Finding Kassie, page 2
“Is Michael coming?”
As if he had heard his name called, Michael came through the door with a big bowl of salad and three huge baked potatoes. “Sorry, I’m late.”
Chase smirked, “He’s always late.”
“Man, I’m not always late. I just have extended office hours.”
Chase rolled his eyes. He pulled the steaks off the grill as Michael laid out fixings for the salad and potatoes.
When they finished, Leo pulled his chair back and got comfortable. He fingered the whiskey glass. “You probably wonder why I asked to see you.”
Chase took a draw of his beer and glanced at Michael. “It crossed our minds. We haven’t seen you since you saved our asses. But we owe you our lives. We’re aware we could’ve died over there. So if we can help you and the team in any way, we’ll do our best.”
“We were doing our job.” Leo pulled out two folders and handed one to each of the men. “I’ve started a black ops group. I can’t go over our missions, but I’ll tell you that the information you passed us before you were taken shook some things up. We were sent in to retrieve Avie Rahimi on the day you left. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as well as planned. Shadow was taken hostage, Whiskey and Olaf were KIA, and Ash couldn’t take losing Maverick and blamed Ragu for things that happened. In the end, he transferred to another team.”
Chase and Michael sat back in the chairs and listened to Leo’s story. No specifics were given, but Leo believed that something had seemed off. The government felt there was nothing to investigate as Ragu had been pinned as the reason for the errors on the mission. Leo chose not to renew his contract, and Ash transferred and didn’t make it back home.
Taco and Shadow were medically discharged, and Saint followed Leo six months later. They now accepted black op missions and took on bodyguard duties for dignitaries. Derrick had a Commander that introduced him to the CIA agent, Rebecca Rhodes. She knew that Leo wanted to investigate the deaths of his brothers, so he took on missions that would help the team get closer to the truth.
“I’m not sure how we could help you with that.” Michael leaned back in his seat and placed the folder on the table without opening it. “I’m not going back to Afghanistan.”
“What I need is a multipurpose team. I’ll find another corpsman to fill my medical needs in the field. What I need is a doc that can patch us up after missions. Maybe allow us to stay out of sight from civilian hospitals and off the military radar.”
Chase was reading the folder. His eyes widened, and he risked a glance at Michael. Leo chuckled. “Everything is on the up and up. I’ve already had Rhodes get a security clearance for both of you. The packages include salary, bonuses, and benefits. As you can see, it would probably move your timeline for the hospital up some. If one of you can accompany us or be available, I can bring both of you on.” He nodded toward Chase. “I know you have an exceptional trauma surgery background, and Michael, I know you work with peds patients. I want you primarily as a backup. I ask that you give it some thought.”
“I’d also like to bring Whiskey’s widow, Samantha, here. We’re helping her in Seattle. Her father passed, and she needs a fresh start. She helps the team out with witnesses with whom we’re entrusted. I think this town would be suitable for her.”
Michael slid the folder over, and he replicated Chase’s surprise. “Will I have access to someone who could search for a missing person?”
“Rhodes has contacts and consented to helping you look for your wife. However, I understand you haven’t had any luck in that area.”
“She’s my ex-wife. But yes. I want to find her.” The hurt in Michael’s voice was evident.
“Could I have some time to think about it?” Chase asked “I just discovered that my fiancée is pregnant, and I’m unsure if I want to be away right now. I promised not to take on missions out of the country and plan to keep it. Of course, you and the team are welcome to stay at the mountain as needed.”
“As I said, I’ll get a corpsman to accompany the team. I might take you up on coming this way. I don’t particularly care to stay in Seattle. It’s close enough that I can get to meetings but far enough away that we could work and plan details without eyes on us all the time. Your hospital will also work as an excellent cover if anyone is injured, and it wouldn’t bring up questions. I’d be willing to help with that expense as well.”
“As I said, let me talk to my fiancée. We’re getting married this weekend.”
