Delta Bear (Rogue Bear Series 2)
night nurse responded. “It’s quiet for once around here.”
    “I think you’re right.” Haley smiled. “I’ll be in the doctor’s lounge if that changes in the next ten minutes. I hope we didn’t just jinx it.”
    She walked down the hall past the patient rooms and pulled the stethoscope from her neck. She massaged the back of her shoulders. She had been on her feet for twelve hours. The only thing she could think about was a hot shower, preferably at home.
    “Hey, you clocking out?”
    She turned to see Dr. Mors filling his coffee cup.
    “Yes, I have three days off. I’m going to sleep through all three of them.” She pulled her bag from her locker.
    “Didn’t you sign up for the Help A Hero Program?” he asked.
    “Shit. I did. My day is tomorrow isn’t it?”
    He took a sip of his coffee, his long nose dipping in the cup. “Yep. You better pick up your list on the way out.”
    “Any chance these soldiers sleep in?” she whined.
    He laughed. “The ones I worked with were up before the sun.”
    Haley sighed. “What are the chances I’ll get the ones that are more nocturnal?” She checked the clock over the door. Finally, midnight.
    “You remember what they said in our veterans training about disrupted sleep patterns.”
    “Right. I do. It reminded me of my psych rotation. I had just enough to help me with my patients, but not so much I felt like I had to psychoanalyze everyone.” She remembered how much she enjoyed that rotation.
    The older doctor chuckled. “Believe me, these guys already think that’s why you’re there. The first two I met practically threw me out.”
    “Really?”
    “Oh yeah. We know we’re there to help, but it might not come across that way to them. Some of them just want to be left alone.”
    She flung her bag on her shoulder. “Good to know. Thanks.”
    “Sure thing. I have a patient to check on. Good luck tomorrow, and enjoy your time off. Good night, Dr. Manning.”
    “Good night, Dr. Mors.” She walked out of the lounge in search of the list she needed for the Help A Hero Program.
    “Michelle, do you have the volunteer information here?” Haley stopped at the nurses’ station.
    “Sure do. Hold on a second.” Michelle returned with a clipboard in her hand. “Looks like you only have one.”
    “One?”
    “Mmmhmm.” Michelle handed her the sheet of paper. “And this one didn’t get called in until after five.”
    “You mean the list was blank?”
    “Yep.” Michelle smiled. “There isn’t much on him. Only that he just returned.”
    Haley looked at the notes in the margin and shrugged her shoulders. “Not much to go on, but I’ll pay him a visit in the morning.” She turned for the door. “Good night.”

3
    Jax
    H e sat on the front porch of the cabin. For the past two years he had the same ritual when he woke up. He’d unsheathe the dagger from the case he wore on his leg and sharpen the blade.
    It became part of his survival routine. His gun could misfire, but his knife would always be accurate and sharp. The edge of the blade scraped over the sharpening block as he dipped it back and forth.
    Jax could hear the engine before he even saw the car. His ears were tuned in to every little sound. He clutched the handle when he saw the car approach. Who in the hell would be driving out here? His cabin was in the middle of the woods.
    He stood, scowling at the car. The last thing he wanted was a magazine subscription or to donate money to a political campaign. He glared at the windshield, but he couldn’t see who was behind the wheel. There was enough sunlight filtering through the treetops to cause a bright reflection.
    Jax’s eyes narrowed when the car door opened. He crossed his arms, but his heart stopped and his chest seized when he saw whom the driver was.
    “Are you Jackson Landon?” she asked from the base of the steps.
    The physical jolt to his system was so fierce he almost growled at her.
    He looked down at her green eyes. There were

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