Chapter 8 #3
“Who said I was going to let you go?” she volleyed. “My teammates know not to expect much of me until it’s time to take off. I have to fly the next leg, so I am expected to do the preflight check.”
“I wish you guys could stay for supper, although we wouldn’t make it to the table. I’d pick you up and carry you to my bed and repeat everything we did the night of our wedding.” Christ. He already had a hard-on. “How long can you stay?”
Ashlin’s shoulders fell. “Only as long as it takes us to refuel. We have to catch a ship in the Indian Ocean on its way back to the US. The captain is already unhappy that he has to wait for us to begin with, plus all the extra security measures he’s expected to perform because it’s us.”
“At least we get to see each other for a few minutes. Although I have appreciated every one of our video calls, it’s just not the same as having you in my arms as we talk.”
Ashlin looked at her watch. “I really have to go in about thirty seconds. But that means I’m almost there with you.”
“Clint.” Theodora’s voice came from behind him in her sing-song way.
How the hell did she find my rooms? How dare they just let themselves in? What the fuck are they doing here? His clock with Ashlin was ticking.
“I brought you a copy of the ultrasound of our baby that the technician took today.” She leaned over his shoulder and placed the small black-and-white picture against his screen. He had to lean around her large belly to be able to still see Ashlin on the video.
Theodora then leaned in and hugged his neck from the side. “Thank you for going with me to the obstetrician’s office today.”
Gently pushing her away, Clint informed Theodora, “I’m on a video call.” He pointed to the screen.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I just wanted you to have one of the baby pictures.” She stepped back and stared at the screen, where Ashlin stood in her black flight suit with no identifying patches, no makeup, and her thick auburn hair pulled tightly to the back of her neck.
Clint thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. “I’ll see you—”
“Clint, darlin’” Theodora interrupted again with her heavier-than-usual Texas twang, “I’m supposed to tell you it’s only a few minutes till dinner. And don’t be late because there’s company at the table.”
He looked over his shoulder at her. “Yeah. Sure.” Clint returned his attention to the screen and his face to the camera. “I’m so excited about seeing you in a few hours.”
“Clint,” Theodora whined the one-syllable word into three. “Mama and I are waiting for you to escort us down.”
He scowled, still facing the camera. Ignoring Theodora’s demand, knowing he only had a few more seconds with his wife, he said, “Take care of yourself my little tiger.”
In the small box on the screen that showed his picture, he could see Theodora approaching his chair, distracting him from Ashlin, who glanced to her side.
“I’ve got to go. I’ll see you in a few hours. Stay safe.” She kissed her fingers and placed them on her camera. Phone in hand, still connected, she started walking.
Kimmy strode to him and stood beside her daughter, right behind his chair. “I expect you to keep your promise and take care of my daughter and her son.”
Clint glanced at the screen, where he no longer saw Ashlin, just movement. Damn. She’d left before he was able to tell her to stay safe and give her a two-finger kiss. It was the way they said goodbye every single time. He stood and glared at the two women standing in his office.
“I’ll take care of Theodora and her baby as promised. I always keep my promises.”
Clint’s phone rang in his hand. He smiled and looked at the caller ID, hoping it was Ashlin so he could give her their usual sign-off.
He continued walking toward the dining room as he answered, “What’s up, Murillo?
” He hoped there wasn’t a problem with any of the men.
It had only been a few days since he had taken over as senior noncommissioned officer.
“I just heard that the airstrip is going on top security lockdown around midnight. I’ve never been involved in that before. That was usually just you and Javier. What do I need to do?”
How the hell had he found that out already? Clint glanced at his watch and realized it had actually been several minutes. Of course Xena had handled the flightline by then.
“You don’t need to do anything,” Clint reassured his new SNCO.
“This is something Xena and Digger are handling. Our team is not involved.” Van’s words raced through his mind: give him a chance.
“When it includes our team, I’ll call you in and give you a full briefing.
Enjoy your sleep knowing you don’t have to be up in the middle of the night. ”
“Thanks, Clint. I know I have fucking big shoes to fill. I don’t want to fuck anything up on day three.” Lukas Murillo sounded genuinely concerned about his new position.
“All’s good,” Clint reassured him. “Head to supper. That’s where I’m going.” He hung up the phone and turned the corner. Theodora grabbed one arm, and her mother had the other.
“We have the most handsome man to escort us to supper,” Kimmy declared.
Clint wanted to roll his eyes, but pasted on a smile. “This way, Ladies.”