Code name omega, p.7
Code Name: Omega, page 7
Lunar’s hind end swings out slightly, his neck arches, and he seems to prance in place for a moment before he lopes off into the three-beat gait.
The faster pace produces a breeze over my hot skin as I settle into the motion, and there’s no stopping my smile. I feel free and alive.
I also feel melancholy to have walked away from it all, but happier to be living my life without the pressure.
As we come out of the curve at the far end of the arena, my eyes catch movement, and I’m stunned to see Kellen walking my way holding a white bag. He’s wearing khaki cargo pants with a short-sleeved black T-shirt that’s molded to his torso. I’m so distracted that had Lunar come across a dapple of sunlight among shadows, he would’ve easily tossed me.
“Whoa, walk.” Lunar falls out of the canter and takes up a steady walk as I guide him to the end where Kellen stands.
He smiles as I approach. “You’re full of surprises.”
I walk my horse right up to the edge of the wood fencing that separates us and give him a pat on the neck. “This is my boy, Lunar.”
Kellen tilts his head back to look at me, shading his eyes from the sun with his hand. “Your boy?”
“Where I go, so, too, goes Lunar.” I give him another pat, and he tosses his head to show off. “He’s been with me since I was twelve.”
“Wow.” Kellen’s eyes roam over Lunar’s chestnut body. “He’s gorgeous.”
“Yes, he is.” Pride swells within me because this horse has been my partner from the start. I helped foal him on the farm, helped saddle break him, and trained him for the show ring. Accepted more blue ribbons on his back than I can count, including three world championships. No way I’d ever leave him back in Kentucky, even though I left the rest of it behind.
Slipping my feet from my stirrups, I swing out of the saddle and hop to the ground.
“Jesus,” Kellen mutters. “That’s a really tall horse to be jumping down like that.”
Moving to Lunar’s head to grab the reins near the bit, I laugh. “How else am I supposed to get off him?”
“A staircase would be appropriate.”
That makes me laugh even harder. “You clearly don’t know much about horses.”
“Want to teach me over lunch?” Kellen holds up a bag. “I brought subs for you and Christy. She’s already chowing down on hers.”
My heart flutters over the sweet gesture. “I’d love to. I’ll have to make it quick as I’ve got an appointment coming in soon, so I’ve got about twenty minutes to give you.”
“I’ll gladly take ’em.”
Kellen follows me around the outer part of the ring to the gate. I lead Lunar to the barn and into his stall. Kellen watches as I quickly take off and set aside Lunar’s saddle and bridle until I can put them away in the tack room when I’m all done.
I squat at Lunar’s left foreleg and start to remove his wraps. “See that big jar of peppermints on the table outside his stall? Will you grab one and give it to Lunar?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I see that Kellen finds the table. He sets his bag down, pulls out a peppermint—the good ones, large and round and red striped—and removes the wrapper.
“Just hold it under his mouth. Flatten your palm so he doesn’t bite your fingers off.”
Kellen stares at me, and I can see he’s not scared at the prospect, merely trying to gauge if I’m pulling his leg.
I grin at him. “He won’t bite your fingers off. He’s very gentle, but definitely hold your hand flat so there’s not a mistaken nibble.”
Kellen does as instructed, and Lunar eagerly uses his lips to grab the mint. “That’s a good boy,” Kellen praises and wipes horse slobber on his pants. He does so without a grimace and runs his hand along Lunar’s neck while I finish his leg wrappings.
Within five minutes, I’m done. I use the sink in the tack room to wash my hands and then I finally turn my full attention to Kellen. “So… we have about fifteen minutes.”
“I can wolf down a sub in that time. Where do you want to eat?”
I nab a horse blanket off one of the shelves as well as two bottled waters from the mini fridge, and Kellen grabs the food. I lead him out the back of the barn to a shady area under a sprawling oak tree, and we settle onto the ground for an impromptu picnic.
“Does Dr. Schoen ride?” he asks as he unwraps a sub and hands it to me.
