Blue Christmas Read Free Page B

threatened with an unintended emotion.
    “No can do, soldier. I have a full day of work preparing for tonight. Besides, given the abundance of eager women in this city and knowing your prodigious talents, you’d find an afternoon with me confining and disappointing.”
    Brady stiffened and frowned at her, but if anything tightened his hold on her. His voice betrayed his surprise at her rebuff. To avoid being heard by the other men, who were diligently pretending to ignore their teammate captured in the arms of the dashing consultant, he spoke in a low tone.
    “Not quite sure where that is coming from Tiffany, but I’ll chalk it up to your missing me. Something that we are going to rectify now, darlin’. So be a good girl and don’t make a scene.”
    Grasping Tiffany’s arm, Brady tugged her toward the door. Nodding to the men who stepped back to let them pass, he said in a cheerful voice, “It was a pleasure meeting you all. I’m honored to be part of such an illustrious team. See you tonight, gentlemen.”
    Not letting go of Tiffany’s arm, he turned to Col. Marion and addressed him as the long term friend that he was.
    “Jake sends his regards, Marty. Thanks for bringing us in on this venture. It’s always a pleasure to work with the best.”
    The Colonel scoffed. “Hell, Brady, I’d hire you for every op I run, but those nosy fuckers in Congress are looking harder and harder at our discretionary budgets. Not easy to hide your fees, man.”
    Brady grinned. “Remind them when we’re successful tonight that we saved them millions of dollars and years of egg on their faces trying to explain how the North Koreans armed themselves with the latest AK 47’s and Kimber 380’s. Now if you’ll excuse me, Captain Anderson and I have some catching up to do.”

Chapter 4
    “Don’t want to sound like an ugly American, sugar, but do you know anyplace besides the mess hall where I can get scrambled eggs, sausage and maybe a rasher of bacon without kimchee ? I’m a growing boy and always thought I was tough, but damn, no wonder these Korean folks never grow higher than five and a half feet. Their mamas put hot peppers in their baby food. Makes a body unwilling to take that much abuse. They just stop growing.”
    Tiffany laughed. “That’s an interesting theory, Brady. A horseshit one, but interesting nonetheless.”
    Brady winked at her. “Damn, I love a woman with a dirty mouth.”
    Tiffany felt heat rush to her face. Blame her Irish mother. Her mother had stayed with her father only long enough to produce a child that not only inherited her wild hair but also her fair skin with a dusting of freckles and a propensity to blush. Over time, Tiffany stopped blaming her mother for abandoning her and her father. Being shuttled from one unsuspecting relative to another while her father pursued his heroic exploits making the world safe for democracy, she understood why a woman might be unwilling to stick around. Especially when each of those distant missions involved what Tiffany had come to call “the flavor of the month.” One thing about her father was that he was as far from a sexual racist as one could be. As long as the woman was willing and had the required bodily orifices, she was fair game. Nope, as much as she loved her father, she had long ago forgiven her mother for beating a hasty retreat. More power to her.
    “Hey, Tiff, what’s that frown about?”
    Tiffany startled, not aware that she’d betrayed her emotions once again. Damn, what was it about Brady that weakened her hardened reserves.
    She tried to make light of her confused emotions.
    “Sorry, Brady. Think the holiday is getting to me. But in answer to your question, there is a little hole in the wall about a mile from here where they serve authentic Korean food for aficionados like me and American food for wimps like you.”
    Brady laughed so heartily that strangers turned with a smile to see the source of the infectious sound.
    “You’re on,