Page 54 of Landing Love

He took both her hands in his and kissed them. “I forgive you, and I swear I’m telling the truth.”

Needing physical proof that she didn’t hate him, he leaned across the table and pressed his lips gently to hers. She kissed him back so softly his heart flooded with relief and aching adoration. There was nothing better on God’s earth than kissing Ann. She was sweetness itself as he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, opening her to a deeper kiss. As she kissed him back, she opened for him like a flower, and he sipped her sweet nectar greedily.

Pulling away reluctantly, he said, “I should pack and get going.” Because if he stayed, he’d never make it to work at all.

In several minutes, he was ready to walk out the door. He kissed Junior on the forehead, picked up his bag, and kissed Ann on the cheek.

“Be safe,” she said. “I’ll have dinner ready for you when you get home on Friday.”

He gave her one last kiss and headed out, wishing there was some way to magically undo his past and transform it into something better.

There was a lot to ponder as he drove to the airfield. Somehow, he had to become the man Ann deserved. And if it meant having some difficult conversations, then so be it. He’d tried before. Honestly, he had. But maybe not hard enough. For Ann’s sake, he had to make them understand, no matter how embarrassing the conversation might be.

As soon as he got to the hangar, Pritchard came striding toward him. Well, it was now or never.

“Oh good, you’re here,” said Pritchard. “Major Willoughby is looking for you.”

So maybe not now. Bill heaved a quiet sigh of relief at the brief reprieve from making his confession. Keyed up and more than a bit distracted, he headed to the Major’s office and knocked on the door. “Hello, Major. Pritchard said you wanted to talk to me?”

“Yes, come in and sit down.” Bill took one of the chairs in front of the Major’s desk. “I wanted to let you know that I’ll be leaving shortly.”

“Leaving, sir? But you only just got here. Major Fleet left last month.”

Major Willoughby gritted his teeth and shrugged. “The powers that be have decided to move the Air Mail operation under civilian leadership, so I’ll be moving on. You, however, have a choice. You can resign your commission and stay with the Air Mail operation as a civilian, or you can be redeployed. I’ve been asked to tell you that if you stay, your pay would be increased to three thousand a year. Personally, I think it’s going to be a disaster under civilian leadership, so I’d encourage you to get out while you can, but it’s up to you.”

There was no choice. With a new wife and baby at home, he had to stay. Frankly, it was a relief to know for certain he wouldn’t be heading back to Europe, and the pay raise would help him make up the savings he was going to spend on a house faster. “Thank you for the warning, but I’d like to stay on. I’ll put in my papers to resign my commission.”

“Are you sure, O’Donnell? It isn’t going to be easy.” The Major leaned forward, face full of concern.

“I just got married a few days ago, sir. I have my wife to consider.” No one knew he got married yet. The Major wouldn’t have been his first choice to tell, but he had to provide some explanation.

The Major sat back and shrugged. “Well, I wish you luck. And congratulations on your marriage.” Like it was an afterthought. That was hardly the reaction Bill was hoping for from the first person outside his family he told. But it was silly to hope for more from the Major. He’d always been a bit of a wet blanket.

“Thank you, sir.”

“That will be all. You’re dismissed.”

Bill wasn’t sure whether to be offended or grateful as he got up and headed to the locker room to change into his uniform. Pritchard was in there waiting. The moment of truth had arrived.

“You talked to the Major?” Pritchard asked.

“Yes.” Come on, Bill. Get the words out.

“And?”

“I’m staying. You?” He stripped off his shirt and pants and began putting on his uniform, trying to figure out the angle of approach to what he had to say.

“I’m staying. Wasn’t much of a choice really.” He came over to Bill and said quietly, “To be honest I wasn’t much of a fan of Major Willoughby. I’m relieved he’s moving on.”

“Between us, I agree. He was no Major Fleet. That’s for sure.” He started buttoning up his shirt.

“Come out and celebrate with me in DC?” Pritchard said with a wink.

God, no.

“Listen, Pritchard. There’s something I have to tell you.” He was dying to tell Ernie about Ann, but he was dreading the rest.

“You old dog. What is it now? Got some new girl out there?”