Leisl’s jaw dropped. She could feel the desert air drying out her tongue. After rejecting his company, and despite her rudeness, the man had observed her feeding the dog most of her own dinner and had not only made sure the dog received a healthy portion, but that she did not go without either. She was stunned. Not knowing what else to say, she whispered, “thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Doc replied.
The three ate in silence. The dog finished first and Leisl and the considerate soldier finished last.
“You know, they didn’t have any more apple pie or else I would’ve brought you a slice,” he said, not looking at her. He pushed the plate a few inches in her direction. “I’d be happy to share mine.” He waited, still not looking at her.
Leisl looked at the slice of pie. It did look good. Then she looked at Doc who refused to make eye contact even as he was obviously speaking to her. It was absurd and a little funny. A half smile tugged at her lips before she could suppress it.
An answering grin slid across his face. “Is that a yes? Can I look at you now?”
Leisl snorted. “Somehow, I think you already are.”
He turned, brown eyes connecting with her green ones. “You got me. I have excellent peripheral vision. Hazard of the job.”
“What, exactly, is your job?” she asked.
Doc slid back down three seats to sit in front of her once again. He pushed the pie plate to the center of the table, grinning. “I’m a medic. Green Beret, Fort Carson unit.”
She picked up her fork and at his urging, took the first bite. It was good. Better than the roast beef. “I wasn’t aware medics were required to have great peripheral vision. I thought you just needed medical training.”
Doc took a bite, enjoying seeing her smile for the first time. “I’m not just any medic, ma’am. I’m part of a special ops group and my skills extend beyond medical.”
Leisl sat back, eyes wide. “Did you just call me ma’am?”
“Sorry, but I don’t know your name and your lanyard is backwards,” he said, pointing his fork at the badge hanging around her neck.
She looked down, flipping the badge around. “Oh, right. I’m Leisl,” she said. “Sergeant Leisl Craig.”
Doc reached across the table extending his hand. “Sergeant Major Jason Lee Gordon. My friends call me Doc.”
She took his hand. It was rough, calloused as one would expect from a soldier, but it was also warm and oddly comforting. He held hers gently but firmly a little longer than necessary. Her breath hitched before he released her, his eyes never leaving her face.
A whine interrupted them.
Leisl chuckled. “Oh yes, and this is Pooch.” She leaned over, pointing under the table. “He’s my protector and usual dinner companion.”
Doc leaned sideways and extended his hand palm up. The dog sniffed his fingers and then proceeded to lick them before putting a paw on his leg.
“Oh, look. He likes you,” said Leisl, surprised. “He doesn’t take to people right away usually. Huh.”
“It’s an alpha thing. Dogs know. It’s all part of male bonding in the animal kingdom. Also, I love dogs. Where’d you find him?” Doc scratched Pooch behind the ears sending the canine into doggy ecstasy.
“I didn’t. He found me. He was just a puppy and a really skinny one at that who came up to me one day not long after I arrived last year. He was so sweet. I just couldn’t leave him be even though everyone told me not to get attached.” Her voice dropped low as she spoke, turning melancholy.
Pooch, hearing the sadness in her tone, left Doc to snuggle up against her leg, laying his head in her lap.
“He loves you.” Doc watched her face. A myriad of emotions ran through her green eyes as she pet the dog. He could see the feeling was more than mutual. She was deeply attached to the mutt. He understood that. The Gordon household was always filled with pets, what with his dad being a veterinarian. They fostered dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, and even a lizard once. It was difficult not to get attached but at least he knew then they were all going to good, loving homes. Leisl didn’t have that peace of mind. Pooch, as she called him, would be left behind when she went back stateside. Another casualty of war. That didn’t seem right, especially in light of what he’d overheard about her having no family. He wanted to say something, but for once, was at a complete loss for words.
