Desperate Situations (12 page)

Jake nodded and responded as quietly. "I overheard a conversation between her and her brother. I thought she might want to talk about it." Cowboy's eyes took on a 'yeah right' look. "Her Dad has been diagnosed with some disease. She didn't go into details."

Cowboy glanced both ways down the hall and stepped closer to the ex-soldier. His voice dropped even lower. "Tread lightly."

"I don't understand."

"Meg has a heart of gold
, and I don't like to see her in pain. Don't break her heart, pardner."

"I think you misunderstand what I was
…"

"I know exactly what you're doing. And I know Meg. Don't screw with her brain. She needs her head on straight in this business. So do you. Don't put us in jeopardy. Just a warnin', pardner." He walked away.

Jake stood staring at Cowboy's back. He continued to stand there after Cowboy disappeared into his room.

What was that about?

***

Eight o'clock sharp Megan looked up from paperwork to see McGrew walk in
to the room. She avoided his gaze and busied herself.

Jake cleared his throat. "Eight o'clock."

"Yep." Megan pushed the file to him. "Standard job today. Protect the crew rebuilding the runway. You'll be in charge on the ground like last time. You'll also run the crew meeting."

There was a long pa
use―she could feel his stare. Megan still didn't look up. Tension increased as the file lay untouched. Finally, she raised her head. "You got a problem with that, Cupcake?"

Jake's blue eyes delved into her
s. He shook his head. "Not at all, Chief. If that's how you want to play it, then that's how we'll do it."

Megan nodded. "Good."

Jake grabbed the file and began reading.

Masood stuck his head in the doorway. "Megan, I need to see you."

"Sure thing." Megan stood and followed him out. By the time she returned, the rest of the crew had assembled. It was eight-thirty and the room quieted as she entered.

"Okay people, I don't know if Cupcake informed you of our job today…" She paused looking around to see that he already had. "Well,
that just got changed. The military needs our help. Stick and Punk will fly Tiny and Bosser to the runway with the other full crew. Tiny's in charge on the ground doing security like last week. The rest will be with me in Pestilence. We're helping move some large containers to a village nearby, then deliver Red Cross packages and food to several other villages."

"Our job?" Jake asked.

"When we're delivering the large containers with the military, you'll be security on my aircraft. Gunner, Fisher and Chips will help unload. When we're on the ground, no one and I mean no one, approaches us. If they aren't U.S. Military, they stay away from us."

"And that would be why?"

"Look Cupcake…"

"It doesn't make much sense. You seem adamant about it. If it's this important, I want to know," Jake said, locking
eyes with Megan.

Megan blinked.
He was right
,
he ought to know
.
And why am I being so pissy with him? I'm the one that instigated the kiss last night. And besides, Jake should know the reason for my policy.
"Other crew chiefs don't feel the same way, but we've had several close calls with fanatics trying to blow us up, like with the kid in the mountains. I just want to keep my people and aircraft safe. Is that enough?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

"We leave in forty minutes."

The military part of the operation went off without a hitch.
The White Pine and military Chinooks carried large containers slung under. One was going to be used as grain storage for the village. The other was going to be used by locals as a school. Along with that, they delivered several tons of grain. The villagers were ecstatic with both.

They headed back into Kabul and picked up a helicopter full of supplies from the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. White Pine's contract with them stipulated that they deliver to several villages, as this was easier and faster in helicopters than in small vans and buses. Also one village was so far away, because of winding dirt roads, that it
would take a vehicle over twelve hours one way to get to it.

At each stop, the helicopter shut down while the group unloaded supplies. And at each village, the entire population came to gawk,
since many didn't see helicopters often.

L
ocals helped the crew unload bags of grain at each village. Some of the grain was for food; the other bags would be used for crops for the following growing season. The drought had lasted a long time and many of the villages were using their seed to eat. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies were trying to refill the stores and, at the same time, allow the villages to be self-sufficient―thereby not dependent on poppy trade for opium.

At the last stop, the farthest from Kabul, the helicopter crew and guests  stayed to see the kids receiving supplies. It was a special treat to see the
m getting school chests donated from American kids.

The delighted kid's faces made it a great show. Each
chest contained spiral notebooks, pencils, pens, rulers, chalk, and safety compasses. But the biggest winners were the jump ropes and soccer balls. Smiles lit the kid's faces as they held them up. The crew and guests from the Societies received lots of hugs and cheers.

The only one not out of the helicopter was Megan. She stayed in the cockpit in full disguise, but with a smile on her face. These were her favorite runs. These kids may not know where their next meal was coming from, but for the moment they were happy, all else forgotten.

Jake kicked a soccer ball back and forth with one of the young boys. As with all of the other White Pine crew, his M4 was strapped to him, but the kids didn't even notice. Guns were a natural part of their world. He laughed as they played. Soccer was a universal language.

He stopped the ball
, rolled it onto the top of his foot and kicked it straight up. Then quickly taking off his helmet, he head butted it several times, before bouncing it off his knee, then off the inside of his foot. Finally he 'caught' it with his foot, and with a smile gave it a kick to the kid.

The boy clapped in appreciation and caught the ball with his hands. His smile was from ear to ear.

Jake laughed as he put his helmet back on. He patted the kid on the head, who ran off, calling to his friends. Jake looked around for a security check.

