Nerd and the Marine

by Grady, D. R.

  “He's good, and does some great things for the military so I enlisted him to help me with some self-defense devices. I think we've narrowed them down to five. I'll let a brother stay with me until I finish those,” Lainy said in a determined tone and Mitch decided to e-mail Ed pronto and tell him to delay her for as long as possible.

  Something akin to panic rose like the warning snick of a gun being cocked. Lainy could get hurt. Lainy could get killed. And he hated that he was powerless to do anything to prevent such a disaster. Except convince her brothers to keep watch over her. Not that he felt he'd need to do much convincing. Then a thought occurred to him.

  “Lainy, if the police are convinced this was a random break in, why are you allowing your brothers to stay? You wouldn't have unless you felt the cops were wrong.” How he knew this, he wasn't certain, but this little fact crystallized.

  “I don't believe this was a random act. Everything points in that direction, but I'm not buying the explanation. Neither are my brothers, especially Ed.”

  “Why?”

  “Because this isn’t the first break-in.”

  “What?” He tasted fear.

  “Someone broke into my cottage at the lake. And I keep having to update my firewalls and security programs. I think someone’s been in my home before, too.”

  “Someone’s hacking into your system?”

  “Trying to. I don’t keep prototypes or current projects on that computer. I use a computer not connected to the internet.”

  “Someone is after something specific?”

  “Yes. I think they want some of my un-patented material. Stealing the material and obtaining the patents will bring in a lot of money.”

  He made a noise for her to continue, he was in too much shock to speak. Why hadn’t she told him this before?

  “I left the dated patent paperwork, I sent it in a few weeks ago, out in the open so they’d see it.” Her voice sounded smug.

  “Do you know who did this?” Even he could hear the tightness in his voice.

  “I suspect some individuals.”

  “Who?”

  She gave him a couple of names and he wrote them down. He’d take care of the remainder of this problem.

  “Mitch, I don’t think they’ll be back. I sent the new patents in already, which they should know now and they know Bentley is a watchdog. He started barking while still on the bed. You know his bark,” she paused to suck in a breath before continuing, “It's evident he's not a small dog. Bentley took about thirty five seconds to hurtle off the bed, through the door and down the stairs. He lunged at one of them, I heard it. When these idiots understood Bentley meant business, they headed for the window. The patent paperwork was scattered on the floor. So, it’s over.”

  Not quite, Mitch thought. He wanted to think for a moment.

  A small voice said, “Are you still there?”

  He halted the grunt, barely, realizing he'd have to say something. Lainy wasn't Al, who understood grunts of agreement. “Yes, I'm here, just thinking.”

  “Okay,” she said on a sigh of relief. “I have a theory,” she ventured.

  “Shoot.”

  “I believe the guys who were in here were young. Perhaps someone who'd heard about my newest battery, then my laptop concept, and some other accessories I designed for the laptop. My family knows I sent you one, and gave one to Ben. The information would spread fast.” Mitch pictured her chewing on her lip.

  “So you think these guys heard about your concept and probably have some knowledge about these types of laptops? They wanted the patents?”

  “Pretty much. I think they're harmless, but wanted to make a name for themselves. I don't believe they'd have hurt me, but I was so out of it, I had trouble giving the police a statement. Had the officer not been a cousin, he would have questioned my sanity. Or tested me for drugs or alcohol, or both. But his mom, my aunt, and some other cousins are the same way, so he's seen this incoherent state before.”

  “He called your brothers?” Mitch guessed.

  “Yes, the pain.”

  Mitch laughed at her grumbles. He realized he was finally talking to her in person, for the first time.

  “We're finally talking on the phone. I’m hearing your voice for the first time.” He liked the matching awe he heard there.

  “I was just thinking the same thing. I've heard yours on the videos, but it doesn't compare to this.”

  “I'm glad.”

  He heard the smile in her tone. “You're smiling.”

  “Yes, you do that to me.” She sounded breathless. He hoped he'd caused that, too.

  “I want to do that for you,” Mitch said, going out on a limb, needing her to know he did feel possessive.

  “You're the only one. Well, the rellys can make me smile, too, but not like you can.”

  “Your rellys are encouraged to do so. I like to know you're happy and safe. I hate that I can't be there.” Mitch rubbed a hand over his head as the frustration welled.

  “I want you here, too, but I understand you're doing something important where you are.”

  And Mitch knew for certain he loved this woman.

  Just like that.

  “You know Lainy, you're unbelievable. I can't imagine living without you now. Does that scare you?” he heard his voice crack and didn't care.

  “No. Living without you does, though,” she said and her voice cracked and that made him feel better. “I worry about you all the time. You're in far more danger than I am.”

  “Yes, I know,” he agreed, “but I've got training and skills.”

  “Sure you do, but you can't avoid a bullet. Or a bomb. Some of those people over there are crazy. They’re why I worry. I need you to live to come home.”

  “Lainy, if I die, I've served my country and I've died protecting you. I've done my job. You can't fault that.”

  “No, I understand. But I don’t have to like it,” she returned with passion.

