“Right here.” The man stepped forward and handed Joe a large duffel bag.
Joe pulled out a thick blue jumpsuit and passed it to me.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“A blue bunny. It’s heated, and you’ll be glad you’re wearing it once we get airborne.”
Joe reached back in the bag and extracted some thickly lined boots and a thing that looked like a swim cap. “Put these on, too. And tuck your hair under the cap.”
Joe hopped out of the truck and left me to change, closing the door enough to give me privacy, but not so much that was I completely in the dark. It was difficult pulling on the jumpsuit over my skirt, but I was determined not to take it off, so I ended up wadding it around my waist, which made it look as if I were wearing an inner tube. I left both sweaters on under the jumpsuit, and did my best with the rubber cap.
I pulled on the boots, but I could barely walk in them, they were so big.
Joe grinned when I waddled to the doorway at the back of the truck and pushed it open. “You look like Humpty-Dumpty wearing clown shoes. Sit here in the doorway and I’ll fix your boots.”
I did as he asked. He knelt before me and tightened the laces, winding them around my ankle. His large hands were surprisingly agile and gentle. His light brown hair was thick and sun-streaked, with a counterclockwise swirl at the crown. When he finished, he rested his hand around my ankle for a second—a little ankle hug, as tender as any mother with a child, then smiled up at me.
When my eyes met his, I felt a silent little click—probably like a safecracker feels when he gets the combination just right. It was like an invisible door unexpectedly swung open, and without even thinking about it, I walked right through. Something about the sight of that big man messing with my shoes, going to all of this trouble to make a dream of mine come true—well, I fell for him. Fell hard. And he hadn’t even properly kissed me yet.
“Give them a try now.”
I jumped down from the truck and lifted first one foot, then the other. “Good as gold.”
“Great.” He held out a leather flight jacket. “Now put this on.” I slipped my arms into the too-large jacket. He put a hat with earflaps on my head, on top of the head-hugging cap I was already wearing, then turned me around. There were five men with us in the hangar—Kevin, who was still in the driver’s seat of the produce truck; the mechanic who’d brought my clothes; a ruddy, auburn-haired man dressed like Joe; a private in uniform; and Carl, who was standing there wearing a jumpsuit just like mine.
“What do you think?” Joe asked. “Will she pass for Rodeo?”
The mechanic gave a doubtful frown. “She’s awful short, even for him.”
“Yeah.” Joe eyed me appraisingly. “Better take her out on a supply truck.”
“I’ve got a driver right here.” The redheaded man clapped the thin shoulder of the private. “If we’re stopped, what’s our story?”
“You’re replacing a broken gun mount,” Joe said.
“Good thinking.” He gave me a gap-toothed grin and hooked a thumb at Joe. “Better watch this guy. He’s too clever by half.”
“So I’m learning.” I held out my hand. “I’m Adelaide.”
“I know. Joe’s told us all about you. “
What could Joe have said? We barely knew each other.
“I’m Ted, his radio operator.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
“Likewise. Come on, I’ll drive you out to the plane.”
“Put her in the tailgunner’s seat,” Joe called.
I turned around. “I can’t sit with you?”
“Sorry. Only room for the pilot and copilot in the cockpit.” He paused and looked at me. “Are you okay with this? I don’t want to force you into anything you’re too scared to do.”
The words were like a gauntlet. Having them thrown out there only solidified my decision—which, I realized later, was exactly what Joe meant to do.
I tilted up my chin. “If I don’t do things that scare me a little, I won’t have much of a life, will I?”
