Free Two Days Of A Dream by Kathryn Gimore Page A

requires it; second, I'm a woman in a man's career. Everything I do is scrutinized more because I'm a woman."
    "Then why do you do it?" Coleman leaned back, twining her long fingers over her chest.
    "Because I'm very good at it and it pays very well."
    "Do you enjoy it?"
    "Yeah most of the time ... well, half the time ... maybe." Now that she thought about it, Kelly wasn't sure how much she did enjoy it. Sure, it had its moments, but did it bring her joy?
    "I don't see how you can like it at all if you can't do the victory dance."
    Coleman was right. Kelly had never done the victory dance, and there were many times she had deserved to. "For a dream, I sure have a lot to think about."
    The other woman shifted her weight. "So you really think you're dreaming?"
    "Yes."
    Coleman lifted her eyebrows. "You're freakin' crazy."
    "No, just dreaming." Kelly rubbed her heel, remembering how gentle the stony captain’s touch had been.
    Coleman shook her head. "I could be getting my stuff done, but instead I'm sitting here listening to BS and babysitting a crazy person."
    "Like I said, no BS, just dreaming." Kelly leaned back and looked around. "So, what were you planning on doing before I came along?"
    "First I was going to do laundry, but I'm stuck here with you."
    "If I had shoes, I could go with you and help." Kelly looked at her foot where it still stung. She didn’t want to look eager.
    Coleman sat up and eyed Kelly. "You would help me?"
    Kelly shrugged. "Sure, it’s better than sitting around watching the wind blow." Plus, making brownie points with her guard couldn't hurt, either.
    Coleman sat back and thought a moment. "I have some flip-flops you could use."
    "Great."
    The Private frowned. "I want them back."
    "No problem, when I wake up, I won't need them."
    Coleman cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah, right." She found the flip-flops inside her footlocker. "Here." She tossed them at Kelly before grabbing a drawstring bag.
    Kelly slipped on the flip-flops then laid her gown gently on the cot before joining Coleman at the front of the tent. She limped slightly, and could feel the spot where the burr had embedded itself in her heel . It was going to be sore for a while.
    Coleman stepped out of the tent with Kelly on her tail but turned immediately to face her with her finger almost touching Kelly's chest. "You try to run away, and I will chase your ass down and beat you to a bloody pulp."
    Kelly had no doubt in her mind that Coleman would do exactly what she said. She raised her hands. "I wouldn't know where to run even if I wanted to." It dawned on Kelly that she had no idea where she was. Iraq was as foreign to her as Mars. She didn't even know which direction she was pointed.
    Satisfied, Coleman hefted her bag over her shoulder and took Kelly's upper arm to make sure she didn't try anything. In other circumstances, Kelly would have been insulted but having this connection with Coleman actually was comforting. She didn't tell Coleman that, because she doubted Coleman would have appreciated her candor, and she was too embarrassed to admit it. And to think all these years she had thought she was so tough.

Chapter Fourteen
     
    With his eyes closed Duran reached for the satin, but it had disappeared. He felt all around him on the cot. It had just been there, in his arms. He couldn't find it anywhere. Captain Richards breyed next door and Duran jerked to sitting, eyes wide. It was still light outside and he scrubbed his face with his palms. His head was so foggy. He needed more sleep. Flopping back, his eyes closed, but his mind wouldn't shut down.
    "Sleep," he chanted quietly to himself. "Sleep."
    The image of his king-sized bed bloomed behind his eyelids. Ah, now there was a comfortable bed! It was firm with a three-inch pillow top that could cushion any sore spot he had and plenty of room to stretch out and get comfortable even with two. He could just see himself with his arms wrapped tightly around her, cuddled up tight with his wife's