Corpsman and the Nerd (19 page)

Then he realized the object of his
desire was thousands of miles away and didn’t know how he felt
about her. As if the one factor wasn’t bad enough. He couldn’t
alter their spatial distance, and he wasn’t certain he wanted to
change their relationship. Because he had so much now, but if he
gambled he could lose his best friend.

His family meant everything to him,
but so did KC Gilmore and her son. Losing them would mean losing a
large piece of himself. And he couldn’t afford that. But the image
of her large and round with their next child still enticed
him.

*****

To:
[email protected]

From:
[email protected]

Subject: Max and
Ryan

Don’t panic!

Hello KC,

Max and Ryan are fine.
Now. They were supposed to come for supper at Mom and Dad’s last
evening, and when they didn’t show, Mitch and I hopped in the car
and went to their house. They’re fine. But very much under the
weather.

Both of them have fevers
and are definitely tired, achy, and a bit cranky

, but they’re fine. I
had a cousin, Mark, who’s a doctor (well, we have several doctor
cousins, but Mark was available), come and take a look at both of
them. He claims it’s just the flu. They should be up and around in
about a week.

Like me, Max just wants to
be left alone when he’s sick. Ryan is a bit clingy, as you know, so
we moved Ryan in with Max, and both are resting comfortably. My mom
and sisters (that makes seven since they won’t let me or Dory help)
will take turns popping in to care for them. Which Max grumbles
about, but I think he’s grateful, since he’s as sick as
Ryan.

Don’t fret, they’re in good
hands. The tyrants are making them eat and bathe, and changing
their sheets regularly. I know they’d prefer you to look after
them, but they’ll just have to deal. Poor boys!


Mitch and I are fine, as
is the baby. I did go see Dr. Bryant and I really like her. She
seems capable, compassionate, and not prone to hysteria. (I’m
getting enough of that from the hubby and my mother. And Max.)
They’re all mother hens, telling me I can’t do this or that, when
it’s perfectly fine and even encouraged. I can understand Mitch and
Max going a little crazy, but not my mom! She’s had eight of her
own children and has about a hundred grandkids. This is nothing
new!

I did send the phone to
you, so I’m hoping you’ll have it soon. Then you can check in with
Max and make sure they’re all right. Dr. Mark said no work or
daycare for them for at least three days, but possibly more, so
that should help you gauge where Max will be. Of course, you’re not
likely to get the phone right away, either. (I sent it about two
weeks ago. So you could receive the package soon, or in two more
weeks. It’s anyone’s guess.)

We miss you! And I’ll pop
another batch of brownies and treats in the mail. I’ve been really
bad about making
DVDs
for you. Sorry! I suppose I’m pretty wrapped up in this
motherhood thing. (And I’m only seven weeks along.)


Love,

Lainy and Mitch

KC stared at the screen, confusion and
panic intermingling until a headache encroached. How did she
contact her men? She had to make certain they were okay. Max was
probably too sick to check e-mail. Fear rose, and she shoved away
from the desk, fighting to stay calm as her heart threatened to
thump out of her chest. Why wasn’t she there to take care of them?
As a doctor, it was her responsibility. She needed to be there, at
home with her family.

What if they got worse? KC slumped in
the chair and fought not to give in to the overwhelming urge to
sob. She feared if she started, she might not be able to stop.
After losing her first patient, she had given in, but it had left
her so raw, she soon learned to develop a thick skin over her
emotions so she could survive in these conditions. With extreme
effort she slammed the rising panic flat and instead, emailed
Lainy, who fortunately had started sending her progress
reports.

KC couldn’t shake the feeling that she
should be home though. Thoughts of AWOL ran through her mind. But
the panic wouldn’t dissipate even though severely tamped and
neither would her circling, chaotic fears. How was she supposed to
cope with them sick and her here? She was a doctor, fully trained
to handle sickness, but how could she from thousands of miles
away?

A huge ball formed in her throat to
match the lump in her stomach as she imagined them sick and weak
and her not there. What should she do? An antidote for this
jittery, restless energy zinging through her would be
helpful.

Dropping her head onto the desk, KC
forced herself to breathe and continued to fight this tearing
sensation at doing her duty to the Navy or caring for her precious
loved ones far away.

Chapter 24

To:
[email protected]

From:
[email protected]

Subject:re: Max and
Ryan

Don’t panic!

Hello Lainy,

Thank you so much for
writing me. I wish so badly I could be there to help with Max and
Ryan’s care. I won’t lie to you and tell you I’m fine with being
thousands of miles away while my males are sick. I hate
this!

But feel much relief to
know that the ladies are taking care of them. Ryan certainly gets
clingy when he’s sick, so I’m glad someone moved him into the same
bed with Max. That will comfort both of them. Good call.

Oh, I wish I was there to
help!

This seems so wrong. I
should be helping with their care. Not to say I’m not needed here,
because I am, but my first responsibility should be Max and Ryan. I
suppose all military people feel this way, but that isn’t helping
my tenuous frame of mind much right now.

Didn’t you tell me that
when those thugs broke into your house, Mitch was beside himself?
He had to be over here, but your safety was at risk, and he thought
he should be at home, protecting you? Obviously this feeling of
inadequacy on my part isn’t unusual. Still, I feel like home is
where I should be.

Mitch emailed your
brothers, didn’t he? He did end up taking care of you.

I’m utterly grateful your
family is so willing to look after my boys, and me. Thank you for
emailing me, and for comforting me about their care.

