by Jodi Thomas
Sarah touched Kat’s shoulder. “You’re right, Kat. If Bart had been injured instead of killed, I’d have wanted to be there. I’ll help you. Go to your room and get ready. I know one person I can trust to find us a uniform, if there’s one in camp.”
Katherine nodded and turned to hug Sarah. “I love you more than I could ever love a sister.”
Sarah smiled at Kat’s sudden emotion. “I know. Now go to your husband.”
Before Kat was inside her tent, Sarah ran between the barracks and supply tents lining the small airstrip. She’d heard someone say that the mechanic slept in one of the tents where airplane supplies were stored. Several officers had ordered him out because if a shell hit the place, he’d go up in one big explosion of gas and oil. But Sarah suspected he’d still be sleeping among the spare parts and fuel tanks.
She followed her nose until there was no mistaking which tent was his. The smell of oil that always drifted around when he was near filled the air now.
“Hello?” she called as she entered.
No answer returned.
“Hello, my friend. I need your help.” She felt a little silly talking to the crates and barrels.
“Please answer me. It’s Sarah.”
“I know who you are,” the shadow man answered. “Even in total darkness I can feel your presence.”
Sarah moved toward the voice. “Will you help me?”
“Yes,” came the answer. No explanation was necessary for he clearly had no desire to deny her anything.
“My friend Kat has a chance to fly down to visit her husband, who’s been injured, but she needs a pilot’s uniform within an hour.” Sarah moved closer to the shadow. “Is there such a thing around here?”
The toe of her shoe caught on the corner of a box, and she would have tumbled forward if a strong hand had not appeared out of the blackness to steady her.
He held her arm only a breath’s passing longer than necessary, but Sarah felt in his hand the power of his need to touch her. Then his support was gone and she was alone in the darkness once more.
The shadow’s voice came from a few steps away. “I’ll find one and deliver it to her in half an hour, but I can’t guarantee it’ll fit. If you do any alterations, you have to return it to its original size.”
“I can manage that. Anything else?”
The Frenchman was silent for so long she wasn’t sure he planned to answer her.
“Don’t dust the dirt off the shoulders,” he said at last. “But why—”
“It is the custom.”
Sarah couldn’t imagine such a custom, but she half remembered a Frenchman dusting Kat and Cody with dirt the first day they flew. “I promise,” she answered as though she believed the dirt could have some importance.
“That is all,” he added formally as though he’d given his first order.
Sarah took a deep breath of the air now thick with emotions as well as the smells of flying. “Thank you, my friend.”
The man held open the flap of the tent for her to pass.
“Ask anything of me that you need. I’d move the earth for you, ma chèrie.”
Sarah tried to see his face as she passed, but she couldn’t make out his features. She walked into the open air with the memory of his touch still tangible against her skin and his words whispering through her mind. The only thing she could ever want was to have her Bart back in her arms, and not even her shadow man could grant such a request.
* * *
An hour later Katherine climbed into a plane for the second time in her life.
“We should be there a little past dawn, Mrs. Masters!” the young pilot yelled above the engine. “Wrap yourself up in that blanket and you’ll stay warm enough.”
Katherine wanted to tell him she was fine, except for the way her heart was pounding in her throat. She could imagine what Dr. Wells would do if he caught his head nurse flying off into the night. Briefly she wondered if he’d have her tied to a cot and shot at shift change.
As the plane rolled down the field, Kat looked toward the hospital and saw Sarah waving. Several steps behind her, Kat could just make out the thin shadow of the crippled mechanic. She had no idea where he’d found a pilot’s uniform and there hadn’t been time to ask, but when she returned she planned to hug the man, scars or no scars.
The flight was smooth. Except for the flashes of light along the horizon, she could almost have believed the world was as peaceful as the early sky. The young pilot seemed to take no chances of encountering the enemy. He flew straight and low as he neared the airfield. When they touched the ground Katherine laughed, thinking they hadn’t made much progress with landings; it still shook every bone in her body.