“That’s all I ask.” Leo shook both men’s hands and left.
Thursday night, Rachel had agreed to a quiet dinner at the cabin. However, she refused to enter his mom’s house, saying the smell made her sick. He was offended for his mom, but Sophia Winters settled her son down with a few words and sage advice about newly pregnant mothers and smells that set them off.
“Just think, I’ll be Mrs. Dr. Chase Winters in two days! I can’t believe it’s finally here! You won’t believe all that Mama and Daddy have planned for this wedding! My friends are going to be so jealous!”
“Have you told them about your pregnancy?” Chase asked as he twirled a piece of her long, dyed blond hair around his finger. They sat on the couch that Chase had finally relented and purchased as Rachel seemed to have no interest in helping furnish the house.
“Well… no, silly. We’ll make the announcement after the wedding after a month or two. Everyone will think we conceived on our honeymoon! Won’t that be so romantic?”
Chase looked at her, confused. “I didn’t realize that getting pregnant outside of marriage was such a big deal for you. I mean, your fiancé was just held hostage and dealt a double blow. So a pregnancy at this point is a happy blessing. We were already planning to get married anyway.”
She uneasily slid from his lap. “It’s not that. Some women miscarry in the first few months. I don’t want to get them excited over nothing yet.” She dumped a generous amount of cream in her coffee and a liberal amount of sugar.
Chase winced, knowing that saying anything about her pregnancy diet would derail the current conversation, he chose his battle. “So, when did the doctor estimate the due date? I want to tell Mom.”
“Honey, you know babies come early all the time or late. Why does a date matter so much? Babies are rarely born on their due date, anyway. I’m not going to get hooked up on one date.” She emphasized irritably.
“I’d just like to know when our child is due and you’ve yet to tell me.” He watched as she placed her coffee cup on the table and frowned. “You know I detest decaf coffee.”
“I’d also like to know what OB you decided on. I know a few of them at the hospital, and I’d love for Michael to be the pediatrician. Hopefully, he’ll be practicing full-time again by the time the baby is born.”
She rolled her eyes. “Honey, this is just all so…new to me. Can’t you let me have a moment to get used to the idea myself before we get all caught up in this?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t want you stressed. I guess I’m just excited.” He held back his disappointment at her lack of enthusiasm for the baby. It wasn’t planned, but he considered it a blessing after the last few months.
“Well, it seems getting pregnant has been the only way to get you to keep your promise to marry me.” She snarked as she took another sip of the coffee and grimaced at the taste.
Chase’s jaw clenched. “I admit I shouldn’t have taken the six-month detour when Dad brought it up. But trust me, I’ve had enough of my own regrets. I would’ve been here for the wedding and maybe to help when he had the heart attack. But I promised you, and I intend to keep it.”
Her mouth formed a pretty little pout. “Well, we can’t do anything about that now.” She dismissed his regrets quickly.
“Why don’t I help you get to your car so you can start heading home? You’ve been tired lately and I don’t want you to drive back to Seattle when you’re exhausted.” Chase gently suggested.
“Rachel gave him a sexy little grin. “Then maybe I should stay here in bed with you?” She ran her hand around his collarbone and batted her eyelashes at him.
“I’m headed to Mom’s. She won’t be here for much longer, Rach. I want to spend as much time as I can with her. I promise I’ll make it up to you.” He leaned in to rub his thumb over the top of her hand.
Rachel jumped up and slammed her phone on the couch while gathering her coat. “I’ll see you at the rehearsal dinner.” From the irritation in her voice it was clear that she was miffed at playing second fiddle to his mom.
Hoping to avoid another confrontation, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I’ll see you there, and I’m anxious to see just how beautiful you look on Saturday.” His words made her beam from ear to ear. Then he walked her to her car, headed back inside to grab his go-pack, and strode to his mom’s.
