Early the following day, Rod woke to find Wyl watching him.
“Morning,” Rod said in a deep, gravelly voice. A tear wet his thumb as he reached to stroke Wyl’s face. “What’s the matter, babe?”
“I’m scared I’ll lose you.”
“C’mere,” Rod pulled Wyl into his arms.
“I can handle the mission.” Wyl’s voice shook. “But you are all I have left. I have no other family.” His voice broke.
“Hey, now. Nothing is going to happen to me.” Rod cooed in Wyl’s ear.
“How can you be sure?” Wyl’s words turned into a whine, sobs shaking his shoulders as he hugged Rod with all his might.
“Wyl. You’ll be with me. And I’ll be trained by the best before we go. I have no experience in espionage, but neither do you. We’re in this together, remember?”
Wyl took a deep breath, struggling to control his emotions. “Yeah…”
“Guarantees don't exist, whether we’re on this mission or not. Take Walt’s accident, for example.”
“You’re right,” Wyl pulled back and gazed into Rod’s eyes.
Rod reached up, wiped the tears from his cheeks, and tugged his chin into a brief, loving kiss. “We’re going to be fine, babe. Now stop worrying.”
“Okay. Keep soothing my fears, and hugging me.”
“Always.” Rod leaned in for another quick kiss. “Now, let’s grab a shower and have breakfast. If we don’t hop out of bed now, we’ll spend the morning here.”
“I like spending time with you in bed, but we have a plane to catch this afternoon.”
“Yes, and almost two weeks at the ranch by ourselves.”
“Sounds heavenly.”
The two followed their usual morning routine. After breakfast, they packed and prepared to leave for the airport. The room phone rang.
Wyl picked up the phone. “Sterling.”
“Colonel Sterling, Agent Travers here. I’m taking you both to the airport. What time is your flight?”
“Our flight leaves at 1:30,” Wyl said.
“I’ll pick you up at 11:45.”
“Perfect, Travers. Thanks.”
“My pleasure, sir.” Travers disconnected.
“What did he want?” Rod asked.
“He’s taking us to the airport.”
“Wow. I’m beginning to like this. Fancy rooms. Chauffeurs. I didn’t realize being a Marine included all these perks.”
Wyl gave out a hearty laugh. “It doesn’t, babe, but they need us.”
“If that’s the case, don’t you think they’ll do everything they can to protect us?”
“You’re right. I let myself worry.”
Rod walked over, cupped Wyl’s face, and gazed into his eyes. “It’s okay to worry about real things. Don’t fret about unknowns. Worries always appear overwhelming at night.”
* * *
Back on the ranch, the time vanished. They rode horses every day, enjoying the last vestiges of summer.
As their return to D.C. approached, they packed for their training and trip to Ireland. They hoped to be home by Thanksgiving. In fact, given the information about the mission, one or both might not come home at all.
CHAPTER FIVE
Back in D.C., they spotted Agent Travers as they came down the escalator to baggage claim.
“Agent Travers,” Wyl said. “You're a welcome sight.”
“Gentlemen," Travers nodded. "I will take you to your quarters and ensure your needs are met.”
“How far apart will we be?” Rod said.
“Colonel, the general requested you be housed together. We arranged a small garden home halfway between your training locations. You are quartered together for the duration of the training period.”
