Page 6 of SEAL's Spitfire
Fresh tears filled her eyes as she disconnected the phone. He had to fight the urge to take her into his arms. If there was anyone in need of a hug, it was her. But they’d only met three or four hours ago. The last thing he wanted to do was overstep a boundary. Fuck it. If she freaked out, he’d deal with the fallout, but she needed a hug in the worst way, and he needed to give her one.
He doubted she noticed he’d gotten out of his chair since she was sitting there staring at her phone screen. Probably trying to figure out what to do next. But there wasn’t anything she could do. Not as a civilian. She could call her congressman, but on a Friday night, she’d just get an answering machine. The state department would take a message and call her back. There truly was nothing she could do. But he could and would do something.
Grabbing her hand, he lifted her out of her chair and wrapped her in a big bear hug. He didn’t squeeze her tight at first, waiting for her initial reaction. He was prepared to step back and protect the jewels if necessary.
Small arms slipped around his waist and she snuggled into his chest. Thank God he’d read her right. He pulled her in a little closer until she was closed in the cocoon of his arms.
“Thank you.” Her voice was muffled against his chest, but he heard it and felt the vibration.
“You’re very welcome. Any better?”
“Yes, but if it’s okay with you I’ll just stay here for a minute or so more.”
“I’ll stand here until the plane leaves if it will help.”
“I’m afraid you can’t do that,” the waitress said as she dropped their bill on the table. “We’re closing now. I’m sorry.”
Meghan pulled out of his arms so quickly she would have fallen if he hadn’t grabbed her arm. “Easy there, Spitfire.”
“What did you call me?”
“Uhhh. Spitfire. It’s a plane.”
“I know what it is, but why… Oh never mind. I’m sorry if we kept you late.” Meghan reached for her purse he presumed to get her wallet. Since he’d eaten most of their meals there was no way he would let her pay for her dinner.
“I’ve got it,” Rafe said as he handed the waitress his debit card.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t, but I ate more of your dinner than you did.” She seemed to think about it and then nodded.
“Thank you for dinner, and the company.”
“Again, you’re welcome. But I’m not going anywhere,” he answered as he looked at his watch. “At least not for the next four hours if the text I got from Delta is right.”
“Four hours? Better than canceled, I guess. I need to get to Atlanta. My family needs me.” He’d expected her to be having a hissy fit or whining, crying, something, but she lived up to his view of her. She’d break down eventually, but it wouldn’t be in public among strangers. Right now, her mind was going a million miles a minute working on the problem. He knew it for sure because that’s what he’d have done.
Chapter 3
Four more hours of sitting there doing nothing was going to make her crazy. Pacing wouldn’t help. It was after ten p.m. on the east coast, if she could even get someone in the state department, they wouldn’t do anything right now. Just a bunch of missionaries. These things happened all the time, that’s what they’d tell her. Charlie knew he was taking a risk, but it was his mission. He believed God would watch over them.
“You’d better not let him down either,” she mumbled as she sat down in the waiting area once again. These had to be the most uncomfortable seats on the planet.
“I’m not sure what you mean?” Rafe commented from beside her.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I was thinking about Charlie. My brother. It was something he said before he left.”
“Gotcha. I’m a good listener if you want to talk about it.”
“Thanks. I appreciate the offer. I’m antsy, I need to do something. Sitting here like a bump on a log is going to drive me out of my fucking mind.” Damn. Even she heard the accent that time. Stress, baby. It had been erased by her mini-Virginia vacation with her best friend. But now she had it back, in spades.
The few days hanging out with Chrissy had been great and she’d been so relaxed, ready to tackle her editor to get better assignments. Chrissy was always so good for her. Pushed her to be the best she could be. It had been the first time they’d gotten together since she’d gotten a job for the FBI at Langley. She was one smart cookie and they were lucky to have her analyst skills.
“I understand. It sucks when your hands are tied, and you have to wait on others for answers. Although, I’m not sure how soon you’ll get any since it’s the weekend.”
“I know. It’s part of what’s making me crazy. There’s got to be a way to find out something, anything.”
Rafe had a strange expression. It wasn’t one she’d seen before and she’d cataloged a bunch of them in the time they’ve spent together. This was almost like guilt. But what could he feel guilty over? It’s not like he could jump on his ship and race over there in a week and rescue Charlie.