Chapter Three
Chase
The morning of the rehearsal, Chase returned to the cabin for a nap while Jake kept his mom company. His mama’s friends were coming over later to help her get ready. Chase suggested that she stay at home, but she insisted that she represent Chase’s side of the family. Hearing the phone ring, he returned to the kitchen and realized it wasn’t his. He approached the couch and pulled Rachel’s phone from the cushion.
The phone indicated that it was her OBGYN and he answered the call. “Hello?”
“Hello, may I speak with Rachel Foster?”
“I’m sorry my fiancée left her phone. This is Dr. Chase Winters. Is there anything wrong with the baby?”
“Oh no. I’m just calling to reschedule her three-month prenatal appointment with us. I’m afraid Dr. Schuling won’t be in on the twenty-seventh when we originally scheduled her.”
“Did you say her three-month appointment? Don’t you mean her second-month appointment?”
“Uhh, let me double check… No, it’ll be her three-month prenatal.” The receptionist answered cheerfully.
Chase sat there stunned. “Oh, it’s my mistake. I’m afraid I have the wedding on my mind. I’ll have her call your office as soon as I return her phone so she can reschedule.”
“That would be great. We’re open till five o’clock. Congratulations on the wedding and the baby!”
Chase hung up the phone and quickly did the math. The numbers weren’t adding up. His jaw tightened as he reflected on her insistence that the wedding be rushed. Naively he felt it was due to not wanting to show in her wedding pictures.
If Rachel had come to him and told him the truth, he wouldn’t have been happy, but he would’ve understood. No. No, he wouldn’t. He didn’t understand at all. He realized he pushed the wedding off because something didn’t feel right internally. Even during his time in the Navy he stayed loyal to her. Knowing that she slept with someone while he recovered from being tortured and kidnapped, didn’t sit well with him.
While driving to the hotel for the opulent rehearsal dinner on Friday, Chase thought of a hundred ways to bring up the baby situation. Finally, he decided he couldn’t hold back anymore. “Rachel, we need to talk.”
“Oh honey, there’ll be all the time to talk after the wedding! I have to run upstairs as soon as we get to the hotel. The stylist is waiting to touch up my hair and makeup before we go down. After that, I need to change into another outfit. Did I tell you that Daddy flew out all his business associates to see me walk down the aisle?”
“We need to talk tonight.” He had no intention of walking up that aisle without knowing the truth.
“No! We aren’t going to talk tonight! We agreed this was my day! We’ve concentrated on you and your problems since you returned. I’ve patiently waited on you through your military stuff and that ridiculous stint that got you kidnapped! So, this weekend is my weekend! We can talk after the ceremony.”
Chase realized he was seeing a new side of the sweet Rachel he had dated in college and saw sporadically between deployments. Parking the car, he walked to her side, took her arm, and led them into the hotel.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going up to the hotel room with you. So, if you need to let your stylist know you’ll be a minute, I suggest you do it now.”
She shot him an angry look and stomped down the hallway to the suite. When she opened the door, Chase was stunned. It looked like a Hollywood production. There was a special makeup vanity and dresses labeled for the wedding, cake cutting, reception, and after the reception. An entire team of make-up and hairstylists stood at the ready.
She walked in and calmly asked if she could have the room for just a moment and placed a sweet smile on her face as she lovingly grabbed his arm and looked at him. The team made their excuses and exited the room.
When the door closed, she tromped to the restroom to change her outfit. Chase walked around the room. Eight bags of luggage were tagged and ready to go for the honeymoon. When he got to the mirror, he saw the memo of a private jet that would take them to the Maldives. He had already made it clear that his mother wasn’t going to be around much longer, he wasn’t going to go far from her side! When was she planning on telling him that she continued with the honeymoon plans? Anger pulsed throughout his body.
“Okay! Now you have me here alone. What was so important that you couldn’t wait to discuss when we left for our honeymoon tomorrow night?” Her hands were on her hips, and she looked as if she was ready to launch herself at him for disrupting her fashion schedule.
