Page 22 of Last Chance
“How’s Janie?”
A slight pause. “Physically, she’s fine. You’ll need to watch her. She’s already dealing with survivor’s guilt.”
He nodded. “Thanks, Doc.”
“I don’t want to see you again for a long time. Hear me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Out.” He turned back to Janie, who was behind him. “You are welcome back anytime. Hopefully not for injuries. Take care, Janie.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Taking a chance that Janie wouldn’t mind, Sawyer held out his hand to her. He breathed easier when she took his hand without hesitation, and he led her to the kitchen where his teammates waited. “We’re cleared to leave.”
“Excellent.” Brody stood. “I’ll let the pilot know we’re returning to the airport.” He walked from the room.
“Do you need anything, Janie?” Jesse asked. “Water, a snack?”
“Water. I can’t seem to drink enough to satisfy my thirst.”
“You’re probably a little dehydrated.” He dug into his mike bag and pulled out a familiar packet. Jesse grabbed a bottle of water and added the contents of the packet to the liquid. After he shook it, the medic handed the bottle to Janie. “I added a mix with electrolytes to help. We all drink this when we’re on missions, especially in hot, humid climates.”
Janie sipped the mix. Her eyebrows lifted. “It’s not bad.”
Brody returned. “The ground crew is servicing the jet. Grab your gear.”
The Texas Team and two of Sorenson’s helpers loaded the SUVs with the gear bags and they boarded the jet minutes later.
After storing their gear and strapping into their seats, Brody signaled the pilot to take off. Once in the air, the operatives settled back to take a nap.
Sawyer glanced at Janie. “You have time to take a nap like my teammates. Do you want to try sleeping?”
She shook her head. “I don’t suppose you have books on board, do you?”
“We always carry books. What genre do you like?”
“Romance, historical romance, mystery, suspense, and fantasy.”
He stood. “I’ll be back in a minute.” Sawyer made his way to the galley. Books filled one cabinet for operatives to pass the time as they flew back and forth on missions.
He scanned the titles. Hmm. No romance or historical romance. He’d have to mention that to Zane, their tech guru. Although they’d be in the air for a few hours, Sawyer thought Janie could use something totally different to read. He selected a thick book and returned to his seat. “Try this one. If you don’t like it, I’ll find you another book or take you to our stash so you can choose one.”
Janie studied the cover. “The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan.” She glanced up. “Have you read this?”
“I’m the one who put the book in the library. I love this series. Bonus that it’s a long series. Each of the books is the size of a good doorstop. It should keep you busy for a while.”
“This looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing your book with me, Sawyer. What will you read?”
He smiled and held up a copy of The Great Hunt, also by Robert Jordan. “Book two in the series.”
They settled back to read. Before long, Janie became so absorbed in the book she didn’t notice when Sawyer got up and returned with two bottles of water and placed one in her hand. “Thanks,” she murmured and immediately dove into the book again.
When they landed at John C. Tune Airport, Janie frowned. “We’re home already?”
Sawyer laughed. “Sorry, sweetheart. Want me to tell the pilot to take us up again?”
Janie wrinkled her nose. “I guess not.”