Leisl smiled, rubbing the dog’s head. “I know. I love him too. I’m going to try and bring him back with me when I go…” She stopped herself, pushing her chair and standing up. “It’s been nice. Thanks for the conversation, Jason, and the pie, but I have to get back to work.”
“Sure,” he said, standing. “Anytime, Leisl.” Doc watched her pick up her tray and walk away. Pooch followed her to the dirty dish bin where she laid the now empty tray and the dog’s plate inside. She glanced back once, catching his eye before the tent flap swung back into place. There was a hint of sorrow in her expressive eyes that struck straight at his heart. He didn’t like it. Didn’t like that she was sad. He wanted to see her smile again. He had a feeling she didn’t smile often, didn’t have much reason to smile. He sat back down and finished off the last few bites of the apple pie. It wasn’t anywhere near as good as his mama’s, he thought. He wished he could talk to her now, ask her what she thought about this redhead with the sad, green eyes. Tess Gordon would like her, he already knew. And if she knew Leisl’s story, would probably take her under her wing like the mama bird she can’t help but be. She’d say, “Well? Help her, Jason Lee! Isn’t that what we raised you to do, what Uncle Sam trained you to do?” His mom was never shy with advice. Help her. But how? A smile spread across his lips and he snapped his fingers. He knew exactly how, but it would take a lot of behind-the-scenes maneuvering because he had a strong suspicion she wouldn’t appreciate his direct interference at all. That was okay by him. He didn’t need the glory, just the results.
Whistling a happy tune, he carried his tray to the dirty dish bin and made his way to his quarters. He had a few phone calls to make.
Chapter 4
The morning began on a note of locker room hilarity before it took a nose-dive. Doc visited Eastwood immediately after breaking his fast. All was well and Harry was on his way to being himself once again which meant he was flirting with his nurse.
Sgt. Angie Nelson was giving Eastwood a sponge bath when he arrived.
“Oh, damn. No one needs to see that!”
“Come back, you big wussy. You’re just jealous cuz mine are bigger.”
Doc snorted. “They’re swollen, Harry. Once they heal, they’ll be the same tiny marbles you had before a bullet found ‘em.”
“Marbles of steel, buddy. And trust I won’t forget how gently you held them. That’ll be my fondest memory until the day I die.”
Doc threw him the stink-eye.
“You two want me to leave you alone?” Angie asked, sponge in hand. “Your friend can finish bathing you.”
Eastwood grinned. “Not on your life. All things considered, I prefer you, beautiful.”
Doc rolled his eyes. “I see he’s feeling better.”
“Oh yes. He’s something else.” She resumed the bath, rinsing Eastwood’s limbs and body before throwing him a towel and focusing on changing his bandages. “Take a deep breath, Sergeant,” she said, “this might hurt.” She peeled away the tape and gauze.
Doc watched as the smile froze on his teammate’s face. The grimace of pain eased once the bandages were removed. The entire groin was now exposed and for a moment, Doc felt Harry’s pain. His gonads were as big as mangoes and twice as red.
The nurse poured hydrogen peroxide over the angry-looking mangoes. He and Eastwood both sucked in a breath at the same time.
Angie smirked, shaking her head.
Eastwood grunted through a tightly clenched jaw. “Damn, that stings!”
“Here, this will help.” Nurse Nelson leaned down and blew cool air over the incision.
Doc slapped a hand over his
eyes, peeking through his fingers as his buddy intently watched her actions, obviously forgetting he wasn’t alone with the nurse. This wouldn’t end well, he just knew it.
“Ow! Motherfucker!” Eastwood’s scream filled the room and spilled out into the hall.
Nate came running into the room having been on his way to check on his weapon’s specialist. “What? What happened? What’s wrong?” He noticed Doc’s shoulders shaking.
“Eastwood’s got a hard-on.” The laughter Doc was struggling to hold in erupted.
“Nothing new”, he said. “So what’s the big deal?” Nate looked from Doc to the nurse.
