had an awful headache after talking to those investigators.”
Ethan frowned. “You should’ve said something. We’ve all got meds with us.”
Kimberly shook her head. “I just needed some food and something to drink.”
He still looked unhappy, and she resisted the urge to smile. Ethan was a total alpha male, intent on fixing everything and taking control of the situation. She appreciated that about him though. He’d gotten her out of hell and safely down the mountain. He’d been at her side every step of the way, including literally sleeping across from her on the airplane so she’d feel safe. They hadn’t even discussed it; he’d just taken a spot near her while the other guys spread out.
It was strangely intimate lying across from him. They were thousands of feet in the air, his other SEAL team members were sleeping around them, but it felt private. Secluded. She’d miss talking to Ethan when she was home, and she’d only known the man for less than two days. He’d have to go back to his career as a SEAL, and she’d eventually go back to work at the Pentagon.
His gaze caught hers, and she smiled. “Thanks for sleeping across from me.”
“Sure thing, sweetheart. Now rest. It’ll be busy when we finally land.”
“You’re right,” she agreed, snuggling further under the blankets. She wasn’t even sure when Ethan had started calling her sweetheart, but she liked it. It made her feel cherished and cared for. Maybe some women would find it condescending, but he was genuine. Ethan said something else, but she was already drifting back off into slumber.
***
Several hours later, Kimberly walked off the plane after they’d finally landed at Andrews Air Force Base. The plane would refuel, and then Ethan and his SEAL team would go on their way to Coronado.
Ethan carried the small bag she had with her. It only contained the clothes and few items she’d been given. The duffle itself wasn’t even hers. It was sad and scary as hell to walk back into her old life with nothing. Her apartment would have her own clothes, of course, but the things she’d brought on her deployment to Bagram had been ruined in the fire.
“Kim! Kimmie!” her mom shrieked, and then her mom and sister were running toward her. Ethan remained at her side, the other guys hovering around as well. She didn’t have time to think or say anything, because in the next instant, both her mom and sister were hugging her fiercely.
“Oh God, Kim,” Shannon said, tears streaming down her cheeks as she hugged her even more tightly. “It’s so good to see you! I can’t believe you’re really here!”
Her mom couldn’t even talk she was crying so much. Kim clung to them, a few tears of her own spilling down her cheeks. She saw her dad and brother-in-law hovering back. Blake walked over and introduced himself, and the men shook hands and talked.
Finally, Kim pulled away and glanced over, relieved to see that Ethan was still standing there right at her side. He introduced himself to her mom and sister since she was still crying a little herself. “Ethan’s the one who saved me,” she explained. “All the guys were there of course, but Ethan rescued me.”
“Thank you,” her mom said, wiping away more tears. “I’m more thankful than you could ever know for bringing my baby girl home.”
“I was just doing my job, ma’am.”
“Oh, don’t give me any of that. We all saw the news footage with Kim’s videos. I know you can’t tell me exactly what you do, but I’m not an idiot. The Army wasted months with Kimmie in captivity. You guys flew in and got the job done.”
Ethan nodded but glanced back at Kim. “Are you doing okay?”
“Yeah. It’s overwhelming and surreal. I didn’t think I’d ever set foot on U.S. soil again.”
“Will you be staying somewhere around here?” her mom asked Ethan.
“No ma’am. The team and I are flying back to San Diego. We’ll refuel and be wheel’s up again within the hour.”
“You’ll have to promise to come and visit sometime then,” her mom insisted. “I need to make dinner for the men that saved Kim’s life.”
“That’s not necessary,” he assured her.
“Of course it is!” her mom said. “I’ll talk to Kim about it when she’s feeling a little better. They’re going to take you right to the hospital, sweetie. Did you know that?”
“Yeah. It’s probably better that way. Ethan and his teammates told me I might have to be on the lookout