The reason why she wanted to make Zane smile was one she didn’t care to examine.
After all, they were friends. Just friends.
Chapter Six
“Mail call!” A loud voice cut through the typical cacophony on the military base. “Mail call!”
Zane glanced over at Bud as the two of them walked back toward the barracks on a sunny afternoon. The air carried just enough of a breeze to keep the humidity in check, making for pleasant weather.
Not that Zane had much time to enjoy it. Since he returned to his squad, he’d immediately been pressed into duty, flying search missions that carried him hundreds of miles away from the Hawaiian Islands.
Concerned about another attack from Japan, patrols kept an eye on potential targets as well as possible problems.
“Mail call!” the voice sounded again.
“Want to go see if you got anything?” Zane asked. Although he rarely received mail, Bud came from a big family and often had letters and packages awaiting him. In fact, Bud was good about sharing cookies and treats his family sent. Although Bud was amiable and good-looking, he didn’t have a wife or steady girl, saying he was married to the military, until the war was over, anyway.
“Sure,” Bud said with a shrug.
The two of them veered toward a Jeep where a mail clerk stood in the back. Surrounded by bags of mail, the clerk distributed each piece to its rightful owner. The clerk was on the letter C as he called out names, so Zane and Bud stood at the back of the group and watched their fellow squad members.
One of the men received an oddly shaped package. Two of the jokers in the group took it from his hands and began shaking it, tossing it back and forth.
“What do you suppose it is, Marv? A football?” one teased.
“It’s a stuffed coon. Aren’t you from the hicks, Marv?” the other one said.
The soldier named Marv grabbed his package away from them and hurried on his way.
As the mail was handed out, some made comments on packages or bulky envelopes. A few men looked forlorn and disappointed when their names weren’t called. Zane knew how hard it was to build up hope of getting word from home and ending up forgotten. He’d been in the military long enough it no longer bothered him, but he felt a twinge of pity for the new men who were still lonesome for home.
The past ten years, Zane had been at West Point and then at various posts with the United States Army Air Force. His brother had threatened to shoot him if he set foot on the ranch, so home was wherever he was based.
“Muldoon!” the clerk called, holding a box out their direction, along with several letters.
“Hot diggety!” Bud grinned at Zane as he rushed forward and nabbed his mail before the jokesters could grab it. He returned to Zane’s side, shuffling through the letters and giving the box a gentle shake.
“What’d you get?” Zane asked with a grin.
“Letters from three of my sisters, my aunt Alma, and the box is from the folks. I sure hope Ma sent some cookies.”
Zane smirked. “I hope she did, too.”
Bud looked over at him and raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think I’m sharing?”
“Because you always do,” Zane said, nudging Bud with his elbow. “Ready to go?”
“Aw, let’s wait and see who else gets mail. Who knows, maybe you’ll even get a letter.”
Zane shrugged. “I doubt that, but we’ve got nothing better to do at the moment.” In truth, Zane had hoped to hear from Billie. He’d sent her a note and bottle of perfume the night before he left California, and he wondered if it had been a little too brash for her taste. Billie might be beautiful, and she might be used to soldiers flirting with her, but he knew she was a good girl. One who wouldn’t take his kisses or intentions lightly.
He was glad she’d agreed they would part friends, since he had no time or energy to devote to a relationship. Billie seemed like a sensible, well-grounded girl who would understand he’d enjoyed her company, but she likely wouldn’t see him again.
Then he’d gone and sent her perfume, of all things, along with that stupid note. If he’d had his head on straight, he wouldn’t have done either. He would have waited a month, sent her an impersonal note, and left it at that.
But he couldn’t.
He’d promised her he’d keep in touch. And even if he hadn’t promised, he wanted to. He wanted to know how she was doing. He wanted to picture her marching around the hospital, bullying the patients into doing her bidding. He wanted to dream of her as she’d looked when he’d climbed in her bedroom window — relaxed and comfortable, and so gorgeous he could hardly think straight.
