Morgan's Wife Read Online Free PDF Page B

wouldn't surface. He was obviously uncomfortable, backed into a corner of sorts and unhappy about her appearance on a mission he wanted to perform solo. She set the cup to one side and pulled out her own small notepad and a pen from her purse. "What's on your agenda, Colonel?"
    "You. I told Jake Randolph I intend to put you through your paces. If you don't measure up to my high standards, you aren't going."
    "I believe you agreed that Mr. Randolph will make the final decision," Pepper said smoothly, holding his glare. "Besides, what gives you the right to question my credentials while assuming yours are beyond question?"
    "I'm a Recon Marine. My credentials are beyond question."
    Pepper leaned back, slowly tapping the table with her index finger. "I'm a country girl, Colonel, and I've lived most of my life in Montana . Maybe we're kinda simple folk out that way, but you know what? We let people prove themselves through their acts. Your walk is your talk. I could understand your concern if I didn't have a military background. I could also understand it if I'd never jumped out of a plane with a parachute. But what I see going down here is a wounded male ego overreacting to the fact that I'm a woman. If I were a man, I think you'd drop this pretense. Back where I come from, that doesn't go down well. I'm a team leader for twenty smoke jumpers. I'm responsible for a lot of lives, and I've never lost one. I'm not about to start now with yours or my own. I found out a long time ago that ego and pride are expendable."
    Her voice dropped slightly. "Colonel, I appreciate your concern about my qualifications, but it's not necessary. I probably have more time logged in parachute jumps than you do."
    "All at low altitude."
    "I took Ranger training. I've participated in HAHOs ."
    Frustrated, Jim said, "I'm not going to fire any more shots across your bow. We need to get down to business. I've outlined the next three days." He pushed the neatly printed paper toward her. "I'm going to test your map-and compass-reading ability. I've arranged for a HAHO and have preplanned the jump zone with the military boys at Andrews Air Force Base. It's set up and ready to go for tomorrow at 0700. The jump onto Nevis will be at night. But as much as I'd like to schedule day and night practice HAHOs , we just don't have the time. A day jump will have to do." Jim watched the soft fullness of Pepper's lips tighten a little as she carefully read his outline. Her fingers were slim with largish knuckles, her nails closely trimmed. There was no wasted motion about her, he had to admit, and in spite of himself, he savored her unique mix of serenity and efficiency.
    "I feel like I'm back in Ranger training," Pepper said mildly, sliding his notes gently back across the table. If Woodward weren't so intent on making her dislike him, she thought, she might like to explore him personally, as a human being and a man. But the set of his square jaw warned her off. He was trying to intimidate her into quitting. Well, it wouldn't work. As the only female ever to go through Ranger training, she'd had plenty of experience with intimidation attempts by men far more dangerous to her than Woodward—but he didn't know that. "I'm assuming you'll be with me on these exercises? That you'll participate in the HAHO, too?"
    "Of course."
    Pepper grinned. "To watch me fail?"
    "I expect you to."
    "Colonel, you've just pushed a favorite button of mine—I love a good challenge. My whole life has been about dancing on the edge of a sword."
    Jim almost smiled. Again that unsettling turquoise warmth from her eyes enveloped him, and he felt his heart beating harder in his chest. There was something arresting about Pepper that he couldn't quite put his finger on. At least, not yet.
    "Tell me a little about yourself, Colonel. Personal stuff."
    Her directness scuttled him. He eyed her. "Why is that important to the mission?"
    "If I'm going to succeed at all your tests, I need to know more about