Her heart sank. “Rest? Complete rest?”
“Yes, ma’am, I’m afraid so.” He gestured to Mina’s affected leg. “If you don’t give her that downtime, all you’ll do is make her permanently lame in the long run. A splint can usually be handled by enforced rest. The other problem is you’re riding her hard. Sharp turns, stops, starts, will always make a splint that’s healed more likely to pop again.” He shrugged. “Maybe you can ride her less? Or not for as long or hard as you usually do? What about riding Zorah instead? Her legs are fine.”
Grimly, Khat said, “That isn’t possible. Zorah isn’t trained up like Mina is. She’s my packhorse.”
Travis looked over at Mike. “Did you get the Absorbine I asked for?”
“Yeah, I managed to find some. I’ve got it in my duffel bag. I’ll bring it over here in a little bit.” His concern was for Khat. She looked shattered by the bad news.
“What’s Absorbine?” she asked Travis.
“It’s a liniment, ma’am. It brings more blood flow into an injured area, helps it heal a little faster.”
“And you rub this on her leg?” Khat felt her stomach clench tightly. She’d had Mina for years, and she couldn’t do her job without her brave, stalwart mare.
“Yes, ma’am,” he drawled. “What I’ve been doin’ since I discovered her injury is rubbing her leg and then wrapping it with warm towels three times a day. Got a can of rolled oats from a navy chief over at the chow hall, and I’ve been makin’ a mash out of it, placing it on her leg and keepin’ it wrapped for the nighttime hours.” He smiled a little. “I know you’re upset about this, but your mare is responding well to the treatment. With the Absorbine, I’ll just mix it with the oat mash, and that will help her heal up even quicker.”
Khat gave him a grateful look. “Thanks, Travis. I didn’t know she had a problem.”
“I know, ma’am, but if it went undetected and you worked her hard like you’re used to doing, she’d have come up lame soon enough. And then she’d be hobbling around, unable to bear much weight on that leg at all. You’d be screwed, to put it politely.”
Shaking her head, Khat moved to Mina’s head and gently scratched her ears, which the mare loved. “I don’t want to make this worse than it already is.”
“Your other mare,” he said, gesturing to her, “is fine.”
“Even though I do use Zorah more as a packhorse,” Khat said, “I do ride her. I try to give Mina a day off when I can and use her instead.” The problem was, Zorah wasn’t trained for the kind of dangerous, hard riding that Mina was. And it would mean she had to train Zorah, which would put her at much greater risk and in more danger.
Travis nodded. “I can show you how to care for her. I’m happy to keep doin’ it for you if you want.”
She gave the SEAL a grateful look. “I need to figure a lot of things out, Travis. I have to talk to the chief about this, first. I was supposed to leave and go back on my op tomorrow night.”
“I’ll take care of your gal here in the meantime, ma’am. You go do what you need to do.”
Khat looked over at Mike. “Can we talk?”
“Sure. Come on, we need to go to the chow hall and get lunch anyway.” Mike turned to Travis. “On the way back, I’ll bring that bottle of Absorbine with me.”
“Sure nuff,” Travis said. “Hey, by any chance, did you find a box of Lone Star beer?”
Grinning, Mike said, “Yeah, two boxes, bro. They’re on a pallet that’s coming off that Chinook right now. You might want to wander over there and guard it.”
Snorting, Travis grinned widely and lowered the bill on his cap across his eyes. “No joke it needs to be guarded. If someone spots the name on the box, they’ll steal it. I’m on my way.”
Mike saw Khat go over to Zorah and pet her and give her some attention. She looked stricken about the news. Privately, he was elated. It kept her here at Bravo, not back out on that op that should have been pulled years earlier. Keeping it all to himself, Mike walked over and gave her a hug.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Khat blew out a breath of air, wanting his contact. “This is a shock. It changes everything.” Worried, she looked over at Mike, a serious expression on her face. “If I don’t have Mina…I can’t do what I do. And if I’m gone for two weeks or a month while she rests up, that gives Khogani an opening big enough to drive a truck through. He’ll start attacking the villages again…”
Mike moved his hands along her tense shoulder. “But he doesn’t know you aren’t there.”
