She was ready to go. The entire sub crew had been given two weeks leave after the ordeal they suffered. That was the Navy's way of saying you came within an hour or two of death so we're going to give you a free vacation for two weeks and expect you to come back in full swing ready to hit the deck running. At this point, she really didn't care. She was tired, her head hurt, and she just wanted to get out of the stark white uniform with sharp edges and shinny decorations that she was wearing and put on shorts and a t-shirt and lounge on the couch.
~~~
Every member of the submarine crew had at least one family member waiting for them on the dock. The deployment they were returning from wasn't necessarily routine, but during a time when the country was walking a thin line between war and peace time families usually became a little nervous. The only people that had been informed of the catastrophic ordeal that the U.S.S. Lincoln endured was the immediately family members of the captain and executive officer.
Libby let out the breath she was holding when she saw Scooter walking towards her in her dress white uniform. She had never seen a more wonderful sight in her life. She ran to her and threw her arms around her neck. Tears streamed down her face. She had never been through a more stressful situation in her life. As far as she was concerned Scooter was the most courageous person in the world with everything she had been through in the past year alone.
"I can't believe you're here," Libby said. "I didn't think I would ever see you again."
Scooter smiled. "I told you I would come home."
"When the admiral told me your sub was missing, I just couldn't accept the fact that you were probably gone."
"I'm glad you didn't give up on me."
"Why do you have a bandage on your forehead? Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine. It's nothing." Scooter glanced over Libby's shoulder and noticed Layne standing a few feet away. Libby saw her body tense and turned to see what she was looking at.
"She was the only other person besides me that knew what was going on with you. I couldn't call Mom and Dad and freak them out, not until I knew for sure. Layne kept me from falling apart. She really loves you, Scooter. Go to her." Libby stepped aside and watched Scooter walk away.
"What are you doing here?" Scooter scowled.
Layne wiped the tears that coated her face when she saw Scooter walk through the gate at the fence that separated the press and family members from the submarine pier. "I had to know. I had to see for myself that you were okay," she sobbed.
"I'm fine," Scooter said tersely.
"What happened to your head?"
Scooter didn't feel like talking about her ordeal, especially since she had just spent the last ten hours debriefing the entire deployment and six of those hours were only about the four and a half days that they sat on the bottom of the ocean floor waiting to die. She absently rubbed the bandage. "I have twelve stitches from a gash I got during my time in hell."
"I thought I lost you forever." She cried again. "I love you so much."
Scooter looked into Layne's dark brown eyes and part of her tough exterior started to melt away. There was no denying the attraction between them. Scooter's heart skipped a beat and her body hummed every time Layne was near. It was difficult letting the new tears dry on Layne's face when she wanted to wipe them away. Finally, she sighed and pulled Layne into her arms. She kissed her softly, slowly sliding her tongue through open lips and into the warm mouth she craved. A couple of hoots, hollers, and cheers from her crew members walking by made her pull away and smile. The submarine dock was probably not the best place for a public display of affection, but she didn't care. She reached up with one hand and wiped the tears away while her other arm held Layne tightly against her.
"You didn't lose me. That will never happen because I love you too, Layne."
Layne pulled her head down for another searing kiss. When she pulled away, she smiled naturally for the first time in months and it felt so good. "Can we get out of here?"
"I couldn't have said it better myself." Scooter grinned.
About the Author
Graysen Morgen was born and raised in North Florida with winding rivers and waterways at her back door and the white sandy beach a mile away. She has spent most of her lifetime in the sun and on the water. She enjoys reading, writing, fishing, and spending as much time as possible with her partner and their daughter.
You can contact Graysen at [email protected], like her fan page on facebook.com under Graysen Morgen, and follow her on Twitter @graysenmorgen.
Other Titles Available From
Triplicity Publishing
Cypress Lake by Graysen Morgen. The small town of Cypress Lake is rocked when one murder after another happens. Dani Ricketts, the Chief Deputy for the Cypress Lake Sheriff's Office, realizes the murders are linked. She's surprised when the girl that broke her heart in high school has not only returned home, but she's also Dani's only suspect. Kristen Malone has come back to Cypress Lake to put the past behind her so that she can move on with her life. Seeing Dani Ricketts again throws her off-guard, nearly derailing her plans to finally rid herself and her family of Cypress Lake.
Crashing Waves by Graysen Morgen. After a tragic accident, Pro Surfer, Rory Eden, spends her days hiding in the surf and snowboard manufacturing company that she built from the ground up, while living her life as a shell of the person that she once was. Rory's world is turned upside when a young surfer pursues her, asking for the one thing she can't do. Adler Troy and Dr. Cason Macauley from Graysen Morgen's best seller, Falling Snow, make an appearance in this romantic adventure about life, love, and letting go.
