by Aliyah Burke
“Right.”
Silent, Stone left. Rayne met him at the door with a fresh cup of coffee.
“How is she?”
“Sleeping,” he said gratefully accepting the java. “Jack’s staying with her until she wakes.”
“Longer than that I’d wager.”
Rayne’s comment made him smile. She was a lot more observant that people thought. “Thanks for the coffee, Rayne. I’ve got to pull recent handbills to see if anyone with a history has come into the area or recently gotten out of prison.”
“Already done, they’re on your desk along with your mail.”
“Thanks, Rayne.”
“Dawn’s family. You catch the bastard who did this to her.”
“I will.”
“Look at your mail first.”
“Why first?”
She rolled her eyes and pushed him toward his office. Stone was shrugging out of his coat as he approached his desk. He placed it over the back of his chair and sat down. One more sip of coffee and he reached for the stack of mail and pulled it close.
“Okay, Rayne. Why am I looking at my mail first?”
It became clear moments later. His hand shook as he stared at an envelope with a feminine scrawl across it. Sheriff Stone Black Hawk. When he noticed where it was from his heart pounded even harder. Iraq. It had been sent two months after she’d called him, just taken a long time to reach his possession.
Ripping it open, he hardly breathed as he pulled out the thin paper and unfolded it.
Stone,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am not even sure if you wanted to hear from me based on how our last conversation ended. But I decided to take the chance you would.
I have been doing a lot of thinking about what you said, and I wish I had handled the entire situation better. I don’t want you to think I was running from you because that’s not what I was doing. Not at all. However, I can see how it would look like that to you though and for that, I am sorry. I’ve never been in a serious relationship with someone when I’ve deployed anywhere before so I handled it all wrong. It never occurred to me to take into consideration how you would feel about this. Not that I wouldn’t have still left, but there were better ways for it to have played out.
Things are well here. Hot. Very hot but good. I’ve been assigned to a unit of Marines and that has been eye opening to say the least. The only woman but it’s nice, they treat me like one of the guys. That took a while though. To say they weren’t pleased when I first arrived would be the understatement of the year.
Well, I have to go. We’re getting ready to head out on patrol. I just wanted to send you a letter and say…I miss you.
Take care of yourself.
Yours,
Jasira
He read the letter two more times before he put it down on the desk. Jasira. He wasn’t sure how he felt about her being the only woman. That’s a lie. I hate it. And you are right about one thing, you are most definitely mine. With a sigh, he picked it up again and stared at the script that was her writing. I miss you, waštelakapi.
Carefully, he folded the thin sheet of paper and shoved it, along with the envelope, into his coat pocket. Then he turned his attention to the papers before him. Nothing stuck out. And with each passing paper his anger and frustration grew. Two hours later he looked up a bit startled when Rayne opened the door to his office, her normally cheerful face somber.
“What’s wrong, Rayne?”
“We’ve got another one.”
He shot up from his seat and stared at her. “What?!”
“Jack just called from the hospital. They brought her in there. Nayeli, Chaz’s sister.”
Chaz Running Elk. The young man whom Jasira had been on her way to see the day he first met her. He scowled and swore. Nayeli was barely sixteen.
“How is she?”
“In about the same shape as Dawn.”
“I’m on my way to the…where’d they find her?”
“Twenty miles west of where you picked up Dawn.”
Turning toward Rayne he said, “I’m going out there. Keep me posted on their progress. And have Jack call me in two hours.”
“Two hours?”
“Just in case I run into trouble. Make sure he knows where I am.” He headed to the door.
“Sure thing. Oh, Stone?”
Stopping he faced her. “Yes?”
“Be careful.”
He grinned. “Why, Rayne, I didn’t know you cared.”
“I don’t. But I do want a little kid to spoil and hard for you to do that if you get injured. You have to be well for when Jasira comes home.”
Stone slipped his arms into his coat. “She’s not coming back, Rayne.”
“Of course she will. She just needs to realize where she belongs. That’s all. And then, I’ll get a baby named after me.”
How can she be so sure? “I do have two other siblings you could pester for a child to spoil.”
“Yeah, I know. But I see more of you. And I happen to think that yours and Jasira’s children will be absolutely adorable.”
“So do I, Rayne. So do I.” With a wink he headed to the door and walked through it this time.
* * * *
“Saddle up, ladies!” Gunnery Sergeant Warwick hollered over the rumbling line of motors.
“Lock and load.”
Jasira sighed and looked at the man who uttered that beside her. Sergeant Harris stood there, his face a mask of seriousness. A sheen of sweat already existed on his chocolate skin. Not that she wasn’t sweating herself.
Stepping up to the truck she would be riding in, Jasira paused and looked up and down the line. Nine vehicles were ready for the order to begin moving out. It was a supply run. Her gaze lingered over the second, third, and sixth trucks. Ammunition. Fuel. And water. Staples for a war.
“What’s the hold up, Lingo?” Warwick questioned from behind her.
“Nothing, Gunny. Sorry.”
She stepped up into the back of the truck and sat beside Locker. He looked at her strangely and she ignored him. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Warwick watch her for a moment before spinning on his boot heel and striding off to the truck he was riding in.
