In the living room, Max and Ruth were getting to know Mr. Riggs.
"Donovan tells us your father-in-law is an admiral."
"Yes," Ruth answered. "Soon to be retired. He had duties at the base this weekend, or he would have joined us."
"We'll have to meet him another time. Tell me, Max, what subjects do you like in school?"
"Art and math."
Virginia came in at that point with coffee, and Ruth was glad to have it. The women took no time in hitting it off, and Mitch wasted not a second in capturing Max's attention. Lorri and Rigg were still in the kitchen, and Del was left somewhat on his own, something that didn't bother him in the least. He was very happy
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to sit and listen to the people he was sure would soon be a part of the family.
"Horses?" Lorri asked on Saturday morning, looking at the animals they were approaching in the paddock, deep in the backyard. "Your family has horses?"
"Why so surprised?"
Lorri looked at him.
"I just never imagined you on a horse. PT boats don't really lend themselves to that pastoral theme."
Rigg smiled but still offered, "How about a ride?"
Lorri stopped in her tracks. "I think your mother wanted to show me some pictures in the photo album."
Rigg laughed but didn't let her get away. He took her hand and led her to the railings. Clicks made somewhere in his mouth brought two horses running. Lorri almost did some running herself, but Rigg's arm gently brought her back.
"They're very tame, and I would never let you be hurt."
"They're huge!" she said, staying still only because his arm was keeping her in place.
"Hey, girl," Rigg said to the mare that came right to him. Rigg brought sugar from the pocket of his shirt, and Lorri watched in amazement as the horses enthusiastically went for it.
They stood for a little while at the fence, the horses eventually seeing that Rigg was out of sugar and going on their way.
"Was that Max?" Lorri turned and suddenly noticed her sister; she was headed into another building.
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"I think Mitch is showing her the car he's working on. Do you want to see it?"
"Sure."
They walked that way, and without permission Rigg took her hand again. Lorri didn't mind. Larger than her own, his hand was warm, his hold undemanding.
"Okay," Mitch was saying to Max, the car not part of the conversation at all. "Here's Donovan and Lorraine. I'll bet your sister is going horseback riding."
"Uh, Mitch," Rigg tried to cut in.
"Go ahead, Lorraine," Mitch didn't hear a thing. "Tell Max that you're not afraid to get on a horse."
Lorri could only stare at him, her mouth opening in surprise. It took a moment for Mitch to realize she wasn't speaking arid to see that his brother was calmly shaking his head no.
"You can't be serious!" Mitch said, thinking he had it all wrapped up.
That Max thought this hysterical was only too obvious. She covered her mouth and turned around, but her amusement was all too clear.
"Come on," Rigg invited. "Something tells me Mom will have breakfast ready. We'd better head to the house."
Mitch's eyes, so like Rigg's, told Max she was not forgiven. Max tried to look repentant but couldn't quite manage it. Lorri eventually joined her, and they laughed all the way back to the house.
"More toast, Mrs. Archer?" Virginia offered. "Thank you," Ruth said, taking one from the plate. "Your home is wonderful. It's so warm and inviting."
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Virginia looked around as though seeing it for the first time. "It's not new, but it has that homey feel."
Ruth looked around as well, but Virginia had something to say to Ruth, something personal.
"Donovan told us about your daughter. I'm so sorry to hear that, Mrs. Archer."
"I hope you'll call me Ruth, and thank you." She sighed a little. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to the idea."
"How long has it been?"
"That's a complicated question. Josie actually died on June 1 of last year, but we didn't know there was a problem until a few days later. The telegram telling me that Josie was gone and Lorri was alive arrived on August 2. Up until that moment, I chose to believe that both my daughters would come home to me."
"We never think it's going to happen to us, do we?" Virginia asked. "My mother suddenly dropped dead in her kitchen one day. My father died 48 hours later. I walked around in a fog for more than a year."
"How painful for you."
"It was. At the time I didn't know how I was going to keep on, but God is always bigger than the pain."
"That's certainly true," Ruth agreed, just as they heard the door. Rigg, Lorri, Mitch, and Max came in, smelling like the out-of-doors and looking for food, Del arrived also, and the feast began.
"That's a sweet girl you've got there, Donovan," his father said to him late Saturday night. "You'd better keep her." "I'm working on it."
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"How is she doing, Donovan? I mean, really?" This came from his mother.
"She's doing well, but the loss is huge. She wasn't willing to leave home this weekend, to be separated from her mother. I thought I would have to drop the entire suggestion until I realized they could all come."
"And she was fine with that?"
"Yes. At first I thought Mrs. Archer might be struggling with her being away, but it's Lorraine who can't do the leaving right now."
"Did she say why?"
"Not specifically, but she told me she was utterly desperate to see her mother while on the island. It meant more to her than eating. I wonder if it's just too soon."
Rigg was enjoying this chance to visit alone with his folks, but he had to drive back to southern California the next day after lunch and knew he'd better get some rest.
"I'm for bed," he said, kissing his mother and hugging Del.
Del and Virginia were tired as well, but they continued to talk long after Rigg was asleep.
