Corpsman and the Nerd (32 page)

“
Dictator,” Max muttered
with a grin. If KC were here, he’d tease her about not caring since
he was bigger. This would normally result in them tussling like
puppies. A tussle with KC usually meant full body contact, so Max
initiated skirmishes with her as often as possible.

Only two and a half months
to go. He could last that long.
Really
. Max let his head thump onto
the desk. He’d never make it that long. Not when an eternity had
already passed.

How in the world would he last? Since
he didn’t know, he returned to her email.

We remain busy here. Which
helps the time to pass quickly, but I miss you two so much. I’m
hoping to slip out and make a phone call soon. Because we haven’t
spoken in so long!

Max swallowed. No, they hadn’t.
Hearing her voice would help pass the time or it would make things
that much harder, but since that’s all he could get, he’d take a
phone call. Two and a half more months. Suppressing a groan, he
kept reading.

Even though I’ve mostly
adjusted to the sand and heat, I’m tired of this climate. I want to
see lush grass and green trees. I’m longing for the lake. (I
totally understand how Mitch felt when he walked off the pier with
Lainy. I’m ready to walk off a pier too. I don’t even care if there
are sharks in the water!) Well, maybe I’d think twice, but I’m
tired of tepid showers, sandstorms, and unrelenting
heat.

Pennsylvania is a dream
come true, and not only weather wise.

The extra help the admiral
requested have finally arrived. We’re so grateful for them I think
half the base cried. (I’m sure I saw some of the male doctors wipe
away tears too. It’s been a long few months!) Giggling maniacally,
bad singing, and meltdowns are common. But we’ve managed. We’re not
sane any longer, but we’re still here!

I plan to think long and
hard about the first meal I want prepared by you two when I get
home. I’ll inform you as I know, but I’m thinking I want cinnamon
rolls. I’ve been craving them for some reason. I dream about
hamburgers on the grill and fresh fruit and veggies, oh and some
French fries. (That’s probably what my first meal request will
consist of, by the way.) And iced tea that actually contains ice.
Ah! That would be wonderful. Maybe even some lemonade on ice.
Mmmm.

Janine leaves in another
month, and I’m going to miss her. She’s looking forward to going
home, although I think she’ll see about locating a job in Hershey.
She currently lives in Atlanta, but says there’s nothing to keep
her there. I’m hoping she’s able to move. It would be wonderful to
have her closer.

Plus, with her just having
found Ben, I believe he’s a draw. She’s an exceptional doctor. (And
who I want to be when I grow up!)


I’m yawning now, so
perhaps I better go to bed. We’ll likely be woken at some point
tonight since I’ve heard rumors of nastiness nearby. (That usually
indicates a short night.) So, any sleep is good.

I miss and love you
both!

KC

Max leaned back in his chair and
stared at the computer screen. KC was already making plans for when
she came home. That had to be a good sign. He wasn’t sure how, but
it had to be.

He hadn’t liked her talk of
buying a house before she left. Since that meant she’d be leaving
his. How to make her realize his house was her home? And Max
entertained no doubts about that. She belonged with him. KC and
Ryan were both his.
Case
closed
.

But, in his favor, she hadn’t
mentioned buying a house since she arrived in Kuwait. Not one word.
Thank goodness. He was smart enough not to bring the subject up,
either. Let her stay with him indefinitely. Somehow he’d place a
wedding band on her finger. Hopefully before she even knew what
happened. That would be ideal.

Maybe if he drugged her...

When his thoughts shifted
from the realm of gray to illegal, he shut them off. Besides, if
possession was nine tenths of the law, he was in a pretty good
position. Ryan already lived with him and all of KC things were
scattered throughout his house. Now if she only came home,
soon
life would be so
much better. He would also see about getting a baker to make those
cinnamon rolls she craved.

