The Marine's Queen by Susan Kelley Page B

the cave, almost ready for the mid day meal. Waking with Callie curled around him had left him with loads of frustrated energy to work off. Why had she come to him last night and how did a man ask a lady such a question?
    “ Sir.” Kam jumped lightly from his boark despite his massively muscled body. He was the tallest and heaviest of the marines but still as agile as any of them.
    “ Anything left of their cruisers?” Mak asked in way of greeting. Joe expected no less from his science mechanic.
    “ Maybe. You can check it after we settle the civilians.”
    Webb dismounted with less grace. “Any of them need my help?”
    “ Don’t think so.” Joe helped unsaddle the boarks and carry their packs into the cave. Vin and Tar took care of the extra mounts.
    “ Greetings, ladies,” Webb said with a large grin as they entered the cave. “You must be the queen Tar told me about.”
    Hot emotion flared in Joe’s chest when Webb took Callie’s hand between both of his. The feeling expanded when she smiled back at the doctor.
    “ You’re not a marine,” Callie said.
    Webb laughed. “Not even close. I’m Doctor Lon Webb, at your service.”
    Sally gurgled and drew everyone’s attention to her and Riba. Joe wondered if he’d looked as shocked as Kam and Mak when he saw the infant for the first time.
    Glory wiggled from behind her mother and confronted the new arrivals. “She’s just a baby and can’t say a word.”
    “ Unon bless me,” Kam murmured. “I didn’t believe Tar.”
    “ Kam, show the civilians what you brought for them.” Joe’s order shook the newly arrived marines out of their stunned immobility.
    Kam pulled clothing and gloves out of a bulky pack and held them up for inspection.
    “ What are they?” Riba took one of the large shirts from him.
    Kam’s brow wrinkled. “They’re our newest uniforms. You can wear them until we retrieve the rest of your things.”
    Riba smiled. “It’s perfect. I can’t wait to try it on. Hold Sally.”
    Kam stuck his hands out instinctively when she shoved the baby towards him. Sally fit neatly into his large hands. He cradled her like he held live explosives. With slow care he pulled her close so she rested against his chest.
    Joe held his breath as he watched. Though he’d been close to the baby he’d never touched it. Kam’s bravery impressed him.
    “ Kam, why don’t you sit down,” Callie suggested, her voice strained and her lips curving up.
    Webb laughed, either at her words or at Kam. Joe didn’t like the doctor’s ease among the women.
    Kam sat, his wide-eyed stare locked on the baby. Sweat beaded on his brow and slid down the sides of his face.
    “ You’re here less than an Earth minute, Kam, and already you’re in trouble,” Vin said. Kam’s magnetism for accidents was well known to all the marines.
    The women and men quickly devoured the meal of tender game birds and the added treat of dried fruit though the marines ate quietly while the women and children somehow combined eating, talking and laughter into a noisy chaos.
    As they finished Webb repeated his earlier question. “Is anyone in need of medical attention?”
    “ Lady Callie took some thorns from a cactus vine,” Joe said when she didn’t volunteer the information herself.
    “ I’m fine. Joe pulled out all the barbs. It hasn’t hurt since the first night.”
    “ Still, I should check it. A piece could have broken off and become infected later. Let’s go outside in the sunlight where I can see.”
    Joe followed them out, signaling Vin to see to guard duties. Webb urged Callie to sit on a flat-topped boulder. The doctor knelt in front of her and lifted her foot onto his lap. He pulled off her boot and pushed her loose pant leg up to her knee.
    Anger pulsed in Joe’s chest as the doctor ran his hand along Callie’s calf. Joe clenched his fists and fought against the irrational emotion. Such illogical feelings wasted energy.
    “ Looks like you did a good job here,