Part 19 (1/2)

then, I just wanted out of that town. I joined for the GI Bill, planned to get a degree, thought after that I'd work in some office. h.e.l.l, I'd run the whole d.a.m.n steel mill.”

”So why aren't you?”

”Because once the airplane took off, I heard the call.” He could still feel the rush of that first training flight, the lift, the sense of purpose, the chance to make things happen and not just have things happen to him.

”After that, I decided I didn't want to get out for the four years it would have taken me to get a degree.

Why should I anyway? I was doing exactly what I wanted.”

He'd had more money, security and benefits than when growing up. He hadn't counted on meeting Rena and wanting to give her more.

”And you met Mom.”

Was the kid a mind reader? ”Yeah, I met your mom.”

”How do you know when you meet her? The one?”

J.T. studied his son, used some of that Rena-insight stuff he'd just started to glean. And ah c.r.a.p, sometimes it was better not knowing. The poor kid sure as h.e.l.l wasn't the guy who almost knocked up the girl.

But he loved that girl anyway.

Clasping his hands between his knees, J.T. searched for the words to make this one better for his kid. A hopeless deal when he couldn't even make things better for himself in the woman department. ”You've gotta go with your gut on that one, son. There's no clear-cut answer. You just know when you see her.”

And wasn't that the truth? Rena had been so hot that day, still was. But honest to G.o.d, he'd fallen for her laugh.

”So if Mom was the one, then why did you decide to split?”

”Now, there's the million-dollar question.” He tugged his weight-lifting gloves tighter on his hands. ”Sometimes right for one person is wrong for another. Sometimes you meet the right person at the wrong time. Sometimes it's the right person at the right time and you do all the wrong things because you're a dumb a.s.s. Basically, it's a real c.r.a.pshoot getting all the rights lined up at the same time.” He glanced sideways at his son. ”Any of that make sense?”

”Yeah, it does.” Chris stood, crossed to the weight rack, lifted the curl bar. ”So what do I do about it ... if I have that problem, right person, wrong time?”

”h.e.l.l, Chris.” J.T. joined him and started alternating curls. ”If I had the answer to that one, do you think I'd still be sleeping across the hall?”

”Guess not.”

Arms pumping, J.T. thought about telling Chris he didn't have to make any decisions, but hesitated. His son had asked a man's question and deserved a man's answer.

J.T. slowed the reps, replaced the weights and faced Chris eye to eye. ”The best I can offer you is the knowledge that you're in the same boat with the majority of the male population. Women are a mystery. And the guy who figures out that mystery could sell the secret for enough money to buy the whole d.a.m.n factory.”

Something he now knew wasn't his calling, even if that factory could buy Rena everything she deserved. d.a.m.n but he'd wanted to give her more. Yet even as his gut revolted at the thought of a repeat of three months ago, a repeat of what he'd put Rena through, he knew he wouldn't walk away from the Air Force.

”My advice, son? Go ahead and quit the job at the restaurant. Study your b.u.t.t off for the exams. Then enjoy the h.e.l.l out of that lifeguard job. I'm betting one of those bathing suits works her way over to your tower by the end of the first week.”

He clapped his son on the back, and even though Chris only scrounged a half smile, their talk had gone well. Or at least better than any talk before.

The door into the house squeaked, opened. Rena stood silhouetted, wearing a maternity jumper.

Who the h.e.l.l sucked all the air out of the garage? Because he d.a.m.n well couldn't find any.

This baby was real, and getting closer to being born. A dumb-a.s.s obvious thought, still the speed of time ticking away hadn't hit him until then.

She wasn't showing much, but nearing the fourth month, there was no question. The silky green fabric skimmed her tiny bulge. ”Supper's ready.”

Rena's eyes lingered on J.T.'s shoulders-bared by a workout tank T-s.h.i.+rt. He could see her pupils dilate from clear across the garage. His heart rate revved in time with her rapidly rising and falling chest.

Chris s.n.a.t.c.hed a towel off the hook. ”Great. I'm starving. No surprise, huh?” their son rambled on in the thick silence. ”Cool new clothes, Mom. Are you sure you're not carrying twins?”

Twins? Rena went as pale as he felt.

J.T. thumped his son on the chest. ”Way to go charming your mother, bud. Are you trying to get us all killed?”

Chris winced. ”Sorry. You, uh, look nice, Mom.”

Rena gripped the railing and walked down the four steps into the garage with only a slight limp. Time was definitely running out before he would be asked to leave. Soon, she wouldn't need him.

h.e.l.l, she hadn't needed him at all since she graduated.

She stopped in front of her son, twisted a dainty fist in his s.h.i.+rt and tugged him down ... to kiss him on top of his curly head. ”You're forgiven for the twins comment, hon.”

”And, uh,” he stuttered, straightening, ”I'm really sorry for what I said the other night.” His thin arms

wrapped around her for a rare teenager hug.

She patted his back with the same rea.s.surance she'd given to lull him to sleep after toddler nightmares.

”It's okay, hon.”

”Thanks. Love ya, Mom.” Toddler images aside, the pointed stare he shot his father over her head was

definitely all man shouting, Hurt my mama again and I'll take you down. He blinked, returning to sixteen. ”Catch ya' later, dudes, I'll just grab some food on my way up to my room. I gotta get some homework done. Thanks for the advice about the job stuff, Dad.”