Saving Grace: A Novel (Healing Ruby Book 3)

by Jennifer H. Westall

  April 30, 1942

  Just after dawn, the boat coasted into a cove along the coast, and taxied up to a long dock. The beach was short, and the area near the dock was covered in mangroves, providing some cover for the two PBY planes waiting nearby. When we climbed out onto the dock, I saw the crew of one of the planes anxiously standing around, leaning in various directions and studying the fuselage.

  “Hit a rock or something as we were coasting in,” one of the men said to Matthew as we approached. “Ripped a hole in the fuselage. Water’s leaking in.”

  “Oh, no,” I said. “Can it be repaired?”

  He shrugged. “We’re working on it. Got a salvage expert coming over with a boat crew from the Naval base nearby. But they said there’s Japs all in this area. Best to keep your heads down and stay hidden until we get it repaired.”

  Matthew and Captain Stringer herded everyone onto shore. “Ladies and gentleman, there’s a slight problem with one of the planes, but the crew is doing their best to repair it. Stay close by, get something to eat, and rest up. We have a long night ahead of us.”

  There was much anxious grumbling, and loud whining from Natalie’s direction. Matthew did his best to keep the group calm. “Listen everyone, these are very capable flight crews who handle similar situations all the time. I’m sure the plane will be repaired and ready to go soon.”

  One of the colonels stepped forward. “Captain Doyle, I’ve been at this game quite a long time. You’re right about the capabilities of the crew. However, with the limits on their resources, there most likely isn’t anything they can do. I think we’d better have a backup plan.”

  Agreement sounded from various group members. Matthew turned to the colonel and nodded. “Colonel Higgins, maybe you and some of the more senior staff here could discuss a plan while we wait for more information.”

  “I’m familiar with this area,” the colonel said. “There’s a hotel a few kilometers inland, where we can hide out until MacArthur can send another plane.”

  I noticed Natalie’s expression change from worry to downright terror. “But the plane could still be repaired, right?” she said.

  “I say we give the crew some time to fix the problem,” Matthew said. “If it appears the plane won’t be ready, we’ll seek shelter at the hotel this afternoon.”

  “The entire group?” someone called out from the back. “What about the other plane? Half of us can still leave.”

  Several more group members began talking, and quickly their voices blended into a cacophony of suggestions and concerns. Overall, most of the evacuees wanted to stay together. Only a few seemed desperate to leave, despite the fate of their comrades. I had mixed feelings myself, and imagined even the most outspoken patriots did as well. Would we really give up our chance to escape as a sign of support? How was it in anyone’s interest to get captured? But how could we leave our fellow travelers, those who’d suffered the same hardships and loss, in such peril?

  Gradually the group splintered into smaller groups as we waited to see what would happen. The navy boat crew arrived to work on the repairs while the other plane was refueled. Matthew and I found a quiet spot up the side of a slope, shaded by a tree and within sight of the planes. We ate some of the rations we’d been given, and then I lay down in the grass to sleep, Matthew returning to the action below.

  The servicemen scattered out into a perimeter to keep a lookout for Japanese patrols, rotating after an hour. Matthew came over to where I lay and was finally able to stretch out and get some rest as well. A chorus of parrots roused us an hour later to a beautiful day drenched with sunshine. There were just enough clouds to provide occasional shade, and the steady breeze kept us from getting too hot.

  As we dug out some of our rations, I spotted a familiar form approaching up the hill. I shaded my eyes to be certain, then smiled at Mike Sawyer as he stopped in front of me. “Well, I’ll be,” he said. “If it ain’t Grace Miller!”

  I stood and went to hug his neck. I was amazed at how healthy and strong he looked compared to the skeletons I’d gotten used to seeing. “Mike! Are you flying one of the planes?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He looked me over as I stepped back, a look of concern coming over his expression.

  I turned to introduce Matthew, who’d stood behind me. “This is Matthew Doyle. We grew up together, and he and Henry used to play ball for our school team. He’s…he’s my husband.”

