Chapter 11
Richard watched the scene unfold, and with decades of navigating both business and politics under his belt, he wasn’t oblivious to what was happening.
“Emily,” he said thoughtfully, “do you think there’s a chance Captain Rivers might actually like Olivia?”
Truth be told, Jack was a rising star. Young, accomplished, and already a unit commander–his future promised much more than this. If he really did have feelings for Olivia, it wouldn’t be the
worst outcome.
But Emily’s expression soured at once.
“Dad! What are you even saying?” she snapped, eyes flashing. “Jack doesn’t like Olivia. He’s mine. I’m the one who’s going to be with him.”
She pouted sweetly, and Richard laughed it off, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Right, right. Our Emily is the one Captain Rivers cares about.”
He softened his tone. “Then don’t just stand there, sweetheart. He’s probably skipped lunch again. Take him something before someone else does.”
He gave her a gentle nudge, while his wife packed up a lunchbox with leftovers from their extravagant dinner. As she handed it to Emily, her voice dropped to a soft, knowing murmur.
“Here, darling. If you can win over Captain Rivers, we won’t have to worry about a thing. That man
is going places—he’s already more impressive than your father.”
Emily’s earlier frustration melted away. She smiled, took the lunchbox, and hurried after Jack.
Back at Camp Liberty, Jack sat alone in his room, racking his brain for someone who could help him
pull strings. Someone with enough clout to get Olivia back.
A sharp knock at the door made him look up–he half–hoped it was Olivia, back with that usual
reluctant charm of hers, maybe with a meal in hand. But when he opened it, it was only Emily.
“Jack,” she beamed, “I brought you some food. Thought you probably haven’t eaten yet.”
She walked in, shutting the door behind her, then set the meal on his desk. The spread was much
better than anything the mess hall served, but Jack didn’t even glance at it.
“Thank you, but I’m not hungry.”
He went right back to scrolling through his contacts–officers, commanders, higher–ups. Someone
in here had to owe him a favor.
Emily’s smile faltered. She could tell he was still thinking about Olivia. Her lips parted in a frown.
Chapter 11
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“Jack… Is there something about me that just doesn’t measure up to her?”
Olivia was the picture–perfect debutante–fair–skinned, sharp–featured, confident in every move But Emily wasn’t lacking either–slender, soft–spoken, with that delicate vulnerability that made men instinctively want to protect her.
Usually, Jack would’ve said something to placate her. But not now. Not when all he could think about was Olivia being dumped in the middle of nowhere.
“You and Olivia are just… different,” he said flatly, eyes still on the screen.
Emily stepped closer, placing her hand gently on his.
“If that’s true, then why are you always thinking about her? Do you… do you like her, Jack?”
That question stopped him cold.
What was he doing? Why was he this torn up? Olivia was.gone–wasn’t that supposed to be a good thing? Wasn’t this what he’d wanted?
His fingers froze mid–scroll. Then, with a sudden snap, he pulled his hand free.
“She was under my command. Of course I’m going to look out for her. And she didn’t leave willingly.”
He found the name he’d been looking for—a senior commander he’d helped out once, who owed him big. Jack’s eyes lit up. This might be his shot.
Grabbing the contact book, he stepped toward the telegraph console. But before he could start typing, Emily suddenly threw her arms around his waist from behind.
“If she comes back, I’ll be the one sent to Lakewood,” she whispered tearfully. “You’d really let me be forced to marry some country brute, Jack?”
Her soft figure pressed close, her voice shaking. Jack hesitated for a beat–then made up his mind.
“I’ll figure something out. Neither of you are going,” he said, voice steady. “I’ll make sure of it.”
He reached for the telegraph again.
But before he could press a key, Emily leaned in and kissed him.