"I liked your family," Lorri told Rigg on the way home. It was late, and even though they were almost home, Ruth and Max dozed in the backseat.
"They liked you too."
"Did they? I'm glad."
"You sound like you doubted."
"No, not really. I'm just pleased."
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"What did you think of Santa Rosa?"
"It's a beautiful town. It must have been fun growing up there."
"It was," Rigg told her just as she yawned.
Conversation drifted off. The car pulled up at the Archer home some 20 minutes later. The family thanked Rigg and let Dean carry their bags inside. They had much to tell him, but it would have to wait until morning.
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Dean did not rush off on Monday morning. Max told him all about her weekend, how much fun she had with Mitch Riggs, and how nice the Riggs family turned out to be. After Max left, Dean stayed to talk with Ruth and Lorri.
"Did Rigg seem more relaxed to you this weekend than he usually is?" Lorri asked once they'd given Dean a run-down and were settled in with coffee and toast.
"I think he was," Ruth replied, having also noticed it. "It must be because he was in his own home. That's bound to have an effect."
Lorri nodded thoughtfully, but before too long she turned, a rather serious frown directed at Dean.
"Lorri, why are you frowning at your grandfather?"
"He knows why."
Dean's head went back when he laughed.
"It's not funny, Grandpa. You scare the man to death!"
"I'm not trying to scare him, Lorri, honestly."
Lorri was still frowning, and try as he might, Dean could not stop laughing.
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"Will someone tell me what's going on?" Ruth requested.
Lorri told her mother about the way Rigg feared Dean. Ruth looked surprised.
"He never indicates that he's afraid," Ruth argued,
"I couldn't tell before he said something to me, but now I notice the way he'll slip and call me Miss Archer," Lorri sent another frown. "It's because Grandpa scares him."
Lorri's ire was amusing. Ruth could finally see why Dean wanted to laugh.
"What do you want me to do?" Dean asked, laughter still lurking.
"I don't know." Lorri sounded aggrieved, and even Ruth's hand came to her mouth.
"What's funny?" Lorri asked, not very angry at all.
"I don't know if I can explain it. It's not like you to be so protective, so it's a little humorous."
Lorri sighed, not sure she found it so amusing.
"I am protective of Rigg. I just realized that."
"Then he's a very blessed man," her grandfather said, all humor gone.
"You don't disapprove, do you, Grandpa?"
"If I did, you would have known it a long time ago."
Lorri nodded. Rigg might be nervous around Dean Archer, but there was no reason. It looked as though it might be something Rigg would have to work through on his own.
"My brother and sister-in-law want to know whether you can join them for lunch on Sunday," Rigg told Lorri when he picked up Violet on Friday afternoon.
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"Will you be there?" she asked, teasing him a little.
"No," he teased right back. "They want to give you the third degree and don't want me around."
"Oh, I don't know if I can agree to that. I might end up as nervous around them as you are around Grandpa."
"I thought I was hiding that better."
Lorri looked sympathetic. "Does he still scare you?"
"A little. It's probably his rank more than anything else."
"Are you coming to our house?" Violet suddenly asked.
"I believe I am. Won't we have fun?"
"I have a brother. He's little."
"What's his name?"
"William. We call him Billy sometimes."
"Nicknames are fun."
"What's a nickname?"
"Well, like when you call William, Billy, or when your uncle calls you Vi. It's not your full name, but it's still part of your name, or sometimes it's a fun, silly name. My name is Lorraine, but most everyone calls me Lorri."
"I call you Miss Archer."
"Yes, you do, because you're a very good girl."
Violet managed to look shy and pleased all at the same time. Lorri invited her to help with the classrooms, and they were done in record time.
Rigg stood back and let them talk, staying quiet in the car when Violet continued to question Lorri. It was not how Rigg wanted to spend the few minutes he had with her on Friday afternoons but felt he had no choice. He dropped Lorri off and comforted himself with the fact that he would see her Sunday, and not just
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for church. They could spend the afternoon together at Jim and Dorothy's.
Max could hardly believe her eyes. They still had five minutes until the service started, so she walked to the back pew, her eyes on the serious face of Johnny King.
"Hello, Johnny."
"Hello, Max," he returned, all swagger and bravado gone.
"Are you all right?"
Johnny looked ahead for a moment, his eyes pained. Max hesitated in indecision, but went ahead and spoke.
"Do you mind if I pray for you, Johnny?"
"No," his voice had grown hoarse.*ldon't mind at all."
Max gave him an understanding smile and moved to sit with her family. Each one of them, Rigg included, saw the tears in her eyes, but the music was starting and questions would have to wait.
Lorri felt her heart pound. She didn't know why. She had already met most of Rigg's family, and they had been wonderful. But for some reason Rigg's brother and wife, Violet's family, seemed like the last hurdle. If they liked her, that meant she had passed.
Lorri told herself to quit being silly, but when Rigg stopped the car in front of a small bungalow, her heart continued to pound.
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"That was Johnny King from your class, wasn't it?" Ruth asked when the family sat down to lunch.
"Yes."
"I haven't seen him in ages."
"I think he stopped coming about two years ago."
