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"This has been more than enough," Ria said. "I'm sure Megan has lots of material for her report."
"I do," Megan said. "But I might have some questions when I start writing."
"I'm always available."
"I need to change clothes, then I'll give you a ride home," Drew said. "You can wait here. There's water, coffee, a restroom."
"We'll be fine," Ria assured him.
As Drew left, she and Megan moved into the lounge. One wall was covered with grouped photographs, each group showing a different decade in Coast Guard history that started around World War II and ended with the present.
"This is seriously more interesting than I thought it would be," Megan commented.
Ria appreciated the interest in Megan's eyes. While her first priority with Megan was keeping her safe, her long-term goal was to give Megan what she needed to live a happy life.
Megan paused in front of the most recent group of photos. "There's Drew," she said. "It looks like he's getting some kind of award."
Ria took a closer look. Drew was in full dress uniform, and he was shaking hands with the Mayor of San Francisco. The accompanying article talked about the bravery displayed by Drew Callaway during a search and rescue mission. His rescue swimmer and another male were trapped in a sinking vessel. With no other available swimmers, Drew turned over command of his helo and went into the water to save both people.
"Wow," Megan murmured, reading the article over Ria's shoulder.
Ria met her niece's gaze. "Wow," she echoed.
"Do you really think you're going to find someone better than Drew?" Megan asked. "He's like a superhero."
Ria smiled. She couldn’t argue with that.
"You're like a superhero, too," Megan added. "You saved my life. I think you and Drew would be perfect together. And you're crazy if you don't think so, too."
* * *
Ria was still thinking about Megan's words when they piled into Drew's car and headed back to the city. She didn't think she could do better than Drew, but she thought he could probably do much better than her. Another time, another place, another lifetime—maybe they could have finished what they started, because she liked him so much. But it was ridiculous to think that they could have a future in the life she was living now. Maybe Megan could let herself get caught up in the romance of it all, but Ria didn't have that luxury. She had to guard everything and that included her heart.
"Did you have a good time?" Drew asked.
She nodded. "I'm very impressed."
"Well, that is partly why I became a pilot—I figured it was a good way to get girls," he said with a smile.
"It definitely is," Megan put in from the back seat.
Ria laughed. "Sixteen-year-old girls," she said.
"I know. You're a tougher nut to crack, Ria."
"I'm impressed, too. Megan and I read an article about one of your rescues."
"I forgot that was still on the wall. No big deal," he said with a shrug. "It's what anyone on the crew would do when faced with a similar situation."
"Did the other pilot want to make the rescue attempt?" she asked.
"I was in the right seat that day. Tim was in control of the helo."
She stiffened at the mention of Tim. The name set off warning bells from a long time ago. "Tim," she muttered. "He was the guy on the island with you, wasn't he?"
He shot her a quick look. "Yes."
"And he works with you now?" Her stomach turned over. "Was he there this afternoon? Did he see me? Did he see us?" She didn't remember seeing the attractive blond from the island, but there had been a lot of men milling about the air station.
"Relax. He left at four. He didn't see you."
She blew out a breath. "You should have told me that I might run into him."
"I knew you wouldn't. That's why I didn’t tell you."
"But someone might tell him we were there."
"I introduced you as Tory," he reminded her. "And what would anyone say? That I showed a woman and a teenager around? That's hardly big news."
"Who's Tim?" Megan asked.
She glanced back at her niece's curious face. "He was with Drew on the island when we met."
