by Elle James
“They had their reasons,” Rucker said.
“You can tell them what happened. I really need to get something to eat.”
Another nurse hurried forward. “Nora, come inside and sit down. I’ll send one of the specialists to the chow hall for a tray.”
“Thanks, Beth,” Nora said.
The woman led her into the medical facility and urged her to take a seat.
Rucker followed and addressed the crowd gathering around. “Lieutenant Michaels helped a woman deliver a breech baby.”
The medical staff all let out a collective gasp.
“Wow,” Captain Williams said. “I’ve only helped deliver breech babies during a caesarean section.”
“Same,” the doctor in the white coat said. “And the baby’s head didn’t get stuck in the birth canal?”
Nora shook her head. “Sergeant Sloan applied pressure to the head as I eased the baby out. It was a textbook delivery, which was a good thing as that was the only knowledge I had of breech deliveries.” She smiled. “It was a healthy baby boy.”
The people gathered around clapped.
“Who were the men who took you? Did they give you names?” one of the MPs asked, a frown denting his forehead.
Nora’s gaze met Rucker’s as she answered. “No.”
Rucker was glad she hadn’t revealed the man’s name. The last thing Pazir needed was for MPs to show up at his house and cause a ruckus. The Taliban could come down hard on him for whatever infraction they decided he’d incurred.
After they’d reported the incident to the MPs and Nora got something to eat, Rucker excused himself and hurried over to his commander to let him know he was back and unharmed.
He walked into his commander’s office to find his team all gathered inside.
“Oh good, you’re back.” His commander said. “Thought we were going on a mission to rescue your ass. What was that all about, anyway?”
Rucker shook his head. His team had no idea he’d been kidnapped and held at gunpoint to help deliver a baby. “It’s not important. What’s going on?”
“We’ve got orders from SOCOM,” their commanding officer said. “They’ve located Abdul Akund. We’ve been tasked to surround his hideout and observe for twenty-four hours. We’re to make sure our intelligence sources are correct, and he really is there before we make our move to capture him. They want minimal civilian casualties. Preferably none.”
Rucker tensed. “When do we mobilize?”
“Tonight. We get in place and watch through the night and through tomorrow. If he’s there, we make our move tomorrow night.”
The mission meant he couldn’t take Nora to the orphanage the next day. He had to let her know. He didn’t like the idea of her going after what had happened that day, but he couldn’t tell her what to do. He could ask her to wait a couple days until he was back from his mission.
Rucker shook his head. He could ask, but he already knew her answer.
She wouldn’t wait.
She’d want to get those vaccines to the children, the sooner the better. The closer to her redeployment date she got, the more she’d want to tie up loose ends. He knew, as one who’d redeployed on multiple occasions, how important it felt to wrap up the projects he’d started.
“Grab your gear, eat chow, shit, shower, shave and whatever else you need to do to be ready for a mission that could take twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Meet back here in one hour for your briefing and orders.” The commander clapped his hands together. “Dismissed.”
The team left the building. Rucker fell in step between Dash and Bull.
“Wow, sounds like you had a helluva day,” Dash said.
“Why the hell are you at this briefing?” Rucker demanded. “Shouldn’t you be recuperating for another forty-eight hours?”
“I’m fine,” his friend said. “Besides, I want that bastard. After what he put me through, I want a piece of him.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to take on so much after having a head injury,” Rucker argued. “You should sit this one out and let us find the guy and bring him back for you.”
“We tried to reason with him. The hit to his head must have been harder than we thought,” Bull said, shaking his head.
“Or he’s just that hardheaded,” Dawg said behind them.
“He’s hardheaded all right,” Tank said.
“You’d feel the same,” Dash argued. “Won’t be nearly as satisfying unless I’m there when he’s captured.”
Rucker shrugged.
“You didn’t answer me,” Dash said. “What happened to you today? Did you drive the pretty lieutenant out to the orphanage.”
“I tried. We were cut off from our escorts, then taken at gunpoint to a home in the town where Nora was forced to deliver a breech baby, and I helped. Just another day at the office.” Rucker walked with Dash toward the chow hall.
“Holy shit, Ruck. Why didn’t you tell the commander what happened?” Dash asked.
“What the ever-loving-hell?” Bull exclaimed. “You helped deliver a baby?”
Tank chuckled. “Unbelievable.”
Lance asked, “Everything come out all right?”
Rucker nodded. “Nora was amazing. She knew exactly what to do and had me help deliver the baby.”
“Wow,” Dawg said. “Did they say why they took you at gunpoint? I assume they let you go after the baby was delivered or you wouldn’t be here now.”
“They did.” Rucker’s brow pinched. “I’m surprised the MPs didn’t let the commander know I’d been taken.” Rucker entered the chow hall, realizing he was hungry after spending the entire day delivering a baby. At least he got to spend it with Nora. And she’d been amazing getting that baby out alive.
“None of us knew you were in trouble,” Lance said.
“That’s right,” Bull nodded. “You got back about the time you said you would.”
Tank grabbed a tray and started loading it with food. “If you hadn’t shown up for the briefing, we would’ve asked about you and why you were late.”