Grimacing, Khat muttered, “That’s true.”
“Come on, let’s go eat. We’ll talk and figure something out.” His heart broke because he saw the devastation in Khat’s darkening green eyes. He could feel her reacting as if gutted, her whole world suddenly ripped away from her. Well, now he got to see how she was going to react once orders came down the food chain for her to stop her op in the mountains. This was just a taste of what was going to happen.
He squeezed her shoulders and then released her as they walked out of the paddock. Back at Bravo, they couldn’t touch one another or kiss. It was a special hell to be living in, Mike decided.
*
“DO YOU THINK the chief would let me stay here with you at SEAL HQ while Mina rested up?” Khat asked, pushing her food around on her tray.
“I’m sure he would,” Mike told her. “You already have a room, and there’s nothing he has to do for you except let you hang out with us.”
Mouth flattening, she muttered, “I need to talk to him right away.”
Nodding, Mike ate heavy because today was the day he was officially off the injured list. From now on, he would be included on up-and-coming patrols, no longer tied down to lesson planning and being left behind. “You should. Maybe Travis has already alerted him about your horse being lame.”
“This is a shock,” Khat whispered, running her hand across her cheek, pushing tendrils away. “I don’t want to be gone too long. I know Khogani will find out eventually.” She chewed on her lower lip, looking away.
“Take it a step at a time, Khat.” Mike wondered what Mac would say. This was potentially a bombshell for him, too. And he desperately wanted some time with the chief to find out what he was doing to get Khat permanently removed from the op.
*
“COME IN AND close the door,” Mac told Mike.
Mike shut the door, and as he took his seat in front of the master chief’s desk, he asked, “You saw Khat already? You heard that her mare’s injured?”
“Yeah.” Mac shrugged. “Good timing if you ask me, but I played along and listened to her concerns. I told her she was welcome to stay, that it wasn’t a problem.”
“And what have you found out about her op?” He waited, holding his breath.
Mac leaned back in his chair. “I got the proof she’s been out far too long and needs to be reeled back in. I sent it to Admiral Fraser. It’s in his hands.”
“What do you think he’ll do?”
“The evidence is there in black-and-white. He knows as well as we do, you put someone out in combat too long without downtime, they’re a dead man walking. I think he’ll make a call to General Stevenson and pass the info on to her. In the end, it’s up to that general, because it’s her op.”
Running his fingers through his hair, Mike growled, “If she cares about the women in her op, she’ll do something.”
“I think she will,” Mac said. “The question is what? The good news is Khat is grounded for up to a month. Not by us. But by her horse.”
“She’s uptight as hell about not getting back to her op area,” Mike muttered.
“I’ve got to run this by our officers, but I’ve been thinking of bringing her along on a patrol with us. She’s a paramedic, and we can always use medical help when we’re out in the field. There’s a load of charity clothing and medical supplies coming into a village later this week. It’s a Shinwari village, and we promised the head man of it some nation-building s
upport. Maybe get Khat involved in that way. It’s a helluva lot safer than what she’s been doing out there alone. At least this will keep her occupied.”
Mike felt relief. “That would be good.”
Mac nodded. “I’ll know more after talking to the officers. They have to wave their magic wand over my idea and approve it. In the meantime, you’re back on patrols.”
Grinning, Mike said, “It’s about time.”
“I want you to head up that four-man team going to that village where Emma Shaheen is going to be flying in the charity stuff for those people. It’s five days from now, so get acquainted with the details.”
Mike rose and nodded. “Music to my ears.” As he opened the door and left the office, he crossed his fingers Khat would be allowed on his patrol. It was a perfect mission for her. And for him.
*
KHAT SPENT HER TIME with her horses, feeling torn up inside. She used a brush to groom Mina, who stood quietly in the cross ties within the barn. The midafternoon sun was hot. She’d opened the door to allow the mountain breeze to chase away the worst of it.
