Page 73 of Luck Be Mine
“True. Can you give her a hint?”
“You mean launch her Carter’s way? For or against the medical school idea? We’ll lose him. It’s a huge commitment, as bad as being a SEAL.”
“It’s time, isn’t it? Carter is not far behind us at this job.”
“Still up to him, but I’ll ask. What about you?”
“I figured I die at sea, but lately I don’t know about that.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Doogie finally took a long drink of his cooling coffee. “This job is wearing on me, more day-by-day.”
“Same old shit another day?” Hunt felt the same way himself.
“Yeah, even the missions are repetitive.”
“Not alone in that feeling. Get your leave slip submitted and go take care of Adele. Let’s let the world take care of itself for a bit.”
“Will do.”
“Get out of my office. I have paperwork to do before I can go home and kiss my wife.”
“Hug her for me. I’ll call.”
“Do that.” Hunt stood, and the two men bypassed a handshake and hugged. “Tell your mama we love her.”
“I will.” Doogie went to the door and disappeared. He called an apology to the yeoman, then all was quiet. Marnie appeared in the door. “You want more coffee?”
“No, haven’t finished this cup yet. Give me an hour to close out this paperwork, and we’ll both go home early. Could you do a personal thing for me?”
“Always. What?”
“Send my wife a bouquet of sunflowers.”
“Usual card?”
“Yeah.”
“Stick with me and you’ll be a keeper, Lieutenant Commander.”
“You’re a gem, Ellsworth. Thank you.”
“You’re doing great, sir.” Marnie quietly shut the door on the way out.
He grabbed his cup from the corner of the desk and settled in his executive chair. After another read through the reports, his original conclusion stuck – this was Senior Chief’s territory.
Another tap on the door.
Hunt sighed. “Yes?”
Ellsworth poked her head in. “Commander wants you in Operations. Now.”
Good thing he’d already signed Doogie’s leave.
A double good thing he’d sent Cait flowers.
“Hunter out, Marnie. Mind the rudder.”