They’d gone ahead to join up with the convoy. Today they were going to be entering Fallujah and moving through. The mood was somber as they neared the city. At the outskirts she and the rest of the men got out and filtered back to pace the slow moving line. As she moved, all senses alert, Jasira stared into the faces of the people whose country she was in. Not many held her gaze and those that did were mostly suspicious.
Not that I can blame them.
“Lingo.”
She looked up at the man who’d fallen into step with her. “Yeah.”
“Gunny wants you up at the radio.”
“On my way.” She picked up her pace until she had reached her destination.
“Hop on, Lingo,” Warwick ordered.
She did and hooked her arm over the side. “What can I do for you, sir?”
“Stop siring me, Lingo, damn. I work for a living.” He thrust a radio at her. “Translate that.”
Holding her gun with one hand, Jasira put the item up to her ear. “They’re talking about something in Mosūl. Dealing with the local sheik and water.” She shook her head and began to return it when a familiar voice filled the airwaves. “How much farther until we’re out of the city?”
“What?”
A low whine filled the air and she yelled, “Never mind. Incoming!”
A cry which was echoed down the line. A loud explosion rocked them and she gripped tighter as before her she saw the armored humvee flipping through the air, ablaze.
“Take cover!”
Vehicles stopped and people got out and readied to defend themselves from the unknown assailant, or assailants. Another explosion rocked the ground and Jasira crouched and saw the last vehicle in the line go up.
“They won’t hit vehicle two, three
, or six, Gunny. That’s what this is. They want those trucks.”
Short bursts of automatic fire grabbed her attention back down the line. From where she crouched by the rear tire, Jasira peered around the corner. More gunfire rent the air and she moved down again.
“RPG!” The cry filled the area.
Jasira dropped when a flaming wheel cleared the air near her head. Spying a guy on the roof with his weapon raised, she brought her own rifle up and shot him. He fell and it seemed ten more took his place. Stepping up, Jasira launched a grenade and continued to remove the threats to her and the convoy.
“Nice hideaway,” Locker said when he sank beside her at the tire of the water truck.
“You would be thinking of a vacation. Aren’t you ever happy, man? Sun and sand—you’ve got it all right here.”
Locker snorted. “I’d like no bullets and a woman in next to nothing. Although you’re lookin’ all hot in your gear like usual.”
“Picky picky,” she chided. “And stop eyeballin’ me.”
Together they moved. One high and one low. In less than a second it seemed to Jasira all hell had broken loose. The .50cal was going off to one side. She could also hear Locker’s M-60 and her own M-16 combined with the rest of the weapons.
A building behind her exploded and threw her down with a chunk of its wall hitting her. Kicking her way free, she got up and froze. Harris was out in the open on his back.
“Harris is down!” she hollered to Locker who was picking himself up as well.
“Lingo, wait!”
She didn’t. Spraying her way with bullets, she dropped by Harris and reached for the rescue drag handle on his vest and with all her might pulled back. Right before she got him out of the total open, fire tore across her left arm and one of the trucks they were attempting to go between exploded.
Without thought, she threw herself over Harris, protecting him the best she could. Reaching for the handle again as she rose, she found she couldn’t grab it. What the hell is wrong with me? She glanced down at her arm and frowned, her sleeve was soaked with blood. That’s not right. With her right hand, she gripped the loop and heaved back until they were semi-protected from the thunderous gunfire around them.
Dazed and lightheaded, Jasira sat behind Harris and pressed her hand to his wound. “Medic! Medic!”
Silence fell. Jasira shook the cobwebs trying cloud her brain and kept pressure on Harris.
“Back up, Lingo!” The order jarred her. She slid out of the way and pushed unsteadily to her feet. Warwick was at her side. “Nice work, Lingo. You saved most of the convoy. The Major’s on his way.”
She felt detached as she watched Gunny give orders before he put his attention back upon her. His mouth moved, but she couldn’t understand. Warwick pointed and she followed with her gaze. Blood ran down her hand to the ground where it was greedily soaked up by the dry desert beneath her feet.
Hmm. That’s a lot of blood. That was her last thought, and her world went black.
* * * *
Her eyes were heavy, but she opened them anyway. Jasira found herself peering up at a green tarp for a ceiling. With a look to her right, she noticed an IV in her arm and to her left she saw the arm from her elbow down was bandaged.
“Welcome back, Petty Officer,” a corpsman said as she took her vitals.
“Where am I?”
“Baghdad. Been here for a day and a half.”
She was silent as she worked things out in her head. “What about Sergeant Harris?”
“He’s going to make it.”
Jasira sighed. Thank you, Lord. “Can I see him?”
“You shouldn’t be up.”
“Why? Something happen to my legs?”
“No, it’s just…okay. But only a quick visit.”
“Thank you.” Carrying her IV bag, a slow-moving Jasira followed the corpsman to where Harris lay. “Hey there,” she said sitting on the narrow cot with him.
“Lingo,” he said opening his eyes.
He had bandages around his torso but his eyes were clear. “How you doing?”
“They’re sending me stateside.” He gestured with his chin. “You?”
