Page 46 of SEAL the Deal

He reached across and popped the glove compartment. “Have a look in there. Should be something to keep you warm.”

She found a hip flask nestled among dog-eared manuals and paperwork.

“Best bourbon in Oregon.”

She unscrewed the lid, gave it a sniff and took a sip. The smooth liquid warmed her throat and then her stomach. “Thank you.”

“Tom, name’s Tom.”

“I’m Ali.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Ali. Now, we’re about twenty minutes from the ranger station. How’s about you tell me what happened to you and your friends.”

Ali took another sip then began the story.

* * *

Darkness had set in early under the thick forest canopy. Working more by touch than sight Rick hauled on a rope, looped it around a branch, pulled it tight and tied it off. “That’s a wrap.”

“Impressive,” said Jenny from the darkness. “Let’s hope it works.”

Rick made his way across to where she was consolidating their supplies. Axe sat next to her, watching intently.

“No reason it shouldn’t. Your plan is good.”

She handed him a granola bar. “I think your knots are the key.”

He unwrapped the snack. “Knots are all I’ve got. I’m a SEAL out of water.”

“You’ve done pretty well so far,” she murmured as she glanced up at the sky. “Rick, it’s getting dark. Should we wait for morning?”

“Yeah, I was thinking we attack at the crack of dawn. They’ll be up all night, tired and more likely to make mistakes.” He chewed the bar.

“Makes sense.” Jenny opened a packet of jerky and fed some of it to Axe. “How long have you been in the navy?”

“Twelve years now. I started in the fleet and moved across to the SEALs about eight years ago. What about you? How long have you been a ranger?”

She offered him a piece. “Not long.”

He waved it away. “Axe needs it more than me.”

“I was a lawyer in New York, hated it. Threw it all in to move out here and become a ranger.”

“And part-time pole dancing instructor slash torture consultant.”

She laughed. “Yeah, that too.”

“So, is there a man in your life?”

“No, I left a guy in New York. Not about to go jumping back into a relationship. What about you?”

“I got married a few years back.”

Jenny felt disappointment wash over her.

“Worst decision of my life. It lasted a little over eight months. Fortunately, we didn’t have kids.”

Axe let out a sigh as he lay next to Jenny. She turned and ruffled his ears, hiding her smile. “Too much time away?”

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