Six Minutes to Midnight

by Elle James

  For a long moment, she said nothing. T-Mac assumed she was sleeping.

  “Don’t tell anyone,” Kinsley whispered, her eyes closed, her breathing slow and steady.

  T-Mac stroked the back of her hand. “Tell anyone what?”

  “That the tough-as-nails army soldier needed to hold a navy SEAL’s hand.”

  “I could find another poor soul to hold your hand, if you like.” His fingers tightened around hers. “Maybe even an army puke,” he offered, but he really didn’t want to relinquish his hold.

  “No need to disturb anyone else.” She lay for a while with her eyes closed.

  T-Mac studied her face. Freshly washed, free of any makeup, she had that girl-next-door appeal, with a sprinkling of freckles across her nose and cheeks.

  T-Mac had the sudden urge to kiss those freckles.

  “Why did you want to be a SEAL?” Kinsley’s voice yanked T-Mac back to reality.

  He barely knew this woman. They were deployed. Fraternization could get them both kicked out of the military, or hit with an Article 15, which would put a black mark on their records and keep them from getting promoted.

  “I joined the navy because I didn’t want to be a farmer,” he said. “My father owns a farm in Nebraska. I grew up running tractors and combines through the summer. He inherited the farm from his father, who inherited it from his father.”

  “Was your father disappointed when you didn’t want to take over the farm?”

  T-Mac shrugged. “Not really. I think when he was a teenager, he had dreams of traveling the world and doing something else with his life. But his father had a heart attack and he stayed to take care of the crops and his mother. And he never left.”

  “Any siblings?” she asked.

  “A younger sister.” He grinned. “And she’s all about the farming. She’s in college now, studying agriculture and researching all kinds of things that will help improve crops and yield. My father is so proud of her.”

  “And he’s not proud of you?” Kinsley asked.

  T-Mac nodded. “He is. I’m doing what he would have wanted to do. Whenever I can, I send pictures of some of the places I’ve been. I think he lives vicariously through me. One of these days, I hope to take him and my mother to Europe on vacation. I want them to see Italy, Greece, Spain and France. My father is a big history buff. He’d love it.”

  Kinsley smiled, her eyes open, the green color seeming deeper. “Sounds like you had a good childhood. You must love your folks a lot.”

  He nodded. “I miss them, but I also love what I’m doing.” T-Mac tilted his head. “What about you? What made you join the army?”

  Her lips twisted. “I didn’t feel like I had a lot of choices. My mother didn’t have the money to send me to college. I joined the army to build a better life for myself. When I get out, I plan on going to college.”

  “What do you want to study?”

  “I don’t know yet. I might go into nursing. But for now, I love working with the dogs. Agar in particular.”

  As if he knew she was talking about him, Agar rested his head over her belly.

  Kinsley stroked the dog’s neck. “Working with Agar has taught me more about life and living than all twenty-something years of my life.”

  “How so?”

  “I grew up with a single mother. She worked two jobs to keep a roof over my head and food on the table. I didn’t see her enough.”

  “Sounds like you were pretty much on your own.”

  “I was, from about ten on. I didn’t have many close friends in school because I didn’t join any extracurricular activities. I couldn’t. I had to ride the bus home. Walking wasn’t an option. Between home and high school were some pretty sketchy neighborhoods. So I went home on the bus and locked the doors. I guess you could say I was pretty introverted. Handling Agar taught me patience with others and helped bring me out of my shell.”

  “How did you get in with the dogs?” T-Mac asked.

  “I was working on a detail near the canine unit at Fort Hood, Texas. I asked how I could get into the program. My first sergeant helped me apply, and here I am.” She laughed. “My first real mission and I blew it.”

  “You didn’t blow it.” T-Mac squeezed her hand. “Someone tried to blow you away.”

  She touched a hand to her chest. “Feels like it.”

  “Bruised?”

  “Just sore.” Her eyebrows dipped. “But not too sore I can’t go back to work.”

