Chapter 16
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“ICAN’T BELIEVE WE’REboth here in Hawaii,” Luciana said an hour later, the two women settled on Harrison’s back patio.He was right.She did like the outdoor space.For some reason, it made her feel more at peace.She didn’t like being confined to one room with no freedom to leave, no choice about anything in her life.She needed the fresh air.The sounds of nature.The breeze in her hair.Inhaling, she smiled, loving the salty scent of the ocean.
“You look good,” Avery told her.“I didn’t know what to think when Ryan called and said you’d been rescued.I had no idea they’d deployed to look for you and probably haven’t ever been more shocked in my life.When Ryan told me you were in medical on base, my mind instantly went to the worst.I could hardly fathom that you were okay after all this time.”
“Si.That is understandable.I think if your commander had his way, I would still be there in the medical unit,” she admitted with a smile.“He questioned the doctors again and again if it was truly safe for me to leave.”
Avery eyed her curiously.
Luciana shrugged.“He feels responsible for me.While the entire team was there and involved in my rescue, Commander Madden—Harrison—was the one to rush into my room.”
“I’m shocked he went to Panama,” Avery admitted.“Normally, when the team is deployed, he’s running things from base.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.While I don’t know the ins-and-outs of their operations, I know for certain that he stays in Hawaii.We all have his contact information in case of emergencies.Ryan can’t call or otherwise reach me when he’s deployed.I never know where he is and have to hope that he’s safe.The other guys on his team all have girlfriends or fiancées.We sort of have to lean on each other when the team is gone.”
“That is no doubt difficult,” Luciana said.“I’m used to being on my own but am not sure I could handle worrying about another person that way.”
“It’s rough,” Avery agreed.“I know that Ryan loves his career.I have to trust that his training and teammates will keep him safe.They rescued me, too.You and I both have firsthand knowledge of how they operate in that sense.If Ryan and the others didn’t do what they did, would other innocent people be left in danger and horrible situations?Would there be more terrorist attacks or horrible things I can’t even imagine?I can’t fault him for doing his job.”
“That is a good way to look at it.We are different, though.You have family to lean on.Your brother is also military, no?”
“He is.They’re teammates, and no, he wasn’t happy when Ryan and I started dating.But Commander Madden?I’m shocked he was directly involved in that capacity.”
“I wonder why he was in Panama then,” Luciana said, glancing toward the glass doors leading into the home.
“Me too.And Luciana, Ryan said you didn’t want to barge in by staying with us.You would never be a burden!We can bring you back to our place and get you set up so you don’t have to stay in the commander’s home.”
“You deserve your time,” Luciana softly told her.“I know how much you missed your Ryan when we were in Bajo Chiquito.I was planning to find a hotel or something before the commander offered his guest room.”
“You were not!”Avery protested.
Luciana laughed.“Si.I don’t mind being alone.Luckily, we got along as roommates, no?”
“You were the best roommate,” Avery promised.
“Better than Ryan?”Luciana teased.
Avery blushed.“That’s not really a fair comparison, is it?But the commander?How did you end up deciding to stay here?”
Luciana lifted her hands.“Who knows?He offered, and I accepted.It is not forever.I need to get identification, new credit cards, and see if I can access my bank account.He arranged for me to get a passport before we left Panama.I will need to decide where I want to go from here.I will be fine to get my own temporary housing.”
