Free Letting Go of You (Anchored Hearts #2) by J.M. Witt Page A

didn’t really have the time to think about it. 
    Dad, Lisa, Jane and I spent Christmas morning with Calvin.  We hoped that he would wake but there was no such luck.  It became increasingly frustrating and I had to return to work and so did Jane.  The longer Cal remained in a coma the worse we presumed his prognosis would be. 
    The morning after Christmas I went to work and stopped in at the hospital to check on Cal after I was done for the day.  Jane walked in as I was heading out.  We exchanged hugs.  She had to get back to work tonight as well, and was stopping in a couple of hours before her shift began.  We stood at the end of his bed, both of us just staring at him.  The prayers were running rampant through my mind and I’m sure it was the same with Jane.  She squeezed my hand and we didn’t need to acknowledge the tears that fell down both of our faces. 
    When I got outside, Smith was waiting for me.  Ever since the night of the incident at my office, I was n ever alone, except when I slept and even then there was a bodyguard parked out front.  I was back to staying at my place, with Smith, Ryan, or some other guy James had employed, standing guard.  I had yet to get my car back with all the madness that had filled our days.  I texted James on the drive home, aching for his presence.  I wasn’t sure if he was keeping his distance or what.  Of course things with his mother were always at the forefront.
    “Smith, how’s Eva?  Has there been any change?”
    He eyed me out of the corner of his eye and shook his head.  “No, nothing new.  Not any better, but doesn’t seem to be any worse.”
    I simply nodded before asking, “Does he seem okay?  Something seems off.”
    “You’ve all been through quite a lot the past week.”
    It was then that it dawned on me that I hadn’t heard or inquired about Derek.  I didn’t know whether he was alive or dead.  “Derek?”  His name was a whisper as it left my lips.  My phone buzzed then and I found a response from James.  He was at the office still and had no intention of leaving any time soon.  The exaggerated sigh that left my mouth had Smith eyeing me again.
    “Please tell me I’m not a fool, Smith.  Who’s the friend he has all these meetings with?”
    He chuckled and said, “No need to worry.  Just an old Army buddy, a male buddy.”
    “Army?  What are you talking about?” 
    He looked to me, alarm written all over his face.  “He served in the Army.  You didn’t know?”
    “What?”  I was completely baffled.  I knew he went to West Point, but he said he dropped out.  I just assumed that was the end of it.  Why would he keep that from me? 
    “You should talk to him about it.  It’s not my story to tell.”
    “Well he certainly doesn’t think it’s a story worth telling me.”  I looked to him again and knew immediately there was quite the story to tell.  “You served with him didn’t you?”
    “Yup.  He saved my life, more than once.”  I balked at him.  “I’m not telling you anymore.”
    We sat in silence for a few minutes longer.  “Take me to the office.”
    He didn’t object and took the exit to downtown.  We rode up in the elevator together and I heard the voices coming from his office.  I recognized the skank’s voice the minute I heard it.  I was briefly aware of Smith cursing as I stormed into James’ office. 
    James and Melissa were sitting at the small table , carryout containers scattered across the table.  The smile that spread across her face had me ready to spit nails.  James jumped to his feet and made his way toward me. 
    “Don’t you dare!”  I stepped back from him and around the chair Melissa sat in, the table now separating us. 
    “We were just catching up on old times like I told you we would.”
    “Melissa, knock it off.”  He seemed irritated, but how was I to know what or who about.  Irritated that I interrupted or irritated that he got caught?
    “Get