When it came to Nurse Billie Brighton, Zane was in big, big trouble. Which is why it was a good thing an ocean and a war separated them.
At any rate, Zane had been nearly beside himself with relief when he received a telegram from Doctor Ridley letting him know Rock was not only alive, but in excellent health. He’d sent a message back and acquired Rock’s new address and mailed his friend a letter. He hoped to hear from Rock soon. He wondered if Rock would try to rejoin, since he’d been honorably discharged. From what the doctor said, Rock’s arm injury prevented his hand from working properly. It would be hard for a pilot to do his job without two good hands, but not impossible.
However, he didn’t think the military would be interested in taking a chance. For Rock’s sake, he hoped his friend found a new occupation, one that kept him far away from enemy fire and battlefields.
“Walker!” the clerk called, brandishing an envelope over his head.
“Almost there,” Bud said, as he held his mail to his chest like a precious treasure, which it was. “I’ll bet you a chocolate bar that you get mail today.”
“You’re on,” Zane said, shaking Bud’s hand. “I think I want a…”
“West! Zane West!” the clerk called, flapping an envelope at Zane.
“You owe me a Snicker’s bar,” Bud crowed, giving Zane a shove forward.
“And I’ll happily pay that debt.” Zane hurried forward and claimed his mail. An envelope with delicate, feathery script made him tamp down the urge to rip it open right there in front of everyone. He held it up to his nose and took a whiff, inhaling the slightest hint of Billie’s perfume.
“He’s got a sugar report, boys,” one of the jokesters teased, trying to snatch Zane’s letter.
He gave the young upstart a fierce scowl. “Don’t you have somewhere you need to be, Corporal?”
“No, sir.” The corporal’s smile broadened. “Aw, come on, Tex. You never get mail, especially not from a girl. Who’s the Jane?”
“Just a nurse I met when I was in Oregon. We’re friends, that’s all.” Zane didn’t know why he felt the need to explain his relationship with Billie to the group of men gathered around him. It wasn’t anyone’s business.
“Aren’t ya gonna see what she has to say?” the corporal asked.
“In due time.”
“Private Zuchowski!” the mail clerk called, and passed out the last of the mail. “That’s all she wrote!” The clerk hopped off the Jeep as the men dispersed.
“Come on. I’ll buy you that candy bar I owe you and we can see what we got in the mail,” Zane said, giving Bud a playful punch to the arm.
Fortified with bottles of cold Coca-Cola and candy bars, they found a shady spot on a swath of lush grass to sit and read their mail.
Zane watched as Bud opened his box. Inside was a carefully packed tin of homemade molasses cookies. They might have started out soft and chewy, but by the time they spent weeks making their way to them, the cookies were dry and hard. However, from past experience, Zane knew the cookies tasted delicious dunked in a cup of coffee. Bud also received a tin of crackers, toothpaste and razors, a new comb, and several magazines.
“We can save the cookies for later, if you’re interested,” Bud said, piling his goodies back into the box then opening one of the letters.
“Sounds good, Bud.” Zane watched as B
ud shook out a piece of thin stationery. “I appreciate you sharing.”
Bud glanced over at him and pointed to the letter Zane still held in his hands. “You gonna read that or just imagine what she might have said?”
Zane smiled. “I’m letting the anticipation build.”
Bud rolled his eyes. “You’re full of applesauce, Tex.”
Zane didn’t mind that some of the men called him Tex, thanks to the slight drawl he never quite managed to erase from his speech and the fact he grew up on a sprawling Texas ranch. Most of the men had a nickname, or two.
The man sitting next to him was an easy-going sort who befriended everyone, hence the nickname of Bud. From what he’d shared, Bud had grown up on a farm in Oklahoma, the youngest of four brothers and five sisters. He’d wanted nothing more than a military career. Bud had worked his way up to Second Lieutenant. Zane was sure the cheerful soldier had a promising career ahead of him, if they didn’t all get killed during the war.
Unwilling to let morbid thoughts darken his day, Zane slowly opened the envelope from Billie and pulled out three sheets of paper. In spite of his determination to feign indifference, he held the stationery up to his nose, breathing deeply of her scent.
