“I’m game for anything.”
Laughter spilled from Link’s lips. “I’ll remember that later.”
She smiled and shook her head. “You’re funny.”
“Good. I’m glad you think I’m funny.”
They ate as they discussed what to bring with them. While she was getting ready, he checked his emails, seeing a few from his buddies, asking for more information about Pete. He wrote back, telling them he didn't have much more info.
Mick said he would dig in later in the day. Link was glad he had so many friends who were all good at different things. He knew he could lean on his buddies to help him gather information.
The way to keep Ansley safe was to know what was coming. If that jerk came for Ansley, Link would make sure he regretted it for the rest of his natural life.
Chapter 26
The sceneryon the drive to the islands off the east coast of North Carolina reminded her of Parris Island and her first few months as a Marine. At one point, she laughed, and Link glanced over with his eyebrows raised.
She laughed more. “Just thinking about recruit training on Parris Island.”
“This area does kind of look like the island.”
She nodded. “Yeah, the pine trees are taller in South Carolina.”
He glanced around. “I guess they are.”
“But yes, this area reminds me of my time there. We had fun, kind of. I mean, it was very formative, and it wasn’t so terrible that I wanted to die.”
Link let go of a bark of laughter. "Boot camp sucked."
“It did, but I made some great friends. And it made me stronger.”
“Oh yeah, it makes us harder, but damn, that was a rude awakening.”
"True. God, when we first rolled up, I thought I'd gone to hell. It was so hot, and the sergeants hated everything about us, fromour clothes to our hair. They bitched about everything. I think that cemented our friendships."
“I totally understand. Some of the friends from my time at boot camp are forever friends. I’ll never forget them. I don’t get to see them or talk to them as much as I’d like. I’d like to spend more time with them, but you know how it is. The military tells you where to go and what to do.”
“Yeah. That’s going to take some getting used to.”
“I bet. I don’t know what I’ll do once I get out. I feel like the Army has shaped my life for so long, I don’t know if I could figure it out on my own.”
She understood what he was saying, but he was wrong. “I don’t believe that. I think you’d figure it out just fine. It might take you a few weeks or months, but you’d find your footing fast.”
He didn't say anything for a long moment. The trees opened up, and she could see the sea grass blowing in the wind. There was a bridge, and she could see sailboats along with other boats in a small marina.
“We’re almost there.”
Link nodded. “We are. Do you really think I’d adjust to civilian life?”
She reached over and squeezed his thigh. “I do. I think you’d figure out what you needed to do to be at peace.”
He nodded as they crested the bridge. She glanced out at the waterway below. It was less intense than her first trip to Parris Island had been, but somehow this was more beautiful.
“It’s wonderful. The white boats, the dark water, the green grass, the restaurants, all of it is so beautiful.”
“It is nice here. Peaceful. Everything runs at a slower pace. The condo isn’t too far from here, so maybe another twenty minutes once we get onto the main road.”
“I can see why you like this area.”
