Page 165 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“C’mere,” Rod pulled Wyl into his arms.
“I can handle the mission.” Wyl’s voice shook. “But you are all I have left. I have no other family.” His voice broke.
“Hey, now. Nothing is going to happen to me.” Rod cooed softly in Wyl’s ear.
“You don’t know that.” Wyl’s words turned into a whine, sobs shaking his shoulders as he hugged Rod with all his might.
“Wyl. You’ll be there with me. And I’ll be trained by the best before we go. I have no experience in espionage, but neither do you. We’re in this together, remember?”
Wyl took a deep breath, struggling to control his emotions. “I know…”
“And there are no guarantees, whether we’re on this mission or not. Look at Walt’s accident on the ranch.”
“You’re right,” Wyl pulled back and gazed into Rod’s eyes.
Rod reached up, wiped the tears from his cheeks, and tugged his chin into a brief, loving kiss. “We’re going to be fine, babe. Now stop worrying.”
“Okay. Keep telling me that, and be there to hug me.”
“Always.” Rod leaned in for another quick kiss. “Now, let’s grab a shower and have breakfast. If we don’t get up now, we’ll spend the morning in this bed.”
“I like spending time with you in bed, but we must get moving. We have a plane to catch this afternoon.”
“Yes, and almost two weeks at the ranch by ourselves.”
“Sounds heavenly.”
The two followed their usual morning routine. After breakfast, they packed and prepared to leave for the airport. The room phone rang.
Wyl picked up the phone. “Sterling.”
“Colonel Sterling, Agent Travers here. I’m taking you both to the airport. What time is your flight?”
“Our flight leaves at 1:30,” Wyl said.
“I’ll pick you up at 11:45.”
“Perfect, Travers. Thanks.”
“My pleasure, sir.” Travers disconnected.
“What did he want?” Rod asked.
“He’s taking us to the airport.”
“Wow. I’m beginning to like this. Fancy rooms. Chauffeurs. I didn’t realize being a Marine had all these perks.”
Wyl gave out a deep, hearty laugh. “It doesn’t, babe. Obviously, they need us.”
“If that’s the case, don’t you think they’ll do everything they can to protect us?”
“You’re right. I let myself get all worried.”
Rod walked over, cupped Wyl’s face, and gazed into his eyes. “It’s okay to worry about things that are real. Don’t worry about things that are not. Worries always seem overwhelming at night.”
* * *
Back on the ranch, the time vanished. They rode horses every day, enjoying the last vestiges of summer.