“Must be quite a girl,” Bud muttered as he watched him out of the corner of his eye.
Zane scowled at him then unfolded the sheets of paper and smoothed them out against his upraised knee. He was amazed the letter had reached him so swiftly, based on the date written in the corner. Perhaps Billie knew someone who was willing to speed things along. It wouldn’t surprise him if she had a contact or two who could have made sure the letter was flown over as quickly as possible.
No matter how he came to have it, he was glad she’d written. With a steadying breath, he began reading.
Dear Lieutenant West,
The most miraculous thing happened today. I bumped (quite literally, as I was about to make a mad dash up the steps of the hospital after climbing out of a cab at the curb) into Captain Rock Laroux. Oh, my gracious! I hardly recognized him. In fact, it took me a moment after he said my name to realize who he was.
Good golly, but he looks wonderful. His skin is a healthy color, his cheeks are no longer sunken, and he could walk with no trouble at all. His wounds appear to be healing quite nicely. Best of all, I don’t think there is any need to worry about his demise rapidly approaching based on the healthy specimen he appeared today. I spoke with Doctor Ridley, who gave the captain an examination, and he affirmed my thoughts on the subject.
By now, I’m sure you’ve received the news from Doctor Ridley. He said he would send you a telegram, but I did want to send a note, just in case you didn’t receive it for some reason.
I’m sure the relief I’m feeling at seeing Captain Laroux’s improved state of health is nothing compared to what you are experiencing. It must be a fine thing indeed to have a friend you value so dearly that you’d go to the great lengths you did to find him.
From what the doctor shared, Rock is staying on a farm and taking in all the fresh food and sunshine he can get. What a fabulous prescription! There are days I’d like to give it a go myself. Or at least bottle it up and share it with some of my patients.
A vision of Billie basking in the sun, stretched out on a blanket, made Zane’s collar uncomfortably tight. He tugged at it and returned to the letter.
There is a young private I’ve been taking care of the last few weeks. He lost both legs in a terrible explosion, but more tragic, he seems to have lost his will to live. I’ve tried everything to get him to eat, to exercise, to engage in the world around him, but nothing works. I finally got him to tell me the name of his favorite candy. It took me all morning to track it down, but when I brought him that candy bar, it was worth all the effort. His face lit up and he smiled — the first smile I’ve seen since he’s been here. I brought him some silly comic books, too. He started reading them, and laughing. My gracious, but I wish I’d thought to do that when he first arrived. I’m hopeful he’ll begin to recover now instead of letting his life ebb away.
I’m sorry. That’s probably the last thing you want to hear about.
Nothing else exciting has taken place here, although I think Captain Laroux’s sudden appearance is about all the excitement I can handle for a while. I’m just so deeply grateful he is well.
Zane experienced a spurt of jealousy. What, exactly, were Billie’s feelings toward Rock? And did Rock have feelings for her? Zane thought Billie merely cared about Rock as his nurse, but what if there was more to it than that?
Mindful his imagination was about to run away with him, he reined it in and resumed reading Billie’s note.
Despite the reason we spent two days together when you were here, I’m glad we had the opportunity. It was lovely to meet you, Zane. You were such fun, and a gentleman, (a rare thing, let me assure you). Many times, I’ve thought of how much I enjoyed getting to know you, even in the brief time we had.
Thank you for making me feel special, even though I’m sure you have oodles of girls flocking around you every time you set foot out of your plane. Our friendship is something I’ll always treasure.
I pray that you’ll keep safe and unharmed in these trying, harsh days of war. And no matter where you go, remember there’s a nurse in Oregon who’ll be thinking of you.
With the warmest affection,
Nurse Billie Brighton
Zane assumed the perfume he’d sent had not arrived by the time she mailed the letter, or she would have mentioned it. Perhaps he’d guessed wrong and it wasn’t the fragrance she wore. No, he was certain of it. At least mostly certain.
He leaned back and pictured her running into Rock. A low chuckle rolled out of him and Bud cast him a curious look.
