Читать книгу By Request Collection April-June 2016 - Оливия Гейтс - Страница 74
13
ОглавлениеKATE STOOD WITH Chase as the enormous aircraft taxied to a stop on the tarmac not far from them. Had it really been just three days ago that Kate had arrived at Bagram Air Base? She slid a sideways glance at the man standing beside her with his arms crossed over his chest, looking every inch the badass soldier that he was. She remembered how impressive he had seemed to her that first day, and how intimidated she had initially been by his don’t-mess-with-me attitude. How would Tenley react to him? She was extremely sensitive and easily intimidated. Kate should have warned Chase.
“Listen,” she said as an aside. “Tenley is very sweet and very friendly, but she might find you a little overwhelming. Be nice to her, okay?”
Chase slanted her an amused look. “Don’t worry, I’ll be on my best behavior. Relax, okay? Everything is going to be fine, you’ll see.”
Inwardly, Kate had her doubts, but she gave Chase a grateful smile, and then watched as the airplane stairs were rolled over to the side of the aircraft, and passengers began to disembark. At first, only uniformed soldiers made their way down the steps, but then several civilians appeared, wearing blue jeans and Western-style shirts. Kate recognized two of them as country music’s biggest stars, and a cheer went up from the soldiers on the flight line. The musicians waved at the troops, and only the military police kept them from getting mobbed as they stepped off the stairs.
Kate stood straighter, hardly aware that she clutched Chase’s sleeve. “Here they come,” she said unnecessarily.
And then they saw her. Tenley’s face appeared in the jet-way, and she made her way carefully down the stairs. She wore her signature blue jeans and cowboy boots, and a white top with sparkling jewels around the neckline. Her blond hair hung in tousled waves around her face, and she carried her bubble-gum-pink guitar case in one hand. Hearing the cheers of the soldiers, she smiled brightly and raised a hand in greeting. The wind blew her hair around her face, and as she reached the bottom step, she tripped and fell, sprawling face-first on the tarmac with her hobo bag and guitar case in disarray around her.
Kate gasped and jumped forward, but Chase was already there, picking her up and crouching down to examine her knees and then her hands, before he scooped up her guitar and belongings. Tenley’s face had turned a blotchy red, but she smiled and waved at the soldiers, and Kate could hear her telling Chase that she wasn’t hurt. Seeing Kate, she smiled hugely and ran toward her.
“Oh, Tenley,” cried Kate, reaching out and pulling the younger woman into an embrace. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Tenley said, her voice muffled against Kate’s shoulder. “Just embarrassed.”
“Well, I’m so glad you made it here. I tried calling you to make sure you had the correct flight times, but you didn’t answer.” She pulled back and frowned at her sister. “Why didn’t you answer?”
Tenley pulled free from Kate’s arms, laughing. “I can’t remember! Maybe I was over at the shelter. I’ve been trying to spend more time there, especially since they got a new shipment of dogs in.”
Tenley loved animals, but believed her own hectic schedule didn’t permit her to own a dog. Instead, she volunteered her spare time at a local rescue shelter. “Don’t worry, Russell took good care of me.”
“Well, you’re here now,” Kate said. She put an arm around the younger woman’s shoulders and drew her toward Chase. “Tenley, you’ve already met Major Chase Rawlins. He’s been my escort these past few days. He’s going to look after us while we’re here. We’ve been to three different bases, looking at the concert sites, and guess what?”
Tenley gave her an expectant look. “What?”
“I flew in a Black Hawk helicopter.”
“Wow, that’s amazing!” Tenley smiled, and then frowned. “What’s a Black Hawk?”
“It’s a military helicopter,” Kate said, grinning at Chase over her sister’s head. “Very cool.”
Tenley turned to Chase. “Thank you for helping me back there. I’m sort of a klutz, so you’ll have your work cut out for you in keeping me safe.”
Chase inclined his head. “I’m up for the challenge, Ms. Miles.”
“Oh, please call me Tenley.” She turned to Kate. “Can we get out of here, please? I’m dying for a shower and a change of clothes.” She made a face and put her hand over her nose. “What is that horrible smell?”
