Page 94 of Keeping Laryn
Casper strode across the hangar and couldn’t help but smileat the ass-chewing she was giving one of the junior enlisted soldiers who’d just joined her team.
“Around here, we don’t watch the clock. We dowhatneeds to be done,whenit needs to be done. You want to know why?” She didn’t wait for him to ask. “Because these birds aren’t carrying spoiled tourists who want a glimpse of a fucking whale. They’re holding the bravest and craziest and most talented pilots we’ve ever seen. They transport the SEALs and Deltas who keep our country free. Who are doing the most dangerous things you could ever imagine. So staying an extra ten minutes to finish whatever we’re doing before heading home isn’t a big deal. It's not a sacrifice on our parts. And if you think it is, you need to find a new place to work, and definitely a new job. You got a problem with that, private?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Good. Look, I’m a hard boss. I admit it. I expect perfection from everyone who works with me. And loyalty to the men who fly these machines. Their lives depend on us tightening every screw and something as simple as making sure every fuse is properly installed. Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the young man said again.
“All right. Go home. Think about what I said. If you decide to stay, I can tell you that you’ll never be prouder to have a part in making sure our brave special forces soldiers and our Night Stalkers make it home safe and sound after every mission. If you want to leave, find somewhere else to work, no hard feelings. Think about it and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Not tomorrow,” Casper cut in, making himself known for the first time and straightening from where he’d been leaning against a box of parts waiting to be installed on the shell of the MH-60 in front of him. “The day after. Tomorrow, you have the day off.” He glanced at the young man. “And I’m thinking if you make any decision other than to stay, you’re an idiot, private.”
“Yes, Sir,” the kid said, before saluting Casper, then hurrying away from them as fast as he could without actually jogging.
“What? I don’t have tomorrow off,” Laryn said, her hands on her hips.
She’d filled out a little since they’d returned a week ago, mostly because Casper had been doing his best to keep her fed. Her hair was shiny once more, even though no one but him really saw it since, while at work, she kept it in the usual tidy bun at the nape of her neck. She smelled like her familiar sweet vanilla cookie self, which pleased them both beyond measure. Her showers were a little longer than they’d been previously, but Casper completely understood. Being clean wasn’t anything she’d ever take for granted again.
As she stood in front of him, irritation making her practically vibrate, Casper couldn’t help but be thankful she was in his life. That she was here in front of him. Healthy and back to her normal bossy, prickly self.
“You do,” he countered. “I talked to the colonel and he agreed that after everything, we’re both due some time off.”
“We?” she asked, her tense demean0r relaxing a fraction.
“Yup. You okay with that?”
“Are you kidding? Yes! Wait…are we going to be spending our time offtogether?”
“Of course. I have plans that include, food, a bed, and us not leaving it for at least eight hours.”
“Ooooh, you’re such a dirty talker. I can’t wait to sleep for eight hours straight.”
Casper burst out laughing. This woman was going to keep him on his toes, and he’d love every second of it. Closing the distance between them, he pulled her into his embrace and kissed her. The kiss wasn’t as deep or passionate as he wanted, but theywerestill at work.
“Tate, you can’t do that here!” Laryn protested, but she didn’t pull out of his arms.
“I can and will. I’m done pretending I’m not crazy about you while we’re at work. It’s not forbidden, since you aren’t enlisted and don’t technically work for me. And after everything that happened, I refuse to not show you every chance I get how important you are to me.”
“Tate.” This time her voice was softer, full of affection. “Did you really talk to the colonel? Do we really have all of tomorrow off?”
“Yes to both.”
“Awesome.”
“In fact, our time off starts now. You at a point where you can get away?”
“Yes. I just need to talk to Chuck and let him know what needs to be worked on next. And since I won’t be here tomorrow, tell him to check the engine mount to make sure there aren’t any cracks or weak spots, since we’ll be installing the engine in the next week. Oh! And I want to discuss calibrating the Engine Control Unit. The last thing we need is the freaking engine failing in the middle of a test flight because it wasn’t calibrated right?—”
“Sergeant Wells!” Casper yelled across the hangar, toward a group of men standing around.
One looked up, then jogged over to where he and Laryn were standing.
“Yes, Sir?” he asked, saluting his superior officer.
“I’m taking Laryn home. She won’t be here tomorrow. Don’t fuck up my chopper, okay?”
Chuck smirked. “Of course not, Sir. It’s about time she got a day off.”
