The Sky Above Us

by Sarah Sundin

  What a good thing Violet was doing. Events like this smoothed over British-American relations—which could be rough after the flyboys hit the pubs.

  He sought Violet and found her. She stood by a table next to the big black clapboard boathouse with her back to the lake. Her shoulders sagged, and she wasn’t watching the activities. Something was wrong.

  His right knee bent, ready to take him to her, but he dug his feet into the grass. He ought to spend less time with her. Not only because he could end up like Stan Mulroney, but for countless other reasons.

  “Adler! There you are.” Kitty Kelly approached, one hand holding back her dark curls. “I was looking for you.”

  He couldn’t imagine why. “Here I am.”

  Kitty frowned across the lawn at her friend. “I’m trying to console Violet, but—”

  “Console her?” Every muscle tensed. “Why? What happened?”

  “She told you about the thefts, right? Well, someone accused Violet of being the thief, and our field director seems to believe the rumor.”

  “Violet? A thief? That’s ridiculous.”

  “Completely.” Kitty’s lips pursed. “They said she’s a Robin Hood, stealing from the rich Yanks to give to the poor English. She’s afraid she’ll lose her job. She won’t listen to me. Maybe another voice she trusts . . .”

  Violet trusted him, and he felt worthier than he had in three years. Mama’s voice scolded him about his weakness for flattery, but this wasn’t about his pride. Violet needed him.

  He swallowed. “I’ll talk to her.”

  “Thank you. She could use a shoulder to lean on.”

  That thought appealed to him too much. He propelled his feet in Violet’s direction.

  She gazed at the boathouse, immobile. Not normal for this woman who was always busy.

  He stopped beside her. “Hi there.”

  Violet spun to him and raised a phony smile. “Oh, hi. Are you having a good time?”

  “Kitty told me what happened.”

  She pressed her hand to her forehead. “She shouldn’t have. Today is supposed to be fun.”

  “Reckon it’s too late for that for you.”

  Quiet, she rubbed her forehead.

  “Come on, let’s go for a walk.”

  She waved her hand over the table. “I need to—”

  “Everything’s set up. The kids are playing and exploring. The men and the moms are watching them. Let’s take a walk.” He set his hand on her lower back.

  Taut muscles softened under his touch. “All right.”

  Adler guided her along a path beside the lake, and he stuffed his hands in his trouser pockets. “Tell me all about it.”

  Violet spilled out a long list of missing food. She and Kitty had started keeping a log and checking it against the invoices, had designated shift supervisors to monitor the log, and had trained the staff. Locks were being installed on the cabinets, and only the supervisor would have the key.

  Adler had never gotten past his general education in college, and in the family business Wyatt had been the brother gifted with bookkeeping. If only he knew more.

  A pair of swans eyed him but waddled past when he didn’t produce bread crumbs. “Sounds like you’re doing everything you can.”

  “It isn’t enough.” Violet crossed her arms and kneaded her upper arms. “The log only tells us how much is disappearing, not who’s taking it.”

  “It’s a good start though.”

  Her face twisted. “If I don’t find the thief soon, Mr. Tate will dismiss me. What if he files charges—”

  “Hey. You haven’t done anything wrong. He can’t fire you based on rumor. For all we know, your accuser is the thief. In fact, that wouldn’t surprise me.”

  She mashed her lips together. “I wouldn’t be in this fix if my heart had been in the right place from the start.”

  He aimed an eyebrow at her. “You’re not making sense.”

  Her face reddened. “I didn’t want to come here, and Mr. Tate knows it.”

  “You wanted to work with kids.”

  “Yes. Then I thought the local people deserved help, and the airmen didn’t.”

  “We don’t.”

  Blue eyes stretched wide. “But you do. You risk your lives in combat every day. How many pilots have you lost?”

  Over two dozen, but Adler just shrugged.

  “And the men on the ground are far from their loved ones, working hard in difficult conditions. You deserve a few of the comforts of home. I know that now, but I didn’t at first. I’m paying the price for my narrow-mindedness.” Her face puckered up.