  “I’m sure you let the doctor know.”

  “Damn right I did.” Her chin tilted upward. “Agar and I have work to do...lives to save.”

  “Yes, you do.” Though he didn’t like the idea of Kinsley and Agar going out on point again. “About last night... Did you see the face of the man who shot you?”

  Kinsley closed her eyes and scrunched her face. After a minute, she shook her head. “I can’t remember even going out with the team. How did we get where we were going?”

  T-Mac shook his head. “By helicopter.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “That’s right. You walked me to the helicopter pad.”

  “Just me?” he prompted.

  Kinsley sighed. “That’s all I remember. Everything else is a blank.” She looked up at him with her pretty green eyes. “Why can’t I remember? I feel like I’m forgetting something important.”

  “Like someone shooting you point-blank in the chest?” T-Mac snorted. “That’s something you might want to forget. Or maybe it’s your mind’s way of protecting you.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the back of her knuckles. “Don’t let it worry you. When you’re ready, you’ll remember.” He kissed her hand again before he even realized what he was doing.

  Her gaze went from her hand to his face. “Why did you do that?”

  Heat rose up his neck into his cheeks. “I don’t know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.” He laid her hand on the sheet. “Maybe I should go.”

  “No.” She reached out and snagged his fingers with hers. “Please, don’t go. Unless you have to.” Her cheeks flushed. “I didn’t say I didn’t like it.”

  “Yeah, well, I shouldn’t have done it anyway. I don’t know why, but it just felt right.” He held out his hand. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

  An awkward silence ensued. One in which T-Mac couldn’t look Kinsley in the eyes.

  Finally, she squeezed his hand and let go. “I’ve kept you here long enough. I plan on sleeping until tomorrow and then initiating my escape plan.”

  T-Mac chuckled. “I’m sure Agar will be a big help in your endeavors.” He stepped away from the bed and looked around. “If Agar is staying with you tonight, we need to see to his comfort as well as yours. I’ll be right back.”

  He turned away, kicking himself for kissing the woman’s hand. What if a nurse or doctor had walked in? He was taking advantage of the woman when she was at her most vulnerable. And worse, his actions could have been construed as fraternization, which could not only get him in trouble, but Kinsley as well.

  T-Mac searched through the cabinet in the room. He found a bedpan and some kind of sterile bowl. He pulled the bowl off a shelf, filled it with water from the sink in the adjoining bathroom and set it on the floor.

  Agar leaped down from the bed, trotted over to the bowl of water and licked it dry.

  T-Mac chuckled. “Hey, boy, you must have been really thirsty.”

  “I swear that dog is part camel.” Kinsley laughed. “I keep expecting him to grow a hump from all the water he consumes.”

  Squatting next to the dog, T-Mac rubbed the animal behind the ears. “You’re lucky to have Agar.”

  “I know,” Kinsley said, her voice low. “I’m sick that I almost lost him.”

  T-Mac glanced up to catch Kinsley staring at him. Not the dog. His pulse pushed blood throug
h his veins at an alarming speed. He didn’t know what was wrong with him, but if he didn’t leave soon, he’d do more than just kiss the woman’s hand. And he couldn’t let that happen. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

  She nodded. “I know. You can’t babysit the dog handler forever.”

  He turned to leave.

  “T-Mac.” Kinsley’s voice stopped him from making good his escape.

  He made the mistake of turning back.

  Kinsley lay against the sheets looking small and vulnerable.

  “Yes?” T-Mac kept his distance, while clenching his fists to keep from reaching out to take her into his arms.

  “You’re an amazing man. Thank you for rescuing me.”

  “Don’t mention it,” he said, and left the room.

  Chapter Five

  The nurses and the doctor who visited Kinsley throughout the rest of the day and into the night didn’t seem at all put out by Agar’s presence. Kinsley suspected T-Mac had something to do with their casual acceptance. And for that she was grateful.

