by Grady, D. R.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Fall Colors
Hello Lainy,
Your e-mail is making me homesick. I'm thinking of you walking in the park with Bentley, looking at the beautiful fall colors. The trees are probably soon going to hit their peak? I love the fall colors. Even though green is my current favorite color, I’d still love to see the leaves change. You'll be raking leaves soon. It's exciting to see the kids playing their various sports, I imagine. I sure miss that I can't be there. It'd be fun to cuddle with you in the stands. At least I could keep you warm.
You'll have to tell me how your pumpkin carving goes. I'd love to be there, too. I've never carved a pumpkin, but I imagine it'd be fun with the herd.
We're scheduled to depart in two days. I figured my leave wouldn't last long, and my commander was apologetic, but I’m not surprised. I saw too many things while out in the field that still need done. I imagine we'll be gone another three months. I should be back sometime in January. I got a promotion, too. I’m now a Junior Major. Which is nice.
You'll have the holidays and celebrate them with your family. One good thing about the field is we rarely take notice of the days. They all run together. And the time spent there goes fast. We have a lot to do. At least I'll be sort of healed. Today is much better than yesterday.
I had intended to see my last video, but fell asleep for most of the day. Many of the other guys said they slept, too. I didn't feel like such a wimp then. The heat takes a lot out of you and we live and work in it. Plus when you’re out in the field, you need an extra level of awareness that drains us as well. By the time we leave again, we'll all be ready to go.
I miss you, too!
I think about you all the time.
Yours,
Mitch
P.S. Remember, all men are NOT created equal. I don’t know a Marine in my entire company who would have treated you the way those idiots treated you. Keep in mind that real men treat women a lot different than jerks. Give a real man a try.
Mitch hoped he hadn’t made that completely obvious, but then, he didn’t want Lainy hurt again. He wanted her to experience how wonderful love could be. With him.
Not that he had much experience to draw on, but something told him it would be different, perfect, with her. The right woman could make all the difference. Somehow, he knew that. But would she take a chance?
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lainy's heart sank when she read Mitch's e-mail. He'd be leaving again, soon. And for such a long time. She didn't want him to leave again so quickly. A voice in the back of her mind sneered, the sooner he goes the sooner he’ll be back.
The thought didn't comfort her now as it had when she'd written those words to him. She had fooled herself into thinking he'd be on base at least a week. But this wouldn't amount to more than four days. Which was paltry at best. And he’d been promoted. She was happy for him. But sick that he would be gone so soon.
She also didn’t intend to tell him someone had broken into her lake cottage. The police told her things had been overturned but nothing destroyed. She’d had to drive to the lake and put things back to order. Lainy thought who ever had gone through the cottage had been looking for something, but what? She rented the place out over the summer, why would she keep valuables there? With the break-in not making sense, she decided to keep quiet. No sense worrying Mitch. What could he do from Kuwait but worry?
Swallowing, she decided she'd tell him her big news and try to keep her dismay of him leaving and her fear about the break-in out of the e-mail. Telling him how heartsick she was wouldn't help him. Especially when he had an important and dangerous job to do. She needed to be thankful he was willing to do what he did.
With a heavy heart, she started an e-mail, striving to sound upbeat and chirpy so he'd leave with some cheer. He did this because he had the skills and training. He fought for their country because he loved the United States and believed in her. And Lainy wasn't willing to dampen his spirit. Hers might hurt because she feared for him and wanted him home safe and sound, but the world didn't work that way, and she refused to be selfish.
She'd have some chocolate when she finished and indulge in a good cry while she was at it.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Bentley's got a girlfriend!
Hello Mitch, (Or should I say Junior Major, sir?) ☺
Bentley has a girlfriend. And no, she's not a poodle, thank goodness. She's a really cute dog. A blonde golden retriever. She's athletic and energetic and Bentley can relate. I never figured he'd choose a sporty girl, but that's who he seems ga ga over. There is a very prissy poodle on the block (not a relative) whom we don't much care for. She's extremely fussy, just like her owner, and Bentley seems to laugh at her more than admire her. (We like most poodles, just not this one.)