"Do you know why?"
"No, and I don't know why he was there today, but he looked so upset." Tears had come to Max's voice again, but she continued. "I told him I would pray for him, but he didn't want to talk. He's never not wanted to talk to me."
"Is this the boy who has been interested in you all year?" Dean wished to know.
Max nodded, not sure what to think.
"Did any of the men speak to him, Dean?" Ruth asked.
"I don't know, but I can find out tonight."
Max didn't know why, but she prayed that Johnny would be there. If he needed help, he needed to come back as often as he could.
"That was delicious," Jim told his wife, sitting back, full and satisfied.
"Thank you. Shall we wait on dessert?"
"I think that's a good idea. Besides, if Violet can't give Lorri a tour of the house soon, she's going to expire in her seat."
All adults laughed and looked to the little girl with compassion. She had been so excited to show Lorri around, but her mother had put the meal on as soon as Rigg and his guest arrived. As it
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was, Violet ate very little of her food, over-the-moon with excitement to have one of her teachers visiting her house.
Just as soon as Lorri thought it time, she told Violet she was ready for a tour. They naturally started in the little girl's bedroom. Dorothy trailed, loving the commentary from her daughter, and when Violet got distracted, the women visited.
"Your home is wonderful," Lorri told her sincerely.
"Thank you. We are really enjoying it."
"It's so warm and cozy."
"That's just what we were going for. Jim's folks' place is warm and cozy, and that's what I wanted,"
"Yes, it is. I enjoyed their house very much."
"Virginia wrote and said that Mitch could talk about no one but your sister."
Lorri laughed, and Rigg chose that moment to seek the women out.
"I was telling Lorri that Mitch is a bit taken with Max."
Rigg smiled. "I told you," he said to Lorri.
Violet arrived back at their feet just then, William in her arms. Lorri asked if she could hold him, and for the rest of the afternoon, they were inseparable. Violet stayed close as well, but William had clearly fallen in love.
"Your family is so nice," Lorri told Rigg in the car. "They're all just like me," he told her, his voice making it seem like a simple matter.
"Are they as modest as you are?"
Rigg managed a very pious look. "No one is that modest."
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Lorri told herself not to laugh; it would only encourage him.
"I almost forgot. There's something I need to ask you. Do you suppose you could take a long lunch sometime this week and come to the base? Before I'm done I'd like for you to see some of the men. They ask about you."
"I would enjoy that," Lorri said in complete sincerity, thinking the timing was perfect. Next week she took over full-time for Mrs. Carter. "What day should I come?"
"Any day would work. Do you want to give me a definite answer now or check with your grandfather?"
Lorri shook her head. "I don't need to ask him. Most sailors have a thankless job. If I want to see my rescuers again, he won't object."
"So you'll let me know the day?"
"Yes."
They fell silent for a moment, and then Lorri said, "I had a good time today. I enjoy your family."
Rigg smiled. "William was certainly taken with you." He paused. "Not that I blame him."
Lorri smiled but didn't look his way. Rigg's eyes were over the steering wheel, not looking at her either, but the awareness was there. I
t had been there almost from the first moment they'd seen each other at the school.
Your letter made my day,Ruth's father wrote the last week in May.You and Dean come anytime you can. I don't get out as much these days, and there isn't anything on my calendar that can't be
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changed. You haven't seen the fall colors in many years, and that's sure to be a treat.
Ruth didn't know why, but the words made her cry. She missed her father, missed him more with the passage of time. He was a great communicator, writing faithfully over the years, but not seeing him, not being close enough to hug him, was taking a toll on her heart. She also pined for her hometown, the precious people there, and the house where she grew up.
Ruth turned to the kitchen calendar and studied the weeks. Late September should work. That would put them in Minnesota in early October. Ruth took a pencil and wrote in the date. The colors would be beautiful.
Lorri Archer had been on U.S. naval bases since before she could walk, but not in recent years. She had been a young teen the last time she visited. And she was learning something in a hurry: Coming onto the base as a woman in her midtwenties was a completely different affair.
Jeeps slowed to a crawl. Sailors in a hurry suddenly had no place to go. Lorri didn't make eye contact with anyone but kept moving toward the building where she was supposed to find Rigg's office. She could feel eyes on her from every direction, and it was a tremendous relief to gain the building and slip inside.
A sailor stood when she stepped up to his desk, his look respectful as he offered to help her.
"Would you please tell Lieutenant Riggs that Miss Archer is here."
"Certainly, ma'am. Feel free to take a seat while you wait."
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Lorri thanked him and did sit down but the wait was far from taxing. The sailor returned, Rigg on his heels. He smiled at the sight of Lorri.
"Come on back to my office" he invited as he led the way.
"Did you get stared at?"
"Yes," Lorri said, looking down at herself with a frown.
"You look too good in that dress."
"I was going for severe."
Rigg shook his head in pity. Navy was her color, and her figure was too shapely to be ignored. Lorri looked up to find his eyes full of amusement.
"It didn't work, did it?" she asked.
"No, and since my men saw you looking distinctly different than you do right now, the staring is going to continue."