Page 80 of Lieutenant

“You took her rings,” I softly say. “And was that her day collar? The necklace?”

He sounds choked up. ‘Yeah.”

“My bracelet,” I say. “And my necklace. Please make sure they get back to them. And my rings.” I indicate my right ring. “Owen gave me that one. He’s our husband, even if we can’t tell anyone.”

“They’re lucky guys. I’m sure they’re worried to death about you right now. Make sure you drink when I tell you to, or I’ll tell them you were a bad girl and theywon’tspank you.”

“Ah, you rat bastard. And here I thought we were friends.” I sigh. I want to sit up, but I can’t. I don’t have the strength to do anything but lean against him. “How much water is left?”

“Allen’s working on another pit.” George shifts position and helps me sit up, leaning against him. “We’ll be okay.”

I make a noise. “Did I actually pray for it tostopraining at one point?”

“Yeah. How stupid were we?”

“I’m from Florida. You’d think I’d know better. Take the rain when it comes and be grateful for it.” We sit in silence until sunset. Our backs are to it, because we’ve gotten used to sitting with our backs to the sun whenever possible. “Turn me around,” I softly ask. “Please? So I can see it?”

He does. I can barely hold my head up. “Feel free to eat me when I die,” I offer. “I should have some ass meat left. Maybe my boobs. Tell Carter and Owen I gave you permission.”

George chuckles. “I can see why you need two men to corral you if you’re this spunky when you’re convinced you’re almost dead. You must have put a hurting on Carter the night you swung on him.”

“I did. I got bitey, too. He had to wear long sleeves to hide the marks.”

“Lucky man.”

“Oooh, the governor of Tennessee is making a pass at me. I think.”

He chuckles. “Lieutenant governor.”

“Nope. You probably got a promotion.”

“He might have made it.”

“Nah. Battlefield promotion.” I manage to raise my hand enough to sort of salute him. “Lucky bastard,sir,” I tease.

Aaaannnd, once again, I’m thinking about Carter. About his words to me that night back in college, when I asked to be his and he proposed to me.

My smile fades. “Dying’s easy,” I say. “Surviving’s harder.”

I don’t think I evertrulyappreciated what he meant that night.

I do now.

“You’re not going to die,girl. I don’t give you permission to do that.”

He’s trying so hard. I can’t help it. I’m crying, but it’s mostly dry crying because I’m so dehydrated. “Please tell them,” I whisper. “Tell my guys I love them. Tell Carter I tried. That I tried to stay safe. That was his last order to me, to stay safe. Please tell him I tried.”

He shifts me again, holding me. “Shhh. It’s okay, sweetie. I’mnotleaving you behind. We’ll both make it, I promise.”

“Tell them I want them to get married,” I whisper. I don’t know why I’m bothering to whisper, but oh, well. “Tell them to please be happy. I want them to be happy together. And tell Daddy I’m sorry I didn’t get to be governor.”

“I’d vote for you.” He kisses the top of my head and stays there like that, his face in my hair, his breath warm against my scalp. It reminds me of the early days with Carter.

I hope I’m reminding him of good times with Ellen. I don’t begrudge him this at all.

Helloooo,dying.

We might be getting more rain soon, though. The wind has picked up a little today, and it looks stormy off to the southeast.