Chapter 16
Caitlyn woke up on one of the cots in the clinic.
She sat up slowly and looked around. Dr. Carter slept beside her on the next cot, his breathing, although low, was even and deep. So why had she awakened?
In the distance she could hear sounds of troops returning. She bounded to her feet and raced to the front entrance. There she stopped to listen. It looked like a group of men, maybe a dozen, and they were coming toward the camp on the far side. She heard the wup-wup-wup of the helicopter blades racing toward her. She was about to get busy.
Thankfully an emergency supply run had come in, and the clinic was partially restocked.
Dr. Carter sat up and asked, “What’s going on?”
Caitlyn turned and glanced at him. “We’ve got injured coming in.”
He nodded, straightening slowly. She watched his progress with a critical eye. But he appeared to stand strong once on his feet, and his gaze was clear. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’d rather be in Hawaii. But considering we have injured men and women coming, this is where we need to be.”
As soon as she heard the pop-pop of the helicopters, she checked for the wounded every few minutes. Afraid Ryder might be one of them.
She knew he’d scoff at her worries and say they were the best men for the job. And that might be true. But she’d also seen more than her fair share of men with good, solid, healthy egos come up against bullets, IEDs and a million other weapons that would rip them apart.
She stopped and assessed the trauma center, making sure she had enough compression bandages and IVs ready and the rest of the supplies were within easy grasp. Were her coworkers returning? Had they been found? She and Dr. Carter stood ready when the first gurney flew through the center. The patient had stepped on an IED. There was a bloody stump where his right leg used to be. Shit.
She knew what that meant. All of a sudden they didn’t have enough hands. The two of them worked fast, in a musical coordination they’d reenacted so many times before. “Is the helicopter ready to take off again?”
“Yes. They are fueling up now.”
The second man who came through was breathing steady and his pulse was slightly more stable. But his bleeding was just as bad. He’d taken a bullet to the side and a second one to the elbow. There wasn’t much left of the joint. Short on hands, they enlisted the soldiers to keep pressure on his wounds as they worked on both men. They needed transport to Baghdad now.
She shook her head. “Both of these men need surgery.”
Together they slowed the bleeding, set up IVs and started pumping fluids. The second man needed blood, and she had none.
It seemed like hours but was only minutes before the emergency vehicles raced the now slightly more stable men out to the helicopters. As she turned around to clean up the blood, she saw a second vehicle coming in. Even from where she stood, she could see the head bandage on the man in the front. She called to Dr. Carter, “More coming.”
And that’s how it went. The second helicopter went out less than an hour and a half later with two more heading to Baghdad. She had three in beds under watch right now with a steady stream coming through her doors.
“What the hell happened out there?” she asked one of the soldiers.
“The unit hunting down the kidnapped medical crew were caught by surprise. The rescue went okay, but they were ambushed on retreat.”
“And the medical crew?” She hoped they were safe.
“One’s injured, but she’ll be fine. A couple soldiers were taken out.”
“Dead?”
He nodded and gave her a hard look. “Two of them.”
After that she stayed quiet. Her frayed nerves threatened to overtake her, but she didn’t dare let them paralyze her. She worked steadily, doing what she could and staving off her fear deep inside. She cleaned and bandaged wounds, set up IVs and opened airways for many who came through her door. Dr. Carter worked madly at her side. She didn’t have enough hands to do what needed to be done, but they had no one else to call in.
They were shipping out men who needed further care almost as fast as they were coming in. She didn’t know what time it was when she straightened from covering up a patient. Hearing a sound, she turned around to see Corey step through the entrance. Her eyes lit up at the sight of him. And then slowly fell away as he stared at her steadily.
“Ryder?” she asked, her voice soft, gentle, so afraid to hope. Her stomach clenched, holding back a pain so deep, so intense, she couldn’t move.
“He’s coming in. He’s alive, cranky and injured.”
Her gaze lit up. “If he’s cranky that’s a good sign.”
Corey snorted. “As long as you’re the one looking after him.”
