LITMIR.BIZ

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sighed deeply. “Well, I was so happy with the contacts that I stupidly wore them all the time. After about a year, I ended up with pretty severe corneal ulcerations, and came close to needing a cornea transplant. That was the end of the contacts and so...” She gave him a small frown and motioned to her glasses.

      He shook his head and murmured, “Kids can be dumb... I think they’re beautiful.”

      The room suddenly seemed to be closing in and Claire felt a little dizzy. That feeling was accompanied by a lightness in her chest and tears threatened. She blinked self-consciously and returned her gaze to her napkin. Her heart rate soared and her stomach quivered. He couldn’t know that with that simple statement—with those four words—Luke had helped salve a wound that was more than twenty years old. In that brief moment, years of distress and embarrassment over her unusual eyes were replaced by a sense of release edging into quiet exultation.

      He had called them beautiful.

      Claire’s attention was brought back to the moment when the waiter placed cool glasses of Coke in front of them. “What you want to eat?” he asked.

      Luke shifted his gaze to the waiter and said, “Sorry, we’re not ready. Can you give us a minute?”

      “Of course. I will return shortly.” He moved on to the adjacent booth.

      Slightly dazed, Claire took a sip to quench her suddenly dry mouth. Setting the glass down, she picked up her menu and tried to focus. She was not entirely successful.

      “Their pizza is terrific, but they do great lasagna and pasta, too.”

      Claire was still reeling from the emotional onslaught brought on by his comment, but she managed to say, “I’ve had my heart set on pizza since you mentioned it. I’m partial to pepperoni but hate anchovies. Otherwise, I like pretty much anything.”

      “Got it. Note to self, in the future, don’t order pizza with anchovies.”

      Claire smiled then, recognizing the implications of his comment. As Luke turned to get the attention of the waiter, his cell phone rang. He glanced at her and said something under his breath before pulling the device from his pocket. After scanning the caller ID, he pushed a button on the phone and growled, “Llewellyn.”

      Although there was little overt change in Luke’s expression, she saw a muscle flex in his jaw. “How long ago?” He nodded absently at the response and looked pensive. “How many?...Have you notified ROK command?...Okay, contact them to be on alert status.” He looked at his watch. “I’ll be there in about fifteen.” Luke ended the call and then glared at Claire. Shaking his head, he sighed deeply.”

      “What’s wrong?”

      “I’ve gotta go.” His scowl was almost comical. “Maybe I’m being punished for being mean to my brothers or not cleaning my room or something...” He got the attention of the waiter. “We have to leave. Please give me the check.”

      The waiter nodded and said, “One minute.” He departed toward the kitchen.

      “Anything serious?” Claire asked.

      “No, not really. Looks like there’s a squid boat in the Japan Sea with too many people.”

      She blinked. “Why does the U.S. Army care how many people are on a squid boat? Are they afraid the boat will sink?”

      He chuckled. “Uh, no. But a larger-than-normal contingent of men could be a potential threat to the mainland. Most likely, though, they’re North Korean refugees.”

      She nodded, her curiosity piqued. “But it’s night. How do you know how many people are on a random fishing boat somewhere out at sea?”

      Luke gave her an enigmatic look but didn’t answer.

      “Oh...I get it. If you told me, you’d have to kill me?”

      He chuckled. “Nothing that dire. But I’m not going to tell you.”

      She giggled and then became more serious. “What happens if they are refugees?”

      His smile faded. “There are surprisingly few people who actually escape from the north. No one can get through the DMZ because of the mines and heavy fortification. A few hundred per year come through China, but the Chinese government really discourages that and will send them back if they’re caught—and it’s very bad for those who are sent back. Fewer people come by boat, mostly because they lack the resources and opportunity. At any rate, the ROK—Republic of Korea—never turns them away. There are lots of agencies here to help refugees assimilate...”

      He was interrupted when the waiter gave him the check. Luke glanced at it then pulled several bills from his wallet and handed them to the waiter. “Thanks. We’ll try again tomorrow.” He rose and waited for Claire, then stood to one side, indicating that she should precede him.

      “You know,” Claire said as they left the restaurant, “I’ve heard that when some people go on blind dates, they’ll have a friend call them an hour into the evening with an ‘emergency,’ to give them a way out...” She winked at him.

      Luke scoffed. “Believe me, honey, this is not one of those times.” He looked relieved that she was actually joking with him. “Can we...um... Would you consider trying again tomorrow?” His eyes were practically pleading.

      She smiled. “Yes, of course. But if you get another mysterious phone call before I get pizza, I’ll be very suspicious!”

      “I promise. If you’ll come with me again, no phone calls!”

      As they approached the Kia, he glanced at Claire. “What kind of identification do you have with you?”

      “Huh?”

      “Do you happen to have your temporary passport?”

      “Well, yes.” She touched her purse. “Why?”

      “What about a driver’s license or some kind of picture ID?”

      “I have my hospital ID but not a driver’s license since I don’t drive here... Why?” she repeated.

      “Good. That’ll make it easier.”

      “Make what easier?” Claire was getting increasingly confused.

      “Getting you on base. I have to get back now, so I can’t drive you home.”

      “Why do I need to go onto the base?” She motioned to the very busy street. “It’s not a problem. I can just catch a taxi.”

      “No.” His tone was blunt. “That’s not an option.”

      “Wait a minute! Of course it’s an option.” She stopped walking and turned to face him. “Seriously, Luke, I understand that you need to get back to the base right now, But you don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself.” Her tone suggested it would be wise if he didn’t argue.

      “Mary Claire—” his drawl was back, much stronger than before “—in case you’ve forgotten, the reason I came to see you today—well, at least part of the reason—is because I’m convinced someone targeted you the other night. Someone who fully intended to hurt you. I can’t take you home, but I can make sure you get home safely, which is why I need to get you on base.” He took her hand and started again in the direction of the car.

      She had already lost the battle, softening even further when he’d called her ‘Mary Claire.’ Besides, she really liked the feel of his large hand enclosing hers. Trying to accommodate to his need to hurry, she said, “Luke, you’re sweet for worrying about me, but this is only tonight. You can’t be with me tomorrow morning when I go to work or tomorrow evening, or the next day, or the next.” She glanced at him and the corners of her mouth turned up a little, “Well...tomorrow evening...” she said hopefully.

      “I know,” he said, his expression somber. “But I can be sure tonight. I promise that you’re going to be safe tonight.” There was a hint of something

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