A Miracle for the Reserved Flyboy (Love in Sweet Bloom #11)

Chapter 2

CASANOVA

“Hey, Cajun,” Gary smiled gently, his voice cutting through the stillness of the tiny landing strip that seemed to materialize from nowhere. He scanned the desolate landscape, feeling the weight of isolation settle on his shoulders. When he first received the invitation to spend Christmas with his friend in Texas, he had envisioned a cheerful escape from the relentless stress and sandstorms of Afghanistan. Now, standing on this ramshackle runway, he couldn’t help but question Cajun’s decision to yank up his roots, leave the Air Force behind, and sacrifice a promising career for…this.

The airstrip felt like a ghost town, a far cry from the sleek aircraft, advanced hangars, and cutting-edge gear he was used to. His heart sank a little as he looked at the aging Cessna he had borrowed upon landing in Tyler, its faded paint and worn exterior a stark contrast to the powerful Falcon he normally flew. Maybe he was being a bit harsh, but this place felt like a relic, a forgotten outpost of the aviation world.

He was glad to finally arrive in Sweet Bloom, because his last stop was unusual. The people in Yonder were …well, they were downright peculiar.

Gary had always been the reserved type, the kind who faded into the background at parties and preferred to let others bask in the spotlight. He was comfortable keeping his mouth shut and his head down, but the crowd around him exuded an energy he wasn’t prepared for. Upon arrival in Tyler, one of the pilots from another squadron—someone he vaguely recognized—had picked him up, chatting politely about the local sights and the upcoming festivities. That was fine; he could handle small talk.

But everything changed when they arrived at the landing strip in Yonder. The scene before him was straight out of a John Carpenter movie, an unsettling combination of the mundane and the bizarre. A row of seven lawn chairs sat ominously along the private runway, and the people occupying them appeared slightly…off. It was a chilling sight, one that sent a shiver down his spine.

“You ready for this?” Caboose asked casually, his cool gaze reminiscent of the quiet resolve Gary had admired overseas. Nobody dared to challenge Caboose; he had a way of commanding respect that bordered on intimidation. The man was a force, and Gary was thankful he wasn’t stuck under his command—especially with the rumors swirling about a new boss taking charge.

Can you imagine? He thought, suppressing a smirk. A tiny little blonde girl running a squadron of seasoned men? He recalled glimpses of her in the hallways, always with a fierce expression that suggested a chip on her shoulder the size of Montana. Yeah, he could definitely use this break. The last thing he wanted was to head home where his family would start in on him about the dreaded ‘why aren’t you married yet’ conversation.

“Ready for what?” he replied, trying to sound nonchalant even as anxiety coiled tightly in his gut.

“The gauntlet,” Caboose said, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.

“What gauntlet? Wait, there’s a gauntlet? Like from medieval times?” Gary balked, hesitating as he instinctively locked his car door. “We need to discuss this because I was told to pick up a packet of papers, grab a plane, and then take off. I’m not planning on staying here to run any sort of obstacle course or?—”

“Oh my gosh, seriously?” Caboose interrupted bluntly, halting Gary’s escalating tirade with a bemused expression. “Dude—I mean this in the best way—but CHILL.”

Gary nodded, unsure if he should say anything more as Caboose pointed dramatically.

“That’s the gauntlet—those women.”

Gary’s face paled at the realization.

“You aren’t setting me up with them, are you? I mean, there are a few pretty ones there, but I d-don’t really think that…”

“Okay, you seriously need to relax. Do you have any drugs or something you can take? Breathe, dude. Were you this uptight overseas? Shove a piece of charcoal in ya’, and we’ll have a diamond in two weeks flat. Mercy…”

“I’m chill. I’m relaxed,” he insisted, but even to his own ears, it sounded weak.

“You’re stammering,” Caboose pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

“I do that when I get nervous.”

“So, we’ve got a stutterer and a blabbermouth when they get nervous. I guess I oughta be glad I don’t have one here with loose bowels.”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing. Anyone ever tell you that you’re a little high-strung?”

“Yes.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“C-Could you take me back to the airport?”

“No. Get out.”

“Huh?”

“I didn’t stutter—get outta my car, Casanova, and live up to your call sign.”

“You know it’s a joke.”

“Aren’t they all, brother,” Caboose chuckled, grinning widely before leaning over and opening Gary’s door, pointing emphatically. “Out—and go say ‘hello’ to the wives.”

“They’re all your wives?” Gary asked, staring at him in shock. Caboose glanced at the line of women and burst out laughing, his laughter ringing through the air like a beacon of insanity.