As she smoothed the soft dandy brush along her mare’s short, strong back, she wanted to cry. Feeling as if she was at some kind of invisible crossroads, guilt warred with her love for Mike. Khat worried about Khogani killing more innocent Shinwari people. They had no way to defend themselves, simple farmers who lived off the land.
She loved Mike. He’d given her hope she’d lost so long ago. And belief that she wasn’t some kind of freak destined to live out the rest of her life in loneliness. He’d shown her she was worthy of being loved. And she was worthy of living her life, not hiding from it.
Khat rubbed the sweat off her brow with the back of her hand, brushing Mina’s rump. For the first time, she realized just how dependent she’d become on her horses. She’d never be able to accomplish what she’d done without them. They were her transportation, her escape from the Taliban, her survival. On foot, she was in far more jeopardy than if she were on horseback. She could be a sniper, take her shots and ride off at a hard gallop before the Taliban could ever find her. Without Mina, she was on foot and far more exposed. The chance of her being found was too high for her to take such a risk. What was she going to do?
At the same time, Mike held her heart, and Khat knew it. She didn’t want to lose him, either. Hating the fact she’d have to make a decision one way or the other, sooner or later, left her feeling raw and vulnerable. She loved him. But where did responsibility begin and end? Those villagers knew her and were family to her. She had a fierce, protective feeling toward all of them. Her father’s people. Her people. Their blood ran in her veins. How could she turn her back on them and walk away? Choose love for herself over them?
Making an unhappy noise in the back of her throat, Khat felt frustrated. And yet, every time she pictured Mike in her mind, she felt her heart swell with a fierce love equal to the love she had for her people.
Travis ambled in with the bottle of Absorbine in his hand. “Howdy, ma’am.” He held up the bottle. “Mike just gave me this.”
She nodded. Travis was easygoing, his voice a soft, Texas drawl. He made her feel less wretched with his quiet presence. “Thanks, Travis. I really appreciate all you’ve done.”
Travis set the bottle up on a shelf next to the metal container that had the rolled oats in it. He gave her a loose smile and said, “Happy to do it, ma’am.”
“Travis? Do me a favor? Call me Khat. I’m not a ma’am. Okay?”
He shrugged, “Just my manners, ma— I mean, Khat.” He took off his cap and pushed his fingers through his longish hair. “I imagine you’re pretty upset about your mare’s injury?”
Rolling her eyes, Khat walked around the other side of Mina, beginning to brush her long, ebony neck. “Just a little.”
“She’s a fine-lookin’ animal,” Travis said, leaning against the wall, his arms loose around his chest. “Good legs on her. And a nice disposition.”
“She’s saved my life so many times, I’ve lost count.”
“All the more reason to lay her up for a while,” he said. “How long you been doin’ this op with her?”
“Five years.”
He whistled softly. “A lesser horse’s legs would have caved in long before this. Those mountains are nothing but brutal on legs, man or beast.”
“It’s rough work for both of us,” she agreed quietly, brushing Mina’s chest and sloped shoulder. Just currying her horse was helping to ease her tension.
“I hope you don’t take this the wrong way,” Travis began, hesitating, “but you and your mare both need a long-term rest.”
She smiled a little at the Texan. “I don’t have any leg splints, Travis.”
He grinned sheepishly, “No, ma’am…. I mean, Khat, I know that. You take mighty good care of those horses of yours. But I wonder if you do the same for yourself?” He gave her a curious look.
“Not you, too,” Khat growled. “God, I thought Mike was bad enough, griping I’d lost too much weight and needed to put some pounds back on.”
Travis scratched his well-trimmed beard. “Well, we have a sayin’ in Texas. ‘Never miss a chance to rest your horse.’”
“It’s a good saying,” Khat agreed.
“I’m applyin’ it to you,” Travis corrected. “You should never miss a chance to rest yourself. It appears you’ve not done that. Your care extends to your horses, not yourself.” He shrugged. “Just my two cents’ worth. I’ll drop by your room tonight around dusk. I’ll show you how to make that poultice for your mare and apply it to her leg.”
