Read Online One Man's War by Lindsay McKenna - Free Book Online Page A

next to him, the sack resting on her crossed legs.
    â€œSome little things,” Pete hedged, trying to pretend not to be too interested in her excitement.
    â€œJams! Jellies! And look at this: all kinds of makeup!” Tess looked over at him, once again struck by the expression on his features. She placed the six jars of preserves to one side. “These I can definitely use.”
    â€œ You use them. Don’t you dare give them away.”
    She grinned. “Now, Pete, if you give a gift to me, it’s mine, right?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œAnd I have the right to use it any way I see fit. Right?”
    He didn’t like the merriment in her dancing green eyes. “You’re leading up to something.”
    With a chuckle, Tess nodded. “I’ll keep one jar, but I’ll share the rest with the people.”
    With a sigh, Pete shook his head. “What about the cosmetics? I even managed to get some Chanel perfume for you. And there’s lipstick in there, not to mention makeup.”
    Wryly, Tess held his gaze. “First of all, the water buffalo go crazy if I `smell’ like an American. When I first came over here, I used to wear lipstick and a little dab of perfume. The first water buffalo I encountered tossed his horned head, snorted and charged me. Later, after I climbed down out of the nearest tree, the village chieftain told me they hated the odor. I also found out that the mosquitoes and other insects loved my perfume, and I ended up with more bites per square inch on my body than you could believe.” She smiled softly and touched the makeup. “To tell you the truth, Pete, I’ve never been one for much makeup. Remember? I was that string bean of a Texas girl who hid away in her dorm studying and making good grades instead of partying like the prettier, more popular girls?”
    Disgruntled, Pete stared down at his clasped hands. Any of the Viet women at the O club would have been thrilled with these presents. “I thought all women used makeup.”
    â€œSome do, Pete. I just never did.” Tess pointed to her copper freckles. “I kinda like the natural look.” She laughed gently. “Look at me! I don’t think very many American women would approve of what I do or how I look. I can’t say I blame them, but I’m happy.”
    She was. Pete drowned in her rich verdant eyes, hotly aware of her ability to share her incredible warmth with him. The ache in his body heightened to a painful degree. How many times in the last two weeks had he dreamed of bedding down with Tess, taking her? Too many.
    â€œWell,” he groused, rallying as he took the paper bag back into his hand, “I know some bar girls who will kill for this stuff.”
    â€œOh,” Tess hooted, getting to her feet, “and I imagine you’ll extract a price from them for it, too.”
    He grinned. “Everything in life has a price tag on it. Can I help it if I’m great at exchanging goods?” He stood. “Your brother would like you to come back with me. He needs to see you.”
    Tess nodded and released her red hair, brushing it quickly. “I do owe Gib a visit. Time goes by so fast out here, Pete. There’s so much to do.”
    Pete reveled in the sight of Tess brushing her rich, red hair. Even in the half light of the thatched hut, he could see highlights in the strands. The ache to tunnel his fingers through that thick, shoulder-length mass seized him.
    â€œLike what?” His voice had thickened.
    Tess quickly rewrapped her hair with a rubber band, the ponytail back in place. She leaned down and filled her ever-present green knapsack with a few articles. “Well, I’m trying to get the local Vietnamese government to approve my application for a pump. The people in Le My have a lousy water source that carries raw sewage in it, and I’ve gotten them to dig a well. We hit water today, and now, if I could get my hands