“That would be the Kandahar Riviera,” Chase said, his dimples flashing.
Tenley turned to him in surprise. “They have a Riviera over here?”
“No, Tenley, they don’t,” Kate said patiently. “What you’re smelling is the waste-treatment facility.”
Her sister made a gagging noise. “It smells like rotten onions. Do the poor soldiers who live here have to breathe that? I know this isn’t the States, but surely we can provide them with clean air?”
“You get used to it,” Chase said blandly. “Why don’t I grab your luggage?”
“Okay, let’s just go back to the housing unit so you can shower and eat and get some rest before tonight.”
“What do you mean, tonight?” Tenley squeaked, a look of panic flitting across her face. “Please tell me I am not required to perform tonight. There’s no way I can be ready to give a performance so soon!”
“Shh,” Kate said soothingly, taking Tenley’s guitar case from her and leading her toward the Humvee. “It’s just one or two songs, not even a full set. Every group is performing tonight, just to get the troops in the mood.”
“Are you sure they want me to?” Tenley asked, her voice anxious. “I think I heard a few soldiers booing me as I came off the plane. Why would they boo me?”
“Why do you think?” Kate asked calmly, putting her arm around Tenley’s shoulders. “You insulted them. But that’s why you’re here—to show them that you didn’t really mean what you said. Right?”
Tenley made a sound of distress. “I did mean what I said, just not toward all military. Just the ones who shipped Doug off.”
Kate knew that if her sister ever discovered that she had been the one responsible for having Doug shipped overseas after their forced annulment, Tenley would never forgive her. She glanced over her shoulder to see Chase easily dismantling a pile of luggage in his search for Tenley’s pink duffel bag. “So, listen … I told Major Rawlins that we’re sisters …” She let her voice trail off.
Tenley pulled back to look at her. “You did?” Her voice registered her surprise. “I mean, that’s great! If it were up to me, I’d tell everyone we’re sisters, but I know you think it’s better for my career if nobody knows we’re related.”
Kate nodded. “Right. But I’m not worried that Major Rawlins is going to alert the media.”
Chase caught up with them, carrying an enormous pink duffel in one hand. He put it into the back of the Humvee and opened the door for Tenley and Kate.
“Wait,” Tenley said, and glanced back toward the flight line. “What about the band members?”
“The USO is taking care of them,” Kate assured her. “See? If you look over there, you’ll see them getting on a USO bus. We’ll have dinner with them later today.”
Tenley looked in the direction Kate pointed, and a slight shudder ran through her slender frame. “Is that bus safe?”
“Don’t worry,” Kate said soothingly. “They’re perfectly safe, and they only have a few miles to travel. In fact, we won’t be too far from where they are. We have our own little trailer, just the two of us. Nice, right?”
“Absolutely,” Tenley agreed, dragging her attention away from the bus and sliding into the Humvee. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Chase held the door for Kate, and when their eyes met, he gave her a meaningful look. She wanted to kiss him for being so patient, but could only mouth the words thank you as she climbed in beside Tenley. He gave a philosophical shrug and a wink, and then closed the door firmly behind her before sliding into the front passenger seat.
“Oh, my God,” Tenley moaned when they were underway. “I am so tired. How long before we’re at our trailer?”
“We’ll be there in less than fifteen minutes,” Chase said over his shoulder.
But Tenley wasn’t listening. She had pulled an iPhone out of her bag and was holding it at different angles, trying to get a signal.
“Don’t even bother,” Kate said drily. “There’s no cell phone reception over here. Just put it away.”
Tenley stared at Kate in disbelief. “Really?”
“Why don’t you think of this as a little technology vacation?” Kate suggested, smiling. “You don’t need to worry about any of that while you’re here.”
“Mmm, you’re probably right. You always are. Ooh, my feet hurt.” Tenley turned sideways on the seat, lifted her legs and plunked her feet in Kate’s lap. “Take my boots off, Katie. I need a foot rub.”
Giving Tenley foot massages was something that Kate had always done, but usually only after a performance, when her sister had been on her feet for several hours. She laughed. “Really? You want me to give you a foot rub right now?”
