AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Barely?!”
“I’m sorry,” he apologized immediately. “I just wanted to get our bags and throw them on the plane. I’ve already done the preflight and we are ready to go as soon as you are… and you look beautiful.”
Giselle rolled her eyes and smiled at him, seeing his warm expression. Something told her he wasn’t actuallythatapologetic and wouldn’t have minded walking in as she was zipping her pants.
“I’m wearing jeans and an Army t-shirt…”
“Somebody give Sarge a Flyboys shirt…” someone hollered in the background, but Austin just smiled at her, giving her a thumbs up in silent support. Just that understanding that he didn’t want to change her meant a lot. Her father was retired Army, and she was proud of what she did for the military… despite being surrounded by former and current Air Force pilots.
“You look beautiful,” he repeated and bent to pick up his bag. “Is yours ready to go?”
“Yes, give me just a moment to throw on my shoes and get a cup of coffee.”
“I’ve got our coffee made in two insulated tumblers that Harley gave me – and Glory picked up donuts.”
“Oh really?” she smiled, realizing it was nice having everyone help and take care of them – and maybe she had been a little quick to judge. It had been a while since anyone stepped up to support her and she had been on her own for so long, it was hard to fathom that there wasn’t some ulterior motive behind it.
“What did you mean by ‘upgrade’?”
“Let’s go – and you’ll find out,” he grinned – and left the room.
Giselle laughed, recognizing that the playful man was up to something and yanked on her boots, lacing them quickly.
As she walked out of the room, she put the sheets in the basket as directed by Harley and saw Houdini was in the middle of teaching a class. It was so strange to see that a working business was thriving around them, while they were just living in the space like it was nothing.
Harley waved happily from her desk, holding a phone to her ear… and pointed back to the next room, angling her free arm around the door frame. Walking in, she saw two insulated Flyboys mugs waiting with lids beside them and a small bag of donuts.
“Now, don’t be getting jelly filling on the controls,” Firefly grinned, winking at Valkyrie, whom she had met at dinner briefly – plus it helped they were wearing name tags.
“We got you something,” he smiled and held out a name tag… that said ‘Sarge’. She smiled up at him, unable to resist. “You take care of my little brother, okay? He’s a good guy and wears his heart on his sleeve.”
“I promise.”
“Good.”
“…And thank you for this,” she smiled at the two men, realizing they were accepting her as one of their own. It was sweet, very unexpected, and touching.
“Relax and enjoy this – because this is our world and you are welcome because you’re Sparky’s girl. I don’t think we’ve ever had aSargecome through before, have we?”
“Nope.”
“Birdbrain, Wile-E-Coyote, Grandma, Sugarbuns… yes – butSarge? I don’t think so. Maybe we should start a logbook, so we don’t double up on call signs.”
“I heard that, Firefly,” Harley called out loudly. “Don’t think you are going to make more work for me. Start your own logbook, buster.”
“Yes,mom,” he said dutifully, as all three laughed.
“Have a great time, Sarge,” Valkyrie said openly, reaching out to shake her hand. “And seriously – grab some t-shirts for your family. How many do you need?”
“There’s eight children and my parents… plus my nieces and nephews, so I would need,” she drawled knowingly, seeing the two men look at each other, realizing they’d opened their mouth without thinking. “Just one or two for my parents — if that is okay?”
Both men exhaled with relief.
She withdrew from the rack three rolled up shirts that were tied with ribbon – one for each of her parents… and one for her.
“Giselle? Are you ready, hon?”
“I am,” she smiled easily over her shoulder at Austin, who had appeared in the doorway. “I was just getting a shirt for my parents – and our things.”
