Chapter 34
Drying off and getting dressed, AJ went to the window to check on the storm. It had stopped snowing and he could see the plows out in force on the street in front of Mac's place. They had to have gotten over a foot of snow in less than twenty-four hours! Knowing that he wouldn't get back to sleep at that point, AJ quietly went into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee.
Mac woke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and wondered what was going on until she remembered that AJ had spent the night on her couch. She wondered what he would have thought to know that in her dreams, at least, he'd shared her bed. That was nothing new though, in her dreams he'd spent many nights in her bed!
Getting up and throwing a warm robe over her T-shirt and boxers, she went in search of the coffee. Thank God AJ liked it as strong as she did. The one and only time Harm had spent the night, he'd almost choked on the coffee she'd made for him in the morning.
The sight of AJ standing at her kitchen counter drinking coffee was almost as stimulating as the coffee itself would have been. How she wished something other than sabotage and a snowstorm had brought this about!
He turned at the sound of her entrance into the kitchen, "Morning Mac, good news today, the storm seems to have passed."
"I guess that evil boss of mine will expect me at work this morning then…" she heaved a sigh, with a grin on her face as she accepted the mug of coffee he handed her.
"Well I don't think he'd have much to say if you were late…since he's riding with you today."
"There is that!" she laughed. "Have you already showered this morning?"
"Yes, I woke early, I hope you don't mind?"
"Not at all, I'm glad you felt at home enough to do so. Just let me grab a shower and get dressed and we can head to work. You do still have a spare uniform at the office don't you?"
"Yes, just for times like this," he answered, pouring himself another cup of coffee.
"Alright, I'll be ready to go in eighteen minutes," she told him turning towards the bathroom.
"Really?" he laughed, "Not seventeen or nineteen?"
"Nope, I have my routine down, the only thing that changes is in the winter I have to add three minutes to blow dry my hair so I don't go out with it wet."
"Okay, I'll be timing you Marine!" he teased looking down at his watch.
"You do that!" she exclaimed and rushed off.
Fourteen minutes later she came out of the bathroom and entered her bedroom to dress, AJ grinned, she was going to be late. No woman he knew could get dressed to go anywhere in just four minutes. He was astonished when she came out in just under the four allotted minutes, dressed and ready to go! Looking at her and shaking his head, he said, "You never cease to amaze me Mac!"
"I told you eighteen minutes, didn't you believe me?"
"Not for a minute! I was sure you were going to be much longer."
Pouring some coffee into a travel mug, she grinned and said, "A Marine never lies."
When Mac and AJ arrived at the office, she went into the break room to start a pot of coffee, while he went into his office to change into his spare uniform. The Virginia road crews were used to unexpected storms like the one they'd had and had worked diligently to clear the roads. Neither Mac nor AJ were surprised when the rest of the staff started arriving around 0800 EST.
The staff meeting went on as usual, but everyone's eyes kept drifting to Harm's empty chair. Once the meeting was over, AJ asked Sturgis to report to his office. A few minutes later, Coates announced that Commander Turner was there. AJ told her to send him in and once he entered, AJ offered him a seat.
"Sturgis I know that when Bud returned to work, you took the smaller office, and because we will be getting another lawyer as soon as possible, I want to offer you Harm's office."
"I don't know if I could be comfortable in that office Sir."
"I can understand that son, but as his friend, I'm sure that Harm would want you to have it."
"Thank you Sir, may I have some time to consider it?"
"Certainly just let me know what you decide."
To be continued…..