Hannah crossed her arms over her chest and scowled at both of them. Her fake fury lasted only a moment before she too broke down and began to laugh. It was then he realized there was a fun, maybe even wild woman behind the serious mask she wore all the time.
“I’m sorry, Ben. I’ll get the nurse to get you fresh linens,” she snorted before leaving the room.
When she was gone he turned to Raya. “Sorry about that, kid. I didn’t mean to get you into trouble.”
“That’s okay,” she told him. “His name is William and we’re just friends. I go up there and watch the teacher while the rest of my class is having recess. William’s just a friend. If I don’t understand something he helps me.”
Boomer was set back. There wasn’t any puppy love going on, it was simple tutoring. She couldn’t get enough intellectual stimulation from her class so she found a way to learn more. Raya continued to amaze him.
“Why keep it a secret?”
Raya shrugged. “Mom wouldn’t understand and she’d make me stop sneaking up there. She probably will now anyway.”
Boomer really felt bad now. She was going to be punished for trying to learn. When Hannah returned to the room he gave Raya a wink.
“Hannah, don’t get upset with her over this please. It isn’t what you think.”
“I’ll deal with it,” she muttered.
“Really, she just told me what was going on. You should…”
“I said I’ll deal with it,” she snapped at him. “She’s my daughter and I know how to handle her.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interfere.” His tone dropped two octaves, rumbling from his chest.
“Come on, Raya, I think we’ve disturbed Mr. Campbell enough for the evening,” she signed deliberately not looking at him.
“You don’t have to leave,” he said patiently.
“She’s had a long day and needs to go to bed early. I’m tired myself. It’s amazing how much an ordeal like that will take out of you.”
Boomer sighed heavily. He’d forgotten she was a civilian and didn’t deal with situations like this morning all the time. To him it was another job, to her it was her daughter’s life.
“I’m sorry, Hannah,” he said as she reached the door. “I was being insensitive, not realizing how hard today has been on you.”
Hannah stopped, lowered her head and then slowly turned toward him. “To you this was nothing. You go in, take out the danger and go home. How often do you get to know the people your actions affect? Do you help them deal with the aftermath? No, I don’t think you do. I think you go home and wait for the next job. We’re two different people, Ben, from two different worlds.” She gave him a sad smile. “Distant friends is all we’ll ever be and that won’t last long.”
“You’re wrong, Hannah,” he said soft and slow. “I may not entwine my life with everyone I help because most of the time they don’t give a damn about me once they’re rescued. If that’s the case with you tell me now because you and Raya aren’t just another job to me.”
“You don’t even know us,” she whispered.
He smiled slowly. “I know what I like.”
Chapter Ten
As Hannah drove home her mind tried to convince her not to fall for the tall, handsome Ben Campbell. So what if he saved her daughter’s life or treated her like the intelligent person she was and not a nuisance-child? It didn’t matter that his rich, deep voice vibrated through her own body, touching places she’d forgotten existed.
A chill ran down her spine as she recalled his defiant tone before she left. The picture of him almost exposed underneath the hospital blanket dissipated the chill. In its place was a warm tightening in the lowest part of her abdomen. It seemed he wasn’t just blessed with remarkable hard arms and chest. He was blessed in other areas as well.
She smacked her palm against the steering wheel angry with herself for letting it get to her. She was a grown woman for heaven’s sake not a horny teenage girl.
“You’re being naïve,” she scolded herself. “How many other single women has he twisted into knots like this? My God he must have them falling at his feet.”
Still, there was something genuine about him that she couldn’t let go of. Was it the honesty in those chocolate brown eyes? Or maybe it was the warmth that seeped into her hand from his when he touched her. Not to mention the electricity that bolted through her body when he when he said her name.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” she grumbled. There was no way she could allow herself to fall for him. Once he found out more about her he’d be on his plane and back home before she knew what happened.
“Just don’t go back. It’s as simple as that.” If she didn’t go back and see him he’d recover and go home and it would all be history. “That’s what I’ll do.”
She looked over at Raya who was staring out the car window. She would be heartbroken. She adored Ben. But sometimes life didn’t work out the way you wanted and she’d have to learn that at some point. Now was as a good a time as any.
First thing in the morning she’d explain it to her and in a few days she’d get over it. Suddenly a more dire thought snuck into her brain. Was Raya really safe? Had they skated by for the last eight years only to find themselves up against a wall? That’s what she had to concentrate on not her raging hormones.
When she pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building she surveyed the grounds carefully. Everything looked normal, as far as she could tell no one was hanging out who didn’t belong there. As she and Raya walked into the building she took her daughter’s hand and held it tightly as they walked slowly up the stairs.
The hallways weren’t lit very well. Dark corners loomed everywhere giving someone up to no good a place to hide. Once they made it to the third floor, Hannah pushed Raya behind her and peeked down the hall. Everything seemed quiet. She pulled the tired girl down the hall at a rapid pace, jammed her key into the door and pushed it open hard.
