Page 34 of Gator's Gambit
Me: I do, yes. Thanks, Tex. I appreciate you checking up on me.
Tex: All good. It’s what family does. Chat with you again tomorrow.
Me: Until tomorrow.
Chucking my phone down on the seat beside me, Millie gives a littlechirpof displeasure.
“Sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to disturb your nap.” I rub a placating hand over her sleek black coat, and she rolls to herback for belly rubs. Obliging her, I soak in the sound of her loud purrs, smiling at her air biscuits.
These two have been my constant companions since I got them as kittens four years ago. They’ve seen me through some difficult moments, kept me sane when I was struggling with being far from home and lonely – missing family and friends. They return the love I give them in spades, making being away from home bearable.
Thinking back over the message, I find myself smiling over his use of the word family. I’ve only ever heard about the bond that soldiers develop and have always loved the concept. To be considered “part of the family” warms my heart in ways I could never have imagined.
A little more settled having spoken to Tex, I pick up my book and finally lose myself in the pages. So much so that I’m startled to hear Mama call me for lunch. The girls are unamused as I wiggle my way out from under the blanket I was using. No matter how hot it is, my feet somehow still get cold.
We’re almost done with lunch when my phone rings, and I’m surprised, pleasantly so, to see Godric’s name on the little screen.
“Hi,” I answer a little breathlessly. No idea why. Then again, my heart is racing like a runaway horse in my chest.
“Hey, Pooks…” Before he can say more, I hear someone shouting over the awful droning noise that I can hear in the background. “Hang on a sec.”
I wait patiently while the other person finishes whatever it is they’re saying – the noise is so bad I can’t make out a word of it. I don’t know how Godric can understand them.
“Yeah, got it,” I hear him reply to whomever the voice belongs to, and then he’s back. “I know it’s loud, sorry about that. I can’t talk for long — we’re on our way back to base so I’musing the satellite phone real quick ’cause I couldn’t wait until we land to call you.”
“I’m glad you did. I’ve missed you so much, I’m just happy to hear your voice. Are you okay? How’s your shoulder?”
“I’m okay – better now that I’m talking to you. Shoulder’s holding up.”
Something in the way he’s talking is like an entire conversation taking place below the surface. Like all isnotwell, but he’s not saying it out loud.
“Good to hear. Can you give me a minute?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks for lunch, Mama.” I get up and place a kiss on her cheek, before making my way back to the porch. “So what aren’t you telling me?”
“What do you mean?” The pause before he replies is a dead giveaway.
“I mean, you’re saying all the right things, telling me what I want to hear, but there’s something more going on underneath. Like you’re not as fine as you say you are.”
That rich laugh of his rolls out, and I can’t help but smile despite my concern.
“You don’t miss a trick, do you?” He clears his throat. “Let’s just say, the mission wasn’t as successful as we’d hoped. I can’t go into details, but I can tell you it wasn’t fun. Anyway, I didn’t call to talk about my work. I called because I miss you and couldn’t wait to hear your voice.
“We’ll be landing in an hour or so, and then we’ll have debriefing before we get some R and R. I was wondering if I could talk you into coming to spend it with me. I can fly you out and we can spend some time together. I’d love to show you around and for you to meet my friends. Honestly, I’d just plain love to see you.”
“I’d love that too.”
“Yeah?” The excitement in his voice makes me smile. He’s like a kid in a candy store.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll get on booking you a ticket and let you have the details as soon as I have them.”
“I can pay for my own ticket, you know that, right?” I say, chuckling.
“Yeah, I know, but I’d really like to do this. Please? Consider it a gift from me to you.”
