Page 9 of Under His Command

“A commander, yes.”

“You’re in charge of the base?”

“No, that would be Captain Hanson. It’s equivalent to an Army colonel, and a commander is a rank below that.”

“How confusing.”

“Not for us,” he countered with a twitch of his lips, plainlyamused by her lack of military knowledge.

“I’m sorry. I guess I should have called you, sir.”

“You can call me by name, or rank. Civilians don’t have to be formal.”

“Oh,” was her vague reply as he moved past her and farther inside the large lobby.

“Are you here visiting someone? We’ve had several new senior officers transfer inrecently. Is one your father, perhaps?”

A punch to the gut couldn’t have hurt worse. This golden Adonis, like all the others, sized her up and saw a youngster.

She hastened to correct his mistake. “No. I’m here to—”

“Dalton! Right on time, as usual.” The man coming toward them called his greeting in a big, booming voice, interrupting her explanation. Like Flynn, he wore a white uniform with similar bars and adornments, although perhaps one or two more. He looked at her next. “And you must be Miss Hardwick.”

“Captain Hanson?”

“Yes, ma’am.” His eyes scanned her from head to toe. “Gotta say, you aren’t quite what I was expecting, but Director Foster sings your praises.”

“Wait a minute,” the Adonis stated, though she now had a full name to call him. Flynn Dalton. The two combined were freaking awesome, like a hero in an action movie.

He turned his dark eyes on her. Inside, out of the sunshine, she noticed the cobalt blue had become more dominant and quite beautiful.

“You’re our new computer geek?” he asked, disbelief in his expression and tone.

The garrison C.O. gave him a sharp look. “Forgive Commander Dalton’s rudeness, Miss Hardwick. He usually has better manners, but I’m sure he’ll find them, and right quick.”

Flynn shut his mouth with a snap, having the good grace to look apologetic for his abruptness. “Sorry, sir. And to you, too, Cassie. I’m just surprised. You never mentioned your new job was on the base.”

“Youdidn’t mention you worked here, either, Commander.”

“I take it you two have met,” the captain interjected.

“We ran into each other last night out on North Beach. He was walking his dog, Roscoe, such a cutie. I couldn’t keep myself from stopping to say hello, and to get a quick snuggle.”

It was Captain Hanson’s turn to look surprised.

“She means with my dog, sir. Not me,” Flynn clarified.

“Oh, yes... I didn’t...of course not.” Realizing he was stammering, the older man stopped and cleared his throat. He also changed the subject to cover for where his thoughts had wrongly gone. “Good to have you aboard, Miss Hardwick.”

“Please, call me Cassie. And it’s me who is glad to be here. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Flynn wasn’t ready to move on to pleasantries just yet. “I’m confused. I met the program creator hired to run the computer lab. Gary something.”

“Nesmith,” Cassie supplied, angling her head up—he really was quite tall—and filling him in on the changes, since the captain obviously had not. “And you’re right, he was supposed to be here, with me assisting, but he had a sudden health problem requiring surgery. He’s on the mend, but his arrival will be delayed several weeks while recovering. Until then, you have me. But I’ve worked side by side with Gary for months, helped him test the program, and have hours in the simulator. I’m prepared to get you up and running, and on schedule, Commander.”

“Director Foster has full confidence she’s up to the job.” Then, as if done with the topic, he nodded once and moved on. “The equipment arrived last week, and the technicians installed everything in our newly constructed computer lab. It looked like everything was in order when I inspected it last night. I can’t wait to try her out next week.”

“It’simpressive. I think you’ll be pleased.”

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