“When the plane stops,” the pilot yelled, “hop down and run toward the buildings. Captain Masters’s quarters are in the third building you’ll come to.”
Katherine nodded and unwrapped herself from the blanket. “Thanks!” she yelled back.
The pilot shook his head. “You may not be so thankful when you see him. He’s been in a devil of a mood since the crash. Even told the doctor where he could put all his pills. That’s why I volunteered to bring you here. None of us were sure how much longer we could stand him if you didn’t come.”
The plane rolled to a stop and Katherine jumped free. She waved to the pilot, then ran toward Cody’s quarters. The long line of buildings, half wood and half canvas, seemed to offer neither the warmth of real houses nor the mobility of canvas.
As she stepped inside the third structure Katherine froze and considered backing out before she was discovered. The place was a mess. Clothes and food trays were scattered everywhere. Dried mud and cigarette butts littered the floor. Empty whiskey bottles lined one wall, and one wine bottle was balanced atop another on the room’s only table.
“Go away!” someone shouted from behind a curtain made from a blanket. “I, don’t want anything, least of all company.”
Katherine carefully stepped around the filth. She couldn’t believe this was Cody’s room, yet the angry bear behind the curtain did sound like him.
She kicked a half-empty rations box out of her path and kept going.
“Get out, I said!” the bear yelled. “I’ve had about all the good cheer I can stomach.”
Before Katherine could move, the curtain was shoved aside.
“I…” Cody froze as his gaze met hers.
“Morning.” Katherine smiled innocently, as if it were her everyday greeting at this time.
Cody glared at her, exhaustion blurring his vision. His sandy hair, looking as if it hadn’t been combed in days,
hung over a bandaged forehead, and a light brown brush of beard covered his chin. He’d never looked better to her than he did at this moment. His eyes turned liquid with pleasure as he studied her like a man watching a dream take form.
Then suddenly she was in his arms, holding him tight while he buried his face in her hair. It had been almost a month since their night in Paris. One long month of lonely nights, worrying and waiting, melted into the reality of their warm embrace.
“Kat,” he whispered into her fiery hair. “How did you get here?”
“I flew.” She laughed at his expression. “Honest. Your men couldn’t stand you any longer, so they sent for a real nurse to look after you. I only have a few hours to give you the very best of care.”
“I’m fine. It was just a little crash,” Cody answered, resisting when she tried to pull away for a look at his wounds. “You shouldn’t have taken such a risk.”
“A little crash?” Katherine looked at him closely. His ribs were strapped. His left forearm was bandaged, and a dark purple bruise marred his left shoulder.
“It was nothing. I was lucky. I got thrown out of the plane, and I must have landed on my head. When I came to, I didn’t even remember hitting the ground.”
“How long were you out?” Kat ran her fingers lightly into his hair, feeling a swelling just past his hairline.
Cody looked
around the room. “Long enough for my squadron to do this much damage to my living quarters. They were worse than a bunch of wet nurses with a collicky baby. Sometimes I can’t tell the pilots from the mascots around here. They all act like animals. None of them would leave until they knew I still had at least part of my brains remaining.”
Kat followed his gaze. “I hadn’t noticed the mess,” she lied.
Cody winked at her. “You wouldn’t. Or if you did, you’d think I had decorated my quarters this way to make you feel at home.”
Kat raised her hand to strike him, but thought better of it when she had trouble finding an unbruised target. She planted her fist on her hip and cocked her head. “Now that we’re married, I’ve noticed a few things about you that need to be changed. Like this neatness problem of yours.”
“Already trying to remake me?”
She slowly looked up and down the length of him. “No, I like the basic design. When it’s in a little better condition.”
Cody’s eyes darkened, and he leaned closer to kiss her.
“No!” Katherine stepped back. “Before you touch me, I need to examine you completely.”
