by Debra Webb
He stopped, closed his eyes and allowed the night sounds to envelop him. The gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the trees, the crickets crying for more rain, and Jane’s feminine laughter.
His eyes snapped open. He spun around and surveyed the darkness for any sign of Jane. Then he spotted the light on in her cabin. He walked slowly toward that beacon. He couldn’t have stopped himself if he had tried. As he neared, he could see Jane sitting in a chair next to the lamp. The window was open and the wind shifted the worn curtains hanging on either side of the sash. A book in her hand, Jane appeared lost in whatever fantasy the author had woven.
Knowing he shouldn’t, but doing it anyway, Tom climbed the steps and knocked on her door. He braced his hands on the door frame and waited for her to answer. When the door swung inward, he wasn’t fully prepared for the impact of Jane completely relaxed. Her long dark hair hung loose around her shoulders. An oversized T-shirt served as a nightgown, and she was barefoot. This was the Jane he wanted to see every night. The real woman behind the uniform and the take-charge attitude. The one that had haunted his dreams from the moment she’d emerged from that cloud of dust. The same one who had stolen his heart right out of his chest.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, concern shadowing her soft eyes.
“No, everything’s fine.” He knew he was staring but he couldn’t stop looking at her.
She licked those perfect lips, then chewed on the lower one. His breath caught. “I heard you laughing,” he finally said. Those huge brown eyes shone with uncertainty, but even all that hesitancy couldn’t hide the flicker of desire he saw there, mirroring his own.
Jane smiled. Her cheeks flushed. Something near Tom’s heart shifted at the sweet gesture. She flashed the cover of the book she was holding. “I was reading. You didn’t ban that for the night.”
His grin started in one corner, but quickly spread across his lips. He reached for her hand and took another look at the book she had been reading. A man and woman entwined in each other’s arms beneath a full moon graced the sexy cover.
“Romance?” he asked, surprised. “I would never have figured you for a romance reader. Doesn’t exactly fit with the combat boots.”
“I borrowed it,” she said quickly, as if embarrassed that she had been caught.
Tom supposed that romance novels and military training had little to do with each other. And he was more than sure that getting caught reading one by her male peers was not something she planned to allow. Her explanation suddenly resounded in her head. Borrowed it?
Tom pinned her with a curious look. “I didn’t know Hattie read romance.”
Jane cleared her throat. “Actually, it belongs to Reg.”
Tom did a double take. “Reg?”
Jane shrugged. “He said something about he and his wife acting—” She made a face. “You don’t really want to know.”
Tom shook his head. “I think you’re right. I don’t want to know.”
“Is there something you need?”
And she, Tom considered, didn’t really want to know the answer to that question either. Because the only thing he needed was her.
He shoved his hands into his pockets. He looked back toward his own dark cabin, then shook his head. “Nothing. I was just out…walking.” His gaze settled on hers again.
Jane glanced up at the dark sky. “It’s a perfect night for walking.”
He took that opportunity to admire her beautiful profile. “Perfect,” he agreed.
Her gaze collided with his and desire sparked hot and fierce between them.
“Tom—”
“I know,” he relented, “I should go.” He looked down. Anger swirled deep in his gut at her refusal to allow what they had started to go any further. Tom took a step back before returning his gaze to hers. “We wouldn’t want to make another mistake.” He turned, took the final step down, and walked away.
“Wait.”
He stopped. He didn’t turn around, though.
Jane came around in front of him, forcing him to look her in the eye. “Don’t punish me because I live by a different set of rules than you do. It would never work. Trust me, I’ve seen too many couples try and fail. The ones who make it are few and far between. One night of explosive passion isn’t going to change that.”
His lips twitched. “Explosive?”
Jane looked away and heaved an exasperated sigh. “You are incorrigible, Tom Caldwell, do you know that?”
He smiled then. He couldn’t let that one go. “Is that what you learned in that book?” He pointed to the paperback still clutched in her hand. “You thought last night was explosive?”
She shook her head, braced her hands on her slim hips and looked up at him. “Yes.” Jane pushed past him and stalked back toward her cabin.
“Jane.”
She turned around slowly. So slowly that the moonlight shimmered on her hair. The light from her open cabin door silhouetted her petite frame through the thin white cotton of her T-shirt.
His physical reaction shook him hard. “Explosive is a good description,” he agreed.
Muffled voices splintered the tension that connected them. Tom turned toward the sound.
“Did you hear voices?”
Jane was right beside him, staring into the darkness just as intently.
“Yeah, I did,” he said slowly. Tom squinted to make out any movement in the darkness. Nothing moved.
“Over here, over here!” a seemingly disembodied voice exclaimed in a loud whisper.
Taking care not to make even the slightest sound, Tom and Jane eased forward in the direction of the voice they had heard.
“Wait, Wait! I can do it!”
Tom would know that voice anywhere. Sandra Suddath.
“What is she up to now?” Jane hissed.
“I wouldn’t even try to hazard a guess,” Tom muttered under his breath. He stopped outside the cabin that served as his office and to listen again. The voices were slightly louder now.
Jane peeked cautiously around the corner, then jerked as if she’d been startled. “Oh…my…God,” she said, her voice dripping with disbelief.