“Not much anymore. She has two horses, and I handle most of their care and exercise. She gives me free apartment rent in exchange.” I bite into the sub, and my stomach does a happy dance. I didn’t have time for breakfast.
“I assume you’re looking to put down roots here since you said you were going to buy the practice.”
I nod as I sip my water. “I really like this area. The people are super nice—except for certain people who exploit and harm dogs—so yeah, I think this will be my home for some time to come. What about you?”
Kellen’s gaze sweeps across the hills of Dr. Schoen’s property to the mountains beyond. “It’s gorgeous here, and I love my job. It’s close to my parents without being too close, if you know what I mean.”
Oh yeah, I knew what he meant. “Did you leave a lot of close friends back on the West Coast?”
Kellen nods. “Military buddies, but you don’t ever really leave them. Those are friends for life.”
“I have friends like that in the horse world.” When I think of those people, I feel a longing I know will never go away, but it’s the sacrifice I made in exchange for freedom.
On the flip side, it was just such a friendship lost that caused me to run.
“Didn’t leave a boyfriend behind?” Kellen teases, although there is an intensity within his eyes that tells me the answer to his question is important and not something he’s taking lightly.
“No one worthy of mention,” I assure him. But that makes me curious. “What about you?”
“Not worthy of mention either, but since you asked, I was in a relationship before I moved to Pittsburgh. We’d been together three years, and she was going to move here, but I caught her cheating on me.”
I reach out without thinking and rest a hand on his arm. “Oh God… I’m so sorry.”
Kellen shakes his head, his smile easy and without burden. “Don’t be. I’m not. And the fact I’m not sorry tells me what I think I knew, anyway, that it really wasn’t meant to be. I think maybe I was supposed to find out she was cheating to avoid a complicated situation down the road if she moved her life to the East Coast to follow me.”
I hold up my sub in salute. “Well, I think she’s a fool for doing you wrong. How could she let someone who brings lunch get away?”
Kellen laughs, tipping his head back, and the sun catches his blue eyes so they sparkle. “Well, thank you for saying that. I thought she was a fool, but it’s nice to have the affirmation.”
“Seriously, though,” I say, drawing his gaze. “Thank you for lunch. It was really nice of you.”
Kellen shrugs like it’s no big deal, but truly… it is. I’ve dated and been in relationships, and no one has ever brought me a sandwich so he could have a few minutes of my time. And let’s not even get me thinking about him keeping Princess safe.
Or bailing me out of jail.
We chat more about our lives as we finish our sandwiches, drink our water, and enjoy the shade. Sitting side by side, hands planted behind us and legs stretched out, it feels like we’ve been hanging like this forever.
It’s just that easy.
Kellen holds up his watch to check the time, and we both know our fifteen minutes are up. He rolls his head to the right to look at me, chin resting on his shoulder. “I know we made tentative plans to go out weekend after next since my parents are coming in this weekend, and you have plans next weekend, but I really don’t want to wait that long to kiss you.”
I’m stunned by how quickly this changed from a chill picnic lunch to my entire being wanting to roll over and submit to him. Just upon the suggestion of a kiss. My throat dries out, making my voice husky. “Are you asking permission?”
“No. Merely stating my feelings.”
God. Why do his eyes have to be so damn mesmerizing, and why did I just look at his mouth? Could I be more obvious?
My heart thunders as he leans my way. “I lied about needing to work next Friday,” I blurt out.
Kellen’s chin jerks inward, and he raises an eyebrow. “You did?”
I nod with what I hope is an appropriately apologetic expression. “I was afraid that the reason you didn’t ask me out for this weekend was because you had plans with another woman, so I was reflexively closing myself off. But you’re not seeing someone else… it’s your parents coming in—” I frown as I consider something. “You aren’t seeing anyone else, right? And the thing with your girlfriend is over?”
“She’s indeed an ex-girlfriend,” he says with a grin. “And I think you are more than enough for me to handle, so no… I’m not seeing anyone else.”
“I’m really sorry I lied about it. I’m not like that. I just… didn’t want to get my hopes up and then get hurt.”
