AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Like home, he'd lost the right to love a long time ago.
Chapter One
"Hold on," Russell said to Naomie as his phone rang. He looked at it. The number wasn't one he recognized, so he let it go to voice mail. "Sorry. You were saying?"
"That the insurance paid off on the horses we lost, and we now have the funds to buy the two mares and one of the stallions we had our eyes on. And I spoke with–" she paused as Russell's phone chimed. "Whoever it was left a message. You want to check it? I'm going to fix some sandwiches. I'm about to starve. Turkey or ham?"
"Whichever, thanks honey.” He smiled and got up to accompany her inside. While Naomie started getting things out to put together sandwiches, he hung his hat on the rack, leaned one hip against the butcher block in the center of the kitchen, and accessed his voice mail, and put it on speaker.
"Mr. Walker, sir, it's Gunner Hale. I'd appreciate it if you called me back, sir. As soon as possible. Thank you, sir."
Russell nearly dropped the phone. He placed it on the counter, ran his hand over his mouth and chin, and counted to ten, trying to stop his heart from racing. "Russ?” Naomie ran over to him and wrapped an arm around his waist. "Come. Sit.” She led him to the table. "You're pale as a ghost. Talk to me. Are you in pain? Shortness of breath? Do you have–"
He shook his head. "No. No, it's not me."
"Then what?” she knelt and put her hands on his leg, looking up at him.
"That was Gunner. Gunner Hale. He's in Riggs squad."
He saw the stricken look that came on her face. "What did he say?"
"He asked me to return his call."
Naomie bolted to her feet, snatched the phone from the top of the center island and handed it to him. "Call."
Russell took the phone and accessed the voice mail, but paused and looked at her rather than press call. "What if–"
"No. No, he's alive. You know you'd get an official visit if that was it. Call him, Russ."
Russell placed the call, and it was answered immediately after the first ring. "Mr. Walker?"
"Yes. Talk to me, Gunner. Is my boy alive?"
"He is sir. He is. But he was wounded, sir. He's in Germany. I'm with him."
"And?"
"And…" the length of the pause had Russell's gut clenching. He looked up and saw Naomie holding her hands over her mouth, and tears tracking her face.
"Just say it, Gunner."
"Sir, he – it looks like he might lose part of a leg. His left."
Russell felt like someone who'd just been gut-punched. It took his breath and rendered him speechless. That wasn't the case with Naomie. She leaned over and spoke. "Hello? Sir, this is Naomie Taylor. I'm engaged to Mr. Walker. Can you tell me more about the injury? Was it above or below the knee?"
"Below. An APC landed on him. "
"A vehicle?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I see. But he's stable?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Is there a physician or surgeon we could speak with?"
"I don't know ma'am."
