The Remingtons_Leap, Laugh, Love

by Rachelle Ayala

Kerry browsed and found two in the vicinity. McGuire AFB out of New Jersey and Dover AFB in Delaware. She jumped when her phone rang. It was Dex.

  “Dex, you don’t know me, but I need your help,” Kerry begged. “Finn. Where is he? Can I have his phone number?”

  “Why didn’t you try earlier?” Dex’s voice was not encouraging.

  “I was afraid, but I know better now. I love him. I love him with all my heart, and I only want one more chance.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I hope it’s not too late.” Dex sounded like he really meant it.

  “Me either. I have to explain. I never said no. I didn’t. I watched the video many times. I was rude, yes, and suspicious, but I never turned him down. I have to find him and let him know how I feel.”

  “If it helps, I tried talking to him, but he was hurting too much to listen. He said you didn’t trust his motives.”

  “Everything was my fault. I suspected him of using me for a romantic fantasy to reenact the love his parents had. It was because I didn’t think I was worthy of his love. Maybe I’m still not, but I can’t give up on him.” Kerry realized she’d raised her voice and people were staring at her, but she didn’t care. “I love him. If only I can tell him. He doesn’t have to love me back. He can keep walking. I won’t stop him, but I need to tell him. Please.”

  “He went to McGuire to catch the next available military flight overseas. I’ll text you his number, but don’t be disappointed if he doesn’t pick up. He told me he’s through, and he’s never coming back to the States. He even left his friend’s ashes.”

  “Then I have to catch him. He hasn’t completed his mission.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Did you find Finn?” Siena’s voice was hopeful. She’d rang right after Kerry got off the phone with Dex.

  “I’m on my way to rent a car.” Kerry marched out of the Thrive building, with energy zapping in her veins. “He went to McGuire Air Force Base to catch a flight back to his deployment.”

  “I’m coming with you. Wait there and I’ll pick you up.” Siena sounded excited.

  “But, I’m sure you’re busy, you know, modeling, family. You don’t have to.”

  “Are we girlfriends, or are we not?” Siena’s voice was sharp. “You’ll never get on the base without me. I’m a general’s daughter, and I have ID cards.”

  “You’d drop everything for me?” Kerry’s heart opened at the flood of warmth and sense of belonging the Remingtons always brought her.

  “Cash is at the firehouse on-call, and you’re like family. I’ll see you there. In the meantime, you might want to buy a Bohemian peasant blouse and some bell bottom pants. Try and find some Kai-Kai sandals. You can’t be a Montaukian without them.”

  “What are you talking about?” Kerry scratched her head. They were going on an expedition to find Finn, not put on a fashion show.

  “No time to explain, except you’re going to be Joanie Remington, my mom, so you have to dress the part. I have her ID saying she’s allowed on the Space-A flights since she’s a general’s wife.”

  “Whoa, are we actually boarding a plane? I thought we’d text Finn and get him to meet us outside.”

  “Have you texted him yet?” Siena asked pointedly.

  “No, it might make him run, but if you texted him and told him he left something, he might show.”

  “Oh, you’re so boring.” Siena groaned. “It’s more romantic to do the airport chase. I’ve never been part of one before, and you can’t do that in commercial airports anymore what with all the security, but on a military flight, everyone waiting has passed the checkpoint at the gate.”

  “Sure, okay, but how am I going to impersonate a woman in her fifties?"

  “Easy, wear no make up and dress like a hippie. Don’t condition your hair, leave it straggly and wear some love beads.”

  “Ugh, well, thanks for the vote of confidence.” Kerry couldn’t help a chuckle escaping her lips. “Okay, I’ll hit the secondhand stores and see what I come up with.”

  “Check Facebook. McGuire updates their Space-A flight schedule and roll call. I bet he’s on his way to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. I’m going to sign me and my mom up for the flight. We’re the lowest category since we’re relatives of a retired general, but it should get us through the gate to the waiting area.”

  “Sure, thanks. You’re a gem. I love you, bye.” Kerry fumbled with the phone, hanging up and immediately browsed to the site.

  She had no idea what all the columns meant, but thankfully, no seats had been released. She ran down the street, asking passers-by for a secondhand clothing store.

