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

on some pipe and a pump, they’d use it.” She frowned and turned back toward him, the knapsack slung across her shoulder. “Of course, that means a generator to generate electricity, otherwise the pump wouldn’t work. Sometimes it all seems so impossible. I don’t want them drinking that filthy water. I can’t get them to understand that it’s causing disease among them.”
    â€œWhat if you did have a generator and a pump?” Pete asked, walking at her side as they left her hut. The hot midafternoon sun poured through the village, with no trees to give shade.
    â€œAs soon as the novelty wore off, the villagers would use the generator.”
    â€œPositive?”
    Tess gave him a shrug. “Pretty much so. Why?”
    â€œBecause I happen to know where I can get my hands on a pump. Now, a generator’s another thing. Those babies are at a premium here in Nam because of the U.S. buildup.”
    Gripping his arm, Tess whispered, “You can get these things for us?”
    â€œSure.”
    Releasing him, Tess gave him a guarded look. “How much will it cost?”
    â€œA date in Saigon with me, honey. Now, is that too much to ask?”
    With a laugh, Tess climbed into the jeep. “I’ll have to think about this, Captain Mallory. I already owe you some time at the officers club. Let’s just see how that goes first, shall we?”
    Triumphantly, Pete smiled. The jeep roared to life and he quickly backed out of the area and headed down Highway 14 toward Highway 1. The vehicle bounced along the rutted road, a cloud of dust rising in its wake. “It will be a date you’ll never forget,” he promised her wolfishly.
    With a roll of her eyes, Tess tipped her head back and laughed fully. Still, another part of her, the part curious about lifting that wall around Pete, was intrigued and she wanted to know more.
    * * *
    At the row of tents reserved for civilian personnel at Da Nang, Tess had one all to herself. Outside the nondescript olive green tents was a line of showers made out of wooden walls with shower heads attached. It wasn’t pretty, but it was functional. Tess stood under the tepid water and scrubbed herself clean with a bar of French milled soap. Drying off, she took the set of civilian clothes she’d hung over the plywood partition and dressed. Pete had promised to pick her up at 1700, to take her to dinner at the O club, replete with that promised glass of ice water. Glancing at her watch, she saw it was already 1700!
    â€œDarn...” Tess hurried back to her tent, rummaged around and located her toiletry items. She brushed her still-damp hair, grabbed her clean knapsack and hurriedly left her tent. The area was deserted, although Tess knew a number of American technical advisors, all men, also lived in this section of the barracks. They were still at work. The rows of tents behind her housed the officers that comprised headquarters staff for the marine effort at Da Nang.
    Pete Mallory was sitting in the jeep when she exited the tent row.
    â€œDon’t say it,” Tess said, walking over to the vehicle. “I know I’m late.”
    He smiled, observing the dramatic change in Tess. She wore a short-sleeved pink cotton blouse, white cotton slacks and sandals. Her hair was thick and full, and framed her face to make her glorious green eyes just that much more beautiful. And to his surprise and pleasure, Tess even wore some pink lipstick and a set of dainty white earrings! When she came to sit in the jeep, he inhaled a spicy scent of her perfume.
    â€œI expect a woman to be late,” Pete teased with a smile. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re a knockout, Tess Ramsey?”
    Heat flowed up her neck and into her cheeks as she avoided Pete’s hooded stare, desire written in his eyes. She placed the knapsack on the floorboards between her feet.
    â€œThank you, Captain. You don’t look so bad yourself.”