What Part of Marine Don't You Understand? (The Challenge Series) Read Free Page A

another fast smile. “Done.”
    “What can Congressman Sparks do for you?”
    “You come from a family of Marines, don’t you?”
    “Yes, ma’am. We’re all born and bred. I grew up on Marine bases around the world. My brothers are all in service, or just out like Brent—Congressman Sparks. So I have nothing but the utmost respect for those who serve and want to, you know, push my sleeves up and get involved. Tell me what he can do, and I’ll do my best to push it through.” Brent could have sent an aide to do the tour, but he’d asked her.
    This is personal .
    He wanted her take on it.
    “House Resolution 2663 will be introduced during the next session. It calls for a reduction in funds for discretionary spending. One of the areas earmarked is veteran’s services.”
    “I’m sorry, what?”
    “A new study was released that found the efficacy of veteran’s services at federally funded hospitals to be significantly less when compared to private hospitals. Because of attrition to our armed forces, they want to reallocate money to keep more people in the service, but they have to find the money somewhere.”
    “So they’re targeting veteran’s services.” The thought made her feel vaguely ill. “It won’t pass.”
    “We hope it won’t. I know Congressman Sparks is not on the Armed Forces subcommittee—but he could….”
    “Talk to people who are. Okay, I will mention it to him. What else can we do?”
    Her easy acceptance of the task seemed to surprise Rebecca and the woman laughed. “We’re going to increase our own fundraising activities, we need to get the word out and bring in prominent veterans to endorse Mike’s Place….”
    “Done.” Brent wouldn’t hesitate. She could talk to her father, as well.
    “I’d also like a pony.” Rebecca grinned.
    “I can’t do anything about the pony, but maybe there’s something you could do for me.” The idea began as a bit of an itch in the back of her mind, but the longer she spent on the property the clearer it became.
    “Name it.”
    “Would you mind if I spent a few days here at Mike’s Place? Really have a chance to get to know the people….”
    “To roll up your sleeves and get involved?”
    “Yes.”
    Rebecca didn’t answer immediately, but finally nodded. “I think that will be fine. Do you mind if I run this by Luke first?”
    “Not at all. Out of idle curiosity, how did you two meet?” Her brothers described her as pathological in her ability to ask pointed questions, but Naomi was genuinely curious.
    “That’s a long story.”
    “Well how about I buy you lunch and you can tell me as much as you’re comfortable with?”
    “I’d like that.” Rebecca rose. “But only if you let me treat.”
    “I never say no to a free lunch.”
     
    ***
     
    “That’s pretty much it,” Naomi said into the phone while hefting the guitar case onto the table. She flipped the locks open. Checking the Gibson after every trip was mandatory. She’d saved up every dime she earned over three summers to afford her beauty.
    “You really like the place, don’t you?” Brent must have shut himself away in a quiet office, because the background noise faded.
    “Yeah, I really do. It’s—they’re doing some amazing work here. I asked if they would let me hang out for a few days, really get to know the staff and some of the patients—you know those who are willing.”
    She would need to retune the guitar since she always loosened the strings before she flew. Satisfied, she set it aside and pulled out her laptop to set it up.
    “Aren’t you on some kind of deadline for the album you wanted to record?” Score one for big brothers who actually paid attention when she spoke.
    “I’m still looking for the right songs and we don’t have our studio time booked until the end of next month.” She’d written two pieces, but neither was that powerful—they didn’t capture the soul, and she wanted something big. With just six weeks to put together