  “Hey, now.” He faced her and gripped her shoulders. Then he sucked in a breath. He’d acted as he would have with Oralee, free and easy. But she wasn’t Oralee, and he needed to let go.

  However, Violet’s brow smoothed and her gaze steadied and plunged deep, seeking reassurance.

  Adler squeezed her shoulders and made his gaze firm. “Anyone with half an eye can see your heart’s in the right place. The Aeroclub looks great. The programs are a hit. The men are enjoying themselves, and so are the kids. You’re friendly with all of them, and it’s genuine. Everyone on base thinks the world of you, from the CO on down.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered, and she dipped her chin, her forehead level with his mouth.

  Begging for a kiss. But if he kissed her forehead, he’d pull her close and kiss her temple, her cheek. Her lips were tucked in, but he’d tease them open.

  Violet raised her chin and her eyes, and she released her lips, pink and plump.

  Lord, help me! He dropped his hands, stepped back, and whipped up a smile. “All better?”

  A shaky laugh. “Not until the thief is caught, but thank you. I do feel better.”

  “Then this here cowboy’s done his job.” He thickened his accent and tipped his cap. “Reckon we oughta mosey on back to the fiesta, little filly?”

  A smile wiggled on her lips, and she nodded and strolled back toward the boathouse.

  “So, how are the plans for the Easter party?”

  The smile gained strength. “Wonderful. Less than two weeks, but everything’s coming together. The men donated so much candy, we had to tell them to stop or the children’s teeth would rot.”

  As Violet related her plans, the light returned to her eyes. Too soon, they reached the main group.

  “I should check the refreshments.” She laid her hand on his forearm. “Thank you.”

  The leather of his jacket blocked the warmth of her grip, but not the soft pressure. “You’re welcome.”

  One last smile, and she walked away.

  “There you are.” Nick ambled toward him. “I was looking for you.”

  “I haven’t been this popular since college.”

  “Violet looked for you too?” He glanced behind him at the Red Cross worker.

  “No, Kitty did. Violet’s upset about the thefts at the Aeroclub, and Kitty wanted me to talk to her.”

  “She doesn’t look upset anymore.”

  No, she didn’t. Violet tousled a boy’s hair and listened to his story.

  “You two are getting close.”

  With his big toe, Adler poked at a rock in the grass. “Just as friends.”

  “Have you told her everything?”

  “A lot.”

  “What about the girl? Your brother’s—”

  “No.” Adler ground the rock back into the dirt.

  “Why not?”

  “Look at her. She’s so innocent, so good. Besides, it doesn’t concern her, and it’s all forgiven, right?”

  Nick studied the tall blonde, his mouth over to one side. “It would concern her if she became your girlfriend.”

  A laugh erupted. “That won’t happen. We’re going different directions in life.”

  “I think that’s best. For one thing, you’re still . . .” Nick returned his scrutiny to Adler. “You’re raw.”

  Raw. Yeah, that was it.

  After three y
ears of numbness, emotions now hit his thawing nerves with increased intensity, every sensation magnified.

  Grief and regret and anger at himself stung like iodine on a skinned knee.

  But peace and happiness and affection refreshed like lemonade on ice.

  He found Violet over the crowd, and she smiled at him, stimulating and soothing his nerves all at once.

  24

  Leiston Army Airfield

  Thursday, April 6, 1944

  Millie Clark opened her large canvas bag and pulled out dozens of tiny tote bags in various colors and patterns. “My mum made these for the children to carry home their eggs and sweets.”

  “They’re darling.” Violet picked up a blue-striped bag.

  “We used scraps. We didn’t do anything wrong.” Alarm creased Millie’s young forehead.

  “We know.” Kitty admired a red bag. She brushed off some white powder and sniffed her fingers. “Smells like flour.”

  “This one smells like tea.” Violet laughed. “How very British.”

  “I take this bag to the grocer’s.” Millie snatched up some bags and inspected them. “Oh dear.”

  Violet patted her back. “The children will be delighted.”

