In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

“No, just put everything into your report. Everything from the time you took off until leaving the doctor. I’ll cancel your reservation at the conference, report the loss of the aircraft, and get the paperwork started. Will you need a ride home?”

“The island is very much out of the way. I prefer to take my time and thank everyone here, before making my own reservations back to the base. I’ll pick up a new phone and be in touch. Don’t expect me to be back on base before Monday.”

Dick put the phone down and focused his attention on Samantha. “I fly with the eagles by day and hoot with the owls at night. More or less, an excitement junky. How about you, Sam, do you sometimes let your hair down and spend an evening running with the wolves? You seem to be alone out here on your boat. This beautiful vessel must be your hideaway.”

She studied his sun-bronzed face. “I’m certainly not a ‘run with the wolves’ type. And you’re obviously the attractive, charming type of man my mother warned me about. Besides that, you’re probably a married man, with a family.” She crossed her arms and stared at him. “I may look lonely, like an easy mark for arrogant fighter pilots, but I have a wonderful man in my very good life.”

“I’m sorry if I’ve offended you, Sam, it’s my aggressive nature to cut through the chaff. You’re very attractive, the very same beauty that broke my heart in college. I’m grateful for your kindness. Please don’t let my jaundice ruin your day.”

This could not be happening, he thought. She’s gorgeous. It’d been a long time since he’d met someone like her.

They sat in the galley and talked. She told him about the island community, transportation he would need to the airport, some small talk. He stood, the warm spell broken, and asked about a place he might stay the night. She mentioned a small hotel across the island. He sensed a magnetism between them in spite of the earlier irritation.

“I have to pick up a new cell phone as quickly as possible, any ideas?”

She started to answer, then said, “There’s nothing open before early tomorrow in Avalon. Costco, on the mainland, would be your best deal.”

His arm ached. He reached around and rubbed the tender area softly. “Let me buy your dinner. That’s the least I can do, then maybe you can drop me off at that small hotel you mentioned. I can figure things out from there.”

She looked at him, then hesitated. “I could fix something here, if you’d like? Of course, it wouldn’t be much.”

He turned, opened her small refrigerator door and smiled. “I can’t eat up what little you have here. That would add injury to the insult. Give me a couple of aspirin and let’s go ashore and find a place for a beer and good meal.”

“There’s only one place to eat or drink at this end of the island – Doug’s Harbor Reef. We can dingy into the dock and take a short walk across the island to Isthmus Cove. There’s a shuttle from there to Avalon. That’s where you’ll want to catch a boat to Marina Del Rey, the closest point to Los Angeles International Airport.

Dick was impressed with the island atmosphere. He hadn’t been there in many years. The open-air bar had music. It was crowded. He looked out over the busy harbor. There were boats moored, some anchored, all types. The seafood has to be good, he thought.

She led the way past the bar, into the restaurant. The crowd was noisy, with people eating, drinking and couples in conversation. “Table for two, Sam?” asked the hostess.

“Please, Mary.” She caught Dick staring at the food being served at the bar. “Ah ha, the sky warrior is hungry.”

“A beer or glass of wine would do just fine for starters. How about you, perhaps a wine?”

“They have a light German beer that’s light but good. Please don’t place me in the same box as your other women acquaintances, Dick.”

He blinked. “I would never underestimate you, Sam. Somehow, I bring out the prickly pear in you, and I’m fascinated. Please give me an opportunity to know you better, and you, me.” He wondered if she was just touchy by nature or if he was throwing off the wrong vibes.

After a second beer, they ordered their meal and the strain between them dropped away, replaced with pleasant conversation. She told him about the doctor she worked with and life in Avalon. She spoke softly, barely loud enough for him to hear her words in the noisy crowd. Doctor Steven Peyton took over the clinic where she’d worked the last five years. They had become emotionally involved just last year. Her eyes bore into his, then moved to different features of his face, before continuing. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this. It’s not like me to discuss my personal life with a strange man, or anyone else, for that matter. He’s a good man. He left a big practice in Long Beach to raise his two small children here. I’ve grown to care for all of them. I like my life here on this little island.”

The meal was over and Dick ordered a glass of cabernet, for each. She nodded. “There’s something important happening here, Samantha, and I don’t want to let it go easily. It’s also important to me that I not create problems in your very good life. You might say, my life’s just maturing. My priorities are changing. I’m reverting to reserve status with the navy next month, and entering training with American Airlines. There’s a certain amount of insecurity with that.” He picked up his glass and reached out. “To a very special person; you, Sam.”

She tipped her glass in his direction. “Thank you, Dick.”