Guarding Hearts

by Jaycie Morrison

  They began eating, and Hartley dabbed absently at her mouth with a napkin before she replied. “It’s hard to explain the relationship between those two. I’ve come to believe Sara is an even bigger flirt than Miriam, she’s just a lot more subtle. Sometimes I think their whole relationship is based on driving each other crazy and then making up. But whatever the case, Boudreaux is very angry at Sara…and at you, Gale. And let me remind you that she has access to all kinds of munitions. I wouldn’t put it past her to make you a little surprise package.” Rains raised her eyebrows. “Not to kill you…probably…but at least to shock you somehow. Make you look bad or foolish.”

  Rains nodded, lowering her eyes. “I understand. I shouldn’t have let her talk me into the card cutting. I apologize again for that.”

  Kathleen stretched her hand across the table, stopping short of touching Rains’s arm. “You don’t need to apologize, Gale. Miriam Boudreaux is a very manipulative person. I would say she got exactly what she deserved, except for the fact that she stole your money.”

  Rains waved her hand dismissively, and they ate quietly for a few more moments before she put her fork down and cleared her throat. “I cannot find an obvious course of action.” She pushed her plate away, facing Kathleen. “You know Boudreaux and you know me. How can we make peace between us? I would like to hear your ideas.”

  “Whit will probably talk to Miriam again today or tomorrow. At that point she may have a better sense of whether or not she is still offended. But I think we’ll need to find some way she can confound you or outwit you, or some way you become beholden to her. I assume in her mind that would even the score between you. But I would discourage you from meeting with Sara until then.”

  Rains nodded. “I am in no hurry to see either of them. But I’ll try to think of a way for Boudreaux to recapture her honor.”

  Kathleen snorted. “That may be a tall order.” They both smiled before Kathleen grew serious again. “But what makes this especially difficult is that if Miriam has even the slightest idea that this is contrived, things could get even worse.”

  “Agreed,” Rains said. “I would be offended by such a deception myself.”

  Kathleen looked away for a moment, apparently deep in thought. Finally, she added, “If it’s all right, I’ll call you at home after I hear the latest from Whit.”

  Rains shifted uncomfortably. “If you’ll be using the telephone, I’d prefer you speak with Bett. I don’t like speaking into that device if I don’t have to.”

  “You’re going to tell her about all this?” Kathleen asked, not trying to hide her surprise.

  “Of course.”

  “Won’t she be worried?”

  Rains leaned forward slightly. “I think the surest way to worry someone you care about is to keep important matters from them.” Kathleen seemed to freeze in her seat. Rains began tidying the table. “I must get back. But I won’t take any other action until I hear from you.”

  Kathleen seemed to be struggling for words. “I hope you don’t consider me a busybody. I truly couldn’t stand it if something happened to you.” When Rains opened her mouth to speak, Kathleen rushed to add, “I mean, I’d feel responsible since all of this started at our house.”

  “No,” Rains said immediately. “What is between Boudreaux and me started quite a while before your party.” She hesitated and then added, “I’ve challenged her before on another matter. We seem to have a history of confrontation.”

  Kathleen smiled. “I seem to remember hearing something about that. Perhaps you’ll tell me the whole story someday.”

  Rains said nothing. Sounds of the increasingly crowded mess hall filtered in and she could see people looking in their direction, obviously waiting for the table. They both rose and returned their trays before Rains gestured with her head and they began walking back toward the motor pool. “Please tell Whit I appreciate the difficult position she is in.”

  “What do you mean?” Kathleen’s face paled.

  “Boudreaux is Whit’s friend. Obviously, she sees a side of her that we do not. But she agreed that you should speak to me about this, yes?”

  Kathleen’s color returned as she nodded.

  “So she chose you and your apprehension over loyalty to her friend. For some, that would be a difficult decision.” Rains leaned over slightly and lowered her voice. “That shows how much she cares for you.”

  Kathleen flushed. “I think it shows how much we both value your friendship.”

  “As I do both of yours,” Rains said, her tone still soft. “And I do appreciate your concern.” Before Hartley could reply she straightened and saluted, her voice back to normal. “Thank you again, Captain.”

