Captain (The United Federation Marine Corps Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

I’m a mess.  Let me get prettied up, OK?”
    Ryck wouldn’t have minded if Hannah had just come out of the gym, but as dense as he could be, he’d learned a few things about being married.  He gave her a kiss on the forehead and let her go.  She took her suitcase and disappeared into the bathroom.  When he heard the shower turn on, he contemplated joining her but decided she would rather he wait.  It was OK—they had four days together.
    He took a seat on the foot of the bed, thought about turning on the holo, and once again, with his married self the voice of caution, figured that wouldn’t be the most romantic thing to do.  He cupped his hand over his mouth and took a whiff.  His breath seemed OK, but he threw down a breath bud anyway, feeling the explosion of mint as the little nanos cleaned his tongue and throat.
    He was wondering what was taking her so long when his tether sounded.  The “tether” was the nickname given the Personnel Communications Receiver given to each Marine and sailor while deployed.  It looked like a small, old-fashioned watch, but its purpose was to enable anyone to be reached within a planetary system.  With a sinking feeling, he flipped open the cover.
    His heart sank.  It was a Class 1 recall.  Something was up, something big.
    He stood up, went to the closed bathroom door, and opened it.
    “Hey!” Hannah protested, a toothbrush in her mouth, her hair in clips sticking in all sorts of directions.  “Keep your pants on . . .” she started until something in Ryck’s expression registered with her.
    “Recall?” she asked with a resigned tone, but one in which she was hoping she was wrong.
    Ryck just nodded.
    “What class?”
    “Class 1.”
    Her expression fell, as she put the toothbrush down.  Toothpaste foam still bubbled around her lips as the nanos went about their mission, oblivious to the drama.
    “Do you think it be a drill?”she asked without too much hope.
    “The sergeant major promised us no drills.  No, I think it’s real,” Ryck said, not knowing if he was more disappointed for himself or for seeing his wife’s expression.
    Being married to a Marine was tough.  The separations and demands put on a Marine had destroyed more than a fair share of Marine marriages.  Hannah actually worked for the military in her civilian capacity, so she might have a better feel for the Corps than some other wives, but that didn’t make it any easier.  They’d been married now for almost ten years, and they had spent exactly two anniversaries together.  Ryck had missed countless birthdays and other holidays.  He had missed the twins’ birth. 
    “Well, that be life, I guess,” she said.  I’ll wait here until we know for sure.  If I don’t hear from you by evening, I’ll be getting on the next ship out.”
    Ryck slowly walked over and leaned in to kiss her.  The toothpaste foam filled his mouth.  She returned his fierce hug.
    Ryck loved the Corps, but sometimes, he resented its demands on him.
    He tugged at the towel Hannah had wrapped around her, dropping it to the floor.  He pulled Hannah in tight, forcing the air from her lungs.  She eagerly sought his mouth with hers before breaking off.
    “Ryck, I want you, but the recall. . .”
    “Screw the recall.  I’ve got two hours to report back to the shuttle, and I’m going to use every single minute allotted to me so I can spend time with my wife.  I assume that’s OK with you?” he asked facetiously.
    She didn’t verbally respond, but her physical response was more than enough.
    This wasn’t as he had imagined it.  Her hair was a mess.  She had foam all over her mouth.  She didn’t have on the sexy negligee he could see hanging on a hook by the sink.  But she was his wife, and he loved her.
    He took her by the hand and almost dragged her out into the bedroom.  He’d have to be quick, but he figured he was more than up to the task.

Chapter 5
     
     
    “At 22:15 MST, the FS Julianna’s