Tom leaned past her. He had to look twice to be sure of what he saw. Sandra Suddath and two of her buddies were crowded around the gate. Sandra was trying desperately to climb to the top of the twelve foot gate. The metal structure shifted a bit beneath her weight and unskilled climbing tactics.
Tom frowned. “What the hell are they doing? Trying to escape?” He made a choking sound at his own gaffe. This wasn’t a prison. They didn’t have to escape. The ladies were here of their own free will. The only people who needed to escape were his staff.
Jane tugged him closer. “Look right there.” She pointed to the narrow gap between Mildred and Beulah. “Do you see it?”
Tom scrubbed a hand over his face. “Well, I’ll be damned.” He saw it all right. A pizza delivery boy waited on the other side of the gate.
“Lady, I ain’t climbing no fence, no matter how big the tip is,” the kid holding the pizza said flatly. “Are you coming over for it, or what?”
“Just keep your shorts on,” Sandra scolded. “I’m coming over.”
“Excuse me, ladies, is there a problem?” Tom announced as he strode toward the gate. The women on the ground whirled to face him and gasped, then jumped together, effectively concealing the delivery boy’s presence.
“Oh, no, not at all,” Veronica said in a too-chipper voice. “We’re just out for a little stroll.”
“I suppose Mrs. Suddath is practicing for tomorrow’s mountain climbing expedition,” Jane offered as she came up beside Tom.
Three pair of eyes rounded in horror. “Mountain climbing?” they asked simultaneously.
“Look,” the kid cut in. “I ain’t got all night. Somebody’s gotta pay for these two double cheese, double pepperoni, thick crust pizzas.”
“Pizza? What pizza?” Sandra chirped from her position near the top of the fence.
&nbs
p; Tom shoved a couple of bills through the fence. “Share it with your coworkers,” he told him.
“Thanks, mister.”
Tom glared at Beulah and Mildred. “You ladies have some explaining to do.” They nodded eagerly. The car carrying the pizza spun onto the highway, no doubt reminding the ladies of their loss.
“Mr. Caldwell,” Sandra summoned him humbly.
Tom lifted his irritated gaze to meet hers.
She smiled and batted her lashes flirtatiously. “I have a slight problem here.”
Tom frowned. “What sort of problem?”
“I don’t think I can get down.”
Chapter Eight
At 1300 hours on Saturday afternoon all twelve ladies stood in formation awaiting instructions. Hands behind her back, Jane paced before the scraggly looking group. She favored each one with a severe glare as she passed. Today she wore her Army issue camouflage and her combat boots. She wanted to leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that she meant business.
Jane Passerella had had enough.
Jane had rousted the ladies from bed at 0530, and they had been making field-ready preparations since. Now, they stood ready to depart. Each carrying a bedroll, two water-filled canteens, and knapsack stocked with a day’s rations on their back. Jane had personally selected the proper attire for individual wardrobes for this little getaway. No one carried anything she had not authorized.
“Ladies, I am a firm believer in not giving up.” Jane paused before the group and surveyed each repentant face. “Otherwise, I might have walked out days ago. But the Army taught me something way back in basic training: Never say die. And I promise you before this weekend is over, all of you will understand a great deal more about that motto.”
Nobody even blinked. Jane wondered vaguely if they were catatonic or simply fear-stricken. “Before we get started, are there any questions?”
Sandra Suddath’s hand went up slowly. “Sergeant Jane,” she started contritely. “Will it help any at all if we say we’re sorry?”
Jane glared at her, then called, “Left face!” The women whirled to their left, the effect something like dominoes falling. Jane blew out a breath of frustration at their complete disharmony.
She could do this.
She would do this.
“Forward, march!” she commanded. Moving about as fast as molasses, the ladies marched toward the designated trail.
“Jane.”
She turned to face Tom. He had been watching from his office. He stood directly in front of her now, all rumpled and sexy-looking. Jane clamped down on her lower lip to prevent the smile of approval that wanted to curl her lips. He already knew too much about how she felt. She wasn’t about to give him any more ammunition. This little trip into the wilderness was definitely a good idea. She needed some time away from Tom. Time to come to her senses. Time for him to come to his.
“Come to see us off?” she inquired in a nonchalant tone.
He glanced at the women marching away. “Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
“Positive,” Jane answered succinctly. She adjusted her regulation cap. “I’m a professional soldier. I can do anything.”
Tom smiled then, one of those insanely appealing smiles that took her breath away. “Oh yeah, I forgot that little detail,” he teased.
Jane nodded toward the slowly dispersing group. “I guess I’d better catch up,” she offered as she started to back away.
He nodded. “Be careful.” Anxiety tightened his chiseled features. “We have things to talk about when you get back.”
“Right.” Jane did a quick about-face and double-timed in the direction of her sissy squad. But she had a gut feeling that she wouldn’t be able to move fast enough to outrun Tom Caldwell. He wasn’t the kind of man who let things go easily. He was determined. He wouldn’t say die easily. Jane broke into a dead run.