Rucker took the next tray and followed Tank down the line. “By then, I could’ve been in the next province.”
“Yet, here you are,” Dash said, joining them with his tray loaded with food.
When the team took seats at a table and dug into their food, Rucker filled them in on exactly what had happened.
Bull whistled when he finished. “The important things to remember from that little exercise is Pazir now owes you a debt of honor, and there are spies on this base reporting to a member of the Taliban.”
“Don’t forget,” Dawg said, “Rucker now knows how to deliver babies.”
“No.” Rucker shook his head. “Lieutenant Michaels knows how to deliver babies. I was just doing what she told me to do.”
“We’ll keep all those factoids in our back pockets for a rainy day,” Dash said. “You never know when you’ll need a friend in the Taliban.”
“And we can’t be too open about what we say or do on this base,” Blade noted.
“Or when you need to pinch hit a breech birth.” Mac chuckled.
“Don’t laugh,” Rucker said. “I never even thought I’d need such a skill.”
Dash grinned. “Well, now you’re the team expert on birthing babies.”
“Eat up,” Rucker said. “We have to get moving in order to get ready for this little shindig.” He had to get to Nora and let her know he couldn’t go with her the next day to the orphanage. What were the chances she’d wait until he could go with her?
Chapter 6
Nora had just made it back to her quarters after being fed at the medical facility. Her medical team had congratulated her and asked a lot of questions about her experience being kidnapped at gunpoint, and then delivering a breech baby without any medical support or a doctor to perform a caesarean section.
All she wanted to do now was get back to her bed, relax and try to sleep before she had to report to duty for the graveyard shift.<
br />
Beth was in their quarters when she got there.
“Thanks for leaving me at the mercy of that mob,” Nora said.
Beth gave her a crooked smile as she dragged a brush through her damp hair. “Sorry. I didn’t think I could get them to stop long enough to get you out, so I came back here. My shift was over, and I needed a shower.”
Nora glanced down at her soiled clothing. “I could use one myself.”
“Go. I’ll light some candles and make it Zen in here so you can relax and get ready to sleep.”
“Thanks.”
“Then you can tell me the important stuff, like how it was with Mr. Macho driving you into danger.”
Nora’s chest contracted. Even though they’d been held at gunpoint, she’d felt safer just having Rucker there with her the whole time.
“I can see by your expression that you liked having him around.” Her friend waved at her. “Go. Get that shower so you can come back and spill about the boy.”
Nora stripped out of her stained uniform, tossed on her terrycloth bathrobe, gathered her things for the trip to the shower and hurried out the door.
Ten minutes later, she was back, hair dripping and feeling a little better now that she had scrubbed away the last of the dust and blood from her adventure.
Nora sat at her makeshift desk with the mirror hung over it and pulled her brush through the tangles in her hair.
“Here. Let me.” Beth took her brush from her and worked the tangles free. “So, did he really help, or did he pass out at the sight of blood?”
Nora sighed. “He was amazing. He was right there assisting without making faces or throwing up.”
“Score one for the cute guy.”
“I couldn’t have delivered that baby without his help.”
“I’ll have to remember that next time I need an assistant to help me deliver a baby,” Beth said with a smile. “Too bad you’re leaving so soon. Think I might have a shot at him once you’re gone?”
Nora twisted in her seat, frowning. “Seriously?”
“Well, you are leaving. And he might get lonely…” Beth laughed and went back to brushing Nora’s hair. “Don’t worry. I won’t try to steal your guy. It’s clear that he only has eyes for you.”
Nora stared at her friend in the mirror. “You really think so?”
“Sweetie, the man arranged to be your driver for the day. If that doesn’t say love, I don’t know what does.”
Nora sighed. “It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving soon. He’s enlisted, and it’s not like we can have a fling before I go. I don’t want to ruin my career over a cute guy.”
“If you’re going to ruin your career, it might as well be over a cute guy versus one who’s not so cute.” Beth chuckled. “I think we’ve been here too long. It’s time to get back to the States where you can date and get laid without worrying you’ll get court-martialed.”
“No kidding.”
“Too bad Sergeant Sloan isn’t going back at the same time.”
“Hell, I don’t even know where he shipped out from,” Nora said.
“Have you told him where you’re going?” Beth smoothed Nora’s hair and started dividing the wet strands to weave into a French braid.
“He said he was going to take me to the orphanage tomorrow since we didn’t make it there today.”
“Cool. You could find somewhere to get a little nooky in along the way.”
“Beth!”
Beth held up her hands. “I know. You’re not that kind of girl. But sometimes, don’t you wish you were?”
Nora stared at herself in the mirror.
Yes. She wished she was. Being a rule follower was a burden she wished she didn’t feel obligated to bear.
“It would be nice to at least know how he kisses,” Beth mused. “The whole affair could end before it started if he was a lousy kisser.”
Nora’s lips tingled. Based on the one kiss he’d stolen, she knew he was a good kisser.
Beth’s eyes widened. “You’ve kissed him.”
Nora frowned. “Technically, no.”
