Tom Clancy's Act of Valor Read Online Free PDF Page A

who would listen what a wonderful woman he’d married—how lucky he was to have found such a fine lady. He worshipped her. He and Julia had five kids; he doted on them, and they idolized him. They were a wild bunch and uninhibited around him, yet he had power over them. If they were fussy or throwing a tantrum or out of line, he had only to speak. No baby talk—he simply dropped to one knee and asked them to take a breath and talk to him. Then father and child decided on a course of action, and the issue was resolved. He had the same effect on the men in the platoon. Like his kids, the Bandito SEALs seemed to want to please him. It was as if his kids and his platoon SEALs somehow knew that if what they were doing would meet
his
approval, then all was okay. On deployment, he was totally focused on the mission and the men and seldom spoke about his family. At home, he was all about family.
    Nolan finished his slam and fries, then inspected Engel’s plate for any alibis. It was then that he noticed the books on the table.
    “So what does Oprah have you reading this month?” Nolan asked as he picked one up. He was trying for levity, as he already knew the answer. “
Churchill: A Biography
,” he read from the spine. “Something new and different.” It was a serious book—well over nine hundred pages. Last week it was
Winston Churchill
by John Keegan. “How much do you have to know about a guy who’s been dead for a century?”
    “He died in January of 1965.”
    “Okay, a half century.”
    Engel smiled. “You can never know too much about a great man. He stood against the dark forces of tyranny, just like you and me, Chief.”
    “Yeah, right,” Nolan replied. “What else we got here?” Engel reached for the other book, but Nolan was too quick for him. He again read from the spine, “
How to Be a Dadn i to Be
? This for real? You and Jackie going to launch one?”
    Engel leaned forward. “Yeah, it’s for real, but we’re not telling anyone just yet.”
    Stunned, Nolan just sat there a moment staring at Engel. For Nolan, children were happiness—the more kids, the more happiness. Though he would never have voiced it, he had long wished this for his friend and lieutenant. There were tears forming in his eyes.
    “Aw, man, I’m so happy for you.” He bolted from his seat and leaned across the table to execute an awkward hug. He pressed his forehead against Engel’s. “You’re gonna be a great dad, and you and Jackie are going to be so happy. And I’m happy for you. Wait’ll I tell Julia. She’s going to flip.”
    “Okay,” Engel said, his palms hovering above the table in a hold-it-down motion. “Just Julia. We want to keep this quiet for a while.”
    “Ab-so-lute-ly,” Nolan said in a whisper. “I get it. No problemo; mum’s the word.”
    “Can I get you guys anything else?” Cindy said as she refilled their water glasses.
    “You sure can,” Nolan replied. Then in a louder voice, “We’ll have two shooters of Bushmills, and I’ll buy the bar. My lieutenant is going to be a father!”
    “Oh my God, Roark!” Cindy blurted. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations.” The sentiment rippled along the bar.
    “Aw right!”
    “Well done, El Tee.”
    “Good on you, sir.”
    “To the new little girl. Frogmen always have little girls.”
    “Here’s to you, sir.”
    Engel simply lowered his head in mock surrender. This was typical Nolan and, with but a moment’s reflection, it was just fine. Had their situations been reversed, his reaction would have been much the same as his chief’s. It was simply the joy of one SEAL brother for another.
    “Here you go,” Cindy said as she placed two shots on the table. “These are on the house. Dave, I’ll let you get the bar. Congrats again, Roark, and my love to Jackie. This is so exciting.”
    Nolan handed her a credit card. “Put the chow on here as well.” After she left, he placed a hand on Engel’s shoulder. “Seriously, Boss, this is