But Rocky, the golden retriever, appears to have captured his heart. She helps him rid the park of squirrels. And she's a bit of a bird dog. She likes watching the birds, which has caused Bentley to notice them. (My yard is now bird free, too.) They run and tussle and have a great time.
Actually, she might be one of your colleague’s dogs. Do you know of an Admiral O'Riley? Because I think Rocky is his. My Aunt Emma found Rocky and explained to the family who had adopted her what happened. They very kindly gave her up, as they'd only had her a short time. Someone messed up the paperwork and she stayed at the shelter longer than anticipated. My aunt bought them a golden retriever puppy to make up for giving up Rocky.
Do Marines have admirals, or is he Navy? I don't know the ranks very well, I'm afraid. His full name is Admiral Richard O'Riley. Aunt Emma was really happy to find Rocky, but not happy to be unable to locate her owner. She's afraid something happened to him and that's why she can't contact him. All she heard was that he left for Iraq or Kuwait within about the same time frame you did. We’ve been trying to find Ben to ask him, but sometimes he’s out of contact for weeks and months at a time.
If you've heard of this Admiral, could you let us know? Aunt Emma's taking excellent care of Rocky, and will be happy to keep her indefinitely, but wanted to relieve this man of worrying about his dog, if possible. Perhaps you'll have better luck finding him than we are?
Bentley is quite taken with Rocky, so we've had to keep an eye on them both. Neither is fixed, we've noticed. Not that puppies would be a problem, exactly, and Bentley's got some retriever in him but he's bigger than she is, by quite a lot, (he’s got the Mastiff size) so we're worried about the strain on Rocky. Until we locate her owner, we don't have all the facts. Again the paperwork hit a snafu so we don't have much to go on.
I'm saddened to learn you're leaving again so soon. Congrats on the promotion, by the way. Are you healed enough to go? Is that a stupid question to ask a Marine? I figure you must have needed medical clearance to be able to leave again, so I'll stop nagging, okay? Sorry. I worry. I know you can take care of yourself, but it doesn't make me feel any better.
I miss you already!
Yours,
Lainy
Mitch read Lainy's e-mail and when he reached the part about Admiral Richard O'Riley, snapped the screen shut and went to see his boss. His commander found the correct phone number.
“What's up, Monahan?” the voice on the other end growled.
“You happen to be missing a dog named Rocky, Admiral?” Mitch asked, trying to be respectful, but he'd known this man from the beginning of his career and was fond of Rich O’Riley. Their meeting had been a freak accident. They’d been assigned on a mission that had gone bad. O'Riley didn’t have much family so they'd adopted each other. He'd forgotten the admiral also had a dog.
O'Riley's end remained quiet for a moment. “I had to give her up at a shelter, why?” His words sounded gruff and Mitch understood. Apparently he'd not been the only one to love his dog.
“A woman by the name of Emma Morrison...”
&nbs
p; O'Riley grunted and Mitch heard papers rustling, “She's the one who's organized all those packages we've been enjoying on our bases, right?”
“That's correct, sir.”
The Admiral remained quiet and Mitch figured he was processing information. In his early fifties, he'd already earned the rank of full Admiral. He was dedicated to his job, so much that he'd never married. A former SEAL, he was a military man through and through. Giving up his dog would have been part of the job. A nasty part, but one he'd do.
“Emma Morrison has my Rocky?”
“She does. Apparently Bentley, my dog, is quite taken with your dog.”
O'Riley grunted again. “Who has your dog?”
“Lainy Morrison, Emma's niece.”
“I'm thinking this Emma woman is an angel.”
“Lainy says she's a force of nature. You get out of her way when you see her coming because even though she's small, she'll knock you over.”
“Is she Ben Morrison's aunt?”
“That's correct, sir.”
“He's said the same thing about an aunt. Must be the same woman.”
