Page 9 of Forever Fickle

“You don’t mind?”

“No. I’m on the clock,” she smiled, teasing the guy and seeing the relief on both of their faces.

It made her feel good to know she was helping out and they seemed so grateful, always making sure she didn’t need anything or that she ate lunch.

“Why don’t you take the card and fill your car up with fuel – on us.”

“Really? You don’t have to do that,” Karen sputtered in surprise. “Don’t you think that’s a little overboard?”

“We really appreciate it, and it will be good for everyone involved,” Alpo interjected, before Armadillo could open his mouth again. The other man looked at him, surprised, and then nodded.

That was a weird way of putting things, she thought idly, picking up her purse.

“Sure. I can pick up your friend at DFW and then bring him back here. That will put me into overtime for the week though, Alpo. I know it’s only Monday, but I won’t get back until later tonight and you’ve got me here for forty hours already.”

“I’m not worried about it.”

This time, Armadillo did frown.

“Don’t let Harley hear you saying that…” the cowboy warned, causing Alpo to smile as he nodded at Karen.

“When you do payroll checks on Friday, I’ll sign off on your time.”

“Sounds good to me,” she beamed easily, getting to her feet. “It should take me about two-and-a-half hours, maybe three, to get out to DFW from here. What time is your friend arriving?”

“In three hours.”

“Then I’ll go ahead and head out. Jace Sorensen, right?”

“Thanks, Karen – and yes. Jace Sorensen.”

“We really appreciate you helping out so much.”

“It’s no problem, fellas.”

* * *

Three hours later,waiting in baggage claim and holding the sign, Karen was regretting her decision to help out.

“Hey baby… I’ve got your hot cakes right here,” a man said to her suggestively, giving her a nasty look and getting so close that Karen immediately backed away, alarmed.

“What is it with these people… they are getting nastier by the second?!” she whispered aloud to herself, starting to feel like she was halfway naked or had some illicit message plastered on her back.

This was the eighth guy that had come on to her since she arrived at baggage claim to pick up Jace Sorenson at her boss’s instruction.

Everyone in town was willing to help out the lovely unit of people that had established Flyboys on the outskirts. Her friend, Dixie Tarrant, had mentioned over lunch one day that she was flying to Alaska to see her new niece or nephew arrive, but felt guilty because her best friend needed help running Flyboys…

Karen volunteered.

The place looked so neat, and she was of the same fascination as most of the town – wondering what it was like to fly a plane, but terrified to do so. She had time available and could use the extra money to stash it away for a rainy day. Plus, it would give her a chance to see if this was something she actually wanted to try… or not.

Apparently, Reaper had to fly back to Afghanistan because he was active duty and completely out of paid time off. Another pilot was going to be helping out for the week… before switching out with yet another airman from Thumper and Alpo’s old unit overseas.

Thumper’s wife had a baby already.

Valkyrie’s wife had her baby… Romeo was Dixie’s husband, so they were both in Juneau. Armadillo’s wife was due shortly. Alpo’s wife was pregnant… and that left Firefly – who had just got married.

They were in desperate need of help to keep things going.

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