“It’s a big deal, Captain. It means his junk still works, but right now an erection is doing nothing but pulling at his incision.” She picked up a syringe of normal saline and squirted the cold liquid all over Eastwood’s penis like Smokey the Bear putting out a forest fire. Glancing down at her patient, she said, “And it also means Harry’s got a thing for brown sugar, don’t ya?” she joked.
The cold saline did its job. As Eastwood’s boner deflated, a smile of relief spread across his face. “It’s all your fault, Angie. How’s any man supposed to keep cool when you’re teasing the hell out of me like that? Evil woman.”
“Damn right, and don’t you forget it. Now, let’s get you re-diapered.” She picked up fresh gauze and began packing it gently between his thighs.
“Yes ma’am. You just take your sweet time.” Eastwood’s words were contrite but the grin on his face was unrepentant.
Nate shook his head. “If he gives you any more guff, Sergeant Nelson, please feel free to tape his mouth shut.”
“I can handle myself, Captain, and he’s no problem. I know he’s really a pussycat under all that barking and slobbering.”
“Damn, Eastwood. You may have met your match.”
“As long as she keeps giving me my sponge bath, I’ll do anything she wants.”
An unwelcome thought crept into Doc’s head. “Just don’t be asking Leisl to wash your salty balls.”
Angie glanced up. “Leisl, is it? You sweet on Sergeant Craig, Doc?”
Eastwood and Nate looked at him, eyebrows raised.
Doc hesitated. “I’m just saying, don’t be shaking your little mango tree at every woman who walks in the room.”
Nate glanced at Eastwood who glanced at Angie.
“His mangoes are under my care, Doc. No need to worry your handsome head about that.”
“Hey!” Eastwood said.
Angie placed the last piece of tape over the gauze and reached for a fresh hospital gown sitting on the table beside her. “Don’t be flashing those sweet green eyes at me, Harold Tyler. I’m a free agent. Here, put this on.” She helped him into the green gown. “As for Leisl,” she said, glancing at Doc, “she’s a quiet one. Keeps to herself mostly when she’s not on shift. And she’s not one for casual hookups,” she said, casting side-eye at Doc.
He cleared his throat. “It’s not about that. It’s just that, well,” he paused, not sure if he should reveal what he’d overheard.
“Well, what?” Angie asked, facing him.
“I don’t know. I saw her with a dog last night…”
Angie waved her hand. “Oh, that’s just Pooch. She found that raggedy canine when she arrived and he follows her everywhere. What about him?”
“Nothing. I just thought I heard her telling the dog she was going home soon. That’s all.”
Angie cocked her head. “Going home? She hasn’t mentioned any such thing. Maybe you misheard.”
Doc opened his mouth and then closed it again, considering his words. If Leisl hadn’t confided in her friend then it wasn’t right for him to be talking about what he’d overheard.
“You’re right. That’s probably the case. Never mind.”
Nate watched the exchange. He’d never seen Doc be anything other than completely open, but he swore he just witnessed him dancing around something he was unwilling to reveal. For Doc, that was odd behavior, especially on the heels of him warning Eastwood off the woman. As interesting as the entire scene was, it wasn’t important. He had news.
“If you’re finished, Sergeant Nelson, I need to talk to my men.”
Angie cleared away the wet towels and garbage, disposing of it all. “Of course, Captain.” She looked at Eastwood. “I’ll be back at noon with your lunch and meds.”
Eastwood smiled. “Looking forward to it.”
Nate and Doc stepped aside as Angie passed exiting the room.
“What’s going on, Outlaw?” Doc asked.
“Yeah, what’s happening?” Eastwood raised the head of his hospital bed.
Nate reached back, closing the curtain to afford them some privacy. “The team is on their way here. They left at 0430, but that’s not the problem.”
“Then what? We’re off the mission. Wolf’s team has command so how is this a problem for us?” Doc asked.
