“That’s actually one of the things I like best about my new hometown. In a month or so, there’ll be a welcome party at the restaurant for the newborn, but tonight? I have a feeling we’ll be going to the roadhouse.”
“All right, then. I’ll see you there.”
Tommy offered a salute, which Brandon returned. Then he made short work of gathering his papers and heading to his commander’s office.
Lieutenant Colonel Carmine Palmer wasn’t alone in his office. The fact that Brandon had been called in and would meet with his commander in the presence of this stranger put his senses on alert.
He saluted then slipped into parade rest. The C.O. gestured for him to take a seat at the conference table.
“Gillespie, this is Mr. White. He’s with the C.I.A.”
Brandon nodded to the other man. “White” likely wasn’t his name at all. Normally Brandon would be derisive of anyone from the agency. Marines didn’t, as a rule, play well with spooks. But the shadow stalkers did have their uses, and Brandon was currently a Marine in need of them.
Brandon immediately tamped down thoughts of his uncle Marc. Marc was now an ex-spook, and he was family, so he was exempted from Marine derision.
“We’ve intercepted intelligence that one of the villagers you had contact with the last time you were in country has gone missing,” White said. “We’re fairly certain he’s the reason your identity was revealed. There’s a hefty bounty on your head among the bad players in Afghanistan, Lieutenant.”
Brandon was wondering who the unfortunate soul was who’d “gone missing.” He understood that whoever it was had likely been tortured and then killed. He also knew he’d never be told the identity of that person.
The world could be a cold, cruel place.
“It’s been determined that this is a situation that cannot be contained.” The commander’s tone alerted Brandon to the man’s next words. “You won’t be deployed there again, Lieutenant Gillespie. Your presence in country would be too dangerous.”
Dangerous to himself, and that wasn’t an issue. Brandon had accepted the risks that serving his country as a Marine entailed. But this went beyond himself. He’d be a danger to his fellow Marines. If word got out he was with a unit, it was possible the entire unit would be targeted. Commanders mitigated risks wherever possible, and operationally speaking, his not being redeployed was definitely possible.
“Yes, sir.”
“Son, this isn’t on you. You have a bright future in the Corps. I understand you’ve family not too far from here.”
“Yes, sir. My parents are just west of Waco. I’m headed there now.”
“Enjoy your weekend, then,” the commander said. A polite dismissal but a dismissal nonetheless.
Brandon had joined the Marines because he’d wanted to give back. He’d learned, before the first year was out, that being a Marine was what he’d always been meant to be. It suited him down to his bones.
He knew his mother had been nervous when he’d been deployed the first time. But she’d told him not only that she was proud of him but that she respected his decision and his career choice.
A career that was now, apparently, changing course.
“Thank you, sir.” Brandon stood and saluted and then left the CO’s office and headed for the parking lot.
It didn’t take long for Brandon to make his way to his SUV. This was one time he’d appreciate the long drive home. He didn’t even let himself think that while he was finished being deployed in that part of the world, he could end up someplace else.
The bad actors who operated in the Middle East had a long reach and interests everywhere.
So, this long drive would give him the one thing he needed right now. It would give him time to wrap his head around the fact that he was, in all likelihood, stateside for good.
Chapter Fifteen
“Hey, guys!” Bailey greeted them as they entered the roadhouse. The music hadn’t started yet, and it was a bit passed traditional supper hours, but that didn’t seem to matter, as the place was packed.
“Y’all are gathering at the back. Angela’s ordered a mess of munchies for everyone, so go join in the party!”
Brandon held Rachel’s hand and led her to the back of the dining room. Trace followed close behind, giving her the sense of being cocooned.
There were some empty seats, which she realized Brandon’s parents had saved for them.
There were waves and nods and brief greetings as they settled in on the bench. She was tucked in between Trace and Brandon, which felt incredibly right.
Rachel hadn’t had the opportunity to attend very many celebrations in her life. But this one, which they’d just joined, was probably the happiest occasion she’d ever experienced.
Just before four this very afternoon, Laci Benedict, manager of the roadhouse, and her two cowboy husbands had gone to the hospital in Waco, their appointed delivery day and time.
After an uncomplicated C-section, they welcomed their daughter, Zoe Diane. Mom and baby were still in the hospital in Waco but were expected to come home in a few days. After a couple of disappointments for the triad, they’d finally become pregnant. There’d been some concerns throughout her pregnancy, as Laci had been forty-three when she’d finally conceived this, her first, child. The best news was that both mom and baby were hale and healthy. Zoe Diane had been given a perfect Apgar score.
The new daddies were staying put in Waco, and who could blame them? Of course, nothing would do but that all the family in Lusty—or as many of them who could—would show up at the Roadhouse to celebrate.
Rachel knew there’d be another night of celebration in a month or so, when the newest member of the Benedict family made her debut at Lusty Appetites. But for now, there was laughter and camaraderie as Laci’s friends and co-workers celebrated.
This was a notable occasion for another reason.
Libby had accompanied the Dorchesters to Dallas for the weekend, where they’d be staying at the Kendall Plaza, seeing the sights