Cody hesitated, but she turned him toward his private quarters. “March, soldier, and strip off those trousers.”
“Anything you say.” He chuckled while lowering the curtain to insure privacy. “You’re always trying to get me to undress.”
“Now, don’t get sassy with me, birdman, or I’ll wrap that bandage around your neck instead of your head.” She pulled a box of almost untouched medical supplies off his dresser.
She hadn’t verbally fenced with a patient in some time, and it felt good. Somehow her sharp tongue made it easier for her to hide all the emotions welling up inside her. She could fight her fear that Cody had come close to dying by teasing him, even though they both knew this war wasn’t a game.
“Yes, ma’am.” Cody broke into her thoughts as his clothes hit the floor. “Damned if I didn’t marry the bossiest woman in France.”
“I’m not listening.” Katherine knelt in front of him and slowly ran her hands up his legs. She enjoyed the feel of hard, tight muscles beneath the soft dusting of hair. With or without clothes, he was a man to delight the senses. When she reached the first bandage, she didn’t hesitate. “These wounds will have to all be redressed.”
“They’re fine!” Cody snapped, as if he hated being mothered, but the determined lines of his face were already softening to her touch.
Kat worked at what she’d done every day for years. She cleaned each wound, spread medicine where needed, and expertly bandaged the injuries. Only now the task took on a different mood. She was no longer only nursing; she was caressing, loving. And her touch healed his lonely spirit better than any drug could stop the physical pain.
When she reached the bandage on his forehead, Cody could feel his blood running through every vein in his body. The need to hold her made his muscles hurt as if he’d strained them. He watched her closely as she worked, loving the nearness of her.
When she finished treating the head wound and applying a fresh bandage, she said, “Now I think you’re going to live.”
“I’m not so sure.” Cody’s smile was filled with secrets only she’d shared. “I think now it’s my turn.”
“But I’m not injured.”
Cody pulled the jacket from her shoulders and let it hit the floor. “I have to make sure.”
“So you want me to take off my clothes?”
“No.” Cody pushed two of his fingers inside her belt and pulled her toward him. “I’m going to take them off.”
Slowly he unbuttoned her blouse. “Tell me,” he whispered. “How come you get more beautiful each time I see you?”
Katherine closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his fingertips traveling over the flesh he uncovered. “You’ve been hit in the head. Maybe you don’t remember.”
Cody unbuckled her belt. “I remember every detail about you. And there is nothing I don’t love.” He slid his hands along her hips and lowered her slacks.
Closing her eyes, she leaned closer. “You mean you love my body?”
“Not just your body, but you. Katherine, I love you. The you that was brave enough to fly, the you who works far too many hours a day at that damned hospital, the you who holds me close at night because she’s still a little afraid of the dark.”
Cody cupped her face in his hands. “If I loved just your body it would be like living near a great lake and only swimming in the shallow part. There’s far more depth to explore and enjoy within the woman I married.”
Katherine brushed her fingers up and down the walls of his rib cage. “Do you think we could play in the shallows for a while and save the deep water for later?”
Cody laughed and pulled her gently to his bed. “Do you think you’re the cure the doctor ordered?”
“I’m just the medicine you need. Don’t worry; I’ll try not to bruise you any more.”
He kissed her soundly. “Before I met you I always felt I was flying toward the wrong end of the rainbow. If we ever get out of this mess…”
“Shhhh.” Katherine pulled the covers over their bodies. “We’ll talk about it later.”
Twenty-seven
AS EVENING DARKENED into midnight Sarah continued to work long after her shift was over. She knew it would be useless to try to sleep, with Katherine up there somewhere in the skies over France.
Dr. Wells asked about Katherine twice, but the duties were slower than usual. He convinced himself she must be catching up on paperwork. When he made his rounds for the third time, he ordered Sarah to leave and get some rest.
