Landon let out a sigh. “You need to see this with your own two eyes. Words alone won’t do the problem justice.” He paused. “Do you think you can hop on the next military transport to Kabul?”
Alexander stiffened, caught off guard by Landon’s unusual request. More intrigued than surprised, he glanced around the upscale restaurant, the dull murmur of meaningless conversations broken by the occasional clanging of a dish or wine glass. It all seemed so superficial. Here he was, dressed in a suit that cost more than most people made in a year, schmoozing another set of clients for the business.
When he had agreed to take over the company, he was well aware that this was part of the job. Lately, though, he felt as if he had been spending all his time sitting in an office or a restaurant like this, meeting with clients. He missed the thrill of the unknown, the adrenaline of being in the field. He wanted something more, something different.
Something about that moment, the unhappiness he had been feeling toward his chosen career path, coupled with the frantic and excited tone with which Landon spoke made Alexander believe this was exactly what he needed.
“I’ll be there.” He hung up and strode out of the restaurant, leaving his clients sitting at the table. He hadn’t felt this alive in months, maybe years.
Twenty-four hours later, Alexander emerged onto the dusty tarmac in Kabul, Afghanistan. Assaulted by the hot, relentless sun, he remembered the first time he had stepped foot in this country, not knowing whether he’d be returning home in the passenger compartment or cargo hold. It didn’t matter. Back then, he had nothing to return to anyway.
“Alex!” a voice bellowed as he walked toward the administration building.
He looked in the direction of the voice and smiled, approaching his old friend and teammate. He pulled him in for a quick hug, then stepped back.
“I half expected you to walk off that plane wearing a suit.” Landon grinned, crossing his arms in front of his broad chest. “I’ve only seen you a handful of times over the past few years, but you were always wearing some suit made by a guy whose name I could hardly pronounce and would probably never be able to afford.”
“You will if you hold up your end of the bargain and come work for me,” he reminded him, raising his eyebrows.
“First things first. You never know what we’ll come across in our travels, so let’s get you geared up.” Landon started toward the administration building on the base.
Alexander ran to catch up, fighting off the wind. “Where exactly are we going?”
“A hospital about a hundred miles from here,” he shouted over the roar of a helicopter.
It felt oddly strange to be back on a military base in this country. If it weren’t for the stark desert surroundings, Alexander wouldn’t have believed he was anywhere other than the United States — palm trees waving in the wind, the sun shining brightly as birds chirped in the distance. But once they left the secured fences surrounding the military installation, both men now sporting bulletproof vests and helmets, that all changed. Kabul was a city like any other, but the violence it saw over the years had left its mark. Some neighborhoods had been reduced to rubble and never rebuilt. The area wasn’t as dangerous as it once was, but Landon was right. It was best to always prepare for the worst.
“Want to tell me why you had me come all the way out here?” Alexander shouted over the loud engine as Landon navigated the all-terrain vehicle down a sandy path. They had left the crowded city behind and were now surrounded by nothing but desert and mountains.
“Like I said over the phone, words can’t adequately describe this. You need to see it with your own eyes to fully understand how important it is that something is done. The military can’t do jack shit about it…or so I’m told.” He rolled his eyes, then glanced at Alexander. “But you can. You’re a civilian with too much money. You can use that money for good.”
Alexander stared at Landon, whose blue eyes were hidden behind his dark sunglasses. The sandy hair peeking out from underneath his helmet was lighter than Alexander recalled, probably from being deployed here for who knows how long. Studying him, Alexander thought how much Landon had grown and matured since their days of drinking beer together while on leave fifteen years ago. He had never heard him speak with such passion and zeal, even when he talked about Rayne, his fiancée. He knew this had to be important. Landon wouldn’t ask him to jump on the next military transport out here if it weren’t.
“You certainly have me intrigued,” Alexander mused.
“Good.” Landon gave him a look, then turned his attention back to the road.
After a bumpy two-hour drive, which was hell on Alexander’s back, Landon finally pulled up to a small tan building in a remote village. There was a line of people out the door. Women held crying children. Old men looked like the next breath they took might be their last.
“Medical care leaves much to be desired here,” Landon explained, turning off the engine.
“Where are we?” Alexander asked, staring at his surroundings in bewilderment. He couldn’t imagine anyone living in such deplorable conditions. Many of the buildings were made of clay, the tin roofs rickety.
“A medical clinic.”
“This is a clinic?” he said in shock, looking back at the line of people snaking out of the building.
“Yup,” Landon replied curtly, then jumped out of the ATV.
Alexander followed him past the line and into the building. The smell of urine and death surrounded him, a lone fan the only means of lowering the temperature and circulating the air.
“As you know, the military does what it can, but it’s not our place to provide medical care to the people here. At least that’s what my commanding officer tells me.”
“And he’s right,” Alexander responded in a stern voice, then relaxed his expression. “I’ve never known you to be such a softie.”
Landon glanced over his shoulder. “Maybe I’ve grown wiser over the years. Maybe I want to finally do something that makes a difference.”
“You don’t think you make a difference?” Alexander shot back, crossing his arms as they came to a stop. “You’re a SEAL, for crying out loud,” he whispered. “You go into areas most other military forces run from. You can’t say—”
“I know. I know. I just…” He sighed, removing his helmet. Alexander did the same. He had forgotten how much he hated those things. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I have grown soft. Or maybe this isn’t what I’m meant to do. Maybe God has a different purpose for me.”
“And you think opening up a medical facility with my help is that purpose?” Alexander tilted his head, raising his eyebrows.
“No. Not a clinic.” Landon grinned slyly.
Alexander narrowed his eyes. “Then what?” He had assumed this was about using his vast resources to provide medical care to those in need. Now he had no idea what to expect.