This one comes well into the story while Andy and Cory are in the fictitious Central American area where the war is going on. They go–unknown to each other–for a brief bit of R&R on the island retreat owned by the ruler of one of the countries and meet by accident. Will it be “What happens on the island stays on the island?”
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The Hacienda sprawled around the highest hill on the island, stepping down in tiers toward the white beach. Andy’s room was on the fourth story above the beach-front main level. She took the elevator down to the main floor to find the banquet room where, she had been told, the evening festivities took place.
When the doors slid opened silently, she stepped out. In the unaccustomed high heels, her feet slipped on the terrazzo floor. Her slide took her right into the path, almost into the arms of a distinguished looking gentleman. He stood tall and militarily erect, his silvered hair reflecting the gleam of the chandeliers overhead.
He reached out quickly to steady her. “Careful, Miss.”
With a quick glance upward, Andy recognized her benefactor — none other than General Corcoran himself. She felt the blush fire her face, from throat to hairline. Of all the people she might literally run into, this had to be the worst. Everyone was terrified of The General — when anyone spoke of him, the title was all they used. It was like The King or almost a deity! She’d never met him face to face, but the stories of his towering rages and demanding attitude were more than enough. To her, he might as well be Howard Hollis all over again.
“Excuse me, sir,” she stammered. “I’m afraid I’ve forgotten how to walk in heels. I certainly didn’t mean to plow into anyone this way.”
To her astonishment, he laughed. “That’s quite all right, my dear. This floor is like glass. May I escort you somewhere to ensure you get there safely?”
A faint odor of brandy lingered around him, which might account for the mellow mood he seemed to be in. Still she didn’t want to push her luck. Simple honesty seemed the best policy.
“I was on my way to the main banquet hall,” she said. “And I’m not quite sure where that is.”
“Then by all means, you must let me guide you.” He caught her left hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. Thus caught, Andy could do nothing but pace at his side. As they rounded a blind corner in the hallway, she almost bumped into the knees of a man seated there on a low marble bench. Andy skidded to a halt.
The General stopped when she did, his attention turning quickly to the man. For a moment Andy feared the hapless fellow was going to get a lecture. Instead, her companion suddenly smiled.
“Costain. So you did get here. Waiting for someone?”
Costain — as in Colonel? Cory? For a moment, Andy could not associate the man who sprang to his feet and saluted with her commander. He wore dark trousers and an embroidered white Guyaberra shirt. Her heart recognized him before her mind did, but there was really no mistaking Cory’s blue eyes, the craggy set of his sun burnt features. Save for her grip on the general’s arm, Andy would have sunk through the floor.
“Not really, sir,” Cory said. “More trying to get my bearings. To a sheepherder’s son from Idaho, this is quite a place.”
The general gave Cory a jovial slap on the back. “Well, son, since you have to eat too, you may as well join us. I picked up this charming young thing at the elevators. She literally fell into my arms.”
At this, Cory’s attention turned to Andy. If she’d blushed earlier, now she blazed. “It wasn’t — er — I tripped and he caught me,” she blurted.
“Captain Hollis? Andy?”
While Cory’s acetylene-flame gaze swept her from crown to toes, alternate waves of fire and ice washed over Andy in rapid succession. He was clearly as startled to see her as she to see him.
The general watched them with obvious amusement as well as a bit of confusion. “Do you two know each other?”
Cory recovered first, calling up his command presence and military training to save him from the awkward situation. “Captain Hollis is one of the fine young officers in my Brigade, Sir. Neither of us realized the other was here. It’s been some time since we’ve seen each other out of uniform. Took a minute for recognition to soak in.”
“That calls for a drink,” General Corcoran said with another jovial laugh. He grabbed Cory’s arm and hauled him along down the corridor.
Cory knew better than to resist. He’d met the general in Vietnam, and even as a captain, the man had been formidable. Now with four stars and the role of supreme commander for the 3-D war, no one was going to gainsay him. Although he’d never heard anyone dare to use the term “lecher” in reference to Corcoran, the general was known to be a ladies man. After his good look at Andy, Cory couldn’t blame Corcoran for being interested, but he had to hope she knew what she was getting into.