  Half an hour later, Kerry waited on the sidewalk, wearing a Bohemian peasant blouse with tassels and embroidered eyelets in a blue and white surf design. A blue and white tie-dyed headband was around her head, and she wore several beaded necklaces that the shopkeeper swore were love beads. Whether they were or not, at least they were colorful and plastic.

  Her hand hovered over Finn’s phone number, daring herself to call him or text, but what if she did, and he was alerted that she was on her way?

  Better to wait for Siena to make the call. Chickening out, she tugged at her tight bell-bottom jeans and paced in front of the bus stop. The only thing she couldn’t find at the secondhand store were the Kai-Kai sandals. Hopefully her luck would hold with her Reeboks.

  # # #

  Finn dragged his Army duffle from the waiting area as they announced the opening of seats for Ramstein, Germany. He was on active duty and first priority for getting back to his deployment. He checked his phone before he had to turn it off.

  No calls. No messages. What a chump he was for believing she would care. She could have easily gotten his phone number from Siena or Dex. Maybe her pissed off attitude at the proposal was a smokescreen. After all, she’d been the one who’d insisted on a vacation hookup with no strings and no regrets. He’d been one of many. No one special in her book.

  His blood grew hot as he browsed the internet. Jared Dunbar was announcing a new line of shark repellant wetsuits named after Kerry, as well as a stupid cereal idea he was promoting. Crunchy corn pillows around a gushing red berry center.

  These were the types of people he’d bled for. Self-centered people who didn’t give a shit about the sacrifices he and his buddies made to keep them safe. Lonnie died for dicks like Jared. Maybe someday, he too would bite the big one. Would Kerry even think of him in passing?

  Oh, I knew an Army Ranger once. Poor guy.

  He shut off his phone and shoved it into his bag.

  Overhead, the announcer called his name for a seat assignment. Yes! He was going back. He trudged to the front of the line. The only thing he’d regretted was giving Lonnie’s ashes back to his mother. Their last conversation burned behind his eyes.

  “Maybe you’ve been carrying my son around too long,” Lonnie’s mother had said. “It’s time to let him go.”

  “But I’ve failed him. I never found that happy place. I guess you’ll have to bury him.”

  Lonnie’s mother had hugged him, tears in her eyes. “You might have found it already. My son’s not picky. Give him food, fun, and females. Yeah, I knew, a mother always knows. Lonnie lived large and loved lots. He’ll always be with you, whether you scatter his ashes or not.”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t do it anymore. You should scatter them somewhere special.”

  “He wanted you to do it, Finn. He wanted you to be happy. I think the assignment was more for you than for him.” Mrs. Dominguez accepted the urn and box. “You come back.”

  He hadn’t wanted to argue or make her sad, so he’d simply nodded, kissed her on both cheeks, and walked away.

  “Hey, Meriwether,” a male voice called behind him. “How was your vacay?”

  It was Greg, the buddy who’d dropped him off at Montauk less than two weeks ago.

  “Okay. Actually, it was fine. And you? How was the Cape?”

  Greg punched his arm. “Only fine? I he
ard you scored a chick and attacked a shark. You were all over the news, dude.”

  “Yeah, well, got the keys to Montauk and a ride with the police chief. Got my T-shirt, too.” Finn patted the Montauk Lighthouse shirt he’d bought on that ill-fated day.

  “What about the surfer girl? What happened to her? She as hot as they say?”

  “As who says?” Finn’s neck bristled, and blood pounded through his head.

  “Just the guys I surf with. I mean, she keeps to herself, but everyone wants a picture with her. Surfing champ, well, maybe not anymore, since Marina Martinez is the hottest surf chick on the planet.”

  “I’m not into surfer girls,” Finn grumbled. “It’s all fake anyways. Judges score the competitions. I bet they give points to the best ass or boobs, or whoever has the best promoters and sponsors.”

  “Ah, you’re just sour grapes. Sorry you struck out.” Greg shrugged. “Have you tried surfing some of the waves these chicks carve on a regular basis? I mean, there are some pretty huge waves out there. Try Mavericks at Half Moon Bay or Todos Santos in Baja California.”

