She rolled out of bed and picked out a pair of black, knit pants. They weren’t exactly yoga pants, but they were comfy and that’s what she needed right now. It was supposed to be in the high 40s today, so she put on a long-sleeved black shirt and grabbed a red, knit jacket to wear over it. Maverick was missing, so maybe he was with Rob. She headed to the bathroom to wash her face and put on makeup. As if that would help her feel better.
She ran into Rob and Maverick in the kitchen. Maverick looked up and gave her a doggy grin, then came over to stick his head under her hand. She liked a male who was clear about what he wanted. Rob’s mixed messages made her crazy. She glanced over at him as he stood at the stove, cooking scrambled eggs. Damn it. Why did he have to look so good, especially first thing in the morning?
“I’m sorry, MJ. I—”
She put her hand out to stop him. “I don’t have time to get into anything with you, Rob. Frankly, I’m getting whiplash from your constant change in direction. I thought we’d work on a relationship, but apparently, you have reservations about that. Let me know when you decide what you want.”
She helped herself to coffee, and turned her back on him.
“MJ, I know I’m a mess. You deserve somebody who isn’t an emotional cripple, somebody who has his shit together a whole lot more than I do. I’m trying, babe. I see the counselor today, and I’m so scared that I can’t think straight. It’s as if I’m walking into battle unarmed and unprepared. I have no idea what I’m doing.” He hung his head.
“Do you really think you have to be ‘in charge,’ to be in a relationship with me? You have no idea what I need, do you? I don’t care if you are battle-scarred. You don’t have to be perfect to be with me. Just be real with me. That’s all I ask.”
“God, I’m sorry. I’ll try.”
“Okay. We’ll talk more about it tonight. I need to go to work now.” She wasn’t sure if she should kiss him or not, but she leaned in and brushed her mouth against his. “Good luck with the counselor. Just be honest about what’s going on with you.” All she really wanted was somebody to want her and love her, but she wasn’t about to tell him something so pathetic.
***
Rob watched as she closed the door and headed for her car. Man, he’d handled all this so badly. He didn’t want to blow this chance with her. A woman like MJ was more than he’d ever hoped for. His feelings for her had snuck up on him. She liked him, but if he didn’t get his head out of his ass, he’d lose his chance with her. With the stuff going on with him, he might even be putting her at risk. They needed to get to the bottom of who’d started the fire that burned him out of his apartment, and who was threatening Maverick. He needed to make MJ safe. He finished his coffee and eggs, and put the dishes into the dishwasher. “C’mon, Maverick. Let’s go for a run. Maybe the exercise will help my sanity.”
An hour later, they came back, moving a bit more slowly. Whew. He’d pushed himself in an all-out effort to clear out the cobwebs, and Maverick had kept up beautifully. Now, he’d take a shower, and then head to the VA for his appointment.
His cell rang as he was getting ready to leave. “Hello.”
“Hey, Michelini, this is Sheriff Bo Daniels. I wanted to give you the results of the lab tests on the meat MJ found in the backyard.”
“What was it?”
“Rat poison. Somebody tried to poison MJ’s dog. I’m going to call her at the library, but keep your eyes open and let me know if you see anything suspicious. I’m going to have a patrol swing by several times a day for the next week or so. Don’t know if that will do any good or not. Watch your back.”
“Thanks, Sheriff. Do you think it would be better for me to find another place to live? I don’t want to put MJ in danger.”
“I know that, but I think she’s a target, too. Better that you’re there. You’ve got the training to know what to watch for.”
“Are you going to tell Nick the results, as well?”
“Yes. Don’t take the law into your own hands, but maybe between the two of you and the patrol, we’ll have a chance of catching the sick bastard who tried to poison a military service dog.”
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. Maverick isn’t a tracking dog, but at least he’ll know if there’s somebody on the property. I’ll keep you posted.”
He disconnected the call, and checked to make sure Maverick’s food bowl and water bowl were full. “Stay safe, buddy.” He closed and locked the door, and headed toward his truck. Time to tackle his demons.
He parked in the large parking lot next to the VA Outpatient Clinic. Taking a deep breath, he entered the building and gave the receptionist his name.
“It’ll just be a few minutes, Gunnery Sergeant Michelini. You can have a seat, and we’ll call you when Mr. Haggarty is ready for you.”
He found a chair in the crowded waiting room and didn’t make eye contact with any of the men or women seated there. He could feel his heart pound in his chest and wished this next hour was over. He tried to take a deep breath, but knew he was breathing too shallow. Damn anxiety.
“Gunnery Sergeant Michelini?” a young woman called.
He stood up and joined her near the door that
