Page 10 of Lucky Charm

Jo sighed. “Yeah, one thing I hate about tours. Never get used to putting flags over bodies.”

“Never will.” Concerned at the utter fatigue etched in the lines across her pale face and the bloodshot of her blue eyes, she opened her mouth to give advice.

“Don’t,” Jo interrupted. “I know. I’m past tired and ready for this tour to be over. Be careful out there. Stick with the team. I don’t like the fact that you don’t have a full surgical team going, but Command made the decision to limit people when there’s a combat medic on the team who can assist you. I’d go in a hot minute, but they won’t let me.” She grimaced.

Sounded like a flimsy excuse to her, too. “I’m sure you would. I’m guessing no room. I’ll be careful.” She would have added more, but Hunt came through the door and words tangled in a messy mass in her throat.

Intensity rolled off him. Decked from head to toe in all his spec ops gear, this SEAL was the poster sailor for drop-dead handsome yet bad-boy lethal.

Cait groaned silently. She knew what was underneath that man’s armament. The visual combined with visceral memories stunned her to stuttering when he offered a curt good morning.

Jo touched her arm, a question in her eyes.

She shook her head to stave off her concern. “I’m good. I’ll see you tonight.”

Jo looked over the approaching man until the LT raised a brow. “Be smart out there.” She disappeared into the main ER.

“Lieutenant.”

“Captain.” His deep tone shocked her system making her stomach flip.Lord, get a grip, Cait.

He examined her from head to toe. His intense study put the sizzle back where it didn’t belong. He lifted her hand, inspecting her gloves, the fit of her jacket around her wrist, and the fit of her jacket around her neck.

His eyes flat, he gave nothing away while she struggled to get her breath back.

“What are you doing, Lieutenant?” She cleared her throat and tried again. “I got this, LT. I’m ready.” She purposely used his rank because, well, Jesus.

He stopped and looked her in the eye. His were as bloodshot as Jo’s yet still laser focused. “Arctic Warfare Training, you had that?”

“No.” She let the word splay out.

“The trick to surviving cold weather is in the preparation. You dressed in layers?” He looked like he was about to pull on the zipper on her heavy-weight jacket and check.

“Yes, four layers.”

“The first rule is to stay dry, keep covered, and as much as possible protect your body heat.”

“I know. I am a doctor.” Professional statement delivered with a bit of attitude.Good job, Cait.

He dropped his hands away.

“Let’s get moving.” He held out a hand, offering for her to go first. The chill outside hit her like a tank but she soldiered on. It wasn’t hard to pick out the vehicles that were theirs. They were theonly black ones idling with the red cross flags on them.

Hunt moved ahead of her and opened the back door of the first vehicle.

She glanced at the vehicle behind. “Two vehicles?”

“Nine people, Doc, including you.”

“Why?” This hadn’t been covered in her briefing with her commander or with him.

“This region we’re going to is not safe. You follow our lead. Carter’s going to be at your side at all times.”

She gave him her cooperation the only way she could – by nodding. He gripped her elbow and helped her enter the back seat. She settled her pack at her feet. Hunt shut her door and got in the front. Two other men shared the space. Carter turned and gave her a quick salute. She returned the gesture. The other SEAL she didn’t know.

That man shared the back space with her and reached across a hand for a shake. “Robert Baxter, Petty Officer Second Class.”

“Captain Michaels.” The man’s face was deathly pale, and she couldn’t stop the doctor from assessing his condition. She started to ask, then thought better of it.