Nate walked to the side of Harry’s bed, his expression grim. “After they flew out, CIA and COM-SAD reported new intel. A cell out of Syria exchanged communiques with another just ten miles south of where we stand now. The exact location isn’t pinned down yet, but word is, the chemist is being moved there, should already be en route.” He looked at his men.
“No shit? So Wolf’s team is watching an empty house?” A self-satisfied half-smirk spread across Doc’s lips.
Eastwood looked from one to the other. “So let me get this straight. While I was under, the Special Activities Division Command pulled us off our mission and sent SEALs in to replace us? What the fuck is that?”
“That’s what I said!” Doc pointed at Eastwood.
“And our target has changed direction so ole Wolf and his team are just sittin’ around playing with themselves? That’s fucking beautiful!” He grinned.
“Damn, Harry, it’s like we’re one brain.” Doc slapped his thigh, gesturing between the two of them.
“That’s all beside the point, fellas. We have a situation on our hands. We’re now the only team within striking distance. As soon as the guys land, we’re heading south. Sorry, Harry,” said Nate, “but you’ll miss out on this one. We’re going to have to make do without you.”
“That sucks my big mangoes, Outlaw, but as long as our team bags this bomb-making fuck, I’m happy.”
“So what’s their ETA?”
Nate glanced at his watch. “Within the hour. Just enough time to pack up.”
Doc approached Eastwood, fist out. “This one’s for you, brother.”
The two men bumped fists. “Get that sonofabitch, Doc. I’ll hold down the fort.”
“Just don’t lay your filthy paws on Leisl. She’s not for you.”
Nate and Eastwood shared a look and both laughed.
“Looks like another one bites the dust, Outlaw. First you with Emma, and now my boy, Doc. God Almighty, what’s the world coming to?”
“Fuck you both,” said Doc, walking out of the room.
“I think you might be right, Harry. Take it easy on Nurse Nelson while we’re out doing men’s work.” Nate grinned, clapping Eastwood on the shoulder before following Doc out the room.
“Easy’s my middle name, Nate.”
“Don’t we know it!” Nate called out.
Chapter 5
On her way to breakfast, Leisl slammed head-first into a wall. Two strong hands caught her before she fell backwards.
“Ow!”
“Sorry! I’m so sorry,” Doc steadied her. He’d been en route to his room to pack preoccupied with thoughts, many of which included her, when she’d rounded the corner and walked right into him. Seems he wasn’t the only one not paying attention. Rubbing her forehead she glanced up. The sight of her knocked the wind clean out of his lungs as he stared into her lovely green eyes. Thick auburn lashes fluttered once before she focused on his face.
“You can let go of me now,” she said.
“What?” Doc blinked. Realizing what she’d said, he released her arms, but he didn’t
step back.
Leisl waited for him to move aside and when he didn’t tried to step around him.
“Wait,” he said.
“What?”
He noticed she wore her hair up again today covering the glorious locks with her green army hat once again. He usually appreciated regulations but any uniform regulation that covered up such beautiful hair was one to drop as far as he was concerned. “I just wanted to say goodbye.”
“You’re leaving?”
Doc nodded. “Yes, within the hour.”
“Where to?” Leisl swallowed. She didn’t mean to pry but he’d been kind to her the night before, and to Pooch.
“Can’t say. Sorry. But I didn’t want to leave without at least saying goodbye. Wasn’t sure I’d even have time,” he said, taking a breath. “I was going to write you a note…”
“A note?” The idea struck Leisl odd. Who wrote notes anymore? And what kind of note? Most people just fired off a text, but of course, he didn’t have her number. Even so, a note? She chewed her lip, waiting for him to explain.
“Yeah, you know, to thank you for dinner last night and taking care of my teammate. That kind of note…” His voice trailed off as he focused on her lips.
Warmth spread up her neck to her cheeks. Leisl realized she was blushing. Ducking her head, she nodded. “I see. Well, you’re welcome, Jason. And thanks for being so cool to Pooch.”
Loving Leisl (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Green Beret Book 2) Page 3