Her heart raced and her hands trembled as they walked into the small three-room apartment. Raya went straight back to her bedroom not aware there could be possible danger waiting for them. Hannah stood in the middle of the living room, her insides quivering as the scent of a familiar aftershave lingered in the air. Only one person wore that cheep brand. It always made her nauseous. She’d never forget it.
On her makeshift coffee table constructed of two end tables sat an empty beer bottle. Turning back to the door she noticed the pry marks around the lock. She pressed her hand to her mouth to keep from crying out. Her world was coming down around her and she wasn’t sure she wanted to deal with it on her own.
* * * * *
Boomer woke early in the morning as he usually did. The halls of the hospital were humming with activity. Nurses coming and going dispensing medications, taking blood pressures and whatever else needed to be done. The pain pill he’d been given after Hannah left last night had worn off and he didn’t feel all that bad. Maybe they’d let him shower today, move around a little.
In fact maybe he’d move around on his own. He gingerly swung his legs over the side of his bed and lightly put his weight on them. A slight pull in his side was all he felt so he raised himself up.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
The voice came from behind him and he’d know it anywhere.
“Morning, Sam. Can’t take sitting in this bed much longer, need to move around.”
“You might want to check into getting some pants before you go too far. I must say, Boomer, you have a fine posterior.”
Her saucy voice made him chuckle as he reached behind him and pulled his flimsy, too-short hospital gown closed. “You think that’s something, you’ll get an eyeful when I turn around.”
“I’ll go see if they have any extra-large pants around anywhere. Don’t go too far.”
“Thanks.”
He took a few steps, shuffling his feet to make sure he was strong enough to move around. His legs wobbled a little and then regaine
d the strength. The bathroom wasn’t far away and he really needed to use it. With each step he felt a twinge of pain under his ribs and in his back but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t deal with.
When he came out of the bathroom Sam was standing at the door, her arms crossed over her chest and a smirk on her face. On the bed lay a pair of white gauzy pants with flowers all over them.
“Couldn’t find any with kittens or puppies?” he asked walking slowly toward the bed.
“I wouldn’t be too choosy, Boomer. Unless you’re planning on shocking the nurses and giving little old women heart attacks and….”
He heard her gasp before she spoke again in a very breathy voice.
“Is it something they give you boys in the military?”
“Funny, Sam. Can I please have a second to put my pants on?” He managed a glance at her face before she turned. He’d never seen her blush before, it was very attractive on her.
“Okay you can turn around now.” He told her after he’d slipped into his pants.
“How are you feeling today?”
He noticed she took one last glance down before letting her gaze travel up to his face. He gave her a playful wink before answering her question. “I’m surprisingly fine. Just a little pain.”
“That’s good,” she said and then cleared her raspy throat. “That’s real good. Maybe you’ll be home in a few days.”
“I might stick around a couple of extra days.” He moved around the room slowly testing his limits.
“Oh? Any particular reason?”
“Two actually.”
“Come on, Boomer, don’t make me drag it out of you. Spill,” she said walking to the bed and sitting down.
“I’d like to get to know Raya and her mother better,” he muttered. When he snuck a peek at her she was smiling. “But you already know that.”
“Yeah I did, I just wanted to hear you say it. She doesn’t strike me as your type.”
“Why’s that?”
“I don’t know. A bit of a hothead.”
Boomer walked to the window and looked out at the dismal fall day. “You expect me to go for the submissive, quiet type don’t you? The kind that wait to be told what to do.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Sam answered quietly.
“I prefer the kind of woman who knows her mind. The kind who has a passion for what she does and to hell with what others think. I like strong, powerful women.” He stood silent for a moment and then continued. “Sound like anyone you know?”
“I guess maybe it does,” she said getting the connection. “I’m sorry, I had no idea you felt like that.”
He turned facing her. “No reason you should’ve known. You and Lowe were meant for each other Sam. I knew that from the beginning. While you two were fighting it tooth and nail I knew you’d end up together, eventually. I wouldn’t interfere with destiny.” He crossed to her, sat down and draped his arm around her. “Maybe I’ve found my destiny here. I’d like the chance to find out for sure.”
Sam nestled her head into Boomer’s shoulder. “Of course you would. You take all the time you need. I’ll talk to Uncle Walt about it.”
They sat like that for several minutes until Sam broke the silence. “I have to go back today. Mark and Rico found something we need to look into.”
“What is it?”
“They wouldn’t tell me over the phone but said it’s important. I guess they found some interesting stuff about our escaped targets. They want you back as soon as possible too, but I’ll take care of that.”
“If they need me I’ll go home.”
“Like hell you will. You still need to heal and you can do that here while you’re getting to know that sweet little girl and her mother. No, I’ll handle them.”
“When are you leaving?”
“As soon as I speak with your doctor. Uncle Walt wants a full status report before I leave. I’d feel better knowing I wasn’t leaving with you still in some sort of danger.”
“I feel fine. Tell them I’ll be along in a few days.”
Sam stood from the bed, turned and gave him a big, gentle hug. “Keep in touch, let me know how things are going and listen to the doctors.”