I’m receiving packages
often, and I thank you all for them. I’ve sent a note of thanks to
the bakers, but you can pass my thanks on too, if you think of it.
We’re also eager for news of Rocky and the Bent Rock Foundation.
(What an incredible effect it’s had on morale here!)

Glad your pregnancy is
progressing so well. It’s an exciting and happy time for you and
Mitch. I can’t think of a more deserving couple.

Please keep me informed of
Max and Ryan’s illness!

Have to go, I hear the
signal that we’re to go man our operating tables. Sigh.

Sincerely,

KC

*****

The next day KC carried her newest
package across the compound to her cot. Mail drop was the best time
of the day. Especially when a package arrived for her, a regular
occurrence, thanks to the Morrisons.

She eagerly slit the tape
and delved into the contents and came up with a... phone.
Thank goodness
! An
instrument of communication she could use to contact Max and Ryan.
Now she could make certain they were okay. Swinging around to a
clock, she saw it’d be morning for them. Eagerly, she located Max’s
number and nearly passed out when she heard it ring.

“
Hello?” His familiar,
wonderful deep voice floated across the miles and wrapped around
her. He sounded hoarse, like he didn’t feel good or had been
sleeping. She figured both. KC swallowed, hard.

“
Hello?” He sounded
suspicious.

She sniffed. “Max? Max, it’s me, KC.”
She had to swallow again before she could speak, something she had
to do before he hung up.

“
KC?” he
breathed.

“
Yeah. I got Lainy’s phone
today.”

“
Just now?” She heard the
smile in his voice, and the bit of happiness made her
smile.

“
I couldn’t wait to call
you.”

“
I’m glad. I’ve really
missed you.” She heard the sincerity in his sick-roughened
voice.

“
I miss you too.” Her voice
cracked. “You guys doing okay?”

“
Of course. We’re men, we’re
fine.” He sounded so Max-like she laughed.

“
I’m glad. Lainy said you’re
sick. I’ve been so worried.”

“
I’m not sure, but I think
Ryan and I are offended,” he said in such a put upon voice she
laughed again. “And you think it’s funny!”

“
I do. I think you’re a brat
too.”

He sighed, long and low. KC continued
laughing. Before they could continue, the signal for wounded coming
in sounded.

It was too soon! “Oh, no! I’ve got to
go.”

“
What was that?”

“
Wounded coming in. I’ll
call you when I get a chance again?”

“
Okay. If you call me on
this phone, the one Lainy made, I won’t ignore it.”

“
I will, I’ve got to go. You
guys take care of yourselves, since I’m not there to do so. I miss
you!”

“
Miss you too, KC.” And they
disconnected.

KC tucked the little phone into her
pocket, not wanting to lose the connection, even though they had.
She couldn’t wait to talk to him again, and as she hurried off to
attend to their newest batch of wounded, she looked forward to
their next conversation. She wanted to check on them later tonight
if she could.

*****

Max hung up the phone and leaned back
on his bed. He glanced at Ryan, who slept fretfully. Tugging him
closer, Max watched until Ryan settled. Then he thought of his
conversation with KC

He was happy to have talked with her,
but a thought niggled. Like a fish, the idea took a nip at his
hook, but stayed tantalizingly out of grasp. He stroked his chin,
wondering. Then when it did take a bite of the hook, he wished the
thought had remained nebulous.

KC had left over almost two months
ago. And even though this was the first opportunity they had to
speak on the phone, she was still quick to end the call. And he and
Ryan were sick.

Did that mean what he feared? Had she
found a doctor there she was keeping company with? Or had a man,
maybe even a SEAL or Special Forces guy, come through who captured
her heart? Everyone knew there was a special bond between people in
intense situations like she experienced. Had KC and some unknown
man fallen for one another?

When she left, he never thought about
the possibility that she might meet someone else. But she was at
war, which meant she was among more men than women. She said she
bunked with nine other women. What if they were the only women
present? Surely there were a lot more men, and then all the wounded
rolling in for treatment.

Max ran a hand through his hair, upset
by his new thoughts.

The phone rang again, and he lunged
for it. Maybe KC had a reprieve and decided to call
back.

“
Hello?” His voice sounded
raspy and a little breathless.

“
What’s wrong?” Lainy
asked.

“
How did you know something
was wrong?”

“
I’m a genius,
remember?”

“
You’re an interfering
nerd.” Max hated how his voice sounded. He wanted to be rid of this
virus and continue with life.

“
That too. So, tell me
what’s wrong so I can get back to work.”

“
Lain, what if KC has found
or will find a man over there?” He heard the despair in his voice,
so Lainy would hear the emotion too. She was like that.

He heard her sigh. “I wondered if
you’d start thinking that way. First of all, you have to trust
her.”

“
She has no idea how I feel.
I don’t know how she feels about me. What’s to trust?” Frustration
simmered and he tamped down the anxiety.

“
KC loves you. You’re her
best friend. She may not have known she was in love with you when
she left. There was so much on her mind we can’t shoot her for not
knowing. But I’m sure she suspects how she feels now. It might take
time for her feelings to fully develop, but I think she’s almost
there.”

“
You’re sure?” Max figured
his sarcasm came through clearly.

“
Yes, yes I am sure. Part of
any relationship is trust. Plus, remember, you have her son. Ryan
is the most important person in her life. And you’ve got him. Max,
she trusted
you
,
not her family,
you
, to take in her son and her dog. You’re making all the
decisions a husband would make. Think about it.”