  Kitty cupped her hand over her ear. “Here they are.”

  The rumble of a truck engine sounded outside.

  Violet opened the front door and beamed at the children climbing out of three Army trucks, the younger children accompanied by their mothers. “Welcome to our Easter party, boys and girls. Today we have special treats for you. When you come inside—littlest ones first—Miss Clark will give you a bag, and you can hunt for Easter eggs. One egg each.”

  The children squealed. With eggs rationed and scarce, they were a treat indeed.

  Rosalind and Sylvia lined up the children, Kitty let them inside, and Violet supervised the egg hunt in the dining area. On a platform by the office, the Buzz Boys played “Pop! Goes the Weasel”—with a splat on the trombone for the “pop.”

  Soon about fifty children zipped around the club, laughing and calling to each other. As soon as eggs were found, Red Cross ladies showed the children to other stations.

  Dozens of men helped with the activities and joked with the kids. In the lounge, kids sat on a canvas tarp and Rosalind helped them paint their eggs. In the game room, airmen and children played Ping-Pong, pool, and Duck, Duck, Goose. In the library, Millie and Sylvia helped the little girls make fabric and tissue paper flowers for their bonnets.

  One brown-haired tot stuck a flower behind the ear of a mechanic, and he struck a pose like Carmen Miranda.

  Violet smiled. If Mr. Tate could see the good she was doing, he’d drop his accusations. But Adler’s assurances calmed her. Mr. Tate had no proof she was stealing, and now that they’d locked the cabinets and trained the girls to use the logs, the thefts had decreased.

  Back in the dining area, Adler and a dozen men moved the tables and chairs that had made hiding places for the egg hunt.

  Adler glanced over at her. “Around the edge of the room, Miss Lindstrom?”

  “Yes, please. We’ll leave the area by the bandstand open for our concert.”

  “I think you’ll like it.” His smile sparked with mischief.

  Last night he’d found her at dinner and told her he had a surprise for her today. Did it have something to do with the concert? She gave him a quizzical look, but he grabbed a couple of chairs and walked away.

  That man. Still mysterious. And increasingly adorable.

  After the children had enjoyed an hour of crafts and games, she and Kitty ushered them into the dining area and had them sit on the floor.

  Tony Rosario stood on the bandstand with a trombone. “Good afternoon, boys and girls. We’re the Buzz Boys, and we’re going to play some tunes you know—please sing along—plus, some goodies from America.”

  They played “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Home on the Range.” They played “Hot Cross Buns” and “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” They played “Jack and Jill” and announced the next song, “Deep in the Heart of Texas.”

  Adler climbed onto the stage, trumpet in hand, and he shot Violet a shy smile.

  Standing at the back of the crowd, she gasped. His surprise!

  The piano and drums opened, and Adler joined in, his eyes closed and his trumpet raised high. He played the melody, and the brass section sounded the four “clapping” notes.

  Oh, how he played. The sound was so rich, so pure, so fluid.

  Violet covered her mouth, and her eyes watered. He was connecting with his past and allowing the Lord to heal him. The most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.

  She was falling hard. Lately, she’d seen the attraction in his eyes as well. It had been so long since a man had looked at her like that. Dennis never had. They’d been partners, nothing more.

  For years she’d felt washed-up and Amazonian. But not with Adler. Never with Adler.

  His lips pursed on the trumpet. What would it be like to kiss him?

  “Oh dear.” She was rationalizing that fling Kitty kept promoting. Such a bad idea, and yet it wasn’t. Maybe a little romance would be healthy for Adler, help him move forward.

  Just last night, Kitty had told her not to pass up a fine man for a dream—a dream that might not even happen. She had a point. Convincing a mission board to send a single woman into the field might be impossible. And did she really want to go alone? For all Great-Aunt Violet’s zeal, she had Great-Uncle Gus at her side.

  The piano took over the song, and Adler lowered the trumpet and his head, his lips in a thin line.

  Did the music take him home to Texas, to when his family was whole and his fiancée was alive? Her heart ached for him in his loneliness.