  Mike’s eyes widened, but then he broke out into a huge grin. He took Matthew’s extended hand, shaking it vigorously. “Well, my stars! Glad to meet you Matthew. Henry didn’t mention anything about Grace getting married when he contacted me. Say, where is that son of a gun, anyway?”

  Matthew and I shared a tense glance. He gestured for Mike to take a seat with us. “Come have a bite with us. We’ll fill you in.”

  Matthew sat down with his back against a tree, and I sat next to him, leaning into his shoulder. Mike took a seat on a rock a few feet away. I let Matthew explain everything that happened to us on Bataan and Corregidor, while Mike’s friendly smile faded to sorrow, especially when he learned of Janine’s death.

  Mike shook his head. “I sure do hate that for him. I didn’t think that boy would ever settle down. How’s he taking it?”

  “Not well,” Matthew said, and that appeared to be all that was needed by way of explanation.

  We sat in uncomfortable silence for a bit before Matthew nodded his head toward the docks and the damaged plane. “How does it look for the repairs?” Matthew asked.

  “I’m not sure,” he answered. “They’re still working on it.”

  “What do you think we should do?” I asked.

  He sighed and leaned onto his elbows, resting on his knees. “Hard to say. I think we should get as many as possible on my plane and get out of here. According to the boat crew, the line has basically broken. There are Japs all over the place. Better to get as many out of here as possible rather than have all of you captured.”

  “My sentiments exactly,” Matthew said. He cursed the Japanese with words I’d never heard from him before.

  “Sounds like things got rough for you all,” Mike said.

  “You look well,” I said. “Where have you been stationed?”

  “I’ve been working out of Australia with MacArthur’s bunch. They’ve really been rooting for Corregidor to hold out.”

  “Should’ve been doing more than that,” Matthew said, not hiding his resentment. “Our boys need reinforcements. Ammo. Supplies. It’s a dirty shame to just leave us all there to suffer and die.”

  “The whole Pacific’s reeling,” Mike said. “No one was ready for the Nips. They’ve taken over everything from the Dutch East Indies to Hong Kong, and now they appear to be setting their sights on the Aleutians. If they get a bridge to Canada and the U.S., there’s no telling how far they’ll get before we can stop them. Nobody wanted to give up the Philippines, least of all MacArthur, but I think he’s doing his best to regroup and form a plan to recapture everything. But it’s going to take time.”

  “Well, from what we saw leaving Bataan, it’ll be too late,” Matthew said. “There won’t be any soldiers left alive.”

  Mike shook his head. “Nips really caught us with our pants down, didn’t they?”

  “Partly, but seems to me we didn’t respond like we could have. I saw Clark Field. I saw all the bombers and fighter planes there. We could’ve taken out the Japs at Formosa, and no one lifted a finger. Not MacArthur, not Sutherland. No one.”

  I could feel Matthew tensing beside me and decided to change the subject. We were so close to escaping this nightmare. “So what’s the plan for getting out of here?” I asked.

  Mike looked over his shoulder toward the rest of the evacuees gathered down the slope. Some had taken off their shoes, rolled up their pants, and were wading in the water. If I didn’t know any better, we might look like a group on holiday at the beach.

  “Talk to the colonels,” Mike said. “They’ll ma
ke the final call. But decide something soon. I don’t recommend trying to get inland. I’d stay near the plane and hope for the best with the repairs.”

  “Thanks, Mike,” Matthew said. He pushed himself away from the tree and stood. “I’ll walk back down with you and get the colonels together.”

  He pulled his pistol out of its holster and handed it to me. “Here, Ruby. You remember what to do if anything untoward happens? Breathe…and squeeze.” Then he gave me a playful smirk. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t go anywhere. And stay out of trouble.”

  ***

  After Matthew and Mike left, I knelt beside the tree and shut out everything around me that was contributing to my fear. I focused on the songs of the parrots and other colorful birds, on the bright blue sky above me, and tried to quiet my racing mind. I needed to hear from the Lord, and part of a Psalm came to mind.

  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.