Sure enough Ryder came through the door on his own feet and swearing a blue streak. A point of pride she knew because he sure as hell wasn’t holding himself up. Easton and Devlin had him on either side, helping him to a bed. The only bed she had left. She was at his side immediately, her hands and eyes checking him over, looking for the trauma. He had all four limbs, and his head was bleeding, and his arm had a bad gash. She shook her head. “What the hell happened to you?”
“Nothing.” He glared at her.
She smirked. “You better become my best patient, or I’ll ship you to Baghdad right now.”
“Like hell,” he roared, trying to pull himself off the bed.
She smacked him down hard. “Listen up. You stay in bed until I’m done, you hear me?”
He glared at her even harder but subsided.
She caught the short gasps of the men at his side. She gave Easton and Devlin a hard look. “He can be a hard-ass all he wants,” she told them, “but this is my domain. If there’s anybody harder and tougher than me, it’s Dr. Carter.”
Easton smiled. “I gather not too many men give you grief in here.”
“No time, no energy, no patience.” While she talked, she checked Ryder’s vitals. His blood pressure wasn’t anything to be unduly alarmed about. He was angry; adrenaline still ran through his injured body. She hooked up an IV, completely ignoring his protests. With the heat his body was already dehydrated.
Then she turned her attention to his head wound.
“I’m fine.” Ryder glared at her again, not willing to give an inch.
Fine, she could be that way too. She glanced at Corey. “What happened?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “It’s likely he doesn’t either. The first I heard was him swearing.”
She cleaned the wound. “He needs stitches.” She tilted his head to the side, studying how deep the wound was. “It’s not too deep. Although it’s bleeding badly. Typical of head wounds.”
Dr. Carter walked over. He took a look and said, “We can put in a couple stitches. It will speed up the healing. How’s the arm?”
Together they assessed the arm and realized Ryder had a dislocated shoulder she hadn’t noticed at first glance. The gash was ugly in length but not deep.
“You’re lucky. We can stitch this and reset the shoulder. But that arm needs complete rest or it’ll become a much bigger issue.”
His smile fell away. “Damn it. That means I’m off work.”
“You’re off work anyway for a few days,” Devlin said. “Don’t be such a hard-ass. Let her fix you up properly.”
Ryder relented, closing his eyes and groaning in frustration.
“Did you even say thank-you to the men who brought you home safely?” she chided.
“Don’t need to say it. They know how I feel.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s not the polite thing to say.” She turned to the men. “Thank you for bringing him home alive.”
The men grinned at her. “He was screaming at us pretty good to make sure we didn’t bring him here.”
She narrowed her gaze, hating the instant hurt she felt inside. “Why’s that?”
“Something about not wanting to come back less than perfect,” Easton said with a snort.
“Of course he’d think that.” She glanced down at him to see him glaring at his men. “You’re an idiot, Ryder. You know you’re welcome in my world no matter what shape you’re in.” She motioned to the door. “You guys can go. Get some food and a shower. We’ll need him for the next few hours. After we get his shoulder popped in and his wounds stitched, then you can see him.”
The men nodded. Corey patted Ryder on his good shoulder and said, “Take it easy.”
Ryder nodded and then winced at the movement.
She exchanged glances with the doctor. “Maybe we should start with the stitches on his head.”
“No. Shoulder, then stitches.”
Several hours later she took a bowl of hot soapy water to Ryder who was now sitting up bare chested, his arm in a sling and bandages around his head and forearm. “You can’t have a shower. This is the best I can offer you.”
He glanced at the bowl, surprise lighting his face. “Thank you. That actually would feel great.”
She dipped her hand in the water and pulled up a large washcloth and wrung it out.
When she went to wipe his face, he said, “Whoa. I’ll do it.”
She handed it to him with a smile. “Stubborn. When you’re done with your face and chest, I’ll do your back.”
That was as far as she would let him off the hook.