  Then he raised his trumpet and belted out another verse, his fingers flying and improvising a Latin riff on the cowboy tune. His face—she’d never seen such pain and such pleasure mingled.

  Her eyes misted over. If he were to want a romance with her, even a short-lived fling, how could she deny him?

  The song ended, and he met her gaze over the applauding children. She pressed her hand over her heart to show him how much it meant to her.

  A quick bow, and he stepped off the stage and jogged to the front door.

  “Say, boys and girls . . .” Tony Rosario peered toward the door, shielding his eyes. “I heard a knock. Do we have a visitor?”

  Violet and Kitty exchanged a confused look. Nick Westin was going to distribute the candy soon, but . . .

  What were the men up to?

  Adler swung the door open. “Look who’s here!”

  Then Nick hopped in. Hopped like a bunny.

  The children squealed and bounced. Violet gasped and laughed, and Kitty dashed over and clutched her arm.

  Nick wore one of the sheepskin-lined jackets the ground crew wore, only inside out, with the fluffy creamy side showing. He wore a leather flight helmet with floppy khaki ears, and someone had painted black whiskers and a bunny nose on his face.

  As Nick hopped to the children, Adler stayed at his side, his wingman even now.

  “Hello, boys and girls,” Nick said in a funny voice. “If you can sit very still and be quiet as a bunny, I’ll give you some candy.”

  The bouncing and squealing came to a sudden halt.

  Nick handed out candy bars, two per child. One to enjoy at the party and one to take home.

  Violet worked her way over to Adler. “I had no idea. This is absolutely wonderful.”

  “Didn’t know if we could pull it off.” He fingered one of the bunny ears. “Especially these. Finally sewed the tops of Cam’s socks over flight goggles to hold them in place. We tried to use wire to make them stand up, but Cam groused that we were putting holes in his socks.”

  “Nick looks marvelous. And what a treat. Two surprises in one day.”

  Adler shot her a sideways, lopsided grin. “That wasn’t the surprise I was talking about.”

  “More?” She hugged his
arm—she couldn’t help it. “You’re spoiling me.”

  Now his eyes shone as if she’d given him a candy bar. More than anything, she wanted to press a kiss to his cheek, but she released his arm and checked her watch. “When Nick is done, it’s time to send the children home for dinner.”

  “See you later.” He tipped two fingers to his forehead, then trailed after Nick.

  What a delicious set of words. What could the surprise be? A gift? But she didn’t need anything. Still, he’d thought of her, and that warmed her right through.

  In a few minutes, Violet stepped onto the bandstand, thanked the children for coming, and wished them a happy Easter.

  The staff and airmen helped the children back into the trucks. Then they cleaned up the Aeroclub so quickly, Violet and Kitty couldn’t keep up with the activity.

  After everything was put away, Violet headed to the kitchen to make sure preparations had started for the after-dinner crowd.

  Adler met her by the snack bar. “When are you heading to the mess for supper?”

  “About ten minutes.”

  “Great. I’ll be in the back on the left. If you want your surprise, sit with me.”

  “What is it?” She sounded as eager as the children.

  His eyes crinkled around the edges. “Not what. Who. Someone I want you to meet. See you soon.”

  And he left.

  All the eagerness drained away. Someone he wanted her to meet?

  Did he want to set her up with another man?

  Violet pulled herself together and entered the kitchen. All was in order, and the supervisor had everything humming. She had no excuse to stay, so she pulled on her overcoat and walked to the mess in the dying sunlight.

  Her stomach felt woozy. She’d been mistaken. The interest in Adler’s eyes was the interest of a friend, and she’d let herself be swept away. Thank goodness she hadn’t told him how she felt.

  What sort of man had Adler picked for her? Most likely a missionary, stranded in the States by the declaration of war and drafted into the Army.

  Her hand folded around Elsa the Elephant in her coat pocket. That prospect should appeal to her, but right now it didn’t.

  Sending up a prayer for strength and dignity, Violet entered the mess and picked up her plate of roast mutton and potatoes.