Don't Cry for Me Read Free

has been stateside at the army hospital in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, for the past two months. The doctor’s about ready to sign off on a release, and I remembered hearing Conrad grew up in foster care, without any family or anywhere to go. I just hated to think about one of us turning into some homeless vet and sleeping on the streets, you know? Thought you might know of a place that could help.”
    Quinn didn’t have to think twice. “Yeah, I know a place. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”
    “That’s great! It’s a worry off my mind.”
    “Yeah, sure. Are you home on leave or what?” Quinn asked.
    “No. I’m out for good as of six months ago. Can’t wrap my head around normal living yet, but hey…it’s bound to come back one of these days.”
    Quinn knew exactly what he meant. “One of these days for sure,” he echoed.
    “So, talk to you soon, and tell Conrad I said hey.”
    “Will do, and thanks for the heads-up.”
    “Right.”
    Quinn ended the call, and then set the phone aside and reached for the remote. He found the show he wanted to watch and then kicked back and took a drink of his cold, yeasty beer.
    But the show was the furthest thing from his mind. He kept remembering the last time he’d been with his unit. They had been doing a sweep of some empty buildings when the world had blown up in his face. He’d been burned and bleeding and half out of his head when someone grabbed his arm. It had been Conrad, shouting, “We got you, Hillbilly, hang on! Hang on! Don’t you dare die.”
    Now Conrad was the one hurting. The least he could do was provide a place for R & R until his fellow soldier was one hundred percent. Tomorrow he would make a few calls. Make sure the doctor didn’t sign the release papers before Quinn could get there, and see if he could borrow Ryal and Beth’s SUV. The backseat lay down flat, making the rear of the vehicle into a fairly decent bed. It was a long way to Fort Campbell, which meant it would be a long way back here. A hard drive for anyone who was healthy—and the ride from hell if everything hurt. They had a history of getting on each other’s last nerve but also had a great respect for each other as soldiers.
    * * *
     
    Just after daybreak, Quinn began making phone calls. He found out Conrad’s doctor was a man named Dr. Franks, then called around the hospital until he located him. After he explained the situation to Franks, the doctor assured Quinn that he wouldn’t sign the release papers until he arrived.
    Then he called Ryal.
    “Hey, brother, are you up?” Quinn said.
    “I am now,” Ryal said, and then chuckled.
    “Yeah, sorry about that. Look, I need a favor. A soldier from my unit is in Blanchfield. That’s the army hospital on base at Fort Campbell, remember?”
    “Yes, I remember. That’s where you were, right?”
    “Right. So this friend is about to be released and needs a place to stay. I’d like to borrow your SUV so I can make a bed in the back for the drive home.”
    “Yeah, sure! When do you need it?”
    “Day after tomorrow.”
    “Come get it. Anything else I can do for you?”
    “I have to go back up on the south side of Rebel Ridge and help look for a rogue bear or I would do this myself. But since you asked, there are some things I’m going to need. Are you up for a trip into Mount Sterling?”
    “Wow, this must be some good friend.”
    “It was Conrad who pulled me out of the fire after the explosion.”
    Ryal frowned. “Enough said. Bring your list and your money, brother. I’ll do anything you need me to do.”
    “Thanks. I’ll owe you.”
    “No, I’ll never be able to repay you for saving Beth’s life. Just consider it a favor from one brother to another.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Yeah…but what’s the deal with the bear?” Ryal asked.
    “Killed a hiker and tore another one up pretty bad. We’re thinking it’s either sick or wounded, and it’s still out there. Even though the attack happened on the far side