Page 5 of The Soldier's Final Mission

Bob chuckled as she sat up, her dreamyappearance so damn cute. And her grin … he could easily stare at that satisfiedexpression every day.

Whoa!Where the hell did that come from? You’re just enjoying a weekend.

“Hey, where’dyago?” Becca’s concerned look and tender voice brought Bob back into focus.

“Nowhere. I’m right here.” He hoped thesmile he gave her was convincing, because he really did look forward toenjoying this weekend without getting into anything heavy. He just couldn’tguarantee much more than that.

As his hands continued to stroke her softskin, he felt goose bumps rise. “Getting chilly? Want to move inside?”

She ran her hands up and down his chest asshe answered. “As long as you aren’t sending me off to a separate room.”

“From the looks of things earlier, I’d saywe probably won’t have a choice but to share a room. Not that I’ll complain.” Hegave her a wink.

Becca leaned down to place a soft kiss onhis lips. “Good, because I can’t think of anything better than spending thenight in your arms and waking up together for our run.”

****

Morning came and Bob was gone.

Becca felt like the rug had been pulledout from underneath her, sending her for a spin that may never right itself.

She learned from Tessa that Bob and theguys had to report back to Bragg ASAP and get ready for deployment.

Becca never heard a thing, having slept sosoundly. She tried to put up a good front for Tessa, but had suspected herfriend knew the truth—that she was impossibly in love with Bob. When she’d toldhim, she certainly didn’t expect any declaration from him, given he’d just mether. And one hot night of sex with him didn’t really equate to love, did it? ButBecca was falling hard, and she just hoped she’d be able to withstand theimpact when she landed, wherever that may be.

****

Bob had been out of country more than hewas in, barely having time to recharge, let alone try to develop any sense of arelationship with Becca. His impromptu deployment that interrupted the weekendat the beach had kept him away for six months. And when his team had returnedto regroup, thinking they’d have some time stateside, they were notified ofanother mission for which they’d had only two weeks to prepare.

As much as Bob wished it could’ve beendifferent, Becca hadn’t deserved the uncertainty, the waiting. And he told herso. It had ripped his heart in two.

Hell, he’d barely had a relationship withhis daughter, Mackenzie, who was nearly ten, and he’d hated that. Bob had towatch her grow up mostly through pictures and emails. There were visitations onthe occasions that he was in-country, along with the rare Skype sessions whenhe had a secure and steady link. His contribution to her upbringing was chieflyfinancial, but he longed for the day that would change.

As for Becca, he’d learned from Tessa thatshe had eventually moved on when she realized the circumstances weren’t goingto bring Bob back to her. Seemed life on the West Coast was the perfect changeof scenery, where she ended up marrying and having a son, only to divorce a fewyears later. Bob was saddened to hear that, wishing she’d gone on to be happy,even if he wasn’t the one providing that happiness.

Contact between Tessa and Becca had becomesporadic, but as far as Bob knew from his cousin, Becca was in SouthernCalifornia. San Diego, to be exact.

Yeah, he still thought of her and whatcould have been, constantly kicking himself for turning away what had had thepotential to be amazing. Guess the ship had sailed on that one.

Regret had taken root, digging in deep.

After seeing and experiencing the ravagesman was capable of, he now knew that you take advantage of every opportunity,ensuring that every minute of your life be lived to the fullest. Because younever knew when that life would be forever altered. Or worse, over.

****

Gunfire lit up the predawn morning, thedeafening barrage shattering the peaceful silence. Bob and his men hit theground, returning fire around them. Two shooters were twenty yards behind thegroup, having popped out of a covered pit the guys had walked by earlier.

Mack took a round in the calf, but barelylet it slow him down. Three more shooters about a hundred yards in front ofthem jumped out from the rocks. With the advantage of the NVGs, Bob and his menmade short work of the others, quickly taking them out.

But the damage was done. Their positionwas compromised.

Bob had Scotty radio Command and attend toMack while he and the others went ahead to get a quick assessment. Bob figuredthey’d have less than thirty minutes to gather whatintelthey could and beat feetouttathere before theyfaced another confrontation.

Garrett began taking pictures of the town,the buildings, the well-guarded by armed men. Raul’s thermal camera picked up adozen or so men that were headed their way.

“Boss.” Raul got Bob’s attention. “Wegottago. RPGs headed our way.”

“Roger,” Bob responded. “Scotty, get thecopter back. Pick a spot for extraction and let’s get to it. Jake, Raul, keepeyes on any incoming. Garrett, you got enough?”

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