  Having Agar with her helped her make it through the nightmares that woke her several times in a single hour.

  At one point, she woke up calling out T-Mac’s name. When she realized what she’d done, she looked around quickly, hoping no one else had heard. Once she ascertained she was well and truly alone, she was able to relax. At the same time, she missed having the navy SEAL there in her room, holding her hand. And, if she were honest with herself, she wanted him to kiss her again. But not on her hand.

  The sun and Agar’s soft whining woke Kinsley the next morning. She rolled out of the narrow bed and landed on her bare feet. The cool tile flooring against her toes and the draft through the back of her gown made her shiver.

  Agar danced beside her, ready to go outside for his morning run.

  “Sorry, boy, we have to get permission from the doctor.”

  “Speak of the devil...” The doctor entered the room. “And here I am.” He chuckled at his own joke and then got serious. “Headache?” The doctor pulled a penlight from his breast pocket.

  “No, sir.”

  He shone the light into her eyes. “Dizziness?”

  “No, sir.”

  “How are those ribs?” He patted his hand on the bed. “Hop up and let me look you over.”

  “The ribs are mildly sore, but livable.” She scooted her bottom onto the edge of the bed and swung her legs up.

  “Lie down on the bed,” the doctor ordered.

  After a nurse joined them in the room, the doc lifted her gown to inspect the bruising on her ribs, pushing here and there until he was satisfied nothing was broken.

  Kinsley bit down hard on her tongue to keep from crying out a couple of times. It hurt, but she refused to be put on profile until the bruising went away. She wanted to get back out and make sure no one triggered an unexpected explosion and lost lives or limbs. She and Agar had a job to do, and by God, they were going to do it.

  “As much as I’d like to keep you and have someone for my staff to work on, I can’t find enough wrong with you.”

  Kinsley sat up, grinning. “Really?”

  “The nurse will give you discharge instructions.”

  “So, I can return to duty?”

  The doctor held up a single finger. “Light duty for a day, to make sure you don’t have any residual effects of the explosion or gunshot.”

  “Thank you.” Kinsley was so relieved she wanted to cry.

  Agar’s tail pounded the floor beside the bed.

  “I’m really releasing you to get this hairy beast out of my facility.” The doctor brushed a dog hair from his white coat. “Now, get out of here before I change my mind.”

  “I will.” Kinsley hopped off the bed, grabbed Agar’s lead and made for the door.

  “Eh-hem.” The doctor cleared his throat. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  The cool tile beneath her feet and the draft on her backside made a rush of heat climb up her cheeks. Her heart sank. “I don’t suppose I can borrow some scrubs or something?”

  “As a matter of fact, I have what you need.” The nurse reentered the room carrying a stack of clothing. “A handsome navy SEAL delivered these this morning for you. He apologized about the size but said he didn’t have access to your room to get your own things.” She grinned.

  Kinsley took the shorts, T-shirt and socks from the woman. “These will do.”

  “Let me know if you need any help,” she offered.

  “Thank you.”

  Once the doctor and nurse left the room, Kinsley stripped out of the gown and pulled the T-shirt over her head. The hem fell down around her knees. Undaunted, she slipped into the shorts and dragged them up over her hips. They were too big, but she was able to tighten the string at the waist to keep them from falling off.

  The heels of the socks came halfway up her ankles, but they were fine to get her to her quarters. She found her boots in the corner and pulled them on. Feeling like an orphan in hand-me-downs, she grabbed Agar’s leash and headed out of the medical facility and across the compound to the containerized living units.

  Agar trotted alongside her, his steps light, tail wagging. Thankfully, he seemed to have no ill effects from his own brush with death.

  As she walked past the motor pool, a man in an army uniform smiled and waved in her direction.

  Kinsley nodded and waved back.

  Another man stood on the front bumper of one of the big trucks, leaning over the open engine. He raised his head for moment but didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, his gaze followed her.