Sarah walked between the tents. The night air cooled her body, and Katherine’s absence chilled her heart. Kat had said she’d be back before her shift started. That was hours ago.
Absently Sarah walked toward the tent where her shadow man slept. She couldn’t endure the thought of being alone, and he was the only other person who knew Kat wasn’t in camp.
“Hello?” she called as she stepped into the tent.
“Ma chèrie,” a sleepy voice answered.
“I know it’s late.” Sarah moved toward him. “But I couldn’t sleep with Kat not back yet.”
“I understand.” His English sounded almost perfect in his sleepy state. “How can I help you?”
“Can I stay here with you for a while?”
The shadow stood, his dark outline tall and lean. He hesitated for a long while before finally saying, “Of course, ma chèrie.” He held his blanket out to her. “You’d better wrap up in this to keep warm.”
“Thank you.” Sarah allowed him to drape the blanket over her, wondering if his hands had held her shoulders for a moment in almost a caress or if she’d just imagined it.
“You don’t smell so much of oil,” she said, unaware that her comment might have offended him.
A low laugh rumbled from him. “It’s dark in here or you’d have noticed I’m only wearing my long johns. My clothes get soaked with oil…and never come clean…. I do try to bathe and smell like a human most nights.”
Sarah couldn’t think of what to say. He’d just said more words than he’d ever put together in her presence.
“I’ll get dressed if it would make you feel more comfortable.”
“Oh, no. Please. I’ve invaded your privacy, and the dark makes us both sightless.” Sarah moved near the crates looking for one low enough for her to sit on. “I’m so tired I wouldn’t be able to keep my eyes open much longer even if it were daylight.”
“Would you like me to walk you back to your tent?”
“No, please allow me to stay. I have to wait for Katherine.”
“We’ll hear the plane and have time to light the runway.” He hesitated. “Please sit down.”
Sarah gingerly lowered herself to the cot where he’d been sleeping. “I’m so worried about her. If I lost Kat, I’m not sure I could handle life.”
Suddenly the tears couldn’t be stopped.
Sarah let go of all her banked fears and allowed the tears to fall freely. She’d grown so weary of always trying to be brave. Bravery was for Katherine, not her.
In the darkness she felt an arm encircle her and push her back on the cot. Silently the Frenchman pulled the covers over her and stood aside. In the night the action seemed more like a dream than reality. An action that might have been considered wrong in daylight now seemed natural among the shadows.
Sarah relaxed beneath the covers. She knew he stood only a few feet away protecting her.
“Rest, ma chèrie,” he whispered an inch from her ear. “I’ll wake you when the plane arrives.”
She rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. As she drifted into sleep she felt his hand brush away a curl from her forehead.
Some time later the low rumble of a plane startled her out of a sound sleep.
“Careful,” he whispered. “You’ll fall off the cot.” A hand crossed the blackness to steady her.
“Katherine?”
“Sounds like her plane coming in. I’ll go light the strip. You stay in here where it’s warm until they’ve landed.”
Suddenly the shadow man was gone and Sarah felt cold and alone once more. She could hear him dressing only a few feet from her. “Thank you,” she said.
“Any time, ma chèrie.”
The noise of the plane grew as he left the tent. Sarah knew she should take his advice and wait inside, but she had to see Kat, had to know she was safe.
Sarah kicked off the covers and ran from the tent onto the field. The shadow man was lighting torches along the runway to guide the pilot in. Hugging herself, Sarah watched as the tiny plane circled, then landed and bounced along the grassy runway like a wooden rocking horse.
Sarah broke into a run to meet her friend halfway, but Kat’s long legs covered most of the distance. They hugged wildly, though it had only been hours since they’d last seen each other.
“Kat!” Sarah yelled above the engine. “How is Cody?”
“Meaner than an old bear.” Kat laughed, knowing Cody would never show sweet Sarah his temper. “But he’s healing. Did Dr. Wells miss me?”