My uncooperative book and the weekend’s book signing can take a back seat while I soak my ratty mood away.
9
LUCKY
I’m tired, hungry, dirty, and so ready for this flight to be over. Nearly six weeks have passed since we left home for what should have been a fairly easy extraction. Should have known better. It’s usually the ones that should be simple and straightforward that seem to stand the best chance of going off the fucking rails. Thankfully, it was successful, despite all the obstacles.
Now all I want to do is shower, inhale something to eat, and sleep for a week. Which complicates matters since I also want to see Agatha. She’s been on my mind the entire time we’ve been gone. And, of course, the guys took great delight in badgering me about it.
Boots finally back on the ground, we head for our debrief, and Knight falls in step with me.
“You going to see her?”
Pointless pretending I don’t know who he’s talking about, I nod. “Yeah.”
“Good.”
“Yeah, and why’s that?”
He lays a hand on my shoulder. “Woman’s on your mind like Agatha’s been? It means something. Why fight it?”
“What if the interest’s one-sided?”
Knight shrugs. “Won’t know if you don’t try.”
“I guess you’re right.” We walk along for a bit. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure. What’s on your mind?” I feel stupid asking, but I need to know, and he’s the only one on the team I can ask. “Lucky?”
“Yeah? Oh – um, never mind. It’s not important.”
He gives me a weird look, but right then we reach the offices and with no more time for personal chitchat, Knight shows for me to precede him into the room.
We’ve just settled in as Commander Hurt enters the room. “Gentlemen, welcome home. Good to see you all in one piece. I won’t keep you longer than necessary. I know you’re all eager to get home.”
A murmur of agreement has the man smiling. True to his word, he doesn’t waste time, and once we’ve reported on the events of the last few weeks, we’re free to go. We’ve got a week of downtime, and I know exactly how I want to spend it.
Reaching our vehicles, we say our goodbyes and head for home. Driving with the windows wide open for the airflow and tunes turned up loud to keep me awake, I regret, for the millionth time, that I never got Agatha’s cell number before her accident. I could kick myself, but who knew our afternoon was going to take such an unexpected turn?
I have every intention of fixing that, first chance I get. But first things first.
By the time I’ve dragged myself through the shower and choked down a quick sandwich, I can’t keep my eyes open. Falling into bed, my last thought as I drift off is of Agatha.
A creature of habit, my internal alarm clock has me up early but well rested. And ready to put my plan in action. I rummage around my kitchen in search of something to eat, giving up in disgust when all I can find it a box of Goldfish and nothing much else.
A thought pops into my head and takes root. Wondering if Agatha would be game to have breakfast with me, I grab my keys and wallet before jogging to my car. This early in the morning the traffic is pretty light, thankfully. I suddenly find myself impatient to get to my destination.
The guard on duty is the same one as the first time I was here. He offers me a smile and pushes the register toward me. “Ms. Traeger, if I remember correctly, yeah?” Taken aback at his memory, I simply nod, continuing to fill in my details. “I remember, ’cause Ms. Traeger, she don’t get many visitors. Lovely young lady, but very lonely, I think.”
Storing that nugget of information away, I hand the man his pen back while sliding the book back over his side. “Thanks,” he continues with a smile. “I’ll just let her know you’re here.”
I listen to his side of the conversation, and it’s clear the delectable Ms. Traeger is a bit taken aback by such an early morning visitation. She isn’t inclined to turn me away, however, and I say a quick mental thanks.
“You remember the way?” he asks as he hangs up the phone.
“Yes, sir, I do.”
“Go on back then.”