“I understand that,” he assures me gently. “But I think you know I’m a straight shooter.”
My loud exhale of relief, coupled with a nod, makes Kellen chuckle. I smile sheepishly but boldly lean toward him. “You may kiss me now.”
Once again, my eyes drop to his mouth and I wait expectantly for him to close the distance. But nothing happens, and I look upward with a frown.
His eyes twinkle, lips curved slyly. “I think I’ll wait.” He pushes up off the ground, and I blink, stunned silent at another abrupt trajectory change. Kellen reaches down, takes my hands, and hauls me from the ground.
Bringing one hand to his mouth, he brushes his lips over my knuckles. “Next Friday… dinner. And what will be an amazing kiss after.”
“After,” I mumble, my head whirling.
Kellen winks at me. “Possibly more than one kiss.”
“Okay,” I say, because clearly he’s in charge. He’s making the rules. He’s orchestrating this. I think he enjoys keeping me a little off-balance, and weirdly… I like it too.
Kellen’s hands come to my shoulders, and he turns me a hundred and eighty degrees until I’m facing the clinic. He gives me a tiny push. “Get back to work. I’ll clean all this up.”
I glance over my shoulder as I walk away. He’s squatting, stuffing our lunch trash in the bag. Then he carefully folds the horse blanket.
Neck twisting, he catches me gawking and smiles. “Watch where you’re going.”
I turn around and catch myself from walking into the open arena gate. I hastily veer around it, face flaming. I don’t look back at him, but I can feel the press of his stare on my backside.
Which gives me a bit of satisfaction as I know I look damn good in my riding jods.
Once inside the clinic, I hastily change into my scrubs and affix my name tag. A quick peek through the swinging door, and I see that the new patient is here. Through the glass door that leads to the parking lot, I see Kellen’s car pulling away.
“I need about five minutes,” I say to Christy as she looks over at me.
“No worries. They’re still filling out the initial paperwork.” Today’s appointment is a puppy here to get his first round of vaccinations and do a general wellness check.
“Thanks, Christy.”
Back at the countertop desk where my laptop resides, I pick up my cell phone and call my twin sister, Kat. “What’s up, Thing One?” she says when she answers.
Thing One—that’s me since I’m the oldest by almost nineteen minutes—and Thing Two, which is Kat. Said names were gifted to us by our eldest brother, Ethan (eleven years older than we are), who was often tasked with oversight of his young, rambunctious sisters.
We freaking earned those nicknames.
“I almost just kissed a guy I met a few days ago.” I can’t help the gush of words that comes out. “I met him when he brought in his sick dog—who’s fine, by the way—then he offered to foster a golden I got from the Hell Hole, then he saw me get arrested outside of Pet World and bailed me out. We did lunch, planned a date into the future, then he showed up today—with sandwiches—while I was riding Lunar. He almost kissed me after we ate. Can you believe it?”
“I don’t know what part of that story to even start with, but let’s start with the Hell Hole. Did you rescue one of the dogs?”
Kat is all too familiar with the Hell Hole, a.k.a. Levi Hellman’s puppy mill, as I don’t keep anything from my sister. She knows more than anyone how deep I am into this crusade to take him down. Because she’s Thing Two, and as much a rabble-rouser as I am, she’s always encouraged my bad behavior if that’s what is needed to get the job done.
“Well, rescue is a loose term. I mean, I did rescue a female golden, but not through proper legal channels.”
“You mean, you stole her,” she concludes.
“Yeah, and I would have gotten more except I heard someone coming. But I’m going back next weekend to stake things out.”
“You were careful?”
“Always,” I assure her.
She doesn’t chastise or condemn, simply moves on. “And the arrest?”
“A peaceful protest on the sidewalk outside Pet World. The manager called the police.”
“Douchebag,” she growls protectively. “And this guy bailed you out, huh? Does he know how crazy you are about this stuff?”
