Читать книгу On Guard For Thee - Murray Snow - Страница 7

10 December, 1045 Hours

“Damn it, woman! You get that sonofabitch Webber in here right now.” James’s voice echoed off the walls as the nurse quickly retreated to the end of the bed. “I’m tired of sitting around this butcher shop.”

The middle-aged nurse looked at him and shook her head. Her face turned red and her hands balled into fists. “Captain Morgan, there is nothing the majority of us want more than to get you very far away from here, but right now, you are going to take a walk so that your legs don’t shrivel up and die, forcing us to keep you here one second longer than is absolutely necessary.”

He threw the thin covers off. “Shit.” His track pants allowed him to retain some dignity, but the hospital gown made him feel like a one-armed bandit. He could handle the sling, but the gown had to go. It was new, prickly, and he couldn’t reach all the itches. “Bloody Yanks.”

“Haven’t you learned to keep your mouth shut, Captain?” Josie leaned against the door and smiled as the other nurse stormed out of the room.

James looked up, and the scowl quickly turned into a smile. “Good morning.”

She was in a pair of faded blue jeans and a simple light blue silk blouse. “The more you piss everyone off, the more difficult they will become.” She held up her hand to choke off his protests, “And like it or not, they are the ones who say when you go home, or which nasty tests you have to have.”

“You’re pretty smart for a junior rank.” He looked down at what she was holding. “What’s that?”

She pushed away from the wall and walked over. “Put this on. We’re going to lunch and I don’t want to be seen with someone who looks as stupid as you in that gown.”

He gingerly removed his arm from the sling. Most of his upper body was still bandaged, but his muscular frame was as impressive as ever. She forced herself to look away and handed him the T-shirt. “Doctor’s orders. He feels the longer you harass his staff, the more likely one of them will kill you in your sleep.”

He looked at the black T-shirt and laughed at the picture of an injured Mickey Mouse.

“If you would help me with my shoes,” he said, and blushed, “I guess we can head off to the cafeteria.”

“Who said anything about the cafeteria?”

He looked down and his eyes were drawn to the lacy white bra and cleavage on display in front of him. “Is this some sort of a date?”

“No, but one of the nurses did show me the key to the poison control locker and suggested something might end up in your coffee if you don’t get off the floor for a few hours.”

He steadied himself as he stood. “I’ve never had lunch with a master corporal before.”

She grinned as she took his arm and led him into the hallway. “I hear there’s a first time for everything.”

Lunch proceeded smoothly as they talked and made fun of whoever walked past the café window. Josie was quick to change the subject when she could, but she knew Bosnia would eventually come up. When James spoke of Corporal Emerson, she didn’t know whether to cry or just hold his hand.

“I’m still not sure what that was,” he said when he finished his meal, “but it’s better than the regurgitated swamp gunk you folks serve.”

“You’re impossible. If you’re not too tired, we’ll just take our time getting back.”

“That sounds nice.”

“After that, we’ll start getting you packed.”

His head shot up, a stupefied look on his face. He looks so innocent, she thought as their eyes met. “You are being transferred to Ottawa in two days. Do you think you can stay out of trouble for that long?”

He toyed with the edge of the tablecloth. “I’ve been pretty bad, eh?”

“You’ve got the top ten spots sewn-up on the most hated list.”

They strolled down the cobblestone sidewalk and passed several small shops as they approached the hospital. James stopped and pulled her into a small flower store just outside the hospital grounds. “Wait here.” He walked to the back counter and returned minutes later. “Thank you for today.”

Josie took the single white rose and slowly inhaled the sweet fragrance. “You didn’t have to do that.”

He chuckled. “Women. First us men get in trouble because we don’t send flowers, and when we do, you tell us we didn’t have to.”

She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

Their eyes met. Danger flags flew in every direction, but for this one moment, he put them aside. “I think,” he said slowly, still looking into her eyes, “we better get back. It’s been a long day and I’m a bit tired.”

A change came over her in that second, and the brightness and wonderment in her eyes dimmed. “Sure.” She took his arm and carefully led him back to the hospital. The small talk continued, but her voice was flat compared to only a few minutes ago.

As they walked into the main lobby and the elevator opened, he stopped her. “I really did have a great time, but you know I’m married.”

She sighed. “Happily, too, I bet.”

“Very.”

“Well, sir, nobody said I couldn’t have my little fantasies, did they?” He smiled and followed her into the elevator. “Not even a quickie?”

He laughed at the grin on her face and immediately winced. “Damn it, girl. Keep that up and we won’t need the Americans to kill me. Friends?”

“Don’t really have a choice, do I? I’m sure we can discuss it further on the plane.”

“Huh?”

She stepped out as the doors opened. “I’m sorry. Didn’t I tell you?” she asked innocently. “My posting is over. We’re traveling together as far as Ottawa.” She turned and walked away as the doors slid shut, leaving James inside staring blankly at the metal doors.