  “Didn’t mean to cut them down. I’m sure they’re great and all that. Anyway, I’m glad to get back.”

  “Serious? I wish I had more time off.” Greg shouldered his bag as the line moved forward. Soon, they crossed the tarmac and walked toward the stairs leading up to the aircraft.

  Loud shouts of a commotion sounded behind them. Probably frustrated relatives who couldn’t get a spot on the plane. Finn had had it with civilians, even if they were military family.

  “Oh, man, look, Finn.” Greg tapped his arm. “There’s a hot blonde making a run for it.”

  Finn’s eyes remained fixed in front of him. He wasn’t going to witness some female with an entitlement mentality argue with the gate agent on why she should attend a wedding while grunts like him were returning to their battle stations.

  “Oh, shit, Finn, you gotta see this.” Greg sounded excited. “There’s this supermodel chick. I’ve seen her before on ads and magazines, and the blonde. She’s dressed like a hippie from the sixties, and they’re causing this big hubbub.”

  “Tell me if I care. We’re leaving this circus anyway.”

  “Oh, shit, she got past the MPs,” Greg announced, flipping out his phone camera.

  “Finn, Finn, wait.” It was Kerry’s voice.

  Finn dug his fingers into his palms. What the hell was she doing here? He wasn’t going to look over his shoulder and let her give some pathetic explanation full of pity and condescension. She’d turned him down, rejected him stone cold. She didn’t trust him, because maybe he just wasn’t trustworthy.

  “Oh, shit. I can’t video this,” Greg said in a tone like he was peeing in his pants. “They’re drawing their guns.”

  “Halt, Miss, Halt. You can’t go there,” a man’s voice shouted.

  “Finn! Finn!” Kerry pleaded for him to turn back.

  Too late. She’d delivered his heart on a platter. The barbed wire had cut all the way through and embedded itself to the core. There was no turning back. Not ever.

  “Ouch!” his friend exclaimed. “They tackled her. She hit the tarmac hard. Aren’t you going to clear it up? She’s calling for you.”

  “She’s a big celebrity. They’ll let her go.”

  If not, she had her model friend in tow. Two pretty women? Not a problem.

  “Man, you’re cold,” Greg said. “She must really be in love with you.”

  “She feels guilt, nothing more.” Finn squeezed his eyes shut, despite the hopeful leap of his heart. She doesn’t love me. She doesn’t really love me. This is some show she’s putting on for that surfing promoter.

  The sound of a gunshot reverberated through the airfield.

  Finn’s heart froze solid. He dropped his bag, turned and ran toward Kerry. His limbs were heavy, and everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. A crowd blocked his view. People craning their necks and pointing their cameras.

  Kerry could be bleeding to death. Lying there dying. Without him. And they were videoing it? Bastards.

  “Kerry!” he shouted. “Let me through.”

  Arms and hands grabbed him, and MPs barked orders for him to halt, but Finn shoved his way through the horde of people gathered around the commotion.

  What the fuck was wrong with them? They were laughing and holding their phone cameras high up. Some even had selfie sticks.

  Finn burst through and found Siena signing autographs.

  “Where’s Kerry? They shot her?” He grabbed Siena by the shoulders and shook her. “Where is she?”

  “No one shot Kerry. They arrested her.” Siena stared at him, her mouth opened in shock. “I mean, they arrested Joanie Remington, my mom, and my dad’s going to clear it all up.”

  “Then what was that gunshot I heard?”

  “Oh, that,” a bystander said. “That was the forklift dropping a pallet.”

  Finn didn’t wait to hear the rest of what Siena or the bystander said. He grabbed the nearest MP and said, “Where’d they take the woman? The blond hippie?”

  “You mean the general’s wife? I’ll show you.” The MP blew a whistle and waved his hand for everyone to step back. “Are you one of her sons?”

  “Yes, I mean, is she okay?”

  The MP spoke into his shoulder mic. “Her son is here. Yes, I agree. The old lady’s having one of those drug flashbacks. We’ll meet you outside the officer’s lounge.”