  Agar growled.

  “I agree. He wasn’t very friendly,” Kinsley whispered, and walked faster until she moved out of sight of the motor pool.

  As she passed by the command center, the navy commander who’d called for the mission that had almost gotten her killed stepped out of the building. “Ah, Specialist Anderson. I’m glad to see you up and about.” His gaze swept over her outfit.

  Kinsley lifted her chin. “I was just released from the medical facility. I’m on my way to my quarters to change into a uniform.”

  The commander’s brow dipped. “Should you return to work so soon?”

  “I’m on light duty for a day, then I’m back to regular duty.” She motioned for Agar to sit. “I wanted to let you know I’m ready and able to perform my mission, should you need me.”

  “Good to know. I might have something coming up soon. I’ll keep you in mind.”

  “Thank you, sir,” she said.

  “Can I interest you in some fabulous food from our neighborhood chow hall?” He waved his hand toward the dining facility. “I’m headed there now.”

  “No, thank you, sir,” Kinsley said. “I need to change and exercise Agar.”

  “Don’t overdo it,” the commander said.

  “Yes, sir.” Kinsley hurried along, determined to reach her quarters before she encountered anyone else. She didn’t like being out of uniform in the oversize shirt and shorts, looking goofy in a pair of combat boots. She’d seen worse while she’d been there, but she held herself to a higher standard. And she was grateful for the clothing to get across the compound. She couldn’t imagine traipsing across Camp Lemonnier in nothing but boots and a hospital gown.

  Thankfully, she didn’t encounter anyone else on her way to her quarters. Her skin crawled with a strange feeling someone was watching her. She flung open the door.

  Agar stepped inside.

  Then Kinsley slipped into the shipping container, closed the door behind her and stood for a moment, listening for footsteps outside.

  The crunch of gravel sent a shiver along her spine.

  Agar pressed his nose to the door crack and sniffed. Then he sniffed again, his hackles rising.

  Kinsley knew she should look outside and see who
was there, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

  Then, as quickly as Agar’s hackles rose, they fell back in place and he trotted over to her bed and lay down.

  “What was all that about?” Kinsley asked.

  When the dog looked up at her from his lounging position on the floor, he cocked his head to one side.

  “You’re hopeless.” Kinsley yanked off the T-shirt that smelled amazingly like T-Mac. She pressed it to her nose, inhaled his scent and tossed the shirt on the bed.

  The shorts were next.

  Wanting to prove she was up to working again, Kinsley changed into a clean uniform, brushed her hair and pulled it back into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. Sore around the stitches on her leg and achy around the ribs, she didn’t slow down, but called for Agar. She snatched up his lead, his KONG and the training aid she used with the trace scent of explosives inside.

  Agar leaped to his feet as soon as he saw the dog toy. He loved chewing on the KONG and would do almost anything she asked just to get to play with it for a few seconds.

  Feeling a little more like normal, if somewhat beaten up, Kinsley left her quarters and walked out to the camp trash containers. With the sun rising high in the sky, barely a breeze to stir the air and the sun’s heating the earth and the trash, the smell was barely tolerable and perfect to help disguise the training aid.

  Kinsley tied Agar to a post and then ducked between trash bins to hide the toy.

  When she returned, Agar’s ears perked. She gave him the signal to find the explosives and let him out to the end of his lead.

  Within minutes, he found the aid. Kinsley’s heart swelled and she praised the dog for his find. She rewarded him by throwing his KONG and letting him run to fetch it. Repeating the exercise several more times, she was satisfied Agar hadn’t lost his touch. She took him for a long walk around the perimeter of the camp, hoping to stretch the kinks out of her body and work thoughts of a certain navy SEAL out of her mind.

  She’d have to return his clothes soon, and the thought warmed her all the way to her core. Which scared the crap out of her. She did not need to get involved with a navy guy. Nothing could come of it. They were both committed to their military careers.