As he settled his strap back in place, he saw relief workers conversing with the village leader. Cowboy was holding onto one end of two jump ropes tied together and twirl
ing for some little girls. Gunner and Fisher were playing an improvised game of soccer with a group of kids. His eyes panned past the Chinook to the other side of the field, but there was no one. He looked at the Chinook to see Megan relaxed, watching all. He walked up to the cockpit.

Megan opened the window.

"Did you see that kid?"

"Yeah. Let's hope they remember that we aren't the bad guys when they get older," Megan said softly.

Jake nodded. His smile was genuine as he leaned on the side of the helicopter. "Sorry you can't get out, Chief."

Megan shrugged, then glanced at her watch. They would need to be heading back soon. Still this provided great relations between Afghans and Americans. Perhaps there was bridge building going on that might last a lifetime.

Jake stood up and chuckled. "Look at Cowboy."

Megan started laughing.

Cowboy was jumping rope. He looked silly bent over trying to miss the rope as it went over his head. Within seconds, he fell. He lay there laughing as the aid workers hurried to help him. The little girls and boys were laughing too. Cowboy got to his feet and brushed himself off, then bowed to the kids. They laughed and clapped at his antics.

When Megan looked back at Jake, he was smiling at her. "What?"

Jake glanced around but no one was near. "You're so beautiful when you laugh."

Megan's smile fled from her face. "Cupcake, I told you this can't happen."

"I know. Still doesn't stop the fact that you're gorgeous."

A blush crept into her cheeks.

Jake laughed. "Even more beautiful." With a wink, he started to move off.

"Hey, Cupcake."

Jake stopped and turned.

"Round them up, Handsome."

"Handsome. Much better than Cupcake."

Megan shook her head. "You're stuck with Cupcake. It fits."

Jake chuckled, tapped on the side of the chopper twice and headed for Cowboy. Once the helicopter was warming up, the others would know it was time to go.

***

As Megan shut down the helicopter at the White Pine base, she glanced around. Cowboy was staring at her. She frowned. "What?"

Cowboy turned around to see that the crew had already vacated the back and were heading into the hanger. He returned his look. "Watch yourself, Darlin'."

"Excuse me?"

"McGrew. Don't be losing your head over this one."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Right. Late night meeting? Darlin', try to be more discrete. There are much better places for a liaison than your quarters." Cowboy winked at her conspiratorially as he exited the cockpit.

Megan caught up with him and grabbed his arm. "What do you mean?"

"I saw Jake coming out of your room last night."

A blush spread over her face. "It's not what you're thinking, Kelly. He overheard a conversation I had with my spineless brother. Jake was concerned."

"Jake was fishing," he said looking down at Megan. "But did he catch or was he caught, is the question."

"There was nothing like that at all."

"Sure. Okay," Cowboy said as he continued walking into the hanger, Megan at his side. "Then what 'bout that little smile exchange in the village today. Luckily, I think I was the only one that saw it. Be careful, Darlin'."

Megan stopped walking and sighed. It did look bad, Jake in her room even if they hadn't kissed. And the village exchange, although it warmed her heart, was very dangerous.
That can never happen again. I can't be alone with Jake again, unless it's work related. Damn it.

She jammed her fists into her pockets.

***

The next three days Megan's crew was on security rotation at the runway. It was their turn to watch and guard, and as always, it was a milk run. When they returned to the base on the third night, Megan informed them that they had two days off, with tomorrow night being the Annual Executive Cookout near the patio.

The executives, including the three crew chiefs, were cooking for the staff, giving the cooks a night off. Everyone would be at the picnic since they were serving traditional American food, hamburgers and hot dogs.

Megan sighed after filing reports in the cabinet behind the main front desk. "Any news for me, Zarin?"

The Afghan shook her head. "Sorry, no word."

Megan nodded
; she actually didn't expect to hear anything. Her dad would never call, maybe write. And her brother was even less dependable. She'd wait another week then try calling again. "Thanks anyway, Zarin." Megan started to step away then moved back to the high desk. "Are you staying for the picnic tomorrow?"

Zarin shook her head. "I do not think it wise. My husband would not approve. It is bad enough I must work, but to socialize with other men, no." Zarin shook her head emphatically.

"Why can't he come too? There'll be plenty of food. Bring everyone that lives in your house. That's your parents, your sisters and brothers and all their kids. I'm sure no one will care."

"I think not. But thank you for the generous offer." Zarin gave her a slight smile.

"Okay. How about I save you some of the food then? You can eat it the next day or take it home with you. What about that?" Megan asked, shifting on her feet. She knew that White Pine paid Zarin a pretty good sum according to Afghanistan standards, but it was way low by U.S. standards. And she also knew that Zarin's wages fed all of the people in her house. Megan had never found out what her husband did for a living, but she guessed that he had recently been fired.

"That would be fine. I believe my family would like that. Thank you, Megan."

"Sure," she said with a smile and headed to her room. She grabbed a paperback, heading to the roof. She got settled into a chair near the edge and soon was lost in the mystery.

Occasionally, she heard laughter from the basketball court, where it sounded like some of the guys were playing ball. The compound slowly quieted. Off in the distance, she could hear the call for the faithful to prayers as evening began to assert itself. Finally, she didn't feel like reading anymore and just sat looking at the mountains.

As the sun set, she headed downstairs intending to go to bed, but decided she had better check the crew chief box in the main office building, just in case. She hurried over, heading through the hanger to peak at the choppers. It was weird, but she occasionally liked to spot check them. Nothing was amiss, so she headed into the office. There were no papers in her box, so she slowly walked back to the barracks.