“Yes. Lainy said she's like Carla, my assistant at my civilian job. Tough and practical with the biggest heart you've ever known.”
“Someone said this Emma has a house full of stuff she's raised from the community and purchased herself to send us.”
Mitch snorted.
“What's that mean?” O'Riley’s voice sounded suspicious.
“Emma and Lainy belong to a family about 800 strong, sir. She's got a huge family contributing and she's gone around to most of the businesses and found very few unwilling to aid us. They just need to know what to do. Apparently Emma is quite capable of leading that cause.”
“Does the woman work?”
“She runs her own corporation. She does her item raising on the side,” Mitch said, thankful for all the Morrison relatives he kept in contact with, and therefore had some facts to share.
“Do you have an e-mail address for her?”
“No, but I can give yours to Lainy who'll pass it along to her Aunt Emma.”
“Owe that woman a huge thanks for all she’s done. Now I hear she's also got my dog.” Mitch heard the slight catch in the man’s voice, but didn't say anything. He understood.
“By the way, Emma’s father and brother were both Marines.” Mitch couldn't help adding that little fact.
O'Riley offered a crack of laughter. “Get off my line, Marine boy,” he barked.
Mitch laughed.
“Make certain Emma gets my e-mail address.”
“Of course, sir.” He didn't add Emma'd probably manage to find him all on her own, but at least this way he'd be able to ease her mind some.
“Take care, kid,” the Admiral said gruffly. “And congrats on your promotion.”
“Thank you and I will. You too, sir.”
*****
After hanging up the phone he selected his last video and popped the DVD in. Lainy Can Fix Anything, Part II.
A loud crack stopped the football play that opened the scene. Everyone went still and Mitch's eyes scanned furiously for who ever had been stupid enough to fire a weapon so close to people. He hadn't located the idiot when Lainy and Will jogged across the field. A rusty, dented, mini pickup truck hurtled into sight and backfired.
Lainy shook her head. “Dustin has so got to get another truck.”
“He says he'll be glad to if one of us buys one for him.”
“That rattletrap has to eat up his paychecks.”
“Oh, it does. And I think Rachel and her folks both slip him money from time to time. I know our parents and grandparents do. And that's not including all the free hours of labor and parts you've put into the thing.” They watched the little truck halt in front of them with a screech of brakes and another backfire.
“Aunt Lainy,” a young man yelled as he popped out of the truck. The door creaked and stuck. He had to reopen the door and slam it shut again. Mitch wondered how the rickety thing stayed attached. Actually, he was still trying to figure out how the truck stayed together.
“Dustin,” Lainy replied drolly. She crossed her arms over her chest while he reached inside to pop the hood.
“Aunt Lainy and Dad, I've got a problem.”
Will shook his head. “Dust, I told you that rattletrap wouldn't pass inspection. Lainy and your Granddad tell you the same thing.”
“Grandmom looked it over, too, with the same comments,” Lainy muttered from under the hood. “Yo, Dust, you've got more than one problem.” She brought her head up and ducked beneath the hood, but didn't judge the distance right and bonked her head. “Ow,” she yelped and rubbed it.
“Sorry, Aunt Lainy.” Dustin winced for her. “So, what else is wrong with my truck?”
“There's not much right with it. You’re still leaking oil and we just put in a quart yesterday. That you need to carry several quarts of oil all the time is bad. The radiator hose has more holes than your mom's new colander, and the engine has a whine that spells trouble. Let's not discuss the transmission.” Lainy rubbed her hands, apparently in an attempt to dislocate the grease and dirt now clinging to her skin.
“Butch said not even he could pass this. The windshield wipers don't work, now, either.” The kid bit his lip.
“I can probably fix those. It's the rest of the truck I have trouble with.”
“I hoped you'd be able to fix the wipers. I'd hate to be driving somewhere and not have them. It's been raining all summer.”
“Right. But you're going to need something else, Dust. This truck isn't safe anymore.” Lainy's voice drifted out from beneath the hood.
