Page 18 of My All American Girl

8

DEAN

Isipped my coffee, staring out into the backyard of the duplex I secured for my base housing. It wasn’t quite as nice as the house Margaret took, and I had enjoyed nicer places, but this would do.

The backyard was plain, with a fence separating the space from the neighbor’s yard. It wasn’t much of a view, but it had potential. Maybe I’d set up a grill out there, something to occupy my time when I wasn’t at work.

I took another sip, savoring the taste. The coffee was strong and bitter, just how I liked it.

I turned my attention back inside to the sparsely decorated living room. The furniture was new. Margaret got all the furniture in the divorce as well. The cream-colored couches were comfortable enough. I didn’t really care. I wasn’t looking at this as a long-term installment. I had to get Sarah off on the right foot and then I was moving on.

I put my empty mug in the sink, another bit of new. New dishes. New bed linens. I was starting over, which was what I wanted. Mostly.

I headed toward the colonel’s office. Despite the years that had passed since I last set foot here, it all felt very much the same. Excitable pilots in training hurried past me, their enthusiasm palpable as they rushed to classes and assignments. Another group was in the middle of PT.

I brushed past a group outside the campus. They handed out flyers and tried to rally interest in their groups. I had little interest in their endeavors, my focus squarely set on the task at hand. When I was here before, I was one of them. Things were different now.

I made my way inside and headed straight for Colonel Grier’s office. He was an amazing pilot. He was in his late forties and a seasoned veteran who had trained countless new pilots in the UPT program. I knew him well. He was a solid guy that I respected. I hoped he would understand my situation.

Grier greeted me with a firm handshake. “It’s been a long time, Ryker,” he remarked.

“Four years,” I replied. “Maybe five.”

“Have a seat,” he said. “I didn’t know you were visiting.”

I grimaced, dreading what came next. I wasn’t visiting. “This will explain my visit,” I said and handed over the letter from General Thomas.

Grier’s eyes narrowed as he read the contents. I braced myself for his reaction. I may as well have tap danced on his toes.

“He gave you my assignment?” Grier asked, his tone laced with disbelief.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. “Mostly where Lieutenant Thomas is concerned,” I explained, hoping to alleviate any concerns he might have. “I didn’t ask for it. I’m supposed to be in London. I’m not here to take your job or get in your way.”

“Lieutenant Thomas?” he asked and then I saw the second it all became clear. “His daughter.”

“Yes, sir.” I nodded. “I’ll only be working in her classes. I won’t interfere with any other classes or pilots under your command. You won’t even know I’m here.”

He didn’t like it, I could tell, but there was little he could do to change the situation. General Thomas outranked all of us. If he chose to use me on his pet project, then that was what I was going to do.

“I wasn’t aware his daughter would be here,” he said.

“Neither was I until very recently,” I replied.

Grier rubbed his face with both hands and let out a long breath. “This throws a wrench into our usual program. Lieutenant Thomas will be scrutinized, and so will we.”

“But it’s the general’s orders, sir.”

“Yes, it is.” Colonel Grier sighed again and leaned back in his chair. He raked a hand through his graying hair. “I’ve known you for a long time, Ryker, and despite the unusual circumstances, I trust your judgment. But this better not interfere with my other cadets.”

“It won’t, sir,” I assured him. “I won’t let it.”

“Am I being watched?” he asked.

“Watched, sir?”

“Watched? Are you reporting back to him?”

“Who?” I asked with confusion.