“Yes ma’am.” He placed a sisterly kiss on her cheek.
“I’m serious, Ben. We almost lost you yesterday and I’m not over that yet.”
“I’ll check in every day.”
Sam dropped her own kiss on his cheek, gave him a smile and left. Seconds later his brother walked in dressed in a pair of casual jeans, a navy blue sweater and a stark white pair of sneakers. Boomer smiled widely. It was good to see his brother again. He hadn’t realized how much he missed him until he stormed into his room yesterday calling him names and blasting him for getting injured. Just like old times.
“Hey Mike, how’s it going?”
Mike sat in a chair across the room, crossed his long legs and gave his brother the once over. “Nice pants. Didn’t they have anything a little more frilly for you to wear?”
Boomer tossed his pillow at him and sneered. “Careful, little brother, I may be hurt but I can still kick your butt,” he signed.
Mike laughed conceding to the truth. “How’s the knife wound today?”
“Not too bad. I thought it would hurt worse than it does. I haven’t taken any pain pills since about six o’clock last night.”
“You don’t look too bad today. There’s some color in your face and your eyes don’t look like your skull is trying to eat them.”
“Gee thanks.”
“Of course you’d look better if you weren’t wearing those flowery pants and attractive gown.” His hands faltered from laughing as he signed.
“A lot you know. Sam rather liked the gown, or lack of.”
Mike’s face turned serious. “She’s a pretty woman and very nice.”
“Yep and she’s taken.” He looked at the sad frown his brother gave him and smiled. “Don’t give me that look. I’m a big boy besides I think I found what I’ve been looking for.”
“Hannah.”
“Hannah. She’s pretty, independent, tough and has a laugh that makes me, well let’s just say no one’s ever affected me the way she does when she laughs.”
“You don’t know her.”
“I plan to take care of that.”
“What if she doesn’t feel the same way?” Mike’s hand movements were slow and deliberate like he was leery of asking the question.
“Then good thing for me I’m persistent. Don’t worry I won’t throw myself at her. If I sense she has no interest at all I’m gone.” Boomer’s side began to stiffen and ache so he rose from the bed and began to move around.
A loud chuckle burst from Mike. Boomer looked down at himself and laughed as well. He really needed to get some clothes or at least some pajamas that fit.
“I’m glad you’re having a good laugh at my expense but a good brother would get me some clothes or at least something that fits. I can’t walk around like this all day.”
Mike scrubbed his face trying to push away his silly grin. “There’s a store two blocks down. I’ll see what I can find. If they spring you before I get back stay put. We don’t want the world subjected to your fashion sense.”
Boomer simply pointed to the door while glaring at his brother. When Mike left he couldn’t help but laugh. Mike was right, he looked ridiculous and if he couldn’t laugh about it then no one could.
A knock sounded at the door. A tall man wearing a white coat sauntered in looking pleased. He watched Boomer walk a little before he finally spoke.
“It looks as though you’re feeling better today.”
“Just a little pain and stiffness. Other than that I think I’ll live.”
“Let’s have a look at that wound.”
Boomer sat on his bed, pulled his legs up and moved the gown aside. The doctor peeled back the bandage, poking and pressing at the surrounding area.
“No sign of infection anywhere. Do you have pain in your b
ack?”
“Yeah a little.”
“When was the last time you took a pain pill?”
“Six o’clock last night.”
The doctor cocked one eyebrow up. “You don’t have to be a hero, Mr. Campbell. Taking pain medication isn’t anything to be embarrassed about.”
“Honestly Doc, it doesn’t hurt as badly as you’d think it would.”
“I’d like to get a few pictures of the inside, see how things are looking.”
“Does that mean I’m here for another day?”
“We’ll talk after I see the pictures.” The doctor scribbled on Boomer’s chart, hung it back on his bed and then left the room.
“It’s gonna be a long day,” Boomer muttered to himself. Then he smiled. Hannah and Raya would no doubt be stopping by to see him at some point. That was something. Something he was looking forward to.
* * * * *
Sam called Hannah before she left the hotel and told her she was going home and thanked her for her hospitality the night before. As she rode in the cab to the airport she replayed the conversation over in her head. Something bothered her about the way she sounded this morning, like she was distracted, anxious maybe even nervous.
Hannah had told her the school had been closed for the day until the board could figure out where to put the displaced children. Maybe that’s what had her frazzled. Maybe she needed to figure out what to do with Raya for the day. A child with that much energy and that intelligent couldn’t be easy to keep occupied. Maybe some day she’d get the chance to find out for herself.
Those old yearnings for a normal life swamped her. An ache sparked to life in her heart. She and Mark hadn’t spoken about children. What if he didn’t want any? The ache transformed into panic. She hadn’t thought about that. If he didn’t want children what would she do?
Do not torment yourself, Samantha.
Easy for you to say, she thought silently as the cab rushed through traffic. I don’t know what I’m worried about. He hasn’t even asked me to marry him. He could still change his mind.
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