*
The warm water felt good as Ryder washed his face and neck. He healed fast and generally went through any injuries with just a bounce to slow him down. The problem was, this time he’d been brought back before the mission was done, and that pissed him off.
Stepping around in front of him, Caitlyn removed the bowl and returned a few minutes later with another one. She picked up the washcloth and gently cleaned his face a little better than he had. Then she worked on the fingers of the hand he couldn’t access easily because of the sling and the bandages. When she was done with that, she walked behind him and wiped down his back. He had to admit it felt damn good. He hadn’t realized just how dirty and sweaty he’d become.
When she was done, she picked up the bowl and dumped it outside. It was so intimate having her bathe him. Naturally his mind moved in a different direction. When she returned, he watched as she checked several other patients, making sure they were all okay.
He motioned with his hand. “Any reason I can’t go back to my own bed?”
“Except for the fact I’ll miss you?” She smiled, then shook her head. “No, you’re good to go as long as you aren’t dizzy and you promise to go to bed and rest. I’ll see you back here in the morning to get the stitches checked and to make sure the swelling in your arm is okay. Don’t forget to take your antibiotics.”
He slid off the hospital bed and then paused. He reached out with his good arm, wrapped it around her shoulders and tugged her close. And he held her, just held her. In a low voice he said, “For a moment there I thought I wouldn’t see you again.”
She tilted her head back and smiled. “I’m glad you did.”
He stroked her chin with his thumb, then leaned down and kissed her. Just a gentle, light hey, I missed you kind of kiss. When he lifted his head, he almost kissed her again when he saw her eyes half lowered and slumbering. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll have to kiss you again. I’m sorry I had to leave you in Baghdad.” He watched her lips quirk.
“Me too,” she said softly.
His thumb moved along her lower lip, gently caressing her soft skin. Feeling like he was on the precipice again of another change in their relationship, he dropped his head and kissed her a little bit harder, a little bit deeper, a little more passionately. Then pulled back. There was an audience, whether they were conscious or unconscious, and Dr. Carter was here somewhere. In a husky voice, he whispered, “Hold that thought.”
He grabbed his belongings and strode from the tent. He wished to hell he could go back out in the field but knew that wouldn’t happen today. Not with his injuries. He might have gotten away with the stitches in his head but not with his arm injuries.
He entered his barracks, tossed his bloody clothing on the end of his bed and threw himself atop the blanket on his bunk. His skull was splitting. The painkillers he’d been given only muted the pain.
Corey found him there a few minutes later. “Good news. The medical team is on their way in. They don’t appear to be any worse for wear. We’ll call this a successful mission.”
“Like hell.” It was never a successful mission if he got hurt. On the other hand, the mission had been accomplished. He was good with that.
“So what happened with you and Caitlyn?”
“Nothing,” Ryder said quietly. “I said ‘Thank you,’ kissed her goodbye and left.”
Corey nodded. “That’s a good thing.”
Ryder thought about it. “I’ve never felt that way with anybody else. Just with her.”
“This is you being unsure of her. You’re scared to make the wrong move and have her walk out of your life again.”
That was just a little too damn true. “Not a whole lot I can do about it if she does.”
Corey walked out of their quarters, calling back, “I might take her a coffee. Have a talk with her myself.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t,” Ryder called out but was too late. Corey was gone.
Corey had been hard on Caitlyn since he’d learned what happened between them. Ryder hoped Corey would ease up.
The more Ryder lay here, the more he worried. He trusted Corey, but Ryder also knew how edgy Corey was right now. Really, Ryder should be the one who took Caitlyn a coffee. Or maybe he could follow up with a meal.
As he lay stewing, Devlin and Easton came back in and updated him on the rest of the team. By the time they were done, Corey returned, and Ryder realized he’d missed his chance.
Corey smiled at him. “She’s doing fine.”
Ryder rolled his eyes. He glanced at his watch. “I need food.”
The men got up. Corey asked, “Are you coming, or do you want us to bring you back something?”
“I’m coming.” He stood and wavered. Then on guts alone he said, “Hold two places at the table. I’ll see if Caitlyn is hungry.”