  Hartley returned the salute automatically and Rains left her standing on the sidewalk. There might have been more to say, but this was not the time or the place to say it.

  * * *

  The fish was nibbling around the bait, Boudreaux thought, watching the eager young woman’s face as she continued her lecture. She should be easy to hook. For these types who saw their drill instructors as some kind of long-lost mother substitute, a lieutenant like her was practically a god. She’d smiled pleasantly as she’d answered the girl’s questions, and as she expected, the recruit was waiting by the door to the classroom when it was time for lunch.

  “Private Spillman,” she said, acting surprised. “Was there something else you wanted to ask me?”

  “Not exactly,” Spillman said, her voice shy, but with an unexpected hint of determination. “It’s just that…this is the most interesting class I’ve been in, but I want to find out more before I commit to a specialty in munitions.”

  Perfect. But she put on a worried face. “I’d be glad to have you come by the rifle range, Private, but I’m busy with classes all this week.” She looked away, as if considering. “I suppose I could meet you there on Saturday, unless you have some additional drills scheduled.”

  Spillman’s face lit up. “You’d do that?”

  “Of course, but only if you’re really interested.” Her face turned serious. “It takes a special kind of person to make in it my department, Private. But if you’re willing to put forth what it takes…” Boudreaux held her breath as she trailed off. This was what she considered her “warning.” Girls who came to her after this should know what they were in for.

  Spillman straightened slightly. “I’m not afraid of a challenge, Lieutenant. I have four brothers. I’m tougher than I look.”

  Boudreaux looked at her again. Small, with unexpectedly intense brown eyes. She was no Bett Smythe or even Kathleen Hartley, but her face had a wholesome, small-town kind of appeal. She had a vision of Miss Tougher than I Look on her back, begging Miriam to make her come again. But then again, women could be funny about that. Most of them acted like they didn’t like it, but she knew that was only because polite society had trained them that way. Someday she’d find someone who really knew what to do with her body, and she’d take that one back home, set up shop the way her uncle Lucien had, and sit back and watch the money roll in.

  She couldn’t really remember the parents who’d died of diphtheria, and she’d never met Lucien Trahan before he claimed her and took her from her family home outside of Shreveport down to the bayou region south of New Orleans. Sometime she’d wondered if he really was a relative at all, but he’d taken her when no one else had stepped up, and she’d always been grateful for that. She’d learned to love the bayou, as well as learning to love the ladies who worked for her uncle. He was a superstitious man, and she knew she’d picked that up from him. But damn, she’d seen plenty of evidence that those spells really worked. She was still in the WAC, wasn’t she? Spillman was waiting for her to speak, she realized. “Very good, Spillman,” she said, positive that this small-town girl wouldn’t be the one to make it on the bayou, but she’d help take the edge off. “I’ll see you Saturday, then.” Spillman saluted and Boudreaux turned to go.

  Angry and spoiling for revenge since that dam
n dinner party, Miriam had also been edgy and unable to focus. More than once, she’d wondered if Indians had witches and if so, had goddamn Gale Rains put some kind of spell on her? No matter. She’d been convinced a little romp with some recruit would set her right, but the last two classes had been disappointing. Sergeant Webber had unexpectedly hung around her new squad like some kind of mother hen, and Sergeant Moore’s group was so intimidated they wouldn’t say boo to a goose. This new drill instructor obviously didn’t know shit from Shinola. As she passed by the medical building, she contemplated dropping by to see if Whit was working but decided not to. Whit was too willing to let Kathleen Hartley lead her around by the nose—or some other body part—to be of much use. Thinking of that, she decided to take care of her own business before she got back to that Rains bitch.

  * * *

  When her secretary, PFC Sharon West, announced a call from Sophie Lucero, Rains told her to put it through.

  “Good afternoon, Lieutenant Rains.” Sophie’s voice was warm and friendly. “Lilly and I were wondering if we could come by before lunch tomorrow. I’d like to interview some of your staff and take some pictures too, if that would be all right.”

  “You know all stories have to be approved before they can be published.” Rains stalled.

