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He stopped, his hand finding hers to twine their fingers together.

“I want to take you up to Iowa City to watch a football game and show you off to all my brother’s college friends,” he continued. “He’ll love you, by the way. And his wife, Muriel, won’t be able to get enough of you.”

“What’s she like?” she asked, warming at his confidence that these people who clearly meant so much to him would adore her.

“Sweet as pie but with a backbone of steel,” he said with a laugh. “They have three boys who run wild around the house, but they all fall into line when Muriel raises so much as an eyebrow. Come to think of it, my brother does too.”

“It sounds like you miss them,” she said.

He squeezed her hand. “Maybe a bit, but I’ve found some things here in England that sure are worth sticking around for.”

Warmth bloomed in her heart, and she went up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

With a laugh, he caught her around her waist and pulled her into him, kissing her properly. When he finally pulled away, he leaned his forehead against hers and said, “You sure do make a man think, Izzie Shelton.”

“About what?” she asked, every nerve in her body alight.

He kissed her quickly again. “All sorts of things.”

Izzie didn’t want the night to end, but as time slipped away, it was Jack who reminded everyone that they had to make it back to base before Izzie and Alexandra’s curfew.

“Here we are,” said Jack, slowing the car he’d managed to borrow for the evening just before the gates to their base.

“With two minutes to spare,” said Alexandra, sticking her arm through to the front seat where Izzie was tucked up against Jack’s side to show Izzie her watch. “We’d better hurry.”

“She’s right,” said Jack with a rueful smile.

“I know,” said Izzie with a sigh.

“Come here,” said Jack, dipping his head to kiss her. She leaned into him, drinking him in because she knew it would be far too long until she saw him next.

“When will I see you again?” she could hear Ben ask Alexandra behind them.

“When will I see you?” Jack murmured against her lips.

“Next Friday, I think.” She hesitated. “Unless you’re going to be near Great Yarmouth. That’s where we’ve been flying our balloon recently.”

“Are you suggesting I come see my favorite balloon girl in action?” he asked.

She blushed. “Only if you can.”

“I can’t make any promises because I never know where they’ll want me, but I’ll do my best to try to make it out to Great Yarmouth,” he said.

“Izzie, we need to go now,” Alexandra interrupted.

Izzie gave Jack one last, swift kiss, and then flung open the car door to sprint to the gate.

She and Alexandra skidded to a stop in front of the gatehouse, pulling out their passes for the bored-looking guard on duty. He glanced at them and then waved them through. Safely on the right side of the gate, they turned to wave goodbye to Jack and Ben, who were both hanging out of the car windows to watch them.

“Move on, you two,” the guard droned.

They glanced at each other and burst into giggles as they scampered away.

“I thought Jack would never let you go,” said Alexandra.

“Oh, stop it,” said Izzie.

“I’m serious. The man is utterly head over heels in love with you,” said Alexandra.