Bridesmaid of Honor by Graysen Morgen. Britton Prescott's best friend is getting married and she's the maid of honor. As if that isn't enough to deal with, Britton's sister announces she's getting married in the same month and her maid of honor is her best friend Daphne, the same woman who has tormented Britton for years. Britton has to suck it up and play nice, instead of scratching her eyes out, because she and Daphne are in both weddings. Everyone is counting on them to behave like adults.
Falling Snow by Graysen Morgen. Dr. Cason Macauley, a high-speed trauma surgeon from Denver meets Adler Troy, a professional snowboarder and sparks fly. The last thing Cason wants is a relationship and Adler doesn't realize what's right in front of her until it's gone, but will it be too late?
Fate vs. Destiny by Graysen Morgen. Logan Greer devotes her life to investigating plane crashes for the National Transportation Safety Board. Brooke McCabe is an investigator with the Federal Aviation Association who literally flies by the seat of her pants. When Logan gets tangled in head games with both women will she choose fate or destiny?
Just Me by Graysen Morgen. Wild child Ian Wiley has to grow up and take the reins of the hundred year old family business when tragedy strikes. Cassidy Harland is a little surprised that she came within an inch of picking up a gorgeous stranger in a bar and is shocked to find out that stranger is the new head of her company.
Love Loss Revenge by Graysen Morgen. Rian Casey is an FBI Agent working the biggest case of her career and madly in love with her girlfriend. Her world is turned upside when tragedy strikes. Heartbroken, she tries to rebuild her life. When she discovers the truth behind what really happened that awful night she decides justice isn't good enough, and vows revenge on everyone involved.
Natural Instinct by Graysen Morgen. Chandler Scott is a Marine Biologist who keeps her private life private. Corey Joslen is intrigued by Chandler from the moment she meets her. Chandler is forced to finally open her life up to Corey. It backfires in Corey's face and sends her running. Will either woman learn to trust her natural instinct?
Secluded Heart by Graysen Morgen. Chase Leery is an overworked cardiac surgeon with a group of best friends that have an opinion and a reason for everything. When she meets a new artist named Remy Sheridan at her best friend's art gallery she is captivated by the reclusive woman. When Chase finds out why Remy is so sheltered will she
put her career on the line to help her or is it too difficult to love someone with a secluded heart?
In Love, at War by Graysen Morgen. Charley Hayes is in the Army Air Force and stationed at Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. She is the commanding officer of her own female-only service squadron and doing the one thing she loves most, repairing airplanes. Life is good for Charley, until the day she finds herself falling in love while fighting for her life as her country is thrown haphazardly into World War II. Can she survive being in love and at war?
Fast Pitch by Graysen Morgen. Graham Cahill is a senior in college and the catcher and captain of the softball team. Despite being an all-star pitcher, Bailey Michaels is young and arrogant. Graham and Bailey are forced to get to know each other off the field in order to learn to work together on the field. Will the extra time pay off or will it drive a nail through the team?
Vow of Solitude by Austen Thorne. Detective Jordan Denali is in a fight for her life against the ghosts from her past and a Serial Killer taunting her with his every move. She lives a life of solitude and plans to keep it that way. When Callie Marceau, a curious Medical Examiner, decides she wants in on the biggest case of her career, as well as, Jordan's life, Jordan is powerless to stop her.
Igniting Temptation by Sydney Canyon. Mackenzie Trotter is the Head of Pediatrics at the local hospital. Her life takes a rather unexpected turn when she meets a flirtatious, beautiful fire fighter. Both women soon discover it doesn't take much to ignite temptation.
One Night by Sydney Canyon. While on a business trip, Caylen Jarrett spends an amazing night with a beautiful stripper. Months later, she is shocked and confused when that same woman re-enters her life. The fact that this stranger could destroy her career doesn't bother her. C.J. is more terrified of the feelings this woman stirs in her. Could she have fallen in love in one night and not even known it?
Fine by Sydney Canyon. Collin Anderson hides behind a façade, pretending everything is fine. Her workaholic wife and best friend are both oblivious as she goes on an emotional journey, battling a potentially hereditary disease that her mother has been diagnosed with. The only person who knows what is really going on, is Collin's doctor. The same doctor, who is an acquaintance that she's always been attracted to, and who has a partner of her own.
Shadow's Eyes by Sydney Canyon. Tyler McCain is the owner of a large ranch that breeds and sells different types of horses. She isn't exactly thrilled when a Hollywood movie producer shows up wanting to film his latest movie on her property.
Reegan Delsol is an up and coming actress who has everything going for her when she lands the lead role in a new film, but there one small problem that could blow the entire picture.
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