Page 33 of Protected from Reprisal
Yara gives me a long look. Then she lifts her chin and says, “Fine. If you want to cut the rest of the onions, go ahead.”
As she heads to the fridge to look for the lettuce, I hold my breath while quickly dicing the rest of the onions. By the time Yara comes back to the counter, the onions are in a neat pile beside the tomatoes, and I’ve moved on to the cucumbers.
“How are your eyes not watering?” she asks.
“I held my breath. It’s something my mom always does. She says it stops the onion vapors from getting into your eyes.”
Yara tilts her head, then gives a contemplative nod. “That makes sense. I should have thought about that.”
“It doesn’t always work. Depends on the type of onion, the sharpness of the knife, how good the ventilation in the room is…”
She moves a little closer to me. Her arm brushes mine. As she starts pulling leaves from the head of lettuce, she asks, “How is your mom? Do you get to see her much, now that you’re living out here?”
“She’s good. Keeping busy with Spence and his kids. And she started volunteering at the local library last year, so she’s pretty active with that.”
“So she’s okay with you being all the way out here?”
I hesitate before answering. Like everyone else, my family included, Yara thinks I separated from the Army so I could be there for my mom after my father’s death. It’s not untrue; I did want to be around for her. But no one knows the true reason I left.
“She is,” I finally answer. “She was glad to have me around after my dad passed away. But when this opportunity with Blade and Arrow came up, it had been almost two years. She was doing better by then. Plus, with my brother and his wife needing help with their twins, and the library… I told her I’d stay if she wanted me to. But she insisted. Said it was the perfect job for me, and she’d never forgive herself if I passed it up because of her.”
Yara sets the lettuce to the side and turns to face me. “She sounds great, Ace.”
“She is,” I agree. “And I still make it back to Austin every month or two. Or she comes out here. So it’s worked out pretty well. I still get to see everyone more than I did when I was active duty.”
“That’s good.” Her expression goes pensive. “So you have your family in Austin, and your family at Blade and Arrow.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “B and A really does feel like a family, too.” With a final chop, I push the cucumbers to the side of the cutting board and set the knife down. “Do you have family around here? I don’t remember you mentioning anyone.”
With a small shake of her head, Yara replies, “No, no family. I have an aunt and uncle in Maryland, and some cousins in Virginia, and then Annaliese is in Boston. She’s not blood, but I still consider her family, you know?”
“Yeah. Like my teammates are.”
Yara’s hands still for a second. “I don’t see my old teammates nearly enough. I was thinking about that the other day. I text them and all, but actually visiting? I haven’t seen any of them in over a year.”
“I’m sure they understand. You’re busy. Working full-time, plus your own projects…”
“I suppose.” She sighs. “Maybe I’ll finally take Ford up on his offer to visit for Christmas… I don’t want to intrude on his time with his family, though.”
“You can spend Christmas Eve with us,” I offer quickly, liking the sound of it. I can picture Yara sitting next to me in front of the twelve-foot tree laden with lights and ornaments, and piled high with presents underneath. She would be a part of our Secret Santa exchange, and she could be on my team for the bowling competition, followed by our new tradition of watchingDie Hardwhile having pizza and whatever fancy beer Webb buys for the occasion.
“Maybe,” she replies. “I guess I still have some time to think about it. Since it’s not even Thanksgiving for another few weeks.”
“We have a potluck for Thanksgiving, you know. You’re more than welcome to come.” It’s not the first time I’ve invited Yara to both events, but all I’ve gotten are vague maybes for both.
“I’ll think about it.” Yara grabs the pile of lettuce leaves and carries them over to the sink. While she’s rinsing them, she adds, “So. Did you hear about Winthrop?”
Well. I guess that’s the end of the holiday plans discussion.
“I did. Tyler’s been keeping up with it. How are you feeling about everything?”
“Conflicted.” As she pats the lettuce dry, she continues, “I’m glad he’s facing charges for what he did at the event. And I’m glad the DA is pushing for the maximum sentence. But I’m sure he’s gotten away with it before. That part sucks, knowing there are other women out there who won’t get justice. Who are probably still struggling after what he did to them.”
I cross over to the sink and quickly wash my hands. Then I touch Yara’s arm. “And what about you, Tink? Really.”
She turns to me. “Aside from being pissed off, like I said last night? I’m okay. I’ve been felt up worse at the off-base bar back in Clarksville.”
“What?” My voice takes on an angry growl. My body tenses. “Guystouchedyou without your permission?”
