Page 31 of A Miracle for the Reserved Flyboy

CASANOVA

Cajun approached Gary quietly,his boots crunching over the concrete as he came up beside him at the side of the airplane. Gary was deep in his preflight checks, eyes scanning the details of the plane as he ran a hand along the metal hull, the cold surface a familiar anchor amid the storm of his emotions. He was leaving Sweet Bloom, leaving her, and everything felt like it was splitting at the seams.

Cajun cleared his throat gently, the compassion in his voice immediately breaking through Gary’s composure. “You okay?” he asked softly, his voice carrying a warmth that broke through the noise in Gary’s mind.

Gary didn’t respond right away, his gaze drifting out across the field, his heart a battlefield of conflicting emotions. The weight of Krista’s absence, even though he’d only just left her, pressed heavily against his chest. Her laughter still echoed in his ears, the warmth of her touch lingering on his skin, a bittersweet memory that felt both too recent and too distant.

“It’s a heckuva Christmas gift, you know,” Cajun continued, his voice dropping lower, infused with the kind of wisdom that only comes with years of experience. “To find the one you can’t live without…”

Gary’s breath caught, and he forced himself to look up. His red-rimmed eyes met Cajun’s, the raw vulnerability in his gaze barely concealed. The acknowledgment of how much he’d grown to need Krista, how deep his love for her ran, was laid bare between them.

Gary’s shoulders slumped, his voice barely above a whisper. “Doesn’t feel like a gift right now. Feels like I’m walking away from everything that matters.”

Cajun gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, grounding him with a look that was both understanding and resolute. “Make sure your head’s on straight, brother,” he said, his voice filled with a steady strength that Gary so desperately needed. “So Krista never has to live without you, okay? I know it feels like hell now, but you’re luckier than most of us.”

Gary’s throat tightened, and he could feel the sting of tears he’d been holding back. He forced himself to ask, “What do you mean?”

A faint, bittersweet smile crossed Cajun’s face. “Not everyone has someone waiting on them, Gary. You’ve got her, and you’ve already paid your dues to Uncle Sam. With all the time you’ve put in, you’re so close to finally calling it quits and going home for good. Instead of re-enlisting, you could have that life you’ve been dreaming about. You could haveher.”

The flicker of a future with Krista seemed so close, but the ache in Gary’s heart made it feel a world away. “I’m already planning on it.”

“Good.” Cajun’s expression softened, his pride evident. “Just hold on a little longer, all right? Everything falls into place whenit’s supposed to. It’s all part of the plan, even when we can’t see it.”

Gary hesitated, the vulnerability of asking for a favor gnawing at him, but he swallowed his pride. “Think you’d have room for me here, Cajun?” His voice wavered, embarrassment coloring his tone. “I mean, it’s not like there’s an airfield right around the corner, and I doubt Sweet Bloom has spare Falcons lying around. It’s barely got more than a couple stoplights.”

Cajun chuckled, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “I’ll see what I can do, my friend. My boss—Harley—she’s got a gift for making things happen. She and her husband and her brother run Flyboys, and Harley’s the brains of the outfit. If there’s a way to make a few charter routes work or expand the company somehow… she’ll figure it out.”

Relief washed over Gary, and he felt a glimmer of hope for the future he was yearning for. “Thank you, Cajun. It means a lot.”

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of everything left unspoken settling comfortably between them. But Cajun’s face lit up with playful curiosity, his eyes twinkling. “So, you’re really serious about her, huh? Talking about kids already? Must be serious, Gary. You’re not usually one to talk about settling down.”

Gary’s lips quirked up in a small smile, a warmth spreading through him as he thought of Krista and the life they could build. “It’s… yeah, it’s serious,” he admitted, almost to himself. “Something about Sweet Bloom just feels right.”

Cajun laid a hand over his heart with a grin, feigning a dramatic sigh. “Ah, the big, bad pilot has finally found his heart.” He sobered, though, a gentle pride in his voice. “Let the team know I said hello, okay? And don’t let Axis forget he owes me fifty bucks.”

Gary chuckled, feeling a little lighter. “Will do. Thanks again, Cajun.”

Cajun stepped back, his expression warm with unspoken care. “Be careful out there. Stay safe. And don’t worry, brother—we’ll keep an eye on Krista for you. She’s part of the family now.”

Gary nodded, his chest tight as he finally turned back to the Falcon, his heart both grounded and stretched across an ocean.

Nearly twenty-four hours later,Gary landed in Kabul; his mind was a fog of exhaustion and worry. The final leg of his journey to base was the hardest yet. Every minute felt like an eternity, each jolt of turbulence a reminder of the dangers that lay between him and his future. In the back of his mind, he clung to thoughts of Krista—the way her smile lit up her face, the warmth of her embrace, the life he was aching to return to.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when he bumped into someone as he made his way through the crowded airport. He looked up, the sharp sense of familiarity jolting him. The man standing before him was infamous—the one they called Reaper.

“Sir,” Gary blurted, snapping to attention instinctively, but Reaper’s hand shot out, pulling him back, a fierce look flashing across his face.

“Not here,” Reaper muttered, his tone low, almost warning. He glanced around, lowering his voice even further. “That was… that’s all in the past.”

Gary’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He’d heard whispers about Reaper’s past, the things he’d done, the ghosts he carried. “You’re leaving?”

Reaper’s dark eyes softened for a moment, vulnerability flashing across his face, rare and unexpected. “Yeah. I’ve got a wife at home—and a new daughter. I’m already three days late getting back. She’s… well, let’s just say she’s had enough of me being away.”

Gary felt a surge of admiration—and envy. This man, the legendary Reaper, had somehow found a way out. “Congratulations,” he said sincerely.

Reaper gave a slight nod, pulling off his sunglasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Thanks. It’s long overdue. But listen, there’s someone new stepping in, taking my spot. You’ll find out soon enough when you get back to base. Just… watch yourself, all right?”

A cold knot of apprehension twisted in Gary’s gut. “What do you mean?”

---