  “Right,” was all he could think to say. Of course she wouldn't like him coming home any way but alive. Yet that was a perfect world, and they didn't live in a perfect world. He told her, because there was a possibility he wouldn't return to her alive.

  “I hate this.” There were tears in her voice this time.

  “So do I, baby. So do most of the Marines here. Many of them have kids. How do you explain this to a child?”

  “I don't know.”

  “I don't either. All I know is I've got a job to do, one that requires protecting you and your family. And I’m doing it. This is what I've been trained for.”

  “Okay,” she returned, but she still sounded sad.

  “I hate to go, but I needed to be in a debriefing five minutes ago.” Mitch finally glanced at the clock.

  “Okay,” she said again, forlornly, and he hated to disconnect.

  “Stay safe, Lainy.”

  “You, too,” she returned with vehemence and that made him feel better.

  “I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too.”

  They disconnected, and Mitch took her memory with him as he loped off to his debriefing.

  *****

  Lainy clutched the phone, wanting to still hear Mitch's voice. Wanting to hold him, even for a moment. She longed to verify his scent actually coincided with that in her dreams. She wanted to feel him pressed against her. Just once. Maybe she’d enjoy his nearness. A new experience.

  Tears seeped out from behind her tightly closed eyelids. He might not return home among the living. She understood that, but, oh, how she hated the thought. Of not being able to meet him face to face and feel his warmth. At least now she'd heard his voice. Masculine, deep, warm – as amazing as the man himself. At least she'd been granted that much.

  Perhaps this break-in had scared her more than she'd thought, but she still clutched the phone, not wanting to lose their connection even though she already had. He still had work to do. What had he said? Something about doing his part to keep her safe. He'd gone becau
se he'd been asked to do so. He remained there for her. Because he felt her safety outweighed his own.

  Blinking wet eyes Lainy sat up in bed. She loved this man and from the conversation they’d shared, she thought he might love her, too. She held the knowledge to her.

  Tightly, lest it too would slip into the night and leave her alone.

  *****

  To: edmorrison@militaryinventions.net

  From: M_Monahan@yahoo.com

  Subject:re: Lainy’s break in

  Hello Ed,

  I had an e-mail waiting for me from Lainy when I got back from my latest field job. Actually, I had about a dozen messages, one of them from you.

  I was quite happy to see your message, as it makes my life a little easier. You do that quite often for us - thank you. We use a lot of your inventions in the field.

  I applaud and endorse your decision to sit on the projects you’re working on with Lainy. I’d rather someone stay with Lainy for at least a few months.

  I listed the names of the kids Lainy suspects broke into her house. Tell them in no uncertain terms that unless they want me on their tails, they’d better forget all about Lainy. I’ll break them if they bother her again.

  Thanks,

  Mitch

  Mitch sent that message and saw another e-mail from Lainy.

  To: m_monahan@yahoo.com

  From: l_morrison@gmail.com

  Subject: Max is here

  Hello Mitch,

  You don’t have to send e-mails to all of my brothers and brothers-in-law. Max is having his house overhauled, the structure needs it desperately, and we’d already planned for him to move in with me. Well, the roof collapsed last night, so he moved in early this morning for an extended period of time.

  No need to call the guards, since he’s here on a fairly permanent basis. They won’t be able to do much for at least another two weeks. Somehow a cousin managed to prevent leaking, but basically the place isn’t habitable.

  Just wanted you to know to prevent several hundred e-mails on your part. (I appreciate that you’re worried, but really.) Now, none of my brothers are taking my word for anything.

  “Well, let’s see what Mitch says first...” like you’re the final word or something. Did I miss something here? You’re in Kuwait, and out of communication for months on end and all of a sudden, they’re all like, “Let’s wait and see if Mitch has an opinion on this...” So don’t think I haven’t caught on to the stalling tactic here.

  Nice try.

  Please come home. (I have a few things to say to you.)

  I still miss you anyway,

  Your’s,

  Lainy

  P.S. The young men who broke into my house were caught breaking into another inventor’s and leaving with some high clearance military items. Yes, they nailed Ed, who delayed them until the cops got there and caught them red-handed. Both men were armed, and since it was military secret stuff, they won’t be bothering anyone for a long time. (Or so I’m told.)

  Mitch was relieved the men were caught, and then rereading the body of her e-mail, his lips twitched. She might be a nerd, but Lainy Morrison was no shrinking violet. He liked spunkiness in a woman. He liked Lainy.

  To: L_Morrison@gmail.com

  From: M_Monahan@yahoo.com

  Subject:re: Max is here

  Hello Lainy,

  I’d tell you to sit on your hands if I thought it’d do some good, but, as I don’t believe that’s true, I’ll just beg you to behave? No killing Max while he’s living with you, okay? Or your other brothers. Your protection is very important. It’s programmed directly into our Y chromosome. You can’t change us. That’s just the way we are.

  So, remember that I will be coming home, and you WILL have to deal with me eventually, and yes, I WILL be angry if you do something to endanger yourself.

  Otherwise, don’t let your brothers stall on things that need done. I understand how anxious you are to finish the self-protection devices. However, from what I’ve learned about Ed through military channels, he does his own thing, always, and can’t be hurried. You should know this, since you’re his sister.