“What made you laugh?” his friend asked.
“I told you about looking for Rock and him turning up a few weeks later.”
Bud nodded. “Yep. You mentioned just a few days ago the doctor had sent you a telegram that he was alive and kicking.”
“Well, there was a nurse at the hospital who helped me search for him. She’s the one I sent the perfume to. We struck up a friendship, I guess you’d call it, while I was in Portland. Anyway, she was writing to let me know about Rock turning up. She said she bumped into him on the hospital steps and I was just picturing the surprise on her face when she realized who Rock was.” Zane grinned. “I bet it left her plumb flummoxed.”
Bud snickered. “I’m sure it did. What else did she say?”
“Oh, not much. She mentioned a soldier she’s been taking care of, trying to get him to eat. Sounds like she hunted down his favorite candy and got him back on track.”
Bud frowned. “How come we don’t get nurses like that? The old battle-axe I had was meaner than a two-headed dragon.”
Zane laughed and gave Bud a shove that almost knocked him over. “They brought her in special, just to take care of you.”
Bud snorted. “I knew it!”
They joked around a few more minutes, then Bud finished reading his letters while Zane read through Billie’s twice. He was just tucking the letter back into the envelope when Bud held out his hand. “I won’t read it, but do you think I can take a whiff of it?”
Zane wanted to tell him no, but there wasn’t any harm in him merely sniffing the paper. He handed the letter to Bud who drew in a deep breath.
“Hmm…” Bud handed the letter to Zane then leaned back, bracing his arms behind him. He closed his eyes and appeared contemplative. “She has blond hair, curly. Petite. Curvy. Quite pretty. Great smile.” He opened one eye and glanced at Zane. “Am I right?”
Zane’s gaze narrowed and he glared at his friend. “How do you… how could you possibly describe her?”
“Well, a pretty nurse, you know… word gets around. Why, I bet she’s got dozens of soldiers drooling at her doorstep. A girl like that…” Bud stopped and let the tension coil between them before he sniggered. “If you get any more worked up, that vein throbbi
ng in your neck might just explode.” The man grinned and waggled his finger at Zane. “I’m just yanking a knot in your rope, Tex. A few times, I’ve seen you looking at a picture of a girl with light hair and assumed it must be her. Can I see her photo?”
Zane gave him a long, harsh look before he took out his wallet and removed the photo Billie had given him. He’d taken it out of the cardboard holder so he could always carry it with him. The reason why he wanted to do so wasn’t one he cared to examine. All he knew was he felt better, calmer, with that picture kept where he could look at it whenever the mood struck.
Bud whistled. “She is a sweet gumdrop.” He handed the photo back to Zane. “How did an ugly cuss like you get a lovely girl like her to give you the time of day?”
Zane shrugged and got to his feet. “Pure, dumb luck I suppose. But we really are just friends.”
“And I’m up for promotion as the general,” Bud said in a teasing tone. He gathered his mail and hopped up, then thumped Zane on the shoulder. “What’s her name?”
“Billie. Nurse Billie Brighton.” Zane’s voice caressed her name as he said it.
Bud shot him a knowing look. “Yep, I can tell you’re just friends.”
Zane glowered at him as they made their way toward their barracks. “Just shut yer yap trap. Let’s hide your plunder and grab some chow. Last night the pickings were mighty slim by the time we made it through the line and I don’t plan to eat the dregs tonight.”
“I’m with you on that,” Bud said as he stashed his mail at his bunk then hurried to the mess hall.
After they finished eating, they made their way out to check on their plane. Bud served as Zane’s copilot. The B-17 they flew had a navigator, a bombardier, an engineer who doubled as the top turret gunner, a radio operator who also served as a gunner, a ball turret gunner who rode in a cramped little space in the belly of the plane, right and left waist gunners, and a tail gunner. Their crew was a good bunch of men who not only got along well, but were also trained and skilled. Every last one of them could do their job without hesitation and fill in for one of the other crew members as needed.
Dream of Her Heart Page 8