  “Of course, Lieutenant,” Sophie said reassuringly. “I happen to be acquainted with Captain Hartley of your PR department.”

  “Oh, of course.” Rains felt foolish for having forgotten the scope of Kathleen Hartley’s job. “In the event I’m not available, I’ll tell my people you are coming.”

  There was a slight pause and Sophie’s voice lowered slightly. “I hope that’s not the case, Gale. Lilly is really looking forward to seeing you.” Rains sighed and after a few seconds Sophie continued in a more professional tone. “And I’d rather you didn’t mention my visit ahead of time, if you don’t mind. I find that if people have time to think about being interviewed, then what they say sounds too rehearsed and fake. Let’s start our visit with you showing me and Lilly around, and we’ll go from there.”

  Glad to have someone other than Kathleen Hartley to discuss, Rain addressed the subject with Bett over dinner. “I let my excitement over seeing Lilly again cloud my better judgment. I didn’t even want to do this, and I certainly don’t want the story to be about me. I want it to be about the staff—how good they are at their jobs, how hard they work. And I really don’t want to have my picture taken, but I imagine most of the girls will be more than willing.”

  “You’ll simply need to talk to Sophie about your concerns before she begins the interview process,” Bett advised, leaning across their small kitchen table to touch Rain’s face. “Try to figure out what she wants from the story and see if you can find an approach that will make you both happy.”

  Rain nodded. “You’re right, Beloved. I feel like Sophie will be careful with my words, and I trust her not to ask any uncomfortable questions, but I wasn’t sure how to point her in the direction I want this discussion to go. Thank you.” She kissed Bett’s palm. “I am forever grateful for your counsel. You are very wise in the ways of the world.”

  “Have you always been such a sweet talker or is it just with me?” Bett asked, thinking she already knew how Rain would answer. She was right, but finding out took the rest of their evening.

  * * *

  With Bett’s help, Rains had prepared a series of requests, instructions, and objectives to discuss with Sophie about her story. But when Sharon buzzed to say she had two visitors, the sight of Lilly running toward her wiped away everything else. Lilly’s high voice echoed around the repair bays. “Rain! We’re here to have lunch with you!” and Rains couldn’t help smiling. Then the little girl stopped and looked around doubtfully. “Doesn’t your pony live here?”

  “No, Lilly. I’m sorry, but my pony lives far away.”

  Lilly came a little closer, squinting before her expression turned shy. “Where is your hair?”

  “Come here, and I’ll tell you,” Rains offered, squatting to Lilly’s height. “My braid is under my hat,” she said quietly, patting the back of her head with her palm.

  “Why?” Lilly asked, her voice quieting too.

  “Because I am in the Army and that’s the way the Army wants it,” Rains answered. Lilly looked puzzled. “When you start going to school, you’ll see that sometimes you have to follow the teacher’s rules and not always get to do whatever you want to do. But if your teacher is fair, then the rules will be the same for everyone.” Lilly had cocked her head, trying to see under Rains’s hat. “If you really want to see it, I could take my hat off and show you.”

  Lilly nodded. When Rains’s braid tumbled out, she smiled. “Can I put my hair under a hat too?” she asked, trying to push her curly tresses onto her head.

  “Maybe Lieutenant Rains will let you wear her hat for a while, Lilly, and both of you could leave your hair the way it is?” Sophie suggested.

  Lilly’s high, childish voice had carried though the bays and staff members began coming over to see what was going on. When Rains put her hat on Lilly’s head, there was an audible “awww” from most of the girls. Lilly looked around and smiled, further winning all hearts. She pushed the much-too-large hat back on her head and demanded, “Pick me up, Rain.” Seeing her order their lieutenant around sealed Lilly’s new role as the motor pool pet.

  Rains carried Lilly around the bays, showing her the different pieces of machinery and introducing her all the staff members. While she shied away from anyone else holding her, Lilly took great interest in the touching various tools and examining the ongoing repairs while the girls talked to her animatedly about their jobs. Rains heard Sophie trailing behind them, her camera clicking as she talked further with some of the staff members. A little buzz of words like “reporter” and “newspaper” and “story” was building behind her, so Rains turned to clarify matters with her people, just in time to see Colonel Issacson walk through the door. Rains put Lilly down quickly and saluted, as did everyone else except Sophie. Lilly copied them. Janet Issacson faced them, eyeing Rains’s hair and Lilly in the hat, and returned the salute. Then, to Rains’s great relief, she smiled at Lilly and asked, “Do we have a future WAC visiting us?”