  Finn jogged with the MP through the passenger terminal. His thoughts were in a turmoil. Was it Kerry or Mrs. Remington? And why was Siena standing there smiling and greeting military personnel like it was one giant publicity stunt? He swore he’d heard Kerry’s voice, though. He wasn’t dreaming while awake, was he?

  They rounded the corner and stepped through two double doors.

  “Here you go, soldier,” the MP said with a strange smile on his face. He pushed Finn into the lounge and shut the door.

  Kerry stood in front of him dressed in a ridiculous outfit. Her eyes were wide and bleary and her lips quivered, but she’d never looked more beautiful to him. If he could take back all the awful thoughts he had about her, he would. Whether she loved him or not, she was here, willing to face him, which was a lot braver than he’d been.

  “Kerry, what are you doing here?” He wanted so badly to grab her and hold onto her as if his life depended on it.

  She clutched her hands in front of her mouth, fingers interlaced and trembling. “I love you, Finn. I just wanted to tell you before you left.”

  “But why?” He raised his hand to touch her and lowered it. He looked behind her, but no one jumped out with a camera.

  “Why? I don’t know.” She took a step toward him. “I just know that I love you, even if you want nothing to do with me. I have to tell you, even though it scares me to death.”

  “You’re scared of me?” His body took over for him and grabbed her, holding her in his arms. “How could you be afraid of me?”

  “Because I’ve never felt this way about anyone. You’re bigger than a killer wave, and your jaws around my heart hurt more than a million shark teeth.” She pulled back to look up at his face. “I know you’re leaving now, but I want the last thing you see to be me opening my heart to you and saying ‘yes.’ I want to be your fantasy vacation lover and the one who’ll wait for you. I want to be your wife. I want to be everything to you.”

  For a moment, he couldn’t process what she’d said. He gaped at her, his eyes swelling and his mouth dry. Hurt and disappointment filled her eyes, and his heart lurched, going out to her, not wanting her to feel more pain.

  He pulled her close and caressed her face. “I want all that, Kerry, with you. My love is real, honest.”

  His nose and lips smashed into her, and he kissed her hard. He wanted all of her. Not just now, but in all his tomorrows, and forever. He still had the ring in his pocket. He was going to wear it with his dog tags and have it found on his body when he made the ultimat
e sacrifice, but that plan was dumb. It was for the dead. He was still alive, and Kerry was really here, and she loved him.

  Holding onto her with one hand and kissing the hell out of her, he fumbled with the ring and backed her against the wall. This wasn’t going to be a drop to the knee and look stupid thing.

  Oh, no. This was a proposal, Ranger style.

  Grabbing her ass, he hefted her up and pressed her legs open, encircling his waist. He raised both her hands about her head while ravishing her lips, then moved behind her ear, tugging her earlobe, while she writhed and moaned.

  Moving down, he nipped her neck and sucked hard, marking her, while his hardened cock rubbed her crotch.

  “What do you want, Kerry Merry? What do you want me to do?” He growled and took another bite at the shell of her ear.

  “Bite me, Finn. Bite me good and hard.” She moaned, and her eyes rolled back.

  “Give me your finger.” He held both of her wrists with one hand above her head.

  “I give you everything,” she panted. “Just take me, all of me.”

  “After I give you my ring.” He separated her ring finger and slipped the engagement ring onto it. “You’re mine. For better or worse. I take you, Kerry Mills, to be my wife and lover, on vacation or not. I take all of you, and I’ll never give you back.”

  “Finn, thank you. Thank you for forgiving me and accepting me and keeping me.” She hugged him tight around his shoulders. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too.” He cupped her cheek and kissed her again. The last call announcement sounded on the speaker above them. “I wish I didn’t have to, but I have to go.”

  “It’s okay, Finn. You’re coming back. I know it.” This time, she wasn’t weeping or sobbing. Her face glowed with so much love and hope that if he were to forget everything else, he’d never forget this moment.

  “So do I, Kerry Merry.” He carried her toward the double doors and hit the handicap access switch.

  Bending his head over hers, he stepped into the terminal and kissed her, pouring his entire heart and soul into it.

  Cheers and claps rang from the airmen and military personnel gathered outside. Overhead, the last call was announced for his flight.