Page 53 of SEAL the Deal

Axe leaped from the ATV and made a beeline for Mike. He knocked him backward spilling his beer as he licked his face. “Hey buddy, good to see you too,” Mike said with a laugh.

All four men rose as Rick stepped from the ATV. Ernie was the first to reach him. The Latino threw his arms around his SEAL teammate. “You came through, bro. I thought we were dead. Then you come out all guns blazing like Rambo.”

“I had help. Jenny’s the one who found me.”

Ernie looked confused. “You mean you had to find a pole-dancing instructor to save us.”

Rick elbowed him. “She’s a park ranger.”

Ernie shook his head. “No, essé, she’s a hero.” He ran across and embraced the ranger.

Mike shook his hand next. “Thanks, brother.”

“That dog of yours. He’s pretty damn amazing.”

Mike nodded in the direction of Jenny. “Pretty good matchmaker too.” He headed over to thank the ranger.

“Looks like you learned something out there,” said TJ as he approached.

“Yeah, I learned I’m sticking to boats. This forest crap is bullshit.”

TJ placed a hand on his shoulder. “And here’s me thinking you’d found a little humility.” He grinned. “You did good, son. We’ll make a woodsman out of you yet.”

Dean was the last to offer his thanks to Rick. Then they all retired to the porch to drink beers as the DEA team secured Carter and his cronies. Jenny found a medical kit and inspected Rick’s wounds between sips of her ale.

“Hey Rick,” said Ernie. “How come you’re the one who always gets shot?”

“Because, unlike you I’m not small enough to hide behind every bit of cover.”

“That’s so racist,” declared the Latino.

“How is calling you a midget racist?” Rick winced as Jenny applied a dressing to his shoulder.

“Rick’s right. He’s a heightist,” said the Chief.

“Well, if you didn’t work out so much there wouldn’t be so much of you to get shot,” quipped Ernie.

Jenny snickered as she finished bandaging his wound.

“Oh, you think he’s funny?”

She shook her head. “I think you’re all crazy. Do you have many adventures like this?”

“Too many,” lamented Mike. “From now on TJ is banned from planning any group activities outside of work.”

“Amen to that,” echoed Ernie and Rick.

As they laughed and drank one of the DEA agents approached. “Guys, we’ve prepared a landing zone a little way up the road. If you take the ATV’s up there the helicopter will be able to lift you out to the ranger station. There’s a paramedic team waiting there for you.”

The Chief raised his beer. “Thanks, bud.”

* * *

Mike was the first off the chopper when it touched down in a field behind the ranger station. With Axe by his side he ran straight into the arms of Ali, who was waiting with Maria and Leonie.

“I’m so sorry, babe. You must have been worried to death.”

She nodded with eyes filled with tears. “Yes, I was.”

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