Maybe if she tried a little harder, played a little tougher, he would understand. Sergeant Jane Passerella couldn’t possibly fall in love with him. She was already promised to Uncle Sam.
~*~
Dusk had descended by the time the haggard group got within a half mile of the campsite. Sandra, Beulah, and Mildred straggled way behind. Jane frowned. If the whole group didn’t get a move on, there wouldn’t be time to set up camp before dark.
Jane trotted down to the back of the line. “Get a move on ladies. You’re slowing the rest of us down. Setting up camp in the dark is no party.”
Veronica trudged a little faster, Beulah on her heels. Sandra still sluggishly put one foot in front of the other. She wasn’t about to be intimidated.
“Can’t we take a break now, Sergeant Jane?” the big blond asked. She stopped to adjust her sleeves and fuss with her poufy hair.
The kid gloves came off. Jane walked straight up to Sandra and got in her face. “Until we reach our destination, Mrs. Suddath, there are only two acceptable reasons for stopping.” Jane ticked them off on her fingers. “You pass out or you puke.”
Sandra’s eyes widened in disbelief, then narrowed in outrage. “Well,” she huffed. She straightened her wilted collar and squared her shoulders. “Since I’m not prone to either, I suppose I’ll carry on.”
“After you,” Jane suggested with a wave of her hand.
Sandra sniffed, lifted her chin defiantly and marched after her cohorts.
Jane followed. There was no telling what Sandra would say to her beloved husband regarding Jane’s actions. Who knew if Jane would even have a military career after this fiasco? She could only do her best.
Fifteen minutes later they reached the campsite Tom had shown Jane on the map. The clearing was large with a couple of cold fire rings. Jane scanned the darkening sky. They didn’t have much time. She sure didn’t want the women stumbling around after dark.
She dropped her canteens, bedroll and knapsack. She surveyed the ground and quickly sorted her teams. “Crystal, you, Betty and Mildred sweep the area for usable firewood. Don’t go too far and watch for snakes. I want you back here before it gets completely dark.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Crystal exclaimed. She and the other two left their bedrolls and knapsacks and hurried to obey Jane’s orders.
Jane didn’t bother correcting the “ma’am.” It was proper to address her as sergeant. Jane knew Crystal meant well. Jane turned to the others. If only that could be said for the rest of them.
“Beulah, you, Sandra and Veronica spread the bedrolls, knapsacks and canteens in a wide circle here.” Jane pointed to the largest fire ring and quickly demonstrated her instructions.
“When are we going to eat, Sergeant Jane?” Veronica asked as she set to the task she had been assigned. “I’m about to starve to death.”
“That depends on you, Veronica. When everyone has completed their assigned tasks, we’ll eat together.” Jane didn’t miss the grumbling coming from Sandra and Beulah’s direction. Jane quickly detailed the remaining women to necessary tasks, like inspecting the sleeping area to see that there were no ant hills, snake holes and the like. The fewer surprises, the better.
By the time night became a reality, Jane, with the help of all the ladies had a fire going more for light than for heat. While they consumed their rations, they discussed the sights they had seen on their way up the mountain. They had crossed a wide, shallow stream using rocks for stepping stones. Several types of birds had been spotted and identified. Even a family of deer had watched their progress curiously from a safe distance.
“Now I know why my husband never goes into the field anymore,” Sandra groused as she scowled at her half-eaten field rations. “A person could waste away to nothing on this stuff.”
“Actually,” Crystal spoke up, “I think they’re pretty good.”
Sandra shot her an annoyed look. “You would.”
“Actually,” Jane clarified, “these rations were specially designed to provide the necessary nutrients to sustain life. Wasting away isn’t a concern.”
Sandra rolled her eyes and bit
into her beef jerky. Jane smiled to herself. If she couldn’t keep the ladies away from the food, she would take them to where there was none. Except, Jane amended, the field rations they could carry. Jane had explained before they left that each person was in charge of their own rations of food and water. When they were gone, they were gone. The women guarded their food and water with their lives. Sandra might complain about the cuisine, but it beat nothing. And there was absolutely nothing, excluding wildlife and a few berries, between here and Camp Serenity, a half day’s walk away.
A coyote howled in the distance.
“What was that?” Veronica asked, wide eyed.
“A coyote.”
A dozen pair of eyes rounded. “Should we be worried?” Mildred asked what no one else would. “I mean, do they attack?”
Jane shook her head. “Not as long as we keep the fire going. They’re afraid of the fire.”
“Sergeant Jane?”
Jane turned to Crystal. “Yes?”
“Do you wish that the general had assigned someone else to this job?”
All eyes were on Jane again. She thought for a moment before she answered. She thought of all she had been through with these women in the past few days and considered that they still had a whole week to go. Then Jane allowed the image of Tom to fill her mind. How could she regret knowing him? She couldn’t.
Jane smiled. “No, ladies, I don’t. I wouldn’t have missed this mission for anything.”
“But would you do it again?” Crystal pressed the issue. “I mean, if you were asked.”
“Absolutely,” Jane answered without having to think about it. And therein lay the problem. No matter how much she suffered in the future for this little adventure, personally and professionally…Jane wouldn’t trade her time with Tom for anything in the world.
