sent shudders down her spine.

“Never a pest, love.” He gave her one final squeeze, a quick kiss, then picked up his gear and strode to the car. Spoon climbed out to open the back. Together they wrangled the large canvas bags into the vehicle, shutting the rear door afterwards.

Cale turned once more, looking at Lily as she stood in the doorway.

She riveted her eyes on him, trying to commit the image to memory.

With a tender smile and wave, he climbed into the car.

Lily watched until she could no longer see the tiny speck of black in the distance. Slowly, she shut the front door and headed for the couch. Tears overflowed once more, her heart aching at the sudden loss. He’ll be back. That fact gave her a bit of solace, but she couldn’t help the onset of loneliness at his departure.

A paw reached up to pat her cheek. Looking over, she saw Hope, sitting beside her with a look of concern in her large expressive eyes. Lily immediately pulled the calico into her lap, taking comfort from Hope’s loud purr. The kittens followed suit, Faith and Charity rubbing against her arms, setting their own engines to humming. She soaked in all their affection, happy to have them there. “What would I do without you?”

A few days ago, all she had needed to combat loneliness was her little brood. Now, she needed Cale, too.

A few minutes later, she strode into her bedroom, needing to get ready for work. She paused at the familiar black jacket tossed across the comforter. A bright white paper rested on top. Perplexed, she picked up the note, quietly reading it to herself. This will keep you warm when I’m not there. Love you and see you soon.

Lily placed the note back on the bed using both hands to pick up Cale’s coat. Pulling it close, she inhaled deeply, easily scenting his woodsy smell imprinted on the fabric. She couldn’t help but smile. I might sniff this thing until the scent wears out. His consideration and generosity touched her deeply. It was a gift she would wear and treasure, thinking about him each and every time she pulled it on.

* * * *

Promptly at noon, her cell phone rang. Concern immediately flashed through her. Only Carson or Casey ever called and those were fairly few and far between since Casey had delivered Adam and spent all hours of the day and night caring for him. Besides that, she was at work. If Carson needed her, he simply had to walk around the corner to the kitchen where she sat staring at her peanut butter sandwich with little interest.

Dillon’s voice carried over the line. “Cale says I’m twitterpated. He said to ask you what it meant.”

Lily giggled in relief and in sheer amusement. Leave it to Cale to pester Dillon mercilessly at any given opportunity. “Remember your first crush?”

“Blonde with big boobs in those music videos?”

She snorted. “No, silly Neanderthal. How you felt with your first crush in school.” When he remained mute, she continued on with her explanation. “Well, it means you are doting and obsessed or infatuated with someone. You thought of her all the time, planned on when to see her between classes, carried her books, took her to dances, etcetera.”

“Oh.” Dillon went quiet for a beat. “Maybe I won’t kick his butt like I promised after all.”

“Uh-huh.” She didn’t believe that for a minute. “By the way, how’s Della?”

“Absolutely wonderful.”

She heard the adoration in his tone. No doubt about it, he loved that woman from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. “Yep, you are definitely twitterpated.”

“Hey!”

“I’m just agreeing with Cale.” Lily picked at a potato chip. The unexpected call helped ease her loneliness with Cale leaving.

“You miss him.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yeah. A lot.” She sighed into the phone. Worry still ate at her despite her confidence in the team’s abilities and Cale’s promise to return.

“Don’t worry. He’s good at what he does.”

She nodded then realized he couldn’t see it. “I know. It’s just hard.”

“Yeah. It sucks being on this side.” He waited a beat before speaking again. “You love him, huh?”

“More than I ever thought possible.” Truth rang with those words.

“Ha! Welcome to the club!”

Lily burst out laughing. She could tell Dillon missed his brother nearly as much as she did. But, together, they would make it through until he returned.

“Lily, really. Call me. Any time you want to talk. I’ll be here. Doc won’t release me back to work for a few weeks,” he offered up, his voice going serious once more.

“I will. Thank you, Dillon. You made me feel better already.”

“What are friends for?” With that, he hung up.

Lily clicked her phone off, smiling for the first time since Cale left.