  Be safe!

  I’m leaving in another day, but this should be my last time in the field. Which looks hopeful for my return home sometime in June.

  I miss you.

  Your’s,

  Mitch

  Lainy read his message in response to hers and wrinkled her nose. While she felt her independence slowly melting away as she adjusted to coupledom without the male in close proximity, she realized his over-protectiveness didn’t bother her, too much. He was a Marine; it was perfectly natural.

  Sitting back in her chair, she realized the transition of thinking as a single person to a coupled person had been so gradual the adjustment hadn’t been all that difficult. She didn’t make decisions any longer without first thinking about Mitch.

  But would she think this way only to have it all torn away when he decided he could do better? Mitch was amazing, he could have any woman he wanted. Right now, he wanted her. But would his wanting her last? Would she allow him in? It was one thing to trust him from afar, but what about in person?

  Staring at this e-mail she understood what was good for her was good for him. She already realized he didn’t make decisions without first considering her. Actually, he seemed to put her first often. He didn’t care if she got upset with him being concerned about her safety. He wanted, no apparently needed her to be safe.

  Lainy liked the feeling. Very much.

  *****

  “He did what?” Lainy hadn’t planned to shriek at Ed, her voice had just come out that way. She gripped the phone tighter.

  “He wrote me an e-mail and told me to go tell the thugs to stay away from you or he’d come after them. So I did, even though they’re in jail and will be there for a long time.”

  Lainy stared at the wall in bemusement. “Why did he do that?”

  “Because he’s protecting you,” Ed replied and she heard the silent, “Duh.”

  “But why? I left the patent papers out, they know they can’t file them now. Plus they’re in jail, there’s no danger now.” Confusion lurked in her mind, but slowly replacing that emotion was something warm and fuzzy she couldn’t set a name to.

  “Lainy, those bozos could have buddies or they might not stay long in prison, although I think they will. They might not give up, since one of your patents or mine could bring in stable money for them. But Mitch sending us, and us explaining to the jerks that Mitch is bigger than Will helped.”

  “They know Will?” Her voice sounded faint. Mitch had cared about her enough to send her brothers to protect her.

  “Of course they know Will, he was with us. Now they know Mitch will be gunning for them or their buddies if they so much as look at you funny. Plus the government isn’t too happy with them, either, so that’s an added bonus.” Ed’s voice sounded confident and a little exasperated.

  “They won’t come around at all now?” She looked at Bentley. She’d been sure with him around, the thugs would stay clear of her house.

  “Nope. Even if they get out of jail, I don’t think they’ll bother either of us again. Max being there will help, too.”

  “Well, good,” she said inanely. Ed said goodbye and hung up and Lainy sat there and continued to stare at the wall. Mitch, although thousands of miles away, had protected her. He’d dispatched her brothers because he cared.

  She had planted a few nasty surprises for the next housebreaker since Ed was stalling on helping her. She knew the motivation, or the motivator, behind his transparent tactics. Even though she had long ago thought she’d hate a man going all protective on her, she finally understood why her female rellys accepted their men’s craziness. Lainy admitted to herself she actually didn’t mind that Mitch didn’t trust her skills to protect herself. He cared and that made all the difference. He’d eventually learn she had some skills of her own.

  *****

  When Mitch left
for his last time out in the field, she hoped, Lainy loathed his absence just as much. Yet, perhaps because there was a definite possibility this was his last time gone, she didn’t hurt as much. The fear grew every day, but her ache wasn’t as intense.

  The thrill she’d first experienced from reading his e-mail that it might be his last stint remained, however. She counted the days for his return. At least for the first week. She also began work on a phone for him, so he could call her. It’d be rough in design, but functional.

  Then her father had a heart attack. Her grandfather fell and broke his hip. They spent days in the hospital. Waiting and worrying and teasing the two about needing attention. Lainy thought she’d have gray hair by the time both men were pronounced on the mend and settled at home.

  No sooner were both home than one of Max’s major manufacturing lines quit for no reason and ground production to a halt. Maintenance couldn’t figure out why. Max called her and Ed in, frantic to get the line back up. This was major if he actually called and asked them to come. So they went.

  His partner, K.C., looked as relieved as Max when they arrived. Lainy managed to rig the line enough to convince it to finish the run, while Ed tinkered with a part they both felt caused the problems. It took them a few days to fix the issue so it wouldn’t happen again.

  Plus, spring sports were in full swing, so she didn’t have a lot of time to dwell on Mitch’s absence. Spring eased into summer and as the daffodils died and the girls muttered about prom dresses, Lainy realized June was approaching faster than she’d ever hoped. Mitch would be home in about a month’s time.

  Then the prom happened, the kids complained about finals, and her sisters threw themselves into the annual graduation party preparations. In awe of this, Lainy wept when she opened her e-mail and saw a message from Mitch.

  To: L_Morrison@gmail.com

  From: M_Monahan@yahoo.com

  Subject: I’m back!

  Hello Lainy,

  I’m back from my last field operation. I have some paperwork and debriefings to finalize here, but for the most part, it looks as though I’m on schedule to return home in about a week.