Travis might be laid back, his voice quiet and thoughtful, but he had an eye on him, Khat thought. “After chow?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am…”
Well, hell! Khat leaned down, brushing Mina’s hind quarter and lower leg. She smarted beneath the SEAL’s observation. Mike didn’t mince words about it, either.
Mouth tightening, Khat was beginning to feel like she needed to take stock of herself. Maybe she had been out alone for too long. Maybe she needed to seriously look at herself. She knew she was run-down. She wasn’t getting much sleep, maybe three or four hours a night. And she could never relax knowing the Taliban were always around her. Khat felt it was just one more load on her shoulders right now.
Mike was her only safe haven; someone she could relax and talk honestly with. He never judged her. He just listened, and she appreciated that quality in him so much. Wiping her sweaty brow again, Khat wondered what the next few weeks would bring.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“HEY,” TRAVIS CALLED urgently to Mike, trotting down the avenue of tents where the SEALs had their area.
Mike had just left his tent, getting ready for his patrol. Travis was one of his men, and he looked upset. The morning was crisp, the sun not even on the horizon yet. “What’s up?” he called, moving his ruck around on his shoulders.
Skidding to a halt, Travis was out of breath. “Your lady’s gone!”
“What?”
Travis hitched a finger over his shoulder. “I went out just now to check on the mares before we left. Zorah is gone, and Mina’s still in the corral.”
Mike’s heart plunged. “Is it possible Zorah got loose? Got out of the corral?”
“No way. The gate’s locked. Listen, Khat’s Western saddle is gone. Everything’s gone. She left the packhorse equipment behind.”
“Let’s go see the chief. He might know something.” They both took off at a fast trot.
The first thing Mike did once he got to HQ was stop at Khat’s door and knock on it. She might be sleeping, he hoped. He knocked again. No answer.
“Khat?” he called. “Are you in there?”
Travis shook his head, looking grim.
Mike opened the door. His gaze immediately flew to the made bed. There were two letters sitting on the bedspread. Cursing softly, he picked them up. One was addressed to him. The other to the master chief. He handed it to Travis and asked him to
take it to Mac. Breathing hard from the run, Mike tore the envelope open with trembling fingers.
Mike,
I’m sorry to do this to you. I am taking off for my op. I’ve taken Zorah and left Mina behind. I hope Travis will continue to take care of her. Please don’t be angry with me. I know you felt I needed rest, but I can’t ignore my people. I can’t allow them to be left open to being killed by Khogani. Please forgive me. I’m already missing you.
Love, Khat
“Son of a bitch!” he snarled, whirling around, barging out the door, past Travis and heading for Mac’s office.
Mac was standing and reading the letter Khat had left behind for him when he entered.
“She’s gone,” Mike growled.
Mac shook his head. “Dammit.” He handed Mike the letter.
As Mike read the letter, which was a short thank-you note to Mac for allowing her to stay with them, he heard the chief talking to security. Lifting his head, he dropped the letter on his desk.
“Well, hell, this woman knows how to create chaos,” Mac muttered, sitting down. “She signed out at the security gate at 2200 last night. She’s got a seven-hour head start on us and by now, she’s in the mountains.”
Mike tried to think through the haze of shock and pain. “Is there anything we can do to get her back here?” he demanded.
“No, because I haven’t heard anything from General Stevenson. Until or if there’s a change of orders that comes down the pipeline to us, she’s within her legal military rights to come and go as she pleases. She hasn’t broken any regs.”
Mike stood there, feeling as if the floor had fallen out from beneath him. “I said good-night to her at 2100 last night,” he said. Closing his eyes, he replayed that moment. Khat had looked sad last night. He’d kissed her in the barn, and she had cried. Now he knew why. She knew she was leaving. Saying goodbye to him. Why didn’t I see this coming?
Desperate, Mike said, “I need to go after her. Find her.”
Mac gave him a hard look. “And do what? Haul her off a legitimate op? Come on, you know better than that! That would earn you a court martial.”
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