“I know, but I can't afford another truck.”
Lainy sprang out from under the hood, but didn't knock her head. “Stop spending money on this useless piece of junk and you'll have plenty of money. Don't put another penny into this vehicle. Use every bit you make and are given and put it toward a down payment for the next truck. Your dad can cosign a loan for you. Make sure Ed or I go with you. Sometimes you can find a good vehicle that needs a little work.”
“Define a little work,” Will chimed in.
Lainy sent him a glare. “This needs an insurmountable amount of work.” She swung back to Dustin. “Do not buy a truck your dad thinks is good.”
Dustin’s lips lifted into a half smile. “Right.”
“Hey, I know what to look for.”
“You told him this beater was fine. It's got more rust than paint, everything leaks and now the windshield wipers don't work. This does not say you’re someone who knows how to buy vehicles.”
“My latest van works great.” Will tried to defend himself.
“Dad, that's only because Mom took Ed and Grandmom along.”
“Oh, yeah, you can take Grandmom, too. Or Granddad.” Lainy bit her lip and she hunched back under the hood. Mitch saw her jerk a wire and it came loose in her hand.
“Aahhh!” Lainy turned to glare at Will, who must have decided to leave while he still could.
“I think I'll go back to the game,” he mumbled and left without haste.
“Now where is this from?” Lainy stared at a wire in her hand. She turned to glare at Dustin. “Take your mother to cosign your loan, but do not under any circumstances take your father shopping for another truck with you. Take Ed or your great-grandmother, or me.”
“What about Uncle Tom? Or Max?”
“You can take Ben, or Max, if you have to. Tom, no. He's as useless as your dad. They shouldn't be trusted to purchase vehicles. You know this Dustin.” The exasperation level in Lainy's voice had risen to new heights. Intrigued, Mitch leaned closer.
“Yeah, I know. But I really wanted this truck.”
“Don't go shopping alone, either.”
The screen went blank and then a small light clicked on. Mitch realized the light came from the camera Ed used. Peering closer he saw Lainy fast asleep and heard Dustin's voice. The clock showed two a.m.
�
�Aunt Lainy?” Dustin whispered.
Lainy mumbled something.
“Aunt Lainy?” He shook her this time. She sat up abruptly and Dustin leapt back. “Yo, sorry.”
“Wmglfrdff?”
“My windshield wipers died again and it's supposed to rain tonight.”
“Oh.” Lainy rolled out of bed.
“Uuummm, Aunt Lainy?” Dustin stopped her when she made for the door.
“Whaa?”
“Don't you think maybe you should put some clothes on?”
“I got clothes,” she said in a sleep roughened voice, squinting down at herself.
“You're in workout clothes.”
Lainy stared at him blankly.
“Aunt Lainy, I've got some college buddies outside. There's no way you can go out there looking like that.”
“Like what?” The blank look didn’t fade from her eyes.
“You're my hottest aunt, and the guys are going to take one look at that little outfit and start a problem and wake up the entire camp.”
Lainy blinked at him a few more times.
“Okay, let me put it this way. Uncle Mitch will not want you going outside like that with a bunch of college guys around.”
“He'd want me to put more clothes on?”
“Yes. I doubt he's going to be too open to coming back here after a tour in Kuwait to find a bunch of my friends trailing after you everywhere.”
Mitch decided he liked this kid. As a matter of fact, he made a note to send Lainy an e-mail to take money from his account to pay for a new truck for the kid.
Lainy looked incoherent again, but did slide her legs into a pair of jeans. She located a shirt from the floor and tugged it on. A pair of flip flops completed her hasty wardrobe.
“Ready,” she said nasally. Mitch doubted Dustin would receive much help. Her incredible brain didn’t seem to be firing on all circuits.
They tromped outside, and Mitch noticed a large brown shadow roll to his feet. Bentley shook himself and padded after them. If he'd been a person, he'd probably be grumbling about college boys and the hours they kept. The lake shone like a mirror in the background.