SEALs of Honor: Cooper Read Online Free PDF Page B

avoid being forced to learn it again…
    And now here on the other side of the world, the size of the planet was brought home to her again.
    Cooper was a good man. She’d seen him when he was down and he’d never given up. A smile broke free and made her laugh. The smiles had been coming on more and more. Good thing. Her family hadn’t known what to do with her. She’d lost her sunny disposition when she’d lost her husband.
    It had taken a long time to get over him, she wasn’t proud of that, but she loved very deeply and any deep wound took time to close.
    Now, she realized she’d hit a turning point.
    One she’d been waiting for. It was time to go home.
    Not because of the hostage taking. Not because of the volunteer work – but because she could.
    She’d healed. Become whole again.
    And now she could return to her old life.
    *
    Cooper took the driver’s side and started the engine. He glanced behind to make sure all passengers were buckled in. His gaze lingered on Dr. Sasha’s profile as she stared out the window. Fatigue lined her face, but there was a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
    He’d heard the others. But wasn’t sure if he’d heard right. The good doctor was divorced?
    Good.
    If the man couldn’t make her happy then he didn’t deserve to have her.
    She was a hell of a doctor. Of course that didn’t make her a hell of a woman – but he’d love to find out.
    They had several hours ahead of them. He’d heard the comment about needing food, but they didn’t have anything with them. He figured they’d get a few hours under their belt and then stop. They were heading deeper into Turkey. But would have to go past to the camp the team had been snatched from. Behind him the rest of the men were in the second vehicle. Backup had arrived to help the Turkish team handle the scene. Cooper and the rest of the SEAL team had the three doctors and were taking them back to safety.
    He’d hope for a military helicopter and maybe a quick exit to Germany, but that hadn’t pulled together. At least not yet. Still they were a short distance away. Good enough for him.
    Swede motioned at the turnoff for the highway. “Once we’re on the road we’ll need to stop for gas.”
    Cooper nodded. “Coffee and food too.” He nodded to the back of the vehicle. “With any luck they’ll sleep that far.”
    Swede nodded, but he’d turned and was studying the passengers. “They aren’t out yet, but will be soon.”
    His headset crackled.
    “That’s Markus checking in. Says the Turkish team have searched the freighter. They’ve picked up three men only.”
    “Damn.”
    Swede nodded. “Should have been twice that many.”
    “Not our problem.” He knew that’s what the bosses would say. But he hated to leave a job half finished. “And our orders?” he asked. “Did Mason get any update?”
    “No change. Get the hostages to safety.”
    Cooper glanced in the rearview mirror. Dr. Sasha’s eyes were closed, her head learning against the window. He’d have hated to find out that Dr. Sasha perished because his country hadn’t done enough to save her when she’d done so much for her countrymen. He wasn’t the only military man to end up on her table. He didn’t know what had happened to her a year ago, but he was damn sorry for it.
    She was good people.

Chapter 6

    S asha’s neck ached and her butt throbbed. For a moment she was afraid she was still in the hands of the damn terrorists. But a quick glance around reassured her she was riding in the vehicle and Cooper was driving her and the others to safety.
    The vehicle slowed yet again and made a turn.
    The change in the engine had woken her. They’d taken a ramp off the highway and were now rounding a large corner to a gas station and restaurant up ahead.
    Even SEALs needed gas.
    She smiled as the large SUV pulled up outside a pump.
    Twisting to look behind her she saw David and Theresa both slumped in their seats sound asleep. There was