Page 142 of Through Waters Deep

“I’m sure we will. I’ve noticed things changing at the Navy Yard—” Her head jerked up, and her eyes grew big. “Oh no. My job.”

He grimaced. “Michigan? Is it true?”

She moaned. “Yes, it’s true. Oh dear. Now I don’t want to leave Boston.”

“Any chance Mr. Pennington would take you back?”

One corner of her mouth twitched. “He did say he’d hire me back in a heartbeat.”

“Well, my heart’s beating that you take him up on the offer.”

“I’ll talk to him first thing in the morning.” She rested her cheek on his shoulder. “I’m glad I planned to purchase my airplane ticket at the airport. Oh, and I’ll have to fetch my luggage from the ferry terminal.”

“We’ll do that. I have a thirty-day survivor’s leave, and I want to spend every moment with you.”

“Uh-oh.” She cringed. “My parents are expecting me home for Christmas.”

“Good.” Jim kissed her forehead. “I told my parents Arch and I might come home for Christmas, but I didn’t want to make any definite plans until I knew how you’d react.”

“Do you think you’ll still get leave now that we’re at war?”

“I’ll report in today, but we don’t have our new assignments and the Navy is strict about offering survivor’s leave.”

“A whole month. And then...”

And then off to real declared war.

A sense of purpose solidified inside. The Navy would need good line officers who could make wise decisions, balancing the needs of the country, the ship, and the men. He settled a kiss on her nose. “Don’t worry. I’m ready.”

“I know.” Her expression brimmed over with love for who he was and confidence in who he could be. “Don’t worry about me either. You have a job to do, and I’ll be right beside you.”

“Not at sea you won’t.”

Mary laughed. “In my heart I will be. In my prayers.”

“What more could I want?”

She brushed her lips over his chin. “How about a proper good-bye?”

“Only if I also get a proper hello.” When she smiled her approval, he said hello, over and over.