Page 10 of SEAL's Patience
“What? Moving around a lot?”
He nodded as he kept his eyes on the road. The snow fell faster; the flakes were smaller as they piled up along the edges of the road. Quinn hadn’t seen a snowplow yet either. With new tires on his truck, he hadn’t had trouble on the slippery asphalt, but it was only a matter of time before the drive got hazardous. He needed to get Patience home before that happened.
“No, not really. I traveled all over the world with my parents. Definitely a different childhood from most people, but I was lucky. While my classmates were learning about the world, I was living in it. At least until high school.”
Quinn nodded. He’d spent so much time trying to avoid her, he hadn’t appreciated the soothing tone of her voice or noticed the slight European accent. “Are you going to follow in your parents’ footsteps?”
He saw her nod and tuck the hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear. It looked so soft, his fingers itched to slide through it.
“I’ve wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember. But living their nomad life? That’s different. I signed up to work with them this summer before I start my residency. I guess I’ll see how that goes. There’s no rush to decide, since I have four years of my residency to complete first.”
“Probably a good idea to hold off when you’re so young. At least you’d know what you were in for, though. Not an easy life. I get it. No fancy hotels or five-star restaurants.” Quinn wondered what she’d think if she knew about his past, all his secrets. He doubted she’d want anything to do with him. His childhood couldn’t have been more different from hers.
“No, that’s for sure. We rarely had indoor plumbing.” She chuckled and sighed. “I’m spoiled with hot showers and air conditioning. Most of the African nations we spent our time in had nothing. Many still don’t. It’s horrifying if you’ve never seen it.
Quinn remembered his first mission in Ethiopia. He’d been a young SEAL, only a year out of BUD/s. The way the people had been living had shocked him. He’d known poverty, lived it, but nothing like the utter lack of food, water, housing, and medical attention. “I’ve spent time in Ethiopia and Somalia.”
“I guess I should have figured that with you being a Navy SEAL. But that means you understand.”
It was his turn to nod. “Yes, all too well. No one should have to live in those conditions. Your parents must be good people to spend their lives trying to make a difference.”
Humming her agreement, she flashed him a smile. It warmed the hard ball in the center of his chest, causing a crack in the ice encasing the organ he’d tried to ignore for years.
“I agree, but that’s also what makes it harder for me to make a choice now. They need me there. But so many children here need help too.”
“Are you’re going into pediatrics like Livie?”
Theo shared Livie’s plans with him. They hoped she’d be able to do her residency in Norfolk, but she could end up across the country. Patience, too. Like him, their careers would come first, making it another reason to stay far away from the intriguingwoman. But the more he learned about her, the harder it would be.
“Yes, and no. I want to specialize in pediatric heart and lung surgery. It’ll mean a longer residency, but my dream job is to be a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon. Unless I can’t get into the residency.”
A car sped past them. Quinn cursed under his breath as it pulled in front of them and spun out, its tires unable to gain traction on the snowy road. He tapped his brakes, hoping to slow his truck enough to avoid a collision with the out-of-control vehicle.
Using every evasive maneuver he knew, Quinn prayed the asshole knew better than to slam on the brakes, even if it hadn’t stopped them from speeding.
“Oh shit!” Patience screamed. Then braced herself for the impact.
They were lucky. Instead of spinning into them, the car slid sideways and over the embankment at the side of the road.
“Quinn, we have to stop and help them,” she cried out.
“Already on it.” Quinn navigated to the shoulder and slowed to a stop where the car went over the edge.
After putting the truck in park, he turned to meet her gaze. “I need you to stay inside the truck. There’s no need for us both to get cold and wet.”
“What if they’re hurt? I could help…”
“If they’re injured, we’ll wait with them until an ambulance arrives. But it’s safer for you to stay in the truck. Tell me you understand.”
The look of frustration on her face had him expecting an argument. He was relieved when, after blowing out a breath, she nodded.
“Words, Patience. I want your promise you’ll stay inside the truck. I don’t want to worry about another car sliding into you.”
“What about you? You’d be in the same danger.”
He fought his grin. Of course, she’d have to argue at least a little. There was no way he’d back down on this, though. She needed to stay safe and he could only ensure that if she stayed in the truck. As he opened his mouth to answer, she cut him off.
“Fine. I’ll stay in the truck, but only because you won’t go check on them until I say yes.”