“The dining room is right across there,” Corcoran was saying, showing Andy the way. “But first you and Costain are coming in here with me for a drink.” He led them into a dimly lit lounge on the right side of the hall. A vacant table miraculously appeared before them and a cocktail waitress was there for their order before the general seated Andy and turned to his own chair. Cory was the last to sit.
The combination of Latin music and a hundred voices competing to be heard made conversation difficult, so after one drink, the general rose.
“I’ll expect you in the morning, Costain,” he said. “In the Ambassador Suite on the top floor around 0900. Meanwhile, take care of young Captain Holly here. She’s a treasure.”
He bowed to Andy in a courtly fashion. When she moved to salute, he grasped her wrist and then stooped to drop a kiss on the back of her hand. Then he turned to start away, leaving them shocked and speechless. Tall as he was, the general was lost in the crowd before either of them recovered.
“I’ve got my orders,” Cory said, “as you heard. Shall we go have dinner?”
Andy stared at him. Her face looked pale in the lounge’s dim light, her eyes wide and overflowing with confusion and wariness. He took her arm and led her back out into the hall, where they paused.
“I didn’t know you were here, were coming out this time.” Andy blurted the words, uncensored.
“It was a sudden decision. Actually the General made it for me. I didn’t realize you were here, either.”
“Jan finally talked me into taking her place.”
“As Fred was trying to convince me when Corcoran’s call came in.” Cory shook his head. “It almost feels like a conspiracy but I’m not that paranoid, are you?”
Andy swept a quick, startled glance his way. “No. I mean why would anyone want to get both of us here? We’re not — I’m not — .”
“That obvious?” He watched her as the import of his words sank in. She paled and then blushed.
“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s nothing to be obvious about.” Her vehemence was too quick, too strong.
“Methinks she doth protest too much.” Shakespeare? Where in hell did that come from? Cory took her arm again. “Let’s go eat, anyway. You weren’t planning to join someone, were you?”
“No sir, but you’re under no obligation to me. I don’t care what The General said. It wasn’t exactly an order.”
Andy looked up as she spoke, her eyes meeting and clashing with his bright blue gaze. She wanted to run as far and fast as she could to escape the warm regard shining in his eyes. He smiled, that warm, easy smile that turned her insides to Jell-O.
“Can’t we drop the sir for now and just be Andy and Cory? We’re in civvies and we’re supposed to be here to relax, have fun, leave the war and all its pressures behind.”
“I — er — are you sure? Do you really think…?” Her tongue was in knots, reflecting the tangled nature of her thoughts and feelings. This was terrible!
“I sure do. I most certainly do! Come on., I’d like to be the lucky guy who has you for a dinner companion tonight. Please?”
The ‘please’ undid her. He looked so young, both brash and bashful, command presence and authority left behind along with the uniform. Something in his eyes hinted he was teasing her, but she suddenly found she could not refuse. When he extended an arm, she slipped hers through it. She rested her hand on his bare forearm, warm and hard beneath her fingertips.
He reached across and covered her hand with his for a moment. “I’m really glad you’re here. I was feeling like a lost soul, wandering around alone, looking for a familiar face, and beginning to think I’d just hitch the earliest ride I could find back to Del Campo. Then you appeared, just like magic. You look gorgeous in that dress, by the way.”
“I just bought it today. It’s too small, I’m afraid, but I didn’t bring anything dressy at all. All I have with me here are BDUs and grubbies. I didn’t expect to be doing any partying. Is it too obviously skimpy?” She smoothed her free hand restlessly down the bodice, realizing only after she felt his glance follow her hand just how sensual the gesture appeared.
” I’m no fashion expert, but it looks terrific to me. I didn’t recognize you for a minute there. Corcoran is known for…well, an eye for the ladies. I just thought he’d found someone…I mean…well, it’s not that you don’t always look good, but not the same kind of good.”
Andy jerked to a stop, startled. Cory was actually blushing and definitely floundering for words. It was so unexpected she had to struggle not to giggle. He stopped with her, looking first at her face and then down at her hand on his arm.
He chuckled awkwardly. “Oh hell, can I take all that back and start over?”
She shook her head, giving in to a need to grin. “Nope, I won’t let you off that easy, but I’ll accept the compliment I think you intended and let it go at that.”
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