The Military K-9 Unit Collection. Valerie Hansen

      Of the options available to him, he realized it didn’t matter what he did. The only option he couldn’t live with was not having Felicity in his life. “You’re right, Agent Steffen,” he said with determination. “I need to go after what I want.”

      He wanted Felicity in his life as surely as she was in his heart.

      Ian tipped his root beer bottle toward Westley’s. Westley clinked his bottle against Ian’s.

      “Here’s to going after what you want,” the agent said.

      “Aim high—” Westley began the USAF motto.

      “Fly, fight, win,” Ian said, finishing his sentence.

      Sliding off the bar stool, Westley said, “I’d better go make a phone call.”

      With a nod of thanks, Westley headed out the door with purpose in his stride.

      * * *

      Felicity arrived home three nights later, escorted by one of the base MPs and with Dakota trotting alongside her. The dog had been her constant companion even as the detail changed every eight hours. Westley had been true to his word that she would be protected around-the-clock. She was grateful. She really was, but she missed him. Missed the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he was amused. Missed the way he made her feel safe and cherished.

      Shoulders slumped, she was headed up the walkway toward her front door when Heidi stepped out of the house next door and called her name.

      Needing a friend right now, Felicity hesitated. Many people on base believed the reporter to be the anonymous blogger leaking information to the public. Could Felicity trust her?

      Only one way to find out. Felicity did an about-face and moved past the guard. Dakota stayed right at her heels. She met Heidi at the shared property line.

      “Hi, Heidi. How are you tonight?” Felicity asked, careful to keep the despair she clinging to her from tingeing her voice.

      “Better than you, I take it,” Heidi said. “You look like somebody kicked your dog.” Heidi smiled at Dakota. “But he looks okay.”

      That’s kind of how Felicity felt. Except Dakota was right here, healthy and strong and willing to protect her even when Westley wasn’t willing.

      Her hands tangled in Dakota’s fur. She dredged up a smile for Heidi. “I’m okay. Still trying to process everything.”

      “I’m so sorry about your uncle,” Heidi said.

      “Thanks. Me, too.”

      Heidi glanced toward the security guard. “I thought Westley was detailed to your protection.”

      “He needed to do some things at the training center,” Felicity said. The ache in her chest intensified. “He’ll rotate back in at some point.” At least she hoped so. Then they could talk and resolve some of their issues. Or not. It had been three days since he walked out of her office in the photo lab. Three days with strangers following her around base, sleeping on her couch, watching out for Boyd Sullivan. Three days with her wishing Westley was there beside her. Only the presence of Dakota brought her any peace.

      Depression and exhaustion set in. “I need to go get some rest,” she told Heidi. “We have new recruits coming in tomorrow and I want to catch them as they get off the bus.”

      Heidi smiled gently. “Sure, no problem. I’ll talk to you later.”

      “Thanks.” Felicity hurried into the house, the young guard following her. “Make yourself at home,” she told the MP.

      She went to the refrigerator and grabbed herself a ginger ale to settle her upset stomach. Then she and Dakota headed upstairs. He was the only one she let witness her tears.

      * * *

      “Master Sergeant James, what can I do for you?” The clipped female voice on the other end of the phone line had Westley straightening his spine and squaring his shoulders. He stared out the window of his small studio apartment in base housing. From this vantage point he could see the parade grounds, where several vintage planes were on display, a sight he never tired of.

      Taking a breath and gathering his courage, he said, “I am calling to ask for your permission to marry your daughter.”

      Colleen Monroe’s voice dipped. “Excuse me? You want to marry Felicity?”

      Though they were miles apart and he couldn’t see her, he recognized the strength in her voice. This was a woman used to intimidating others.

      “Yes, ma’am, I do. I’m in love with your daughter.”

      After a heartbeat of silence, she asked, “How well do you know my daughter?”

      “I know her very well. We are stationed together at Canyon Air Force Base.”

      “I owe you a debt of gratitude, Master Sergeant James,” the woman said, her tone soft with emotion. “Felicity told me how you saved her life on several occasions. You have my permission to ask her to marry you.” There was a smile in her voice.

      Tension drained from his shoulders. “Thank you.”

      Now to convince Felicity to give him another chance.

      * * *

      Felicity hurried down the hall toward Lieutenant General Hall’s office. She’d been summoned a few minutes ago from the photo lab, where she was busy uploading today’s photos to the FBI database. Thus far she hadn’t captured any images of Boyd Sullivan.

      She knocked on the lieutenant general’s door and heard a male voice say “Enter.”

      Pushing open the door, she stepped inside and froze. Lieutenant General Hall sat behind his desk, but it was the sight of Westley standing in front of the desk that made her pulse race. She drank up the sight of him. He wore his semiformal dress uniform, the dark navy coat looking sharp over his broad shoulders and tapered waist. His creased navy pants and black shoes made him appear taller. Formidable.

      The moment his tender gaze met hers, her mouth dried like the desert.

      “Come all the way in, Staff Sergeant,” Lieutenant General Hall instructed.

      Buying herself time to process the situation, she closed the door, adjusted her uniform coat and patted her braided hair before turning back around and walking slowly toward the two men.

      She drew herself to attention and trained her focus on the lieutenant general. She saluted. “Sir?”

      “At ease,” Lieutenant General Hall said. He stood. “I’ll give you two the room.”

      “Sir?” Confusion ran rampant through her system.

      Lieutenant General Hall rounded the desk and stopped beside her. He put his hand on her shoulder. “Your father would be proud of you, Felicity.”

      Her mouth dropped open as the lieutenant general left the room. Then her gaze sought Westley’s. “I don’t understand.”

      He stepped close and took her hands in his. “I can explain but first I want to know if you’ll give me another chance.”

      She inhaled sharply. “Are you ready to give us a chance?”

      “I am,” he said. “You were right. I was afraid. Afraid of failing you or disappointing you.”

      Tenderness filled her.

      “But as someone recently told me, I need to get over myself and go after what I want.”

      “What is it you want?”

      “You. Us.” He lifted her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I love you, Felicity. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Keeping you safe. Loving you.”

      Her breath held in her lungs. Excitement bubbled inside her chest. “What are you asking me, Westley?”

      “Will