Page 88 of Two Hearts' Christmas Homecoming

“Yeah, he is.”

Neil blinked. He’d expected her to defend him.

Obviously noticing his surprise, she continued, “Instead of congratulating me for making it into this squadron, all he did was complain and insult me since he didn’t get assigned here himself.”

“Not the makings of a dedicated team member.”

“I kind of figured that out myself.” Anna sighed. “How does your wife handle it when you’re on tour so much?”

Geez, had he been that easy to read when he’d talked about Wendy?He grimaced. “She’s definitely not happy about it, even though I warned her that’s the way it was going to be before we got married. We’d been dating since high school.”

“I guess we both have some kissing up to do if we want our significant others to be happy,” Anna answered, wrinkling her nose. “But, you know? It really shouldn’t have to be that way. If someone loves you, shouldn’t they understand?”

Neil stilled, finally standing up from the table when Anna did.

She was right. Someone who really loved him would appreciate him for who he was and would understand his desire to serve his country the best that he could.

* * *

An eerie silence spread across the base as the remaining members of the squadron, base security and techs got down to serious business and began the cleanup.

Although the fire had long since been extinguished, heat continued to permeate the space surrounding the two decimated planes.

During the next few days, Anna was beginning to get a good sense of what Neil was all about.

He was a leader, that was for sure, and watching as he made his way around the base, Anna had a sneaking suspicion he might be in a higher position of power than he pretended to be. He seemed to be giving all the orders to the squadron now, since Captain Matthews had been transported to the hospital.

He never announced himself as the temporary commander, but somehow everyone seemed to know that he was.

She’d been spending a good deal of time with him since the attack, and Anna was slightly confused about the feelings she was beginning to have for him.

Probably because he was so good looking, she figured, and she and Brent hadn’t said goodbye on very amicable terms when she’d left for this mission. She’d been unable to tell him about where she was going, or how long she’d be gone. It was refreshing to talk to a man who treated her as his equal.

New to the squadron, Anna was the only female member of the team. Not only had she been the least experienced, she’d been personally isolated after arriving here in Iraq since the other team members had worked together previously.

Because of her actions during the insurgent attack the other day, everyone was treating her differently, and it was making her very uncomfortable, this tremendous respect her fellow squad members were suddenly showing her.

Anna shook her head dazedly when another team member approached, patting her on the back and congratulating her on her quick response before he continued on his way.

Anna noticed Neil was watching her with interest while the other airman who’d been speaking with her went to gather his gear. The runway was clear and the squadron would finally be departing during the next few hours.

Neil walked over and asked, “Is something wrong?”

Anna frowned. “I just don’t get it. I did what anyone else would have done if they’d have faced the same circumstances.”

Neil sighed heavily. “Not quite the same, Ace. This is my fourth tour and I’ve never seen anyone just pick up an unfamiliar weapon and hit their target each and every time. It was pretty damn amazing. And I’m thinking I’d better warn you. You know they’re going to want to use you somewhere else?”

Anna bit her lip and nodded her head in acknowledgement. She had a feeling lots of things were about to change once she returned home. “Congratulations on your promotion.”

Neil looked taken aback. “Okay. That’s not the first time you’ve done that. I didn’t tell anyone, and I kind of pride myself at my ability not to be read. How did you know?”

Anna shrugged, giving him a rueful grin. “I’ve been around you quite a bit during the last two days. I’ve probably just gotten to know you a little better.”

“If that were the case, you wouldn’t have guessed about the trouble in my marriage.” He glanced left and then right, as if to make sure no one was listening. “Anna. It’s so easy to talk to you. If things were different. Well, I…”

At that moment staring into his blue gray eyes, she felt a deep sense of connection she’d never felt with anyone before. Friendship yes, but she knew she wouldn’t be seeing Neil again. Because he was feeling as confused about his feelings for her as she was for him. They were each in a committed relationship, and they would do their best to make things work.

“I understand,” she answered softly. “A different time, a different place. Besides the fact you’re my superior, it’s just not meant to be.”

Neil reached over and took her hand, shaking it firmly. “Goodbye, Airman Drummond.”

“Goodbye, Sir.”

When Anna glanced across the runway after climbing into the cockpit of her raptor, Neil stood watching as she prepared to depart.

After startup, she gave him one final lingering look before focusing her attention on the instrument panel. A few minutes later, she set the plane in motion along the strip, swiftly ascending into air.