Read Online A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin - Free Book Online Page B

said. “RAF Air-Sea Rescue is on the way.”
    “Thank goodness.”
    “You have a physical on Friday,” Castle said. “Do you think you’ll be cleared for active duty?”
    “Yes, sir.” Jack focused on his CO and tried not to smile at how Babcock adopted Castle’s posture, hands clasped behind his back. To be different, Jack sank his hands in his trouser pockets. “I’ve been doubling up on calisthenics and passing up jeep rides. I’m more than ready.”
    “Good. As you know, we need another squadron commander, and I’d like to put Babcock in the spot as soon as possible.”
    “Congratulations.” Jack shook Babcock’s hand. The man smiled too much for someone who had advanced because a good man was either dead or imprisoned.
    The colonel stepped to the side. “Well, Novak, I look forward to seeing you back in action.”
    “So do I, sir.”
    The CO left Jack with Babcock, whose smile dug deep grooves in his cheeks.
    Jack put his hands back in his pockets. “Looking forward to your own squadron?”
    “You bet.” Babcock’s voice rose to its usual level, and he ran his hand over his thick black hair, still ruffled from the flight helmet. “The job’s a great stepping-stone.”
    “Stepping-stone?” The man hadn’t even started as squadron commander, and he was already looking to the next promotion?
    Babcock leaned forward, his dark eyes serious, as if explaining something to a child. “As a pastor, an advancement wouldn’t do you much good, right?”
    His laugh curdled Jack’s stomach.
    “But in a political career, promotions impress voters, and the more brass I work with, the more influence I’ll have on Capitol Hill. My dad made a name for himself in the First World War, and you can see what it did for him.” Babcock nodded, his lesson complete.
    Jack tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. “I may be a simple country preacher, but seems to me we should focus on this job, not the next. As for promotions, we’ll leave that to Castle.”
    Babcock’s mouth remained in a smiling position, but the grooves in his cheeks flattened. The politician saw he had a rival, and Jack held his gaze firm until Babcock saw the rivalry was serious.
    “Hiya, Skipper. Here’s your coffee.”
    Jack broke his gaze only to take the coffee cup. “Thanks, buddy.”
    “You’re welcome. Hi, Jeff. How was the mission?”
    “My squadron did great.” Babcock patted Jack’s shoulder. “See you, Novak.”
    “See you.” His squadron? What a jerk.
    “Talking to your twin?”
    Jack whipped around to face Charlie. “My twin?”
    “Black hair, too handsome for your own good.” Charlie held out a donut.
    Jack took it, bit into it. “At least the similarities end with the looks.”
    “No, they don’t.” Charlie smiled as if he were amusing instead of annoying. “You’re both ‘juniors’ following in your fathers’ footsteps. You’re both natural leaders, outgoing, ambitious.”
    Jack chewed the donut so hard he almost bit his tongue. “Ambitious? You can’t compare my ambition and his.”
    “You both want the executive officer position, don’t you?”
    “Yeah, but I just want it. He—he’s angling for it.” He gestured in Babcock’s direction and sent a spray of donut crumbs to the concrete floor. “Look at him mimicking Castle, glad-handing, and kissing babies. Next thing you know, he’ll put up campaign posters.”
    “Want me to make posters too?” Charlie’s face lit up, and he spread his hands wide toward the wall. “I’ve got it. How about ‘No flak with Novak’? Say, that’s not bad.”
    “Clever. Real clever.” Jack let out a low grumble. “But I’m a commander, not a politician. Let him play his games. I’ll just do my job.”
    “May the best man win?”
    Jack glanced over at Babcock, who clapped Winchell on the back and ruffled Finnegan’s hair. Castle would see through the baloney. Yeah, Jack would win.

9
    12th Evacuation Hospital
    Saturday, July 31, 1943
    “I love this