Chapter Fourteen
My first week on the job wasn’t so bad. I got shot, had a concussion, ended up needing several stitches, and prevented an explosion from causing spent nuclear fuel to burn and throw radiation across the land. Oh. And I fell in love with my Ellie Mae.
—Hugh Johnson, Brigade Notes
Hugh kicked back in his Missouri quarters, contentedly eating some vanilla ice cream that Nora had so kindly brought to him after he’d been all stitched up. He sat on the flowery couch with his feet up on the dented coffee table. The bed was behind him, the kitchenette to his right, and a small television on a table in front of him. How long would they have television?
Most of the plane ride home was a blur, but now he was rather content. Where was Ellie, anyway?
A knock sounded on his door. “Come in.” He licked his spoon. There she was.
Nope. Connor strode inside, still wearing a leather duster that made him look like a badass. “Came to check on you.” He hovered near the sofa.
Hugh gestured to the seat. “You can stay.”
Connor grinned, his teeth a flash of white in his dark face. “No way. Ellie will be finished debriefing Nora soon, and she’s pissed, man. I mean,pissed.”
Hugh paused in his ice-cream eating frenzy. “She’s mad? Really?”
Connor’s eyebrows rose. “Hell, yeah. I’ve never seen her like this.” He patted Hugh’s healthy shoulder. “But I think you’re awesome, brother. Great job today.”
Hugh grinned. “You, too. This is going to be quite the ride, isn’t it?”
Connor gave him a look. “Yeah. I’m glad you have my back.”
“Ditto.” Hugh meant it. Connor was a hell of a soldier. It was nice to bond.
“All right. I’m out of here before she arrives,” Connor chuckled, turning and all but jogging for the door.
Some brother. Hugh smiled. This was a good place, and these were good people.
Ivan poked his head in the door, his eyes a piercing blue. “Is Ellie here yet?”
“No.” Hugh motioned him in. “You’re welcome, though.”
Ivan glanced behind him. “That’s ah, all right. I’ll come back later. I’m glad you’re okay.” He smiled and then disappeared.
Huh. The intelligence specialist was afraid of sweet Ellie? Interesting.
The door shoved open, and Hugh straightened, relaxing upon seeing Deke stride inside. “Hey. You done debriefing?”
“Not yet,” Deke whispered, his green eyes sober. “I just wanted to check on you. Great job today, man. I’m glad we brought you on board.”
Hugh frowned. “Why are you whispering?”
Deke straightened to his full and rather impressive height. “I’m not,” he whispered.
Hugh shoved the spoon into the ice cream carton. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of Ellie.”
Deke’s eyes widened. “Nope. Just wanted to make sure you were doing great. I’ll see you tomorrow.” The dangerous soldier backed to the door, gingerly slid outside, looked both ways, and then made a run for it.
Hugh swallowed. Okay.
The door opened again, and sweet Ellie Mae stood there. Her thick hair bounced around her shoulders, and her stunning eyes shot sparks.
He tried not to wince.
“I cannot believe you drove toward a river with bombs in the car.” She moved toward him, her hips swaying in a very nice way. “That was insane. Dumber than dumb. Did you have a lobotomy in the ten years we were apart?”
