Page 17 of Cole
“Your family owns a hospital?” she asked in surprise.
“That and many other things. Listen, you’ve found the right group of people to help you and to trust. Cole would never, ever break that trust and he will do anything to help you.”
“What about you and Angus?” smiled Hala.
“Oh, well, it’s obviously new. I mean, I knew Angus when I was a very little girl but he left us and I hadn’t seen him until a few days ago. He was a part of a group of hostages that I was trying to negotiate their freedom. Turns out, Angus negotiated it via escape.”
“He’s a very nice man,” smiled Hala.
Up ahead Cole and Angus stopped, allowing Cole to take a seat and catch his breath for a few minutes.
“Where are we?” asked Bailey. Angus pointed toward the lights in the distance.
“So close that we can smell the kabobs and Turkish delight. Drink some water and then we start out again.”
CHAPTER NINE
Autumn set the osprey down at the private airfield they’d been given access to. The mechanics and technicians turned, staring at the strange machine and she squirmed, worried that they might come toward her. Instead, her husband, Cowboy, opened the door and stepped out, rising to his full height.
Suddenly the men on the tarmac and in the hangar had other things to do.
“They weren’t doing anything wrong,” smirked Autumn.
“They were coming for my wife,” he frowned.
“No they weren’t,” she laughed. “They were curious about the osprey. Can you blame them? Even I think this thing is sweet and I fly it all the time.”
“Well, that might be but I don’t need them looking at you.”
He stared at the tablet and looked across the expanse of dry earth. He’d been in the Middle East on and off his entire adult career and the countries often started looking alike. Deserts for as far as you could see, then suddenly a mountain, a stream, an ocean surrounded by green. Then, just as suddenly, back to deserts and mud homes.
“Are they close?” she asked.
“They’re about to cross the border. Maybe one of these guys will let me use a truck to go get them.” He walked toward one of the mechanics, speaking in their language, and he nodded, taking him to a truck, even offering to drive. Thirty minutes later, the truck returned with four additional people in tow.
“Nice to see you guys,” smiled Autumn, giving Bailey a big hug.
“It’s great to see you,” said Bailey. “Autumn, this is Hala and I’m not sure if you ever met Angus.”
“No. I’ve heard about you but welcome back,” she smiled. “Let’s go, kiddos. We can take this to the base in Italy and refuel, then head home. Cole? Are you in pain?”
“I hate to say it, but yes. I am.”
“I’m a doctor,” said Hala. “Do you have a medical kit?”
“Yep. In the back. Climb aboard everyone,” said Cowboy. “I’m a trained medic so I can help as well. Are you coming with us?”
“I don’t think I have a choice at this point,” she frowned, nervously wringing her hands.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Commanding tones are a business trait of ours. You’re welcome to come with us,” said Cowboy. Cole stared at him with a strange expression.
“I’ll explain inside,” he said to Cowboy.
While Autumn flew them to Italy, Cowboy and Hala worked on Cole, trying to make him more comfortable. Until they could get x-rays at home and truly assess the injuries, he would have to sit still, take the pain meds, and sleep.
“He’ll be okay,” said Cowboy. “I’m going back up front with Autumn. Just yell if you need anything. And Hala? Your grandfather won’t get to you.”
“Thank you,” she said smiling at the man. She looked down at Cole, wiping the sweat from his brow. “Are all your friends this nice and this handsome?”
