Page 7 of SEAL's Spitfire
“Hopefully you’ll hear some good news while we’re waiting.”
That made her laugh. This whole return trip had been a big ole hot mess. If she’d been smart, she’d have called Chrissy the moment the flight was canceled and stayed with her. But on the other hand, she wouldn’t have met the giant hunk of sexiness sitting next to her, but he was only a temporary distraction.
“You’re in the Navy. What do you think will happen to them? The missionaries?”
“I don’t know. The Taliban, if it is really who took them, will probably want a ransom.” That’s what she thought too, but was he saying that to reassure her or was it what he believed?
“Is it horrible to hope it’s the Taliban and not ISIS? I don’t think they’d have a hope in hell if it’s them.” Rafe didn’t answer, but the anger in his eyes was enough. It made her wonder what he did in the Navy. He never said but then she hadn’t asked. He didn’t know what she did either. They were still just strangers.
She’d wanted a distraction. She got one and should have known better than to even think what else could happen. The universe always had a way of showing you.
“Attention passengers on Delta Flight 393. I’m sorry to say it looks like it will be morning before we can take off. We have hotel room vouchers for anyone who wants one.”
It was tempting to get a room, lie down and get a few hours of sleep. But not tempting enough. She wouldn’t sleep, she’d just pace and wring her hands, and go online searching for anything she could dig up. In other words, she’d drive herself out of her mind. So no, she’d stay put right where she was and hope that they’d get the damn plane fixed before morning.
“Are you going to take the voucher?”
“Nope. I have an apartment, I could just go there. But they closed security about an hour ago. If anyone leaves, they can’t get back in until five a.m.”
“They should tell people that.”
“Probably, but I don’t think they care if they’re getting a room.”
She turned her head toward the gate agent’s desk where a queue had formed. He was right, everyone looked like they were ready to pack it in. Some of them had been there as long as she had, which after checking her watch was just over seven hours. Way too long to spend in an airport.
“Good point. So basically, we’re stranded in here, nothing is open for food, no way back in if we go out. Makes me glad I don’t smoke, I’d be up a creek without a paddle.”
Rafe chuckled. “Too true. And I wouldn’t want to see that either. People get mean when they can’t smoke.”
“I take it you’ve had some experience with that?”
“My dad. He had a heart attack a few years ago and they made him give up smoking. He wasn’t fun to be around. I really felt for my mom.”
“It’s good you didn’t pick up the habit.”
“Yes, it is. I’d have never made it this far if I smoked.”
“I’ve been wondering. Just what do you do in the Navy? Are you on a ship? You mentioned missions.”
“I’m a frogman, also known as a Navy SEAL.”
“Holy shit. For real?” Way to go, Meghan. It’s great that you’re using your grown-up words.
“Yes, for real,” he said as he continued to chuckle. She was sure her expression was comical. But her emotions were all over the place, so she could be forgiven for her doofiness, right?
“I’m sorry.”
“You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about.”
“Thank you. This is probably way out of line, but is there anything you can do to find out about Charlie?”
* * *
Rafe expectedher question as soon as she found out he was a SEAL. And who would blame her? His Spitfire was scared and desperate to save her brother. In her shoes, he’d have done the same thing. What he couldn’t do is help. Not officially. As much as it killed him to say no, he had no choice. But he could call his secret weapon, Tex, a medically retired SEAL who was a computer genius. If there was information out there, he could find it and had pulled their asses out of the fire more times than he cared to remember. Tex had to stay his secret, at least for now.
“I wish I could. But it doesn’t work that way.”
“You can’t fault a girl for trying, right?” The tiny ray of hope on her face dimmed so quickly he wasn’t sure it had been there.