“Oh, he knows. His name is Kellen. Former Marine, works in a big security firm in Pittsburgh doing all kinds of dangerous missions and stuff. Naturally, he’s attracted to my brand of crazy.”
Kat chuckles. “And there was an almost kiss.”
I sigh heavily with how close it came. “Yeah… almost. He was going for it but then decided to wait until after our first real dinner date, which is next weekend.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t jump his bones. I mean, I would have, and what Thing Two does, normally Thing One would have done it first.”
“Right?” I exclaim. “I totally should have. But something told me to let him drive. Not because I think it would ding his ego, but because he’s enjoying himself drawing this out. And well, so am I. And there you have it… my life in a nutshell since I talked to you a few days ago. But I gotta go. A cute puppy patient is waiting for me.”
“Are you coming for Dad’s birthday?” Kat asks hesitantly.
I wince as I hold my tongue, the first inclination to decline. Escaping Blackburn Farms took every bit of strength I had. I tend to stay away, because the pull to return is too strong, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to break away again. Like a magnet on my heart. While in some ways, moving home would make me happy, in most ways, it would make me sad.
“We’ll see,” I finally offer. It gives her some hope and she won’t ride my back, and it doesn’t commit me. “It depends on the work schedule. Dr. Schoen’s traveling again, and I don’t know when she’s coming back.”
“Okay,” she sighs. “But if you don’t come, I’m going to need to come visit you soon. I miss my wombie.”
Short for womb roomie.
“I miss you so much.” I swallow hard and blink to chase away potential tears. “I love you, Two.”
“Love you back, One. You better call me after the kiss.”
“Promise.”
We disconnect, and I take another thirty seconds to get my head on straight. I love my family… every single member. Love them as deep as the ocean, and I miss them all terribly. But none more than Kat. We share the same heart, the same brain, the same soul. If there was ever one person who could get me to return to Kentucky, it would be her.
Thankfully, she’s never asked it of me.
CHAPTER 8
Kellen
It’s a quiet night. Bubba and Princess snooze on the floor beside me. My feet are perched on the coffee table, my eyes slightly glazed as I stare at the TV.
My phone chimes with a text. I grab it quickly, thinking it might be Abby. I’ve been fighting the urge to text her, even though I very much want to. I’m not playing hard to get or making her wonder by staying silent since our lunch yesterday. On the contrary, we’ve been in touch through a volley of texts. Plus, I called her last night, and we talked for about half an hour.
But I haven’t talked to her since my parents flew in. I picked them up at the airport this morning, and we spent the day together. I took them to Jameson so they could see where I work. It was fun watching them have a near apoplectic fit when we drove into the worst area Pittsburgh has to offer, where our headquarters is located. Dad sputtered when he took in the graffiti-covered warehouse.
I struggled not to laugh, knowing all would be well once they saw the inside.
After they were reassured I’d made a good career move—and I think that mostly had to do with Joslyn serving coffee in the communal kitchen, which totally dazzled them because she’s a famous movie star—we went out for a long lunch.
We spent the afternoon at my house. My mom fussed around, rearranging cabinets, doing my laundry, and running to the grocery store so she could make my favorite meal, eggplant Parmesan.
Dad and I hung out on the back deck, watching Bubba and Princess play. My parents were shocked to see another dog, but I assured them I’m just fostering for a while. Even as I said those words, I wasn’t so sure this wouldn’t be a failed foster. In only three days, the golden beauty has won my heart. She ignores the dog bed I purchased and insists on sleeping on my bed with me. Given the hellish life she’s lived so far, I’ve decided I’m okay with it. Bubba watched, quiet and curious, from his bed on the floor when Princess jumped up and curled into a doughnut at my feet, but maybe he understands she needs some extra grace.
There’s no denying the disappointment when I see the text isn’t from Abby but rather Saint. Another round of pictures of his baby son, born late last night. I smile at the photo of him holding little Andrew up for the camera, a dopey, lovestruck grin on the new dad’s face.
Not Abby, but admittedly, a great text to receive.
I type back, That kid is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. The guy holding him up… not so much.
