Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

valor and stayed hunkered on the ground. The shooting continued and eventually detective number two was shot as well– in the arm and not the chest– but that made it difficult for him to keep firing.
    I jumped almost out of my skin when I felt someone from the other side of the car I was hiding under pull on my foot. I was dragged unceremoniously out from under the car, scraping my torso up on the asphalt the whole way. I scrambled to sit up and a hand went over my mouth before I could do anything else.
    "Sshhh, Jason. Calm down."
    I recognized that voice. "Geoff?!!?"
    "Yeah. Be quiet for a second."
    I ignored him. "Aren't you supposed to be in Dallas?"
    He gave me a withering look and I just kept looking expectantly at him. I needed to have a valid reason for him to be here or he was going to end up as suspect numero uno in my book for the person who had betrayed me– Rhys trusting him or not.
    "An informant told us about a leak approximately an hour after I spoke with you last. I hopped on a helicopter and got here as quickly as I could. I arrived to this." He waved his arm encompassing the parking lot as he said that last part. I stared at him for moment, looking for I have no idea what before I responded. "Fine, but if you are the leak I am going to get Rhys to kill you for me."
    Geoff huffed out a brief laugh and said, "Agreed."
    He looked around the parking lot for a moment then turned to me, "Follow me. Keep your head down."
    ****
    The waiting was the worst. The first two weeks had been filled with fourteen hour briefings and paperwork and answering the same question fifty-two different ways. As soon as they were done with me though, I got stuck into a safe house with nothing to do except think; and inevitably all I could think about was that kiss. It sent hot shivers through me and made my chest ache with missing Rhys.
    Finally, about a week before Christmas, Geoff showed up at the safe house. TV shows never do justice to how long a trial takes to prepare and execute. He said it could be as a long as a year before the whole thing was over, if you took into account trial prep, and the inevitable continuations and legal maneuvers the Mob would be throwing at the prosecutors. Then there was jury selection, which would include its own game of legal chess. And even once the trial actually started, I was not the first witness and I would have to stick around in case I was needed to be put back on the stand later on.
    I looked at the possible months before me and despaired. I begged Geoff to let me write Rhys a letter. Since they were army buddies Geoff could see Rhys and send him stuff without it looking suspicious. Eventually, Geoff agreed. I also managed to get him to agree to send one letter to Air to let him know I was alive and mostly well. That one had to be heavily censored but I was glad that he would not have to worry any more than he already had.
    A few days after Christmas, Geoff brought my first reply.
    Jason,
    Thank you for your letter. I am glad that you kept yourself alive. Please keep doing that. I wish you had been here for Christmas. Even though it never did before, my cabin seems empty now, without you here. I miss you. Please write again.
    Sincerely,
    Rhys
    P.S. I will think of kissing you at midnight on New Year's Eve. Think of me too?
    Despite it being awkward and short, I couldn't help but grin as I read it over for the hundredth time since Geoff had given it to me.
    Jason,
    I was sorry to hear about the continuance. I hope they don't get another one. Geoff says you keep beating your guards at poker. If you can beat Geoff for me some time I would appreciate it. I can never seem to manage. I took some tourists out into the Sandia Mountains over the MLK day weekend and we got to see the first snow of the year. It was beautiful and I thought of you.
    Sincerely,
    Rhys
    P.S. I miss you.
     
    Dear Jase,
    I have never had someone to celebrate Valentine's Day with before. I find I wish you had been here. We could have sat on the porch and kissed under the stars. Or would you have preferred a fancy restaurant? I think not. I remember the feel of you in my arms and I cannot help but think how many opportunities I missed keeping you at arm's length to save my heart when you left. I want to fall asleep with you in my arms.
    Yours,
    Rhys
     
    Dear Jase,
    I heard they finished jury selection this week. That's fantastic. I spent the whole month taking spring breakers out in the mountains. College kids