“Please?” Tenley stuck out her lower lip and gave Kate her sad-puppy face. “Pretty please?”
Kate sighed, acutely aware of Chase in the front seat, listening to everything. What must he think of Tenley, and of her for that matter?
“Fine,” she relented. Grasping one boot by the toe and heel, she gave it a firm tug. “Pull, Tenley.”
The boot came free, and Tenley wiggled her toes in bliss.
“Oh, that feels so good. Now the other one.”
Kate dropped the boots on the floor and waved a hand under her nose. “Oh, man, are you sure about this? Your feet are …” She lowered her voice. “… sweaty.”
“Sorry,” Tenley said, sounding anything but. She waggled her toes in anticipation.
Taking a deep breath, Kate grasped her sister’s foot and began to massage it, digging her thumbs into the arch until Tenley moaned with pleasure. “Oh, that feels so good! Oh, yes, harder. Deeper!”
In the rearview mirror, Kate saw the driver watching them, his eyes alight with masculine interest.
“Tenley,” Kate admonished with an embarrassed laugh. “Keep it down.” Glancing at the two men in the front seat, she dropped her voice to a whisper. “You sound like you’re having an orgasm!”
“Right now, I’ll take this over any orgasm,” Tenley moaned, making no effort to lower her voice. “Any man would be lucky to have you, Kate, just for your foot massages.”
Chase twisted in his seat until he met Kate’s eyes, and she could see the amusement lurking in the green depths.
“Okay,” she said firmly, pushing Tenley’s feet aside. “We’re done.”
“Kate,” she wailed. “You didn’t even do my other foot!”
“And I won’t if you continue to embarrass me,” Kate hissed. “Honestly, Tenley, you’re behaving like a child.”
“Sorry,” Tenley said, and sat up, searching for her boots.
“Here we are,” Chase said as the Humvee drew to a stop outside the housing unit where Kate had slept the previous night.
Tenley pushed the door open and got out, staring at the unit. For a long moment, she didn’t move or say anything, but Kate knew she was thinking about Doug and wondering if his accommodations were as luxurious as this modified trailer.
“This is where we’re staying,” Kate said brightly and linked her arm through Tenley’s. “It’s actually very cozy inside. Just wait until you see the accommodations at Camp Leatherneck.”
Behind her, she heard Chase start to laugh.
THE SUN WAS BEGINNING TO SET, taking the worst of the day’s heat with it, as the entertainment got underway. Kate had stayed backstage with Tenley until it was time for her to perform, listening as she moved among the other performers, chatting and laughing with them. She had a vibrancy that drew people effortlessly to her, and she seemed to thrive on the attention. Whereas she had been exhausted when she first arrived, now she seemed upbeat and excited.
Kate watched as Tenley took her guitar and stepped onto the stage and waved to a mixed reception of cheers and clapping and a smattering of boos. Kate walked over to Chase, who stood in the entry, and shrugged.
“Well, this is it,” she said. “This is the reason we’re here. Let’s see how it goes.”
“Are you kidding me?” Chase asked. “That girl is going to be fine. Look … they love her.”
Kate laughed and together they made their way outside to stand at the edge of the parade field to watch Tenley perform. She silently acknowledged that Chase was right; the audience was cheering her sister’s performance, the sound deafening.
“She sounds great,” Chase commented.
Kate had to agree. Tenley strutted across the stage, stroking the strings on her guitar and swinging her blond hair around. Her voice was strong and pure, and she belted out the lyrics to her top hit with confidence. She wore a pair of white jeans and boots, paired with a blue corset adorned with sparkling stars. Against the backdrop of the American flag, she looked like every soldier’s fantasy of the gorgeous girl next door.
“She’s just so beautiful,” Kate said wistfully, watching her.
“I agree,” Chase said, but when Kate turned to him, he was looking at her, not Tenley.
“At least she didn’t get my freckles … I inherited those from my father,” she said, self-conscious. “When I was young, I would have given anything to have skin like Tenley’s.”
“Really? I love your freckles.”
Kate gave him a disbelieving look. “You’re kidding.”
Uncaring of who might be watching, Chase stepped closer and traced a fingertip over her cheek. “I’m not kidding. A face without freckles is like a night sky without stars.”