  “No, ma’am,” Lilly explained, “I want to be a grease monkey.”

  Someone behind her was suppressing a giggle and Rains could see Sophie covering her mouth. It was no use. The sound of choked laughter began to break out from everyone except Rains and Issacson.

  “I see,” the colonel said seriously. “And what does a grease monkey do?”

  “Rebuild cabulaters,” Lilly replied. The giggling behind her increased and Rains had to look away, fighting her amusement.

  Sophie Lucero had recovered enough to introduce herself to the colonel, reminding her of the coverage she had published earlier on the ordnance department. “Yes, that was a very nice piece,” Issacson recalled, as they shook hands. “What brings you to our motor pool today?”

  “Captain Hartley recently introduced me to Lieutenant Rains, and I thought this division would make an interesting follow-up story. As you can see, I have the added bonus of your lieutenant being an outstanding baby-sitter,” Lucero said smoothly. “Naturally, I’ll send your office—along with Captain Hartley’s department—a copy of the story before publication.”

  “Naturally.” Janet Issacson was pleased. Good publicity was always welcome, and it was imperative to help the American public accept the idea of women in the service. She had every confidence that Lieutenant Rains’s motor pool would show well.

  Lilly tugged at Rains’s pant leg, her eyes on Colonel Issacson. “Is she your teacher?”

  Colonel Issacson was clearly waiting to hear Rains’s answer. “Yes, sometimes. And also my commanding officer. Do you understand what that means, Lilly?”

  “I have to be nice to her?” Lilly guessed.

  This time, the laughter was universal.

  “I hope you both enjoy your
day here, Mrs. Lucero,” the colonel said, still chuckling as she left the building.

  After managing to talk Lilly into returning her hat by promising to try and find her one of her own, Rains walked them back Sophie’s car. “I would really prefer that my photograph not be included, Sophie,” she said, hoping to get at least one of her requests known.

  “You probably already dodged that one, Gale,” Sophie answered smoothly. “I’m sure every picture of you has Lilly in it too.”

  “And please feel free to come back and interview some of the staff members again, if you didn’t get enough information from them,” Rains said, hoping to stress the group focus.

  “Thank you. I already have some ideas about what to write, but it’ll be good to get a few more details if I need to.”

  Late that afternoon, Sophie Lucero came back to the motor pool, alone. Rains had just finished her routine meeting with the drivers who had finished the day’s pickups and deliveries. She’d dismissed them and started toward her office when she caught a glimpse of Sophie stopping Helen Tucker as the private was moving her truck into line. Aware that they were still talking as she walked into her office, Rains hoped Private Tucker would keep her comments general and not disclose any details from the black-market ring she’d helped to break.

  Almost an hour later, Sharon buzzed her to report that Sophie had left after talking with several more girls who’d been off earlier and taking a few more pictures. Relieved not to have been involved, Rains could only hope the story would go as she wanted.

  Chapter Seven

  Lieutenant Victoria Whitman sat in her jeep outside the medic’s office with almost fifteen minutes before her shift began. She’d left home early because she needed some time to think, to consider if her worries were legitimate or if she was overreacting. To her view, Kat hadn’t been the same since the night of their last dinner party. For one thing, she’d asked on several occasions if there had been any more contact from Miriam Boudreaux and whether she was really capable of carrying out her threats against Gale Rains. As shocking as it was for Kat to bring up Boudreaux at all, it was even more surprising, Whit admitted to herself, that Miriam hadn’t come back to her with details of her plans. In fact, she hadn’t seen or heard from her at all since that first discussion after her night shift. Normally, she would have stopped by the ordnance building at some point, just to check on her, but right now she didn’t mind staying out of Boudreaux’s latest drama. She had enough to worry about.