Taking Cover. Catherine Mann

copiloting for him. Stepping back, he raised his hands in surrender. “Chauffeur away.”

      At least Kathleen didn’t gloat over her win, merely passed her driver’s license and military travel orders to the impatient clerk.

      Outside, Tanner frowned at the overcast sky. Sixty degrees and drizzling, the weather would make for a miserable ride out. They wouldn’t even reach base before dark.

      Keys jingling with her brisk walk, Kathleen wove between lines of cars. Tanner kept his eyes off her backside this time. The last thing he needed were thoughts of those slim hips taunting him for the next two hours in the car. As long as he kept his distance until she cooled off and started talking again, he would be fine.

      Then he saw “it” in a deserted corner of the lot.

      Their car. If it could be called that.

      How could he have forgotten? The government always opted for econo-class compacts. If he managed to wedge himself inside, there wouldn’t be an inch to spare between them.

      Kathleen unlocked her door, tossed her luggage on the back seat, then paused halfway in, staring over the roof at Tanner. “What now?”

      He looked back and tried not to notice the mist dampening her shirt. “I wonder if they have anything smaller.”

      Her brow furrowed as she glanced around the lot, cars starting and departing at a regular pace. “I don’t think so.”

      “No, really. They must have a scooter back there. It would probably be more comfortable.”