Free Return of a Hero by Lindsay McKenna Page B

by her honesty, Morgan paced the room. “I just thought this guy meant something to you.”
    “Then you’ll stay and help me? Please?”
    Rubbing his chin, Morgan wondered if Woodward would recognize him. It was a chance he’d have to take. Besides, he was relieved to hear Laura was free of any personal entanglements. “Sure, no problem.“
    Morgan answered the door. It was exactly ten, and he was sweating, hoping like hell Woodward wouldn’t recognize him. He opened the door to a tall, well-built officer in a tan marine corps uniform.
    “The name’s Ramsey,” Morgan said. “Ms. Bennett is expecting you.”
    Woodward’s green eyes narrowed slightly. He hesitated fractionally, then held out his hand. “Captain Jim Woodward.”
    Morgan shook the officer’s hand. It was similar to his own—callused and strong. This man wasn’t any desk sitter at the Pentagon. If he wasn’t so worried about being recognized, Morgan thought he would like the officer. Part of it was Woodward’s proud carriage, his fearless green eyes and the square set of his face. Another part was the confidence and power he radiated. At one time, Morgan remembered, he had, too. “Come in. Ms. Bennett is in her office. Because of her injury, I’ll be assisting her today.”
    “Fine. I know where her office is,” Woodward said, taking off his cap and placing it beneath his left arm.
    Laura heard both men coming and sat expectantly in her office chair. Today she wore a teal-blue silk blouse and an ivory skirt and jacket—all business. She never appeared for an interview without wearing a suit. Nervously she kept her hands in her lap. Would Jim’s discomfort over her blindness interfere with the forthcoming interview?
    “Hey, tiger,” Jim called from the door. “It’s all over the Pentagon that you bumped your head and hurt yourself. How are you feeling?”
    Relief swept through her that the two men got along, and she smiled. “Jim Woodward, you’re a terrible tease at the best and worst of times. I’m doing well. Come in.” She held out her hand. When Jim took it, Laura felt how different his grip was than Morgan’s powerful, yet gentle one.
    Jim put his hat on the edge of Laura’s desk and took the chair next to hers. He searched her features. “Is it true? That you were temporarily blinded? All I see is a nasty cut on the temple and a few scratches on your cheek.”
    Laura squeezed Jim’s hand, then released it. “Put the emphasis on temporarily , Jim. The doctor says two weeks at the most in this situation, and I’ll be good as new.”
    Morgan sat down on a chair next to Laura’s. She was putting on a sunny smile and brave act for the officer. At least she didn’t put on an act for Morgan. But he didn’t like the intimacy Woodward had established with her. Was there something between them, despite her earlier protests? Jealousy, an emotion he’d rarely felt before, became screamingly alive within him.
    “Actually,” Laura went on, “Morgan has been a godsend for me. I saved him from getting struck by that limo at the airport, but he’s saved me from a lot of days without help around here.”
    “Morgan?” Jim Woodward lifted his eyes, looking at him for a long time.
    Laura frowned, hearing a question in Jim’s voice. “Yes, Morgan Ramsey. I thought you’d introduce yourselves at the door.”
    Uncomfortable beneath Woodward’s sudden scrutiny, Morgan tinkered with the tape in the cassette recorder. “We did, Laura,” he managed without reaction. “Are you ready to get this interview underway?”
    “Sure. Jim, you set?”
    The marine corps officer frowned, reluctantly returning his attention to Laura. “Of course.”
    Lighting-quick tension shot through the office and it confused Laura. Why was Jim suddenly stiff and formal? And Morgan was acting oddly, too. If only she could see! Had they taken an immediate dislike to each other, after all? Unable to sort out the reasons, Laura had to settle for starting the