*****

To:
[email protected]

From:
[email protected]

Subject: Home

Dear KC,

Ryan and I are keeping the
home fires burning for you. (Literally as well as figuratively!)
Since it snowed last night, we had to wake up early and shovel. I’m
thinking of buying a snow blower, but then Ryan and I engaged in a
snow ball fight, (he’s got a good arm on him, must take after me
) and we were late for work this morning.

Of course, nearly everyone
was late for work. The roads were iffy at best, and no one from the
daycare center arrived there on time, so Ryan stayed in the office
with me. Jean set him to sorting papers. He had a great time.
(Although we did have a problem when he decided our newest needle
supplier contract would make an excellent paper airplane.) I caught
him in time, no worries! Jean found him some more paper and we
avoided tears, whew!

Jean’s a most wonderful
woman. (Did you know she has four kids and about fifteen
grandkids?) Fortunately, she knows exactly how to handle
five-year-olds. (When I asked her about this, she looked me up and
down and stated she’s had lots of practice. Should I be
offended?!)

KC reared back in her seat and
laughed. Howled, actually. She could totally see Jean making that
exact comment, after raking Max up and down. Inferring he was a
five-year-old was priceless! And KC could also picture the cogs in
Max’s head churning, as he tried to decide if he should be
offended, or laugh. Knowing Max, he laughed with Jean then gave her
a raise.

Placing a hand over her lips, KC
giggled as she thought about the pair. Jean could more than hold
her own with Max. Not in the least bit daunted by the new owner,
she said whatever was on her mind. Jean had been ready to quit when
KC had come onboard, and within a week, she figured out Jean’s
problem.

KC’s dad had been a tyrant, and easy
to disrespect. He cared not at all for his employees, but instead
for the amount of money he made and the prestige he could garner.
His lack of affection for those who enabled that status showed in
painful detail the longer KC had worked there. The employees had
distrusted Max for about two days. Now she’d be hard pressed to
find someone who didn’t like and respect him. Many of the women
adored him.

His personal style was hands-on. Just
as a coach would be. He didn’t interfere, but kept a careful eye on
everyone and lent a hand whenever someone was about to drop the
ball. In the year she worked closely with him, she had never heard
him utter a single disparaging word about anyone in the company,
even her father. Who deserved more than one pithy, reproachful
comment.

When she started to say
something against her sire, Max would raise one eyebrow. Just one,
and she got the message.
Stop and
think
, before you speak. She learned to
bite her tongue, and that improved company morale too.

No doubt, Max was a genius. A sexy
genius. And MMM – even his name spelled yummy. KC smiled at that
memory. The girls were right, his name did spell MMM. A hot man who
currently cared for her son and used her sofa. How hard would it be
for her to convince him to share her life? Her bed? Could she
persuade him to wear a wedding band that matched hers? Was she
willing to risk their friendship? With a sigh, she went back to his
email. Living a life on hold might be beyond her
endurance.

Anyway, I laughed, made a
comment about sassy secretaries, which got me punched, by the way,
and then went to my office and arranged a raise for her.

KC laughed again. She’d called that
one!

I figure she does have to
put up with me, so I probably should pay her well. Did you know she
hadn’t had a raise in three years before you came on? And she
basically runs the place! I mean, we flatter ourselves to say we
run this company, but without Jean and the other personal
assistants, this place would collapse.

Oh, General Emma told me
this morning that more companies and residents have contributed
money to the foundation and we’ve got a major cushion now. Which
means we’ll be able to cover the newest families in need who’ve
applied to the Bent Rock Foundation.

(I’m on the board, by the
way. Please don’t ask how that happened, because I don’t know. The
general informed me today.) Which means I think I was appointed.
Mitch and Granddad and some other family members also have
seats.

Mitch called to
commiserate. And be commiserated. He’s wondering how
this could happen, but she told him your Admiral O’Riley will also
be appointed. (Poor man. I wonder if he has any idea?) But Emma
claims that since Rocky is his dog, he’s needed as a member of the
board. Plus, he’s a Navy Admiral. Apparently, this looks good for
the foundation?

