The Ranger - Ace Atkins [110]
“Not my problem,” Quinn said. “The Army is my career.”
“I noticed you’re still giving to that leg where you got shot.”
“I know men who lost part of their legs and still serve,” he said. “You know, I’ve been in since I was eighteen. Most of my time here at Benning. You can’t just walk away from that.”
“You wouldn’t be walking away from anything.”
“I can’t.”
“Just consider it.”
The hamburgers came, and they ate for a long time without talking, only Lillie asking for the ketchup and a couple napkins from Quinn’s side of the table. “Can you stay the night?” he asked again.
“Why?” she asked.
“I like seeing you.”
“Anna Lee is pregnant.”
“What does that have to do with us?”
“Plenty.”
That kind of soured things for a bit before Quinn walked Lillie to her Jeep, Lillie saying it would probably be best if she turned back around and headed home. “I got two church services to make tomorrow. Plenty of hands to shake.”
“You can beat Stagg,” he said. “People respect you. No one respects him.”
“It’s done.”
“I can’t quit, Lillie,” Quinn said, hugging her again and stepping away. “It’s not possible.”
“How’s that desk?”
“It makes my ass hurt, sitting all day.”
“You think all the troubles we got end with one shitbag who set up camp? Gowrie is one of many.”
Quinn reached for her Jeep door and opened it. He could smell her clean shampoo smell as she moved in close.
“Think about,” she said.
Without warning, Lillie leaned over and kissed him hard on the mouth, got into the Jeep and slammed the door. She backed out, Quinn paralyzed where he stood, smiling. She rolled down the window. “I won’t stop trying with you.”
Quinn smiled and waved, watching her pull out onto Veterans, turn west and disappear, his mind working over the possibilities.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to Colonel George Reynolds, USA (Ret.), for his support, stories, and friendship while serving at Camp Phoenix in AFG, and also to my buddy Jason, former saw gunner and fire team leader, 2nd Platoon/ Alpha Company of 3/75 Ranger Regiment, for telling me a hell of a lot about Quinn.
As always, appreciation to my family: Doris and Charlie, Paige and Jim and the boys, and Angela and Billy. Thanks also to Tim Green for twenty years of support and friendship.
And to the Putnam team of Neil Nyren, Sara Minnich, Michael Barson, Claire McGinnis, and Ivan Held.
Of course, nothing would be possible without my tough and loyal agent, Esther Newberg.
And a decade of thanks to my friend David Thompson, a brilliant and funny true pal who is gone way, way too soon. You are greatly missed.
ALSO BY ACE ATKINS
Crossroad Blues
Leavin’ Trunk Blues
Dark End of the Street
Dirty South
White Shadow
Wicked City
Devil’s Garden
Devil’s Garden
Infamous