He shifted his gaze to hers, and for a moment Kate couldn’t breathe. Without conscious thought, she leaned toward him, her lips parting.
A sudden commotion snapped Chase’s attention away from her, and Kate turned to see what was happening.
A young soldier had pushed his way to the front of the crowd, avoiding the security guards, and pulled himself onto the stage. Kate stiffened and then sprang forward, but Chase was already moving, sprinting backstage to gain quicker access to the stage and intercept the soldier. At first, Tenley didn’t realize the young man was right behind her, but when she turned around and saw him, her fingers slipped on the guitar strings, and the amplifiers made an earsplitting screech.
She stared at him for a split second, and then he stepped forward and took her by the arms. His lips were moving urgently, but Kate couldn’t hear what he was saying. She could only see the look of disbelief on Tenley’s face. Then Chase was there, yanking the soldier away from Tenley even as the security detail leaped onto the stage.
As Kate watched, the soldier stopped struggling and allowed Chase to escort him backstage. Tenley stood there for a moment, clearly shaken, but when her band picked up the strains of her interrupted song, she rallied. Clearly it was an effort for her to continue with the performance, but she managed to get through the number without any more incidents.
As soon as she finished, the crowd erupted into applause and cheering, and Tenley waved before jogging backstage. Kate met her there, anxious to see for herself that she was okay. There was no sign of either Chase or the young soldier who had attacked Tenley.
“Are you okay?” Kate asked, framing Tenley’s face in her hands and searching her eyes.
“Yes, I think so,” Tenley replied, but she seemed shaken by the incident. “He just surprised me, is all.”
“What did he say to you?”
Tenley looked distracted, and her eyes were unfocused. Kate repeated the question.
“What?” Tenley shifted her attention back to Kate. “I, um, can’t remember what he said. Everything happened so fast, and it was so loud up there that I couldn’t really hear him that well.”
There was no more opportunity to ask questions as Tenley’s band members surrounded her, wanting to know what had happened. Kate hadn’t gotten a good look at the soldier, but something about him had seemed vaguely familiar. She made her way back to Tenley.
“Did you know that young man?” she asked.
Tenley turned to her with a look of surprise, and then quickly seemed to compose herself. “No, of course not,” she said quickly.
“Okay,” Kate said. “I just thought … well, never mind.”
Tenley shrugged and spun away, but Kate didn’t miss how she chewed her finger, a sure sign that she was distressed. It was the same thing that Kate did when she was upset. “These guys all look exactly the same,” Tenley said. “Same haircut, same uniform, same conformist mentality. He looked familiar to you because he looks like every other soldier.”
Chase returned at that moment and approached Tenley. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Tenley said, clearly exasperated. “What’s going to happen to that soldier?”
“He’ll be reprimanded, and probably banned from attending the rest of the Independence Day festivities.”
Tenley frowned. “Please don’t ban him on my account. I don’t want him to get in trouble. I mean, it’s not like he did anything really wrong. He just surprised me, that’s all.”
“We should put more security personnel around the stage,” Kate said to Chase. “This is exactly why I asked that the troops be kept at least fifteen feet back from the stage. I don’t want Tenley to have to go through this again.”
“I agree,” Chase said smoothly. “Why don’t I escort you both back to your housing unit? I’m sure you’re tired and it’s probably a good idea to call it a night.”
“No!” Tenley said quickly, then seeing Kate’s surprised expression, she lowered her voice. “I mean, I’m not tired, and I don’t want to go back to the housing unit. I’d like to hear the other performers.”
Kate studied her sister. “Okay, if you’re sure. Why don’t I get you something to drink. Maybe a lemonade?”
Tenley gave her a grateful smile and sank into a nearby chair. “Thanks, that sounds great.”
Chase fell into step beside her as she made her way to the food table. “Well, I understand why you feel so protective toward her. She does seem rather fragile and young.”
Kate laughed. “Oh, no. Another country conquered by the fair Tenley. Russell says she’s dumb like a fox.”
“Who the hell is Russell?”