  The words were a soothing balm for my soul, reminding me of who held my faith and hope. Not Matthew, not the flight crews, not anyone but the Creator of heaven and earth Himself. “Thank You, Lord,” I whispered, looking to the sky. “Thank You for Your peace. You are the rock upon whom I build my home. All other ground is sinking sand.”

  I turned my gaze on the people just down the slope from me. Matthew and Captain Stringer had joined the colonels, engaged in intense planning. The others were gathered in small groups of various numbers. My eyes fell on Natalie as she sat on the ground, talking with some of the nurses and Mr. Freeman, who was scribbling on his notepad, as usual. Immediately I felt the Spirit of God convict me. It was time to forgive. For my sake, if not for hers. So I prayed that God would grant Natalie peace, and that she would no longer hold any sway over me.

  When I’d finished my prayer, my stomach sent a violent reminder that it was not fully recovered from the dysentery I’d struggled with since Bataan. I looked around for a private spot to relieve myself, but nothing seemed suitable. I was not about to do my business in sight of the others. I knew Matthew would be angry, but I was desperate, and I had to find a place immediately.

  I grabbed the pistol he’d left for my protection and went a short ways deeper into the tall grass. I made sure I was out of range of the group, and then I dug a small hole in the ground behind a tree.

  Matthew

  Although there was a slight disagreement on the details, the colonels agreed that it wasn’t looking likely the damaged plane would be repaired soon, and they wanted to seek out a place less vulnerable. Colonel Higgins made the final call. “The group that came over on captain Doyle’s boat will board and leave as soon as the plane is ready. Those of us on the damaged plane will set out for the hotel.” He pointed through the woods behind him. “Captain Stringer and Colonel Johnson, we’ll head southeast until we reach a road that runs to a small village near Madamba. You two will clear the path ahead of us, making sure we don’t run up on any Jap patrols. I’ll lead the rest just behind you.”

  Everyone agreed to the plan, and we headed back toward the group to explain. No one argued, but I could see the panic on Natalie’s face. She met my gaze, and I knew I was in for trouble. The group headed for the hotel and began gathering their things, but Natalie headed straight for me.

  “I already know what you’re going to say, and it’s not possible,” I said.

  “Then figure out how to make it possible,” she hissed. “I am not staying on this island one minute longer than I have to.”

  “Natalie, don’t you understand? If you go with the other plane, then everyone else will want to do the same.” I could only imagine the chaos it would cause to have everyone clamoring to board the undamaged plane. But she was incapable of reason.

  “I don’t care how you do it, but you better get me on that plane.”

  “Or what?”

  She narrowed her hateful eyes, and then she turned on her heels and headed straight for Homer Freeman. “Excuse me, Mr. Freeman!” she called. “Have I got a story for you!”

  I stomped after her and grabbed her by the elbow. “That isn’t going to work anymore.”

  “Then why are you trying to stop me?”

  “You know what? It doesn’t matter.” I released her arm. “Do what you have to do. And I’ll do what I have to do. But if you don’t go with the group to the hotel, you will be left here on your own. There’s no room for you on the first plane.”

  “We’ll see about that,” she said, turning away and marching toward the journalist.

  I realized there was nothing more I could do to stop her. It was in God’s hands now. Maybe Mr. Freeman wouldn’t believe her. Maybe he would. But I couldn’t worry about that anymore. I glanced up the slope to find Ruby and warn her, but I didn’t see her beneath the tree where I’d left her.

  Of course she wasn’t there. Because I’d told her precisely to stay there. So naturally, she didn’t. When was she ever going to learn? To that matter, when was I?

  I climbed the slope and searched the area near the tree. She’d taken the gun, at least. I looked back down at the groups of people getting ready to move out. Natalie was talking animatedly with Homer Freeman, whose face looked utterly fascinated. She pointed up the slope at me, and he glanced my way. I waved and smiled. He managed a confused wave and turned back to Natalie.

  Lord, please make her sound like a raving lunatic. And please help me find Ruby.

