Page 31 of Unintended Love

Before he got out of the vehicle and they were finally alone, he wanted to take the opportunity to talk to her for a few minutes. “I was so proud that you were conservative in your home purchase. And even prouder that you didn’t pay for the whole thing, even though you have enough money to do so.”

“Mr. Lamplighter set me up with a financial advisor who helped one of his friends who’d won the lottery. Not a big one, but significant for this area. I got to talk to that man, and he told me a few horror stories like long-lost second cousins who crawled out of nowhere, hard-luck cases, sick children, and more. Then I tracked down Trixie, Mama’s neighbor back at the trailer park. She used the same financial advisor recommended by Mr. Lamplighter.

“I called him, and he picked me up and took me to his office while Mama was out. We had a long talk about her, the baby, and our future. I’ve done everything he suggested, including starting an investment account for the baby. He also suggested that I put down enough money on a house that I can handle the payments with my graphics income.” She glanced at him with a little guilt in her eyes. “Thank you for helping me pick out that house. I’m not sure how long I’ll keep it. At least a year, is what the financial advisor suggested. This town is pretty small, and Mama is real close. I’ll make that decision next year.”

Clint was surprised at what good head she had on her shoulders. “You’re going to be busy tomorrow when we leave. I want to reiterate that I will still take care of you and the baby. And I will look in on you from time to time, but you have to remember I still work for Riggs Corporation. As you remember, we get called out on a lot of missions. At some point, I’ll be returning to Ethiopia, but for the next few weeks, I’ll still be in the United States. You have my phone number, which will also connect to my phone in Ethiopia. Thank you for the ride.”

“I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me.” She reached across the center console and squeezed his forearm. “I completely understand that I probably won’t see much of you from now on. I truly hope you’ll stay in touch.” She smiled. “If you don’t, I might just call you.”

Clint smiled as he got out of the vehicle. “You can call me anytime, I promise to get back to you as soon I can, if I don’t answer.” As he walked into his temporary rental, he felt a huge burden lift. He had done as he’d promised. He had taken care of Javier’s wife and his child by returning them to the place he would never leave. Sure, he’d check in on her when he had time or thought about it, but as far as he was concerned, his promise had been fulfilled.

Clint felt even better as they lifted off the runway the next afternoon. As Theodora had predicted, everything with the funeral had gone smoothly. She cried when he said the traditional words and handed her the flag that had covered her husband’s coffin for the past two days. He had returned her hug as they said goodbye. He doubted he would ever see her again.

He sat up front with Van and the flight crew for the fifteen-hundred-mile flight and smiled nearly the whole time. They’d soon be landing in Washington D.C. By dark, he’d have Ashlin in his arms.

Chapter 12

In the late afternoon, Ashlin’s attention was pinned on her boss, Katlin Callahan Wolf. “We have certifiable proof that Iranian terrorists recently brought manpad missiles across both our northern and southern borders. One successfully came through a standard border check. Fortunately, our Homeland Security officers discovered and detained one man who tried to sneak across the northern border in Idaho.

Lucky for us, the driver got nervous at the border check, throwing up red flags for the border patrol officers. They searched the car and found three Chinese man-portable air-defense weapons. It didn’t take much to get them both to talk. He didn’t know any of the other destinations other than his own, though. He was headed to Montana but was to meet the next contact in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.”

The director of Special Operations Section 7 continued, “As you know, these are guided missiles used against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and can also be used against cruise missiles if they are flying low enough. They have a real short range but can easily be fired from vehicles, tripods, and even boats, but that’s a bit more dangerous. We need to expand our searches to include lakes.”

Ashlin’s watch silently vibrated and showed a text from Clint.

On the ground in DC. What time do you get off work?

She wisely decided to wait until her boss had completed her briefing before texting him back. Thirty minutes later, they were released for the day. Since they were working on a highly classified mission, transportation was provided for them back to their DuPont Circle condo.

It was easy for Ashlin to text him from back seat.

On the way home now. Want to meet somewhere for supper?

Clint’s reply: Absolutely. Name the place and time. I’ll meet you there.

She chose one of her favorite Irish pubs because she felt like eating bangers and mash with a good black-and-tan beer. After the day she’d had, she needed one.

“Why are you staring at your closet?” Mia asked when she wandered into Ashlin’s suite thirty minutes after they got home.

“I’m meeting my husband for our first official date.” She pulled out her go-to little black dress and held it in front of her. No. Too dressy for the pub. She hung it back up.

Mia turned and walked to the doorway of the common area and whistled. “Wardrobe emergency in Ashlin’s rooms.”

Before she had an opportunity to pull out another dress, three of her other roommates stood behind her. Piper, as usual, was at Kenner’s apartment.

“You have a date?” Kayla asked, eyebrows raised.

Ashlin turned to her teammates and smiled. “Clint is in town, and we’re going out on our first official date, with many more to come.” Her face dropped to a nervous expression. “Other than that quick, disastrous meeting in Ethiopia, where he saw me in my baggy flight suit, we haven’t been together since Las Vegas. I want to look good for my husband.”

The women all began flipping through her wardrobe and tossing clothes onto the bed.

Kira started arranging blouses with slacks. “Even though it’s May, the weather is a little cool tonight for a sundress.” She handed several to Mia, who agreed.

“We need to think of this as a first date,” Kayla reminded the women. She glanced at Ashlin and asked, “What time are you supposed to meet him?”

Ashlin glanced at her watch and gasped. She barely had time to put on clothes and makeup.

Kayla took Ashlin by the shoulders and turned her toward her bathroom. “Put on your makeup. You trust us, don’t you?”