“Don’t know. I haven’t asked.” I’m scared, too. She looked at her arm and swallowed back the nerves.
“Go rest, Lingo. You look half dead.”
“Okay.” She pushed slowly to her feet and began walking off.
“Hey, Lingo?” Harris’ voice stopped her.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for saving my six.”
Erasing her smile before she looked back at him, Jasira sniffed. “Don’t start thinkin’ this means I like you.”
A grin flirted briefly with the corners of his mouth. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Good.”
Jasira finished the journey to her cot and sank back on it. She’d just closed her eyes when a throat cleared. Forcing back her groan, she glanced up to see the dark face of Major Stromsby.
“Major,” she gasped, struggling to get up.
He laid a hand upon her shoulder effectively halting her progress. “No need to get up, Graham.”
“Yes, sir.” Jasira lay back and watched him.
“How are you feeling?”
“Fine, sir, thank you.”
He sighed and sat on a small stool before sliding close to her. “You were an exceptional asset to our unit, Petty Officer. You’ll be missed.”
She fought the urge to glance at her arm. “I’m going home then?”
“You need to take care of that arm. You get healed up and let me know. There’s always a place for you with us.”
“Thank you, Major.”
“No, thank you. We caught Adams because of you. He’s also responsible for the loss of our last translator. No one else caught the American accent. You’re one hell of a CTI and linguist. It’s been an honor, Graham.” He stood. “Remember, you get cleared for active, you always have a place with the Fifth.”
He left before she could say a word.
* * * *
Two days later she walked up the ramp to the transport which would take her back to the States. She’d called her brother to tell him she was coming and she’d been injured.
Locker walked with her, pushing Harris in the wheelchair, her bag slung over his shoulder. Once Harris was in his seat, she turned to the blond beside her. He stared at her with those incredible eyes. She could feel the tears threatening.
“I’m gonna hug you, Locker.” Regardless of the people streaming by, Jasira wrapped her arms around the tall Marine.
“Take care, Lingo,” he ordered in a gruff voice.
“I’ll miss you. Stay safe.”
“I look forward to you joining us again.” He brushed a kiss on her cheek and stepped back. “Don’t forget about us over there.”
“Never.”
“See you later, Marine. Hope you learned something from us.”
Struggling to keep the tears at bay, she smiled. “I sure did.”
“Perfect.” He gave a two fingered salute and jogged down the ramp.
“Locker!”
“Yeah?” He faced her.
She lifted her chin. “Semper Fi, Marine.”
“Ooh-rah!” he responded.
“Ooh-rah!” Jasira replied before going to her seat.
Seated beside Harris, Jasira was glad he remained silent. The uneventful flight gave her ample time to think about the severed tendons in her arm. Loss of mobility was a given, how much had yet to be determined. And that scared her. Jasira said goodbye to Harris at Dulles. She headed to grab her connecting flight when she heard a deep familiar voice.
“Welcome home, runt.”
In seconds she found herself held in her brother’s embrace, his strong arms sharing his strength.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, stepping back, tears in her eyes.
“I got your flight info and came up to ride back with you.”
“Hey, Lingo.”
S
he looked over her shoulder to see Harris there with a small child in his lap and a slender woman behind the wheelchair.
“Harris.”
“I’d like you to meet my wife, Anita, and our son, Martin.”
“Nice to meet you both. This is my brother, Lieutenant Graham.”
Sergeant Harris sat up a bit straighter. “Sir.”
“Nice to meet you,” Justice said easily.
“Thanks again, Lingo, for saving my six. Nice to meet you, sir.” With a pat on his wife’s hand, they headed off.
“Saved his life?” Justice asked.
“Let’s go, I’m tired.”
He sighed but didn’t argue. Not too much later, she was on the porch to her mom’s house. Justice touched her back.
“Come on. Get settled and call your man. You’ll feel better.”
Jasira wasn’t so sure. And the next afternoon at the hospital she truly wasn’t when the doctor gave her a thirty-three percent chance of regaining full mobility in her hand because of the extensive damage to the tendons in her forearm.
Thirty-three percent chance. Is my naval career over?
Chapter Ten
Stone stared at Jasira’s letter. None others had been forthcoming. It had been three months since he’d gotten the one in his hand. He could hear the celebration going on out in the main part of the building. They’d solved the case regarding the attacks on the women. A truck driving duo who’d seen them had grabbed them. There had been ten women in all. Some didn’t make it but most had.
Both Dawn and Nayeli were recovering. Dawn had come back stronger. Nayeli was still very withdrawn. But the men had been caught and were on their way to prison. Hence the celebration going on out there.
So why am I in here?
With yet another deep sigh, he reread Jasira’s letter. This is why. Jasira. Seven months since she left. Seven long months in which all he had was the memory of their time together.
“Stone.” Rayne’s single word came from the door.
“Yes, Rayne?” He placed his gaze upon her.
She held up two fingers and pointed to his phone. He lifted the receiver and mouthed his thanks while he pushed the button for line two.
“Sheriff Black Hawk.”
“Sheriff,” a masculine voice said. “I don’t know if you remember me or not. I’m Justice Graham, Jasira’s brother.”
