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

Dick looked from one to the other, his mind racing. “You know I’ve participated in the demise of several expensive aircraft, don’t you?”

Dam said, “Two of those were destroyed on bomb runs. I also know that you’re a trained, well-respected, highly responsible naval officer, as well as a danger addict. You drove your Austin Healy sports car like a maniac in high school. Today you drive like an eighty-year-old, retired grade school principal. That’s the difference between then and now.”

“This can’t be happening,” Dick said. “You know I still like dancing on the sharp edge of the blade. I can’t give up flying the navy’s most advanced fighter plane, Dam. Your offer might interfere with my reserve duty. Also, would it pay enough money for a decent retirement?”

“As I said, the benefits are unbelievable, and the salary could equal or beat that of an airline captain. We have a whole week to kick everything around and explore all the options. You will have about four months between your release from active duty and Mark’s retirement. That’ll give you time to sort out your love life. Let’s tip glasses for a toast to the right decision.”

Dammit looked at Robbin. “Would you care to join Dick and I in the hotel gym for a short workout?”

She shook her head. “I’ll take this opportunity for a few laps in the pool. You guys need a little personal time.”

“See you at the gym in forty-five minutes,” Dick said. He felt for his phone and room key.

Dick dressed for a workout and picked up his phone. Being trained for rapid assimilation of data, he’d easily memorized the number of the borrowed telephone while on Samantha’s boat.

He texted; ‘Hi Sam. Thanks for patching up my shoulder. I can’t remember having a more enjoyable evening. After your careful attention to my life- threatening injury (ha-ha), you’ve been constantly in my thoughts. I would like to see you again. Your text will let me know if further contact is appropriate. I can’t deny, you’ve invaded my long-denied tender spot. Dick, or Rascal to my squadron buddies.’

Chapter 4

Samantha stared at the message. She trembled with nervous energy. Be careful what you wish for. A moment later she heard her phone buzz. “Hello there, Rascal. In my opinion, the name’s very appropriate. How did you acquire my unlisted number?”

“Naval officers are resourceful animals. To say more would divulge military secrets. I’ll bet you a Yankee dime that you didn’t let the doctor know I spent the night on Ipswich before leaving your island. Tell me the truth, now.”

“Before I tell a lie, it’s important to know the definition of a ‘Yankee dime’.”

“That’s believed to be the true value of a sailor’s kiss. Of course, an officer and a gentleman’s kiss has much more value, by act of congress. Just ask any officer. Someday, you may want to test the theory for yourself.”

“Would you, by chance, have a particular officer and gentleman in mind for this test?”

“Maybe. We’ll keep the gentleman’s name under wraps until we have an opportunity to get together again.”

“Are you in the brig or something, for destroying the navy’s airplane?”

“Not yet. I’m taking a few days off, visiting my brother, Dam, and his beautiful wife, Robbin. We’re in Florence, South Carolina for a business meeting.”

She was curious about his brother’s name. “You mean your damn brother, don’t you? What’s his name?”

“No, no, Sam, his first name is Dammit. Our mother was a hoot. Dam was in so much mischief, as a toddler, that every other word she uttered around him was ‘damn it’. He thought that was his name until he started to school. Our father said it was fitting and added Dammit to his birth records as his middle name.”

“I guess you’re not just pulling my chain. He probably had a lot of fights as a school boy.”

“We both did, until I figured out that life would be better as a lover and not a fighter. Unfortunately, I never had enough experience as a lover to master the craft.”

“Now I know you are the sailor my momma warned me about.”

“In all seriousness, I have next weekend free. I even have a flight reserved for a trip back to the west coast. How about another Saturday night on the beautiful Ipswich?”

“I’ll have to think about that. Call me after six tomorrow evening. You obviously have my number. Don’t get into any mischief that might change my mind.” Samantha felt a tingle of excitement run through her body. She’d never had that with Steven and it bothered her. There’d been little opportunity for dating since moving to the island and she wondered if that influenced her decision to enter the relationship. It had seemed like the natural thing to do at the time. After all, she thought, he’s an attractive, well established doctor. Could a difference in age of twenty years have anything to do with her lack of excitement with Steven? She didn’t think so.

She swam, head down, into the breakers for fifty yards, turned, and let the waves carry her back to the beach. She repeated the swim two more times before returning to her spot on the blanket and drinking heavily from her water bottle. She turned over on the towel to even her tan lines. Steven was walking toward her from her cottage. She hurried to her feet and greeted him with a light kiss. She hadn’t expected him today.

“Careful, honey, the sunscreen can stain this shirt. Get cleaned up and join me for lunch. The kids are with their mother until later this evening.”

Samantha stood back and looked at him from head to toe. Hawaiian sport shirt, white shorts, and highly polished loafers without socks. She smiled. “Mighty spiffy for a casual island afternoon.”

“I’m not much for