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  Giving me a weak smile, Don nods before saying, “I’m heading there now. Wish me luck.”

  “You don’t need luck, you’ve got love on your side.”

  Saying goodnight to Don, I close the door and resume my seat on the sofa. Opening the envelope, I read the words Paul had written.

  My Beautiful Ruby,

  If you’re reading this, then I didn’t make it home for Christmas,

  and I’m still away at training instead of giving you this in person. I hope

  this gift keeps you company until I see you again. I found it on my first

  outing on the island and knew you had to have it.

  Merry Christmas Ruby, I love you and will see you soon.

  Forever your Flyboy,

  Paul

  Folding the letter, I place it back in the envelope. Carefully unwrapping the box, I slowly lift the top as tears cloud my eyes once again. Nestled on black velvet is a necklace with a pendant of entwined hearts. My breath catches at the beautiful gift and thoughtfulness behind it. Securing the necklace around my neck, and laying my hand over the hearts I whisper, “I’ll always love you too, Flyboy.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Natalie – Present Day

  When Grandma Ruby finishes her story, Zoey, Alana and I are all sobbing surrounded by a sea of used tissues.

  “Grandma,” I say my voice thick with emotion. “That is the most beautiful, heart-wrenching story I’ve ever heard.”

  “It was heart-wrenching to live through,” she says as she wipes the tears away from her own eyes.

  Through her sniffles, Alana asks, “So you never saw Paul again?”

  “No sweet girl, I didn’t,” Grandma says to Alana

  Focusing on the box that held Grandma Ruby’s memories, Zoey asks, “How did you get your letters back?”

  “When Paul’s things were returned to the base, Don made sure the letters I had written Paul and the photos I had given him were given back to me before everything else was sent to his parents.”

  “It must have been devastating to lose your true love like that.”

  “Oh child,” Grandma says to Zoey, “I didn’t lose my true love. I lost my first love. There’s a difference.”

  “What’s the difference?”

  “Your first love teaches you what it means to love and how to love. How to think of someone else first and be considerate of their feelings. But your true love, they’re the one that sweeps you off your feet when you least expect it. The one that constantly tells you that you’ve been on their mind. The one you think about when you buy a new dress, because you can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees you in it for the first time. The one you imagine building a life with, and sharing a home with, and having children with, that’s who your true love is.”

  “But didn’t you have all those things with Paul?”

  “I did to some extent. Being with Paul was exciting. Mostly because I wasn’t supposed to date someone on base. Even though I loved Paul, I eventually understood our love just wasn’t meant to be, and that he would want me to be happy, even if it was with someone else.”

  “How long did it take you to get over Paul?”

  “I don’t know that you ever really get over you first love. Your first love will always be a part of you, just like Paul will always be a part of me. But once you find the one you are meant to spend the rest of your life with, the relationships of your past become life lessons.”

  Alana, who has been listening intently to every question Zoey has asked, finally gets to ask a question of her own. “So if Paul wasn’t your true love, who was?”

  Grandma Ruby smiles and her eyes light with love. “That honor belonged to my Calvin.”

  Excited to hear another story, Alana asks, “Will you tell us how you met Grandpa Calvin?”

  Hugging Alana to her side she laughs, “I would love to, but that’s a story for another day.”

  “Awww,” the girls say in unison.

  “Besides, I think I’m out of tissues,” Grandma Ruby teases making us all laugh as we gather up the mountain of used tissues.

  Looking at my watch, I’m surprised to see how late it is. “Come on girls, let’s get things cleaned up, we need to be going soon.”

  “Aww, do we have to?” Alana whines.

  “Yeah, I’m afraid so. But I bet Grandma Ruby would let us come back and visit again.”

  “Of course, you are welcome any time. I have plenty of stories to tell. I might even have a few to tell about your mother.”

  “Now there’s something I’d like to hear,” Zoey teases.

  “We’ll save those for much later,” I tease back as Grandma laughs.

  Walking us to the door, both of the girls hug Grandma and thank her for sharing her story with them.

  Hugging her myself, I kiss her cheek. “Thank you. I’m sorry you had to go through that loss.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s the trial we go through in life that builds character. Paul was just the first of many trials in my life. Even after I married Calvin there were trials, the difference was having someone to go through them with me.”

  “You are an amazing woman Grandma, and I’m so glad my girls get to know you.”

  She smiles and pats my hand, “Me too sweet girl. Now you go home to that handsome man of yours and give him a kiss for me.”

  I laugh lightly. Grandma has always had a soft spot for Mark. “I will.”

  “And next time,” she continues, “bring him with you. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen him.

  “I’ll make sure I bring him along,” I promise.

  After another round of goodbyes, the girls and I make our way to the car to head home.

  * * *

  The drive home is quiet, reflective even. Once again, I’m thankful for the women who came before me. For the trials and heartaches, they endured and their willingness to share their stories so that future generations might learn from them.

  Our journey to Grandma Ruby began because my daughters found a forgotten box of old letters and photos hidden away in the attic. One day my grandchildren will find the same box, tucked away in the corner of the attic covered with dust, and my girls will be able to tell them how the Admiral’s daughter became the Flyboy’s girl.

  Acknowledgments

  Louise Rogers-Thomas: Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of the Help Our Heroes anthology. Without you and your leadership for the anthology, The Flyboys Girl may have never been written.

  My Beta Readers Angelina and Veronica: Thank you both for being part of my beta team, and for coming back for more even when I make you cry.

  Xana Jordan: Thank you for always creating the perfect graphics for me and for the countless movie night/writing sessions. Most days we truly share one brain making us soul sister for life.

  Alyvia Paige: Thank you for letting me bounce ideas off you, even at the most random times. Your friendship is invaluable and I’m so thankful that we crossed paths all those years ago.

  Tiffany Black: Thank you for creating such an amazing cover and for taking time to format this book for me as well.

  Jennifer Van Wyk: Thank you so much for taking the time to edit The Flyboy’s Girl. Your comments and suggestions are much appreciated and always make the story stronger.

  About the Author

  Michelle Rene is the author of The Strong Hearts Collection and co-author of the The Winter Haven Series with Xana Jordan. Living in the land of sunshine, also known as Florida, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family, writing and cheering on the Florida Gators. Due to her one-click addiction, Michelle spends her downtime reading one of the many books on her Kindle.

  Connect with Michelle Rene :

  Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/2/107317213615887309941?hl=en

  Website and Newsletter Sign-up: https://jordanreneromance.wixsite.com/wildcatheartsromance

  Also by Michelle Rene

  The Strong Hearts Collection

  D
ecorating With Love

  Leaning On Love

  A Beautiful Heart

  When Love Grows

  The Winter Haven Series – Cowritten with Xana Jordan

  Nixon

  Lyndon – Available Fall 2018

  Hayes – Available 2019

  Pierce – Available 2019/2020