  Ruby

  The minutes passed in agonizing fashion. I did my best to clean up and bury the evidence of my dysentery. I figured I needed to return quickly before Matthew noticed my absence, so I grabbed the gun from the ground and shoved it into the waist of my pants.

  When I reached the tree where we’d been sitting earlier, Matthew was waiting on me like someone had lit him on fire. “Didn’t I tell you to stay put?”

  “I just went a little ways into the trees—”

  “Why can’t you ever just listen to me?”

  “Why are you so worked up?”

  He paced back and forth just below the line of trees. “Natalie’s down there, telling that reporter all about you.”

  “What?” I couldn’t believe I was just trying to forgive her.

  “She’s determined to be on the first plane out, but there’s no way.”

  “How does telling Mr. Freeman about me accomplish anything?”

  He shrugged. “I have no idea. I reckon we’re about to find out. But I swear, you are going to be on that plane.”

  I walked over to him and wrapped my hands around his neck, kissing him gently. “Haven’t we learned our lesson yet? God will take care of us, and He’ll figure out what to do with Natalie. Maybe Mr. Freeman won’t believe her.”

  Matthew touched his forehead to mine and closed his eyes. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He took my hand. “Come on. We need to get everyone on the plane soon.”

  We took a few more steps down the slope into the clearing, but soon juddered to a halt. The familiar sound of buzzing overhead sent chills down my spine. The people down the hill from us had stopped also, some pointing to the sky. A plane approached from the south, and though I hoped it was American, I knew in my gut it was not.

  “Take cover!” someone yelled, and everyone scattered up the hill and into the trees.

  Matthew and I ran in the direction we’d come from, into the cover of the dense forest. We watched the plane fly over the cove some distance away. I prayed the pilot hadn’t seen us.

  “They’ll have seen the planes next to the dock,” Matthew said.

  “Maybe not,” I answered, not ready for my hopes to be dashed. “It was pretty far away.”

  “We can’t risk it. If he saw the planes, then we’ll be swarmed in a matter of minutes.”

  “Minutes?” I suddenly felt dizzy.

  “Depends on how far away they are. We can’t afford to wait any longer.”


  Once the plane was out of sight, we ran back down the hill to the rest of the group. As people came out of the trees, everyone was anxious. Colonel Higgins and Matthew did their best to keep everyone calm. “I think we’d better get going,” Colonel Higgins said. “Those of you going with us inland to the hotel, gather over here to my right.”

  “But, what about the second plane?” Natalie said. “Is it fixed?”

  “No,” Matthew answered.

  Natalie huffed and pointed her finger at me. “She shouldn’t even be here! Did you all know that woman is an escaped convicted murderer?” Heat flooded my face as all eyes turned to me. “That’s right,” Natalie continued, her excitement mounting. “She was convicted of murdering a man in cold blood and sentenced to the electric chair! She faked her own death and has been pretending to be a nurse this whole time!”

  For a moment Colonel Higgins seemed at a loss for words, but he swiftly recovered, doing his best to regain control of the situation. “Young lady, you are a lieutenant in the United States Army. This irrational, cowardly conduct is unbecoming. Now we are leaving to find a place of safety. Get your act together, or you will be facing a court martial.”

  Natalie’s face went white. “Me? A court martial? What about him?” She pointed at Matthew. “He’s aiding an escaped murderer!”

  Colonel Higgins regarded Matthew with an impatient scowl. “I’m sorry about all this, Captain Doyle. You have performed your duties honorably. I’ll be taking Lieutenant Williams with me, and I’ll be certain her behavior is dealt with.”

  Natalie sounded like she was choking. “But…but…I’m telling the truth!”

  “Lieutenant!” Colonel Higgins roared. “In case you are unaware, we could be captured by Japanese soldiers at any moment. Perhaps you could focus your attention on staying quiet and following orders. Now fall in line with the others!”

  Matthew met my gaze, and I thought he would burst out laughing right there. It wasn’t exactly funny. But it was deeply satisfying. Colonel Higgins commanded the group to get moving, and then apologized to Matthew and me before turning to go. Natalie followed like a whipped puppy behind.