“Russell Wilson is Tenley’s agent. He’s the one who arranged for her to participate in this tour. He handles her concert tours, and I handle the rest. We’re a good team, but sometimes he just doesn’t understand Tenley.”
“And I suppose he understands you?” Chase’s voice was a low rumble.
Kate ordered a glass of lemonade and looked at Chase in surprise. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were jealous.”
“Damn straight,” he said. “I’m jealous of any man who gets to spend time with you.”
“Trust me, he has no interest in me,” Kate said drily. “He’s all about Tenley and the money she brings in.”
She turned to take the lemonade to Tenley, but Chase stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. Kate looked at him expectantly, but his eyes were on Tenley. She had removed her white boots and was lounging back in her chair, laughing with one of the other performers.
“She’s a great kid,” Chase commented. “But I think she has you fooled, too.”
Kate frowned. “What do you mean?”
He gestured to Tenley, who was now belting out an impromptu tune to the accompaniment of a guitar. “I think Tenley Miles can take care of herself. She’s what … eighteen? She doesn’t seem to have any trouble putting herself out there.”
“Age is just a number,” Kate said archly. “Tenley is a very young eighteen, and I’m in no hurry to push her out of the nest.”
He raised an eyebrow, but she didn’t miss the dimple that appeared briefly in one cheek. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Kate, but she’s already out and flying on her own. She’s not a child anymore.”
Kate frowned. No matter how successful Tenley might be, she couldn’t stop thinking of her younger sister as a child. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she wouldn’t fully come into her inheritance until she was twenty-one. Both of her parents had been successful stars in their own right, and had left Tenley the bulk of their impressive estates, but she could not claim control of her fortune until her twenty-first birthday.
Chase was right. Legally, at least, she was an adult. But Kate cringed to think of Tenley trying to negotiate her way through life. She wouldn’t be able to find her own way home from the corner coffee shop if Kate weren’t there to guide her, and her soft heart left her vulnerable to those who would take unfair advantage of her.
Tenley chose that moment to set her guitar aside and walk toward them. “Hey, I hate to be a wet blanket, but I’m pretty beat. Must be the time difference.”
“Are you ready to call it a night?” Kate asked in surprise, handing the lemonade to her sister. “I thought you wanted to stay and hear the remaining groups play.”
Tenley yawned hugely. “I do, but I don’t think I can keep my eyes open for another minute. But I don’t want to ruin your night. If you don’t mind walking me to the trailer, I’ll be fine on my own and you two can come back and enjoy the rest of the festivities.”
Chase gave Kate a meaningful look and she knew he was thinking about Captain Larson’s empty CHU.
“Okay,” she said, too quickly. “I mean, if you’re sure …”
“Oh, I am,” Tenley said. “I am completely exhausted.”
“I’ll drive you back,” Chase offered.
“Where is the rest of my band staying?” Tenley asked.
“They have a large tent not far from here,” Kate told her.
“A tent?” Tenley squeaked as she followed them to the Humvee. “Are you serious?”
“Well, it’s more like a big fest tent,” Kate explained. “Don’t worry, they’ll be very comfortable.”
“If you’re sure,” Tenley replied. “I hate to think of them roughing it.”
“Once they’re asleep, it won’t matter where they are,” Kate assured her. “C’mon.”
Twenty minutes later, Kate slipped out of the housing unit and Chase materialized from the nearby shadows. “How is she?” he asked.
Kate smiled. “Exhausted, but too keyed up to relax. I gave her a mild sleeping tablet, so she should be out until morning.”
“Did you give her the beeper?”
“Yes. I showed her how to use it and left it on the bedside table.”
“We’ll be less than five minutes away if she needs us. But she won’t.”
They walked along the street without touching, although Kate was acutely aware of every movement he made. She could hardly believe she was going to do this—sneak away in the night to be with Chase. She felt as young as Tenley.
“Having second thoughts?” he asked quietly.
“Absolutely not,” she said, flashing him a quick smile. “Just a little nervous. How about you?”
He laughed softly. “Nervous? Not on your life. It’s been the single thing on my mind all day.”
“Well then,” Kate said, grabbing his hand and breaking into a light jog. “We should hurry. I’d hate to disappoint you.”