“ Them?! Heck, no…my wife is amazing. Those are the other pilots’ wives—and nobody has more than one. We’re a little out in the country, I’ll give you that, but that’s where the line is drawn, buddy. We wear shoes, have all our teeth, and nobody lives in a ‘holler’ or has multiple wives. Got me?”

“I understand,” Gary replied, still reeling.

“Now…out?” Caboose asked, grinning wider than ever.

As soon as Gary stepped out of the vehicle, the catcalls began, echoing across the empty airstrip.

“Awww! What a cutie-patootie!”

“Some woman is gonna have her hands full with that one…”

“That man sure fills out a uniform—but not like my husband, you know, and it was me being nice. Nobody tell my husband I said that.”

“Relax, I was thinking the same thing.”

“He looks…soft. Is that a good thing?”

“He looks like Glory would eat him alive.”

“Rawwwr and chomp, ladies! I’m kinda jealous that Cajun is going to have to handle this bit of fun. Are you sure we can’t keep him here, Harley? Please? Pretty please? I can dig up a few girls from my list and?—”

“No, Logan wants that list, and I’ve already told you twice that you cannot have it.”

“Do you want it back then?”

“Did you take it out of my office?”

“Maaaaybe?”

“You think Cajun has a certain little filly in mind?”

“Psst…do y’all think he’s mute or deaf? I mean, I’m cool with that, but he hasn’t said a word and is hanging around the car like it’s a life raft. Does anyone know sign language?”

“I think he’s actually shy…”

And to Gary’s utter horror, all seven women clasped their hands over their chests in unison and exclaimed, “AWWWW!” in a drawn-out chorus that made his cheeks flame with embarrassment.

“How freakin’ cute is that?” one of them cooed.

“That’s it!—I wanna see this fall into place.”

“Nope. You’ve gotta stay.”

“Watch the twins for me? Please? I’ll chance a flight for this bit of fun…”

“Glory!”

“What? You know it’s gonna be a hoot – he’s shy …”

“Your husband, who is my brother, will have a heart attack—and family trumps this. You’re part of the Petersen clan now. You stay, so sit down, Mary Poppins, and have a little faith in Cajun’s machinations.”

“Phooey. You’re no fun.”

“I love you, too.”

Gary was sweating profusely as the conversations flew around him, the women ogling him like he was a prime cut of meat at a butcher’s shop. They spoke as if he couldn’t hear them, which only added to his discomfort.

He could hear them—loud and clear.

They were aggressive, outrageous, outlandish, and a little scary. Was this what Caboose meant by ‘gauntlet’? Because if so, he was ready to bolt.

“Hi,” Gary began weakly, tapping his watch as a nervous tic. “I’m looking for Harley and I’m due in Sweet Bloom by five. Could you point me in the direction of?—”

“Forget it, dude. She’s trying to wrestle something from Glory,” Caboose interrupted, waving him off. “They’ve gotten their fill looking at ya’, so let’s get you in the air. Valkyrie is in the hangar with Alpo. I’m sure they’re fueling the plane or something else. I’m willing to bet Houdini and Thumper are in classes. Do you remember Romeo? The man is a daddy now and visiting his family in Alaska. Small world, eh?”

“Gets smaller all the time,” he murmured, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling as he walked off after Caboose, only to hear a low whistle from behind him.

Yeah, he definitely felt like a piece of meat. These were not the shy, quiet, reserved women he had grown up around. Back home, decorum was everything; you acted as if you were at church or that your mother was watching. You represented the family name that had been passed down through generations. Bringing shame to the family was unthinkable; being the subject of being the subject of gossip was worse than death.

He didn’t know what to think of this new world.

A few minutes later, standing in front of the hangar door, Gary’s heart raced as the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor.

“You made it,” Harley exclaimed with a bright smile that nearly stopped him in his tracks. Her golden-brown hair caught the light as a breeze pushed it around her face. She swatted it back like it was nothing.

“Y-Yeah.”

“I’m so glad you could make it! Glory wants to give you a pep talk before you leave, and I promise it’s all in friendship.”

“Uh, I’m fine, really.”

“Nope. No backing out now, mister,” she insisted, her voice firm yet playful. “We’re a tight-knit group around here, and you’re about to get a big dose of our love. You see, Cajun has plans.”

“Plans? What kind of plans?”

“F-U-N, that’s what!”

His stomach churned as the excitement on her face mirrored the vibrant chaos of the women at the runway. He sensed that he was about to become part of something far more intense than he had bargained for.

“Cajun knows exactly what he’s doing,” she continued, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “And you’re right in the center of it.”

That had been nearly three hours ago.

With a deep breath, Gary was out of the plane and shaking his friend’s hand in greeting a few minutes later. Cajun hadn’t changed much, and that was a little comforting to hear, no matter what those wild women said back in Yonder. His friend had invited him here for the holiday and he was planning on using this trip to get some rest and relaxation under his belt.

