Special Forces Father - By Mallory Kane Page 0,11
snapped. “We are talking about my son’s life. I have to be able to trust you, because if I can’t, then—” She stopped. Then what? He already knew Max had been kidnapped. He could call his brothers anytime. For all she knew he already had.
“Did you call anybody while I was in the shower?”
He shook his head, looking down at the empty glass in his hand as if he didn’t remember that he had it. Then he turned and set it on the kitchen counter.
His behavior pulled her out of her haze of terror for Max’s safety. “Your brothers? Your parents?”
He shook his head again without raising his head. “I said no. I just drove up,” he muttered.
Just drove up? He’d driven straight here from—from who knew where. “Why? I mean, why are you here?”
He shrugged. He looked at the cheese sandwich he held and made a face, then set it down next to the glass.
He was being evasive. She knew he was in the elite Special Forces division of the army. Was he here on another furlough, hoping to hook up with her again, just like five years ago? Or on sick leave? Maybe he’d been wounded. She didn’t understand much about Special Forces, but she did know they drew the hardest missions in the most dangerous places on the planet. “So are you on sick leave?”
His head shot up. “Why would you say that?”
“Come on, Trav, it’s obvious you’ve lost a lot of weight. You look awful.”
He gave her a crooked smile that didn’t even begin to touch his dark eyes. “Thanks.”
“You know what I mean. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m a psychiatrist. I have a medical degree. You didn’t think I wouldn’t notice, did you?”
His eyes narrowed and his chin lifted. “No. I knew you would. I—” He swallowed. “They gave me some leave and I didn’t want Mom to see me. Not till I put some weight back on.”
Kate stared at him, almost wanting to smile. He’d always been the worst liar on the face of the earth. He looked as though he should be in the hospital. He had on a long-sleeved shirt, but she’d bet a month’s salary that she’d find an IV stick point on his arm. “No,” she said, shaking her head. “No, they didn’t give you leave. You left AMA, didn’t you?”
“What?” he said, but he evaded her gaze. “AMA?”
“You know what it means. Against medical advice. You were in the hospital, weren’t you?”
“We’re not talking about me. You need to decide. Do you want me here or not? I can go stay with Lucas. He’ll understand that I don’t want to see Mom and Dad—and no,” he added quickly. “I won’t tell him anything.”
* * *
TRAVIS WATCHED her carefully, waiting to see what she’d do. He didn’t want to have to explain why he’d come here. Not now. But he did want to stay. He wanted to be here for her during what must be the most awful few days in her life. Her child was missing. If he could help her, he would. If she’d let him.
“Well? Should I pitch a tent in your front yard?”
She shook her head tiredly. “No. Please stay.” Then she straightened and gave a little nod. It was a gesture he knew very well. It meant she’d made up her mind. “I think I’ll have some juice,” she said evenly and stepped toward the refrigerator.
Travis backed away so she could get to it. Despite his resolve, he couldn’t help but admire her. She was still as beautiful as she’d always been. Beautiful, graceful, with a delicate outer shell that hid the steel inside her.
His gaze traveled over her from head to foot. She was barefoot, her toenails painted a delicate, sexy pink color. He swallowed, thinking ruefully that he must be exhausted, because, while he found it hard to take his eyes off her pretty toes, he was more interested in a hot shower and a comfortable bed than sex.
Shaking his head slightly, he picked up the sandwich and concentrated on taking one more bite. He had trouble washing it down. He hadn’t felt like eating since he’d gotten back from overseas. And prior to that, while he’d been held captive, he’d been given barely enough food to keep him alive. Tonight, the cheese sandwich had been like manna from heaven. He wished he could have eaten more than half of it, but his shrunken stomach wouldn’t let him.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she said