Taming GI Jane (12 page)

He jerked his head
toward the rowdy kids. “I should help Reg.”

Jane
nodded. “That might be a good idea.”

Tom started to go, but paused. “Why did you come back,
Jane?”

She shrugged one shoulder. “The general ordered me to,” she told him. “But that’s only part of the reason.”

Tom felt his hopes rising. He tried to slow the ascent, but he couldn’t. He planted his hands at his waist and gave her a long, assessing look. “Yeah?”

Another of those tiny smiles teased her lips. “Yeah,” she reiterated.

Tom ignored Reg’s heated shouts. Hattie’s booming voice echoed next. Tom had a bad feeling about that, but it could wait just one more minute. “What’s the rest of the reason?” He had to know.

Jane
extended her hand, offering Tom the dog’s leash. “I brought you a present.”

Tom smiled
at the handsome dog. “What’s his name?”

Jane
shot a nervous look at the dog, then back at Tom. “Blackie,” she answered quickly.

Tom nodded. “Very original.”

“I thought so.” Her smile widened a little this time.

He accepted the leash. “Well, thanks,
Jane. Being between dogs is no fun. But the bow will have to go.”

“Absolutely.”
Jane took a deep breath. “Well, are those my new trainees?” she asked, pointing toward the group of boys currently tying up Hattie.

Tom scanned the escalating chaos. “That’s team four. We have three others just like them.”

“Looks like a challenge.”

“Yeah.” Tom spoke calmly in spite of the fact that his blood pressure had to be at stroke level. He wanted to shake her; to demand to know the real reason she was here.

Jane adjusted her cap and beamed Tom a battle-ready look. “If you’ll see to Blackie, I’ll just mosey on over there and kick some adolescent ass.”

Tom took a step back
and waved a dismissive hand. “By all means, Sergeant Passerella.”

Jane
took three steps and paused. She twisted at the waist and looked back at him. “By the way, Caldwell, I’m in love with you and I expect you to back up every single one of those promises you made.”

She talked tough, but Tom saw the h
esitancy in her eyes. He crouched next to Blackie and stroked his back. “You can count on me, Jane.”

Jane
nodded, apparently satisfied. She turned and took three more long strides before Tom stopped her.

“
Jane!” Tom released Blackie and sprinted after her.

When she turned around this time, he grabbed her and kissed her until they were both gasping for breath.

“I love you, Jane.” He smiled at the dazed look in her eyes. “We’ll make it work.”

Sh
e smiled. “Of course we will.”

Blackie barked furiously.

“Will you two get on with it!” Reg shouted crossly.

“We really should—”
Jane began.

“Yeah, I know,” Tom agreed, but
he didn’t release her. “We will, right after this.” He kissed her again. And then again after that…

About the Author

Thank you for selecting a Debra Webb story. Though Debra has earned a reputation for outstanding romantic suspense, she began her career with nearly a dozen sassy and spicy romances. For the first time these heartfelt romances are now available worldwide in e-book format. Previously published as a Kensington Precious Gems, available only in Walmart for one short month, Debra is proud to present her beloved tales of romance. If you enjoyed TAMING GI JANE be sure to look for Debra’s other sassy and spicy Pink House Press releases:

Sassy and Spicy Romances

HERE TO STAY

TEMPTING TRACE

UP CLOSE

BASIC INSTINCTS

KEEPING KENNEDY

FREE FALLING

GOING TO THE CHAPEL

THE BACK-UP PLAN

Romantic Suspense

BONE DEEP

The Traitor (A short story of romantic suspense)

The Jackie Mercer Sassy, Sexy Mystery Series:

DIRTY – series debut

DEBRA WEBB, born in Alabama, wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen.
 It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the military behind the Iron Curtain—and a five-year stint with NASA—that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has penned nearly 100 novels including her internationally bestselling Colby Agency series. The debut, OBSESSION, in her romantic thriller series, the Faces of Evil, propelled Debra to the top of the bestselling charts for an unparalleled twenty-four weeks and garnered critical acclaim from reviewers and readers alike. Don’t miss a single installment of this fascinating and chilling twelve-book series!

Visit Debra at
www.thefacesofevil.com
or at
www.debrawebb.com
. You can write to Debra at PO Box 12485, Huntsville, AL, 35815.