Part 4 (2/2)
”Thanks, Grant. I thought for a while--”
”It's ready for tomorrow if you want it,” Grant mentioned casually.
Bridget's fists clenched and her eyes brightened. ”Wow,” she observed.
”Then you've got a pilot?”
Grinning sourly, Grant said, ”As if you don't know who.”
Her eyes showed concern. ”What do you mean?”
”I mean things have worked out creamy as you planned.”
”Grant, I don't understand.”
”Now, don't tell me you didn't know I could push up one of these things.” He patted the side of the atomjet.
”You, a pilot? Grant. I didn't know.”
”Let's say it's been convenient for you, anyway.”
They had walked outside, Bridget trying to find Grant's gaze, which he put onto a distant ridge of hills rising dimly against the desert starscape.
Bridget said seriously, ”You think I've been enticing you into the pilot job, is that it?”
Grant's glance fell to hers. ”It looked that way to me. All the general's staff have to fly 'em, I thought you knew that. I don't patrol, of course.”
They neared her quarters, and the shadow of the building that spilled over them was deep.
”I didn't know, Grant, believe me.” Her voice carried earnestness.
”You don't have to prove it,” Grant said huskily.
He had caught her hand, and then her arm slid softly around his neck.
Her kiss was meant as brief, but he persuaded her differently. They clung together silently until the barracks guard had spun an about-face and headed back their way.
”Please, Grant, get someone else to go up,” she whispered.
”You said you wanted a pilot who trusted you,” reminded Grant. ”Now, get to bed before I gig you for being out of uniform. See me tomorrow on TV.”
The miles altimeter needle swept steadily and was about to pa.s.s the 300 division. Star-sprinkled s.p.a.ce-darkness lay ahead by now, but when he looked to the side the Earth's surface reflected the sunlight dazzlingly.
It wasn't that he felt self-consciousness over the lens in front of him, or over the one showing him in profile, and the one just over his shoulder viewing the instrument panel. Nor was it based on his not pus.h.i.+ng up in over a month. He traced it probably to the uncertainty of his position.
His position was uncertain, because Bridget could easily be right.
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