With knowing grins, the men walked out.
Ryder struggled into a clean T-shirt and slowly walked to the clinic.
She looked up in surprise, then bounced to her feet. “You shouldn’t be up and walking around,” she scolded.
He chuckled. “I came to see if you have time for a meal. Can you leave?”
She shook her head. “I can’t. There’s no one else to cover for me.”
“Can I bring you something?” he offered.
Surprise lit up her beautiful chocolate-colored eyes, making her smile all that more real. “That would be very nice.” She handed him her empty coffee cup. “Corey brought this for me. If you wouldn’t mind taking it back, that would be great.”
He nodded and said, “I’ll bring you a tray and more coffee.”
She grinned. “Thanks.”
As he was about to leave when he realized something felt unfinished. He turned to look back at her. She was staring at him questioningly. He sighed. “It seems like I can’t leave without doing this anymore.” He leaned down and kissed her. This time he left with a smile.
She wore one too.
*
He was still smiling when he walked into what passed for a dining room. After years of being in the military, he’d eaten in some strange conditions. But this was clean and quiet, and his head appreciated that. Plus, it was nice to have a lighter heart. Right now it was just a joy to know he had Caitlyn back in his life, and they were sharing a few kisses here and there. Her tour was almost up, and she’d be back in California soon. That would provide them both more time off together.
At the table, the guys looked at him strangely. He dropped the smile and said, “What’s the matter? Not used to seeing me happy?”
All three shook their heads.
Leaving them, he collected food for himself. As he walked down the line, he tried to assess what Caitlyn would like. He knew her food tastes as well as his own, but there were only so many choices.
Finally, he sat down with the rest of his men, where the discussion quickly fell to work and the missions. While they sat, Mason entered. Along with him were six other SEALs who Ryder knew. The discussion moved to the day’s mission as they hashed and rehashed what had gone down.
Dinner was over soon enough, with groups breaking up. Ryder excused himself from the table and said, “I promised Caitlyn that I’d take her some food.” She wouldn’t leave that clinic until she was relieved from duty, and he wanted to make sure she had enough for the night. He had coffee, water and a juice to go with the food. The challenge was to carry it with his bad arm.
Caitlyn took one look and bolted toward him. “You know you’re not supposed to be using that arm yet,” she scolded. “It’s bad enough you’re up at all but to be using your arm like you are …”
“I’m barely touching the tray,” he protested. “Besides, I didn’t want to see you go hungry.”
She took the tray from him and carried it to a desk at the far end. The lights in the center were turned down, and he could see many of the men were sleeping. A couple more were lying in bed, resting.
“How’s everything here?” he asked.
“It’s fine. Dr. Robertson is back from leave. He came to check on me, but I sent him off to get dinner. When he returns, I’ll take a few hours downtime myself.”
“What about the rest of the medical team? I heard they were back safe and sound.”
She nodded. “Yes, but they are going to Baghdad for several days.” She smiled. “More staff is coming to relieve them.”
“When is your tour up?”
“One week.” She gave him a smile. “One week and then I’m home.” She glanced at his arm. “How long will you be off work?”
He shrugged. “It’s too early to tell. A week maybe. Then I’m on partial duty after that.”
“Stateside?” she asked hopefully.
He grinned. “Maybe. I can’t wait. I’d really love to spend more time with you there.”
She glanced around the room, knowing others could hear them. In a low voice she said, “Yeah, me too.” She patted his cheek gently and said, “Now go to bed and rest.”
He gave her a wicked grin. “Not sure I want to go alone.”
She flushed bright red. “Nothing else is an option right now. Not with that arm like it is. Besides, are you sure you want me now that you know what I did and why?”
“It’s only you I want, warts and all,” he said with a smile. “It’s always only been you.”
She gave him a startled look, and her jaw dropped. “Really?”
He nodded. “Really. If you take away only one thing from this, know that is the truth.”
She allowed a beautiful, breathtaking smile to cross her face.