“I want you to tell me the baby you’re carrying is mine.” His voice was deadly quiet.
Her face blanched for a split second before she raised her chin high. Her blond hair circled her face. “Are you trying to get out of this wedding again, Chase? I mean how ridiculous! Of course, the baby is yours!” She waved her hand as if to dismiss such a ridiculous accusation.
He sat there for a minute and realized the woman before him had no qualms about saddling him with a kid that wasn’t his. Even with everything that happened and the hurt he felt, if she had been honest and admitted the truth, he still would’ve married her.
“Rachel, you need to call your OBGYN. Your third-month prenatal appointment was changed. Your doctor won’t be there next week. When are you due? I’ve been home for eight months. Three of which, I was recovering from being held hostage, the fourth month I was in Seattle with my sick mother, and you were gone on a business trip for a month and a half. That would mean you’d be two and a half months along. But we didn’t have sex until six weeks ago at the latest.”
She returned to the vanity and pulled out a pair of diamond earrings. She placed one in her ear. “I don’t know who spoke with you, but they must’ve gotten the dates wrong. Really? You’re being so ridiculous.” She watched his reaction in the mirror as she clung to her excuses.
“That’s why I made an appointment tomorrow morning with a colleague in Seattle. It’s at eight in the morning, so we’ll return before the wedding festivities begin. He’ll do an ultrasound to see just how far along you are. If you disagree, I’ll go downstairs tonight and tell them the wedding is off.” He quietly demanded as he stared down at her reflection.
She swiftly turned to face him. “Chase! I can’t believe you’d do this to me now!” She threw her arms up in the air. “Fine! We’ll see your doctor in the morning! Are you happy?” Her chest heaved up and down in anger, but he wouldn’t back down.
“Yes, darling. I’m happy.” He didn’t smile as he leaned over her, sitting at the dressing table, and whispered in her ear. I’ll pick you up here at 7:30. I’ll leave you to your team.” He walked out and heard the glass shatter near the door. Although his math confirmed that the child couldn’t possibly be his, he held out hope that he was wrong. Somehow maybe the dates had been mixed up.
The rest of the evening, Rachel glued on a smile and clung to him as if he were her everything. His mother intently stared at him as they raised their glasses to toast the happy couple. He tried to smile and laugh, knowing he didn’t want to cause her undue stress.
That evening, he helped his mom slide into the truck seat and headed toward the well-worn road up the mountain. She was quiet the entire way, and he worried the evening had taken a toll on her. “Son, your father and I are proud of the man that you’ve become. You’ll always be my baby boy, and I know when something bothers you.”
He started to speak, but she held up her hand. “You don’t need to tell me. I know you can handle it. I’ll love and cherish whatever to the woman you choose as your wife. But I want to be honest with you. I don’t believe Rachel Foster is that woman. You need someone strong, someone who knows how to love unconditionally and needs you just as you need her. Someone loyal, faithful, and willing to fight you as much as they love you. Your father was all that to me, and I prayed you would find that. I can see the doubt in your eyes, baby, so please don’t be mad. I know my timing is terrible. Your dad and I always discussed this and agreed that you’re your own man. You need to make your own choices for your life.”
He squeezed her hand. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll know tomorrow morning. Then my mind will be at rest.”
At precisely seven-thirty, Chase showed up at Rachel’s door. She followed him into the suite and sat down. Her face was pale, her lips in a thin line, and she was still in a robe. He looked at her questioningly with one raised brow. “There’s no need to go see your doctor friend this morning. All the stress caused me to miscarry last night.” She raised her hand to the corner of her eye, and a few seconds later, tears began to form.
He sat down next to her and took her hand. A flash of momentary guilt went through him. He didn’t mean to cause her distress. He just wanted the truth. “Why didn’t you call me?”
She turned her head away from him. “You weren’t concerned about the stress you put me under last night at the rehearsal dinner! I didn’t think you’d care.” Her voice sounded hurt.