Ryan and I are going to
Melly and Rick’s for supper tonight. Oh, our lasagna turned out
really well. Lainy and Mitch were both impressed, (I was relieved)
and Lainy could even eat it so we’ve made it a few more times.
(Like last night for instance, that’s why I remembered.) She’s not
puking anymore, and she’s barely showing. If you know her, you can
tell she’s probably pregnant because she has a little belly, but
for being five or six months along, (she uses weeks – why do women
do that?) you can barely tell.

They’re excited. Mitch is
making a cradle. He already made Lainy a rocking chair. Lainy
mentioned that the nursery is coming along. (Whatever that means?)
This is going to be the most spoiled kid, yet. (Ha, ha! They say
Ryan’s already got dibs on that. I ignore them.)

I’m wondering how Bentley
will do as a big brother? He’s excellent with the herd, so we’re
thinking he’s going to be protective, rather than jealous. We’re
hoping he’s protective! Otherwise, I’m getting another dog.
He and Spuds are funny together, and Bentley is just
as good with Ryan as Spuds is. They’re the best
baby-sitters.

Dory and John’s baby is
really cute. Everyone says he looks like me, so what else can he
be? (I think he looks like a purple potato, but then, I’m a man.)
LOL

He is a likable fellow
though. He’s got the funniest gurgle that makes you laugh. Between
him and Eliza, they’re a cute family. Every time John changes his
diaper, Aaron pees on him. Dory says the kid’s got excellent aim,
cause John ends up with a face full. (We all think this is
hilarious, by the way.) Even Mitch has said he’ll take pee in the
face if it means Lainy and the baby are healthy.

I can’t wait to see if
Lainy and Mitch have a boy. Mitch is so gonna get pee in the face
too. This kid will grow up to be a Marine. (He probably won’t have
any choice. It’ll be in his genes!) I wonder, did Ryan get you?
From what my parents say, usually the boys pee on the
dad?

I’m already teasing Mitch
about this. He’s taking it pretty well. John thinks it’s funny too.
Usually he just quips, “That’s my boy!” and hugs his kid. Dory
rolls her eyes and we all sort of groan. Eliza is her daddy’s girl,
though. I think Mitch would prefer a girl, but after John’s
experience, he’s eager for a boy too. Although he repeated that so
long as the baby is healthy and Lainy is okay, he doesn’t care.
(He’s been saying that a lot lately. I think he’s
worried.)

I’ve got to pick Ryan up
from daycare. This day is over, and that means we’re closer to your
homecoming. Very exciting! The calendar marking is one of our
favorite times of the day. Ryan likes to make the X and he’s
getting better and better.

Oh, did you know he’s
learned the alphabet? He knows all of his letters on sight. I think
we’ll work on learning to put those letters together to form words.
It’d be great if we could send him to school already knowing how to
read. (My mom said it’s not odd, since I could read by four or
five.)

We miss and love
you!

Max and Ryan

Chapter 40

“
Dr. Gilmore, could you
please look at a patient for me?” Tina rarely used that tone, so KC
automatically stopped the test she was running to turn and stare at
the nurse.

“
What’s wrong?” she asked
quietly, taking the chart from Tina’s limp hands.

“
Lieutenant Peterson isn’t
responding well to that antibiotic you ordered for him.” Tina
didn’t elaborate, but to flap a normally unflappable nurse didn’t
bode well. KC flipped through the chart, frowning as she
read.

“
He seems to be swelling?
Tina, get Dr. Morris, please,” KC ordered, beginning to feel the
first tremors of alarm.

“
She’s on her
way.”

“
Thank you.”

“
Sorry I’m late, what’s
happening?” Janine asked, not out of breath at all, even though KC
had seen her run the last few steps. Silently, she handed Janine
the folder and watched her friend’s face.