Free Every Storm by Lori Wick Page B

sir."
    Dean fell silent for a moment. Rigg watched him and waited.
    "Where did she sleep on the boat?"
    "In my bunk. I took Ensign Westland's bunk. I hung a sheet to give Miss Archer privacy."
    Dean's eyes were suddenly intent.
    "And your men were gentlemen?"
    "Yes, sir. I would swear to it."
    Dean didn't need to ask about Rigg's conduct. His gut told him there would be no offense there.
    "Did you see the graves?" was the next question, coming on a rather hoarse voice.
    "Yes, sir. They were in another clearing."
    Dean's eyes closed for a moment. He tried to fight the tears, but it was no use. Rigg came to his feet. He went to the coffee pot, filled two mugs, and returned to the table.
    Dean opened his eyes when he heard the mug placed in front of him. He stared down at it for a moment and then reached for
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    his handkerchief. He blew his nose and took a moment to compose himself before reaching for the hot drink.
    "I think you should also know, sir," Rigg said without permission, "that we had Zeros almost as soon as we left the island. We traveled in daylight and took down two planes, but one got away."
    "And where was Lorri during all of this?"
    "On her bunk. We also had a storm the night before we made port. She was very seasick."
    Dean was without words. It wasn't enough that Lorri was plane-wrecked and had to bury her sister. She had also been on the boat when it was under enemy attack and experienced a storm only days later. The emotions running through him were so varied and strong that for a long time he said nothing.
    Rigg was quiet as well. Again he was having to imagine this for someone he loved and could see why it would be nearly impossible to take in.
    "When do you leave here?" Dean finally asked.
    "Not for a week at least. Our problems can't be patched up any longer."
    Dean nodded and stood. Rigg also came to his feet and saluted.
    "Thank you, Lieutenant." Dean released Rigg with a return salute and moved on his way.
    Lorri was finally out of bed, running water to take a hot bath, when she realized that her period had stopped and no longer needed her attention. It hadn't run its normal course, but she knew better than to expect that.
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    | * For long moments she shivered, not with cold but with some
    undefinable emotion. The water was hot all around her, but she I ifelt bruised, and her skin ached.
    1 |"Josie," Lorri whispered, not wanting to cry but not sure she
    I |had a choice. "I can't even visit your grave. I know you're not there,
    but somehow I want to be near that marker."
    ILorri's hand went to the chain and locket around her neck.
    1 She squeezed her eyes shut, but hot tears still found a path down
    |her face. She hadn't known that anything could hurt this much.
    I' 11Her father had died when she was ten. She had cried and felt lost
    ' i] | -for a long time, but that pain was nothing to this.
    'And as always, the need to see her mother squeezed painfully
    around her heart. Ruth Archer never quite left her consciousness. II31She had missed her mother while working in Australia-at times
    " illlishe'd been dreadfully homesick for her and for her sister-but
    lill'ithis was different All at once Lorri felt five years old again. She
    felt abandoned and alone, and in such need of her mother that she could hardly think straight.
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    She breathed heavily, trying to control herself, but it was no J Jfuse. Harsh sobs broke from her throat. Sinking as deeply into the
    water as she could get, she sobbed in agony, only able to form a 'few coherent words to God.
    "Please help me," she whispered. "Please help me to get home."
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    "How'd it go with the admiral?" Hugh asked as soon as he saw
    Rigg.
    'I think all right. He might want to see me again." "Will he be around that long?"
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    "He didn't say when they were leaving."
    "Did you see her?"
    Rigg shook his head, his gaze hooded.
    'The men have been asking about her."
    Rigg nodded. "If I see Admiral Archer again, I'll tell