“Welcome to Sweet Bloom, Casanova!” Cajun called, reaching out with a roughened hand and pulling him into a bear hug as if they were long-lost brothers.

Gary chuckled, the camaraderie of the gesture bringing warmth to his chest. “Good to see you, man.”

“Oh, you know—same ole…” Cajun’s voice trailed off, his eyes crinkling in amusement.

“Same ole,” Gary finished, and they laughed together, the comfortable silence of shared memories settling between them. “Civvy life suits you. You look good—happier, even.”

“Thanks. I am,” Cajun admitted with a grin. “Got my wife and son waiting at home. Little Beau is a spitfire, getting into everything. Man, you wouldn’t believe how fast he’s growing.”

Gary clapped him on the shoulder. “Congrats, brother. Truly.”

“Speaking of…” Cajun gave him a sidelong look, his smile turning sly.

Gary groaned inwardly, realizing where this was going. “Oh, no… not you too.” He sighed, sensing that Cajun was one of those guys now—the ones who thought happiness wasn’t complete unless everyone else was living some fairy-tale romance.

“Hey now,” Cajun chuckled, raising his hands defensively. “It’s not as bad as all that. I was just going to say there’s someone you should meet. A real firecracker, an independent type?—”

He stopped suddenly, muttering a curse under his breath. Gary shot him a surprised look. Cajun, speechless? That was definitely new.

Before he could ask what was wrong, he followed Cajun’s gaze—and froze. She appeared almost like a vision, stepping out of the shadows with the glow of an angel. Her soft golden-brown curls bounced, framing a face so radiant it seemed to catch the light itself. Her eyes sparkled, filled with a playful warmth that tugged at something deep inside him, making his knees weak. Gary blinked, dumbfounded, as she approached, her smile wide and her gaze curious as it drifted between the two men.

“Hi, I’m Krista,” she said, her voice as inviting as a warm fire on a winter night.

“I know,” Cajun managed, laughter in his voice. “What can I help you with, Krista?”

She tilted her head, one eyebrow raised. “Who’s your friend?” Her gaze settled on Gary, and his heart skipped a beat. No one had ever looked at him quite like that—like he was worth noticing. Worth really seeing.

Before he knew what he was doing, Gary extended his hand. “Gary,” he rasped, hating how shaky his voice sounded. “Gary Rutlinger. Nice to meet you, miss.”

Krista’s eyes brightened, her smile turning mischievous as her fingers intertwined with his in a handshake that lingered just a beat too long. “Ooh,” she murmured, her voice dripping with sweetness. “A gentleman and a looker. Polite, too—I think I’ve found a keeper.”

Gary felt his face flush, completely thrown by the effortless charm she exuded. It was like she was made of sugar, spice, and pure sunshine, and he found himself wanting to stay by her side, bask in her warmth.

“Are you always this adorable?” she teased, her voice soft but full of promise, as if daring him to fall just a little more.

“Perfect,” he murmured, feeling utterly lost and completely at her mercy. “You can consider me at your service, ma’am.”

Krista’s giggle was like music, warming him from the inside out as she placed her other hand over his, still holding his hand. “Where has Cajun been hiding you?”

“Afghanistan,” he managed to say, his voice barely a whisper.

“Oh my,” she murmured, a flicker of admiration crossing her features. “Well, you’re here now…”

“Yes. And I couldn’t be happier.”

Her hand remained in his, her touch both grounding and electrifying, her eyes meeting his in a way that seemed to quiet everything else around him. It was as if, at that moment, they were the only two people in the world.

“I’m so excited,” she whispered, squeezing his hand gently.

“Me too,” he whispered back, feeling the strange thrill of something he hadn’t realized he’d been missing.

“Tomorrow then?” She offered, her tone soft but with a hint of eagerness as if she were planning a dream. “There’s a cute diner in town. Seven o’clock?”

He nodded, hardly believing his luck. “I’ll be there.”

With one last warm smile, Krista gave him a little wave, stepping back as if unwilling to let go, and he couldn’t help but raise his hand in a return wave, still feeling the softness of her touch lingering on his skin.

“YOU FREAKIN’ IDIOT,” Cajun’s voice snapped behind him, pulling him out of the trance. The sharp slap to the back of his head left him blinking in confusion.

“Ow! What’s that for?”

“You just told the town’s biggest matchmaker you’re going on a date tomorrow night at seven!” Cajun groaned.

“Yeah, isn’t she gorgeous?”

Cajun groaned, shaking his head in exasperation. “Your date isn’t with her , genius!”

“Wait, what?”