“Technically?” Beth laughed. “There’s no technically about it. You have that look of a woman who’s been kissed.”
Nora touched her cheek. “I didn’t kiss him. He kissed me.”
“And by the simple fact you didn’t bring him up on sexual harassment charges, I’d say you liked it.” Beth’s grin broadened. “When did he do it? After you two delivered the baby?” Her smile twisted. “Though how you could exchange a kiss when men with guns stood over you, I don’t know.”
“No. There wasn’t time to kiss today. He kissed me when I went in early for my shift and checked on his friend.” Her pulse pounded at the memory. “I didn’t expect it. It just happened.”
“Man, you’re in trouble.”
Nora bit her bottom lip. “I know. I could lose my commission for not saying something about it.”
“Or you could lose your commission by saying something. And if you liked it, you’re better off not saying anything.”
“I’m torn.” Nora turned to her friend. “If there weren’t so many rules, it would be different.”
“But there are, and that’s what’s bothering you.” Beth sat on the edge of her cot. “You are in between a rock and a hard place. And you’re leaving in a few days.” Her brow twisted. “I’m going to miss you.”
Nora reached for her friend’s hand. “I’m going to miss you, too. But we’ll keep in touch.”
“And the military is a small world. We’ll see each other again. You can bank on that.”
“I hope so.”
A knock sounded on her door.
Beth hopped up. “I’ll get it. It’s probably the MPs wanting to ask more questions.”
Nora turned back to the mirror, took up her brush and then laid it back down. Beth had done a great job French braiding her hair, and she didn’t wear makeup to work.
“Sergeant Sloan, what brings you to our little hovel?” Beth said loudly.
Nora’s heart leaped into her throat, and her fingers clenched the edge of the little desk.
“I need to talk to Nor—Lieutenant Michaels. Is she here?”
“Why yes, she is.” Beth glanced over at Nora. “I was just on my way over to the chow hall for a cup of tea. I’m sure she’d love to see you.” Beth left the door open as she exited their quarters.
Nora leaped to her feet, wishing she’d put on something more than the T-shirt and shorts she’d worn from the shower unit.
At least her hair was brushed and braided.
Rucker moved into the doorway but didn’t come all the way inside. “How are you?”
She dipped her head. “Okay. How are you?”
He didn’t smile. “Okay.”
For a long moment, neither said anything. Nora stared at him, wanting to fill her memory with his handsome face. Before long, she’d be on her way back to the States, and he’d still be here. The thought made her very sad, when she was supposed to be glad to be on her way home.
Home.
She really didn’t have a home. Not since her mother died. Home was wherever she hung her hat. At that moment, it happened to be in Afghanistan.
With Rucker.
Only he wasn’t hers to be with. And Afghanistan wasn’t the place they could be together.
“I’m glad you came by—” she started.
“I came because I needed—” he said at the same time. He smiled. “You go first.”
“No, you go first.” She had been about to tell him that he couldn’t drive her to the orphanage. If they were seen together too often, when he really had no reason to be with her, it could get them both in trouble.
“I’m sorry, Nora, but I can’t take you to the orphanage tomorrow,” he said. “Is there any way you can put it off for two days? I can do it then. We’re being tasked with a mission.”
Her heart squeezed hard in her chest. Even though she’d been about to tell him he couldn’t take her to the orpha
nage, she was sad and disappointed that he’d backed out first. “Don’t worry about it. It’s probably best that you don’t take me anyway.”
“The thing is, I’m worried. After what happened today, I’m afraid it’ll happen again. You were cut off from your escorts, and I wasn’t enough to keep you safe.”
“It all worked out fine in the end,” Nora said. “And the more we’re seen together, the more people will talk. I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
“And I don’t want you to get into trouble because you’re seeing me.” He moved fully into the building. “But I want to see you. I can’t stop thinking about you. You’ve been in my thoughts and on my mind since we played volleyball.”
“And had coffee together,” she finished softly. “I shouldn’t say this, but it’s been the same for me.” She shook her head. “But it can’t be. Not here.”
“What about when we get back to the States?” he asked. “Can I look you up?”
The thought of seeing him back in the States made her heart flutter with excitement. They would still have the same issues. He was enlisted. She was an officer. It wasn’t unheard of for a couple to fall in love like that, but it was highly frowned upon, mostly if they were in the same chain of command.
She started to shake her head.
He held up his hand. “Don’t answer that yet. Wait until we’re both back in the U.S. In the meantime, if you don’t go to the orphanage tomorrow, and I’m back before you go, I’d be honored if you’d allow me to be your driver.” He touched his hand to his chest.
“I’m going tomorrow, unless it rains.” Her lips twitched into a smile. “And the chances of rain are slim to none.”
He nodded. “I understand.”
Did he? He probably thought she didn’t want to be with him, when the opposite was true. She wanted it more than she could tell him. But it wasn’t right. Not by military standards. Not here.
He held out his hand. “If I don’t see you before you leave, I’d like to leave you with a handshake.”
She stared at his hand, almost afraid to take it. But what could a handshake do to her? Nothing.
She laid her hand in his and immediately knew the error of the gesture.