Beyond The Limit by Lindsay McKenna Read Free Book Online

Pete murmured, cleaning his boots before he stepped inside. The trailer was pleasantly warm, and he moved aside to allow Cali to enter.
    She shut the door. “Well? Does it meet your expectations?” Her gaze ranged around the room. She had had her office do some homework on Major Trayhern. She knew he’d grown up in the rugged mountains of Montana, so she’d had the trailer office decked out with a wooden table and rolltop desk. It was definitely a man’s place, not a woman’s. Cali knew from experience that men didn’t want frills out in the field. But she also knew they missed their home. On the rear wall of the office was a large picture of a creek flowing through a mountain meadow full of spring wildflowers.
    Pete stepped into the living area at the other end of the trailer. It was state-of-the-art, with a two-burner stove, microwave and small refrigerator. Everything worked. That meant Cali had brought up gasoline generators to supply power for the complex. Running his hand across the white drain board, he eyed the square aluminum sink, dish drainer, towels, small dishwasher and plenty of cabinets. “I’m impressed,” he told her, twisting to look over his shoulder.
    Cali stood with her hands on her hips, her mouth pursed and a rock-solid confidence radiating from her. She had the most alluring green eyes, and Pete found himself wanting to stare into them. But their relationship had to remain businesslike.
    â€œRoland has a good name around the world, and I intend to hear only praise coming from your lips about working with us on this project.” She tried to ignore that pleased glint in his eyes. He did like his trailer, and that made her euphoric.
    â€œI appreciate that.” Pete nodded. “I like all the pictures. They remind me of home,” he confided.
    â€œI thought they would.” Cali followed at a respectful distance, as he explored the living area.
    â€œThat means that you did a little research on me,” he said, running his hand along the wood-paneled wall. Roland Construction obviously paid attention to details. In other construction projects, the low bidder had given him trailers that were nothing but shells, filled with old, dilapidated furniture.
    Cali followed him into the adjoining sleeping area. She’d personally picked out the conservative rust-red, autumn-gold and burnished-orange print for the practical cotton bedspread. To add to his comforts, Cali had hired a widow from a nearby village to clean Pete’s trailer on a weekly basis. The woman had been taught how to use the washer and dryer in the trailer for his laundry. The curtains, bedspread, sheets and other linens were all washable, and nothing required ironing.
    â€œThis is nice,” Pete murmured, liking the dark brown curtains hanging in the two windows. He caught himself. Would he be saying this to a male? No. Scowling, he added, “It will do.” The middle panels were white lace, which lightened the place considerably.
    A personal computer for his private use sat on a built-in desk in one corner, and a solid, blond-wood storage cabinet with a lockbox stood by the bed.
    â€œI know we have the best security, but you need a safe for your important papers.”
    Pete didn’t argue. “Vigilance pays off.”
    â€œEvery time,” Cali agreed grimly. She’d learned from experience, long ago, to install safes that couldn’t be moved by enterprising thieves.
    â€œI see a TV,” Pete stated. “That seems out of place.”
    â€œTelevision doesn’t work out here,” Cali said, pointing to the small set on one of the cabinets opposite his bed. “I’m working on getting you a satellite feed. It has taken me three weeks to get the paperwork through channels in Kabul, something I thought would go a lot faster than it has. There’s a drawerful of the latest DVDs.” She pointed toward the cabinet. “I think that will