Page 4 of My All American Girl

2

DEAN

Everywhere I looked, eager young cadets were embarking on their journey in the Air Force. I remembered my own days as a sparkly eyed cadet. It felt like just yesterday that I was in their shoes, filled with dreams of soaring through the skies.

I had wanted to be a pilot from a young age. In high school, I was the guy chasing down the recruiter and asking what I could do to get a jump start. I worked at a restaurant washing dishes and mowed lawns to pay for flight lessons before I was even eighteen. I wanted to hit the ground running. My flight instructor told me I was a natural. That I was born with wings.

I worked hard at it anyway, knowing that talent wasn’t enough when lives were on the line. Flying was a thing of joy, but in a combat situation, it wasn’t a game. Mistakes meant your friends didn’t come home.

Speaking of things that were life-threatening, I glanced over at Sarah where she stood with her friends. She was beautiful, with a smile that could steal a man’s soul. And her father was a longtime friend who would tear my balls off if he even caught me looking at her.

I had flown missions through enemy territory but falling for Sarah would be riskier. The best thing I could do was stay far away from her. That wouldn’t be a problem since I was heading out across the Atlantic soon. I would be putting this place far behind me for a while.

The woman had a lot to admire though, and not just her stunning good looks. She had the same determination and the same passion for flying that I did. She was going to be a good pilot if she got into the program. She was a little on the petite side, but they made exceptions. With her dad’s pull, I had a feeling that was not going to be an issue for her.

Mo, Sarah’s father, put his hand on my shoulder and steered me away from the crowd. His furrowed brow and pinched lips told me that this was no casual conversation. Something was up. I desperately hoped he hadn’t caught me staring.

We walked to the outskirts of the crowd. He looked around, making sure we were alone. “I wanted to let you know I’ve pulled some strings and delayed your transfer to the UK base.”

“What? Why?”

“I need you at Columbus,” he said, his eyes meeting mine.

“Columbus? Like Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi?”

Mo nodded. “That’s the one.”

My annoyance flared up instantly. This was my chance to escape and start fresh somewhere new. Columbus didn’t fall into the new category at all. I had history there. Roots. None that had done me dirty, but after the year I’d had, I wanted off the damn continent. I’d already begun making my arrangements, and now Mo was throwing a wrench into my plans.

“Mo, I’ve had this transfer to the UK in the works for a while now,” I said.

He still outranked me. Yes, we were friends, but he was also my boss. I couldn’t just tell him no. I didn’t get to stomp my feet and pout. I went where the Air Force sent me—period.

“I know, but you don’t really want to go over there, do you?” he asked.

Yes. Yes, I absolutely do. I shifted my weight and considered my answer. “I was looking forward to putting some space between me and Margaret.”

He knew about my divorce and the bullshit that had been plaguing me since it all unfolded. I was running from it, but I didn’t care. I just wanted some room to breathe and lick my wounds.

“I understand that,” he said. “But this will still give you a bit of space from her, and more importantly, I really need you for this job. You’re one of the only people I trust to do it properly.”

That piqued my curiosity. Maybe I was handling a classified mission. “What’s going on in Mississippi?”

“I need someone I trust to teach my daughter how to fly,” Mo said. “I need someone with experience and wisdom, not just a greenhorn fresh out of training. I also don’t want some cowboy or guy that’s only read the book and doesn’t have any real experience.”

He was fiercely protective of Sarah. I knew he would do anything to ensure her success, even if it meant sending me to humid ass Mississippi instead of the UK. But I had no obligation to be as protective over the general’s daughter.

“There are some great instructors at Columbus,” I said. “I trained a few of them myself. You’re not giving them enough credit. She’ll be in good hands. You don’t need me.”

The man shook his head. “Ryker, you’re the only man for the job. Sarah is a great kid, but she is also a hot head and is prone to trouble. She takes the bull by the horns and won’t let go. I want you to help focus that wild spirit and make her a pilot like you.”

“I’m not sure I know how to teach that,” I said.

“Lead by example,” the general said. “I also want you to keep an eye on her. She doesn’t understand how tough things are about to get.” His gaze drifted over to where Sarah was talking and laughing with her friends. “For her, it’s all an adventure. But things get real now.”

I nodded in understanding. Survival training was looming on the horizon, and I knew exactly what Mo was worried about.

“She’ll get through it,” I reassured him.