That was an aspect of family Tamara had never experienced, the sense of being a part of a unit, of caring for each other and working together.
Goodwin’s laugh boomed out and her eyes sought him in the crowd. No, that last thought isn’t true at all.
Her gaze found him standing not that far away, talking to Kate Benedict and three other men, one of whom was on crutches.
She may not know what it’s like to be loved and cherished by her birth parents, but from the time she’d dumped herself on his doorstep, her great-uncle Goodwin had been as good a father to her as any man could be.
In a heartbeat she recalled all the important moments. How he’d settled them in a house with land so she could have a garden and a dog. How he’d sat with her while she struggled with her high school algebra, and how he’d taken her part against the principal after she’d defended herself against bullies.
He’d mourned with her when that dog, Viceroy, had died of old age, even making a grave marker for him in the backyard beneath the tree he’d so loved to sleep under.
Uncle Goodwin had given her flying lessons, and discipline, and space, and he’d been there for her every single day since she was sixteen years old.
Tamara blinked. This was a strange time and place for an epiphany, but she supposed they came when they would. “Excuse me for a minute.” She extricated her hands from her lovers and wove her way through the crowd until she stood beside her uncle.
Without warning him, she stretched up and placed a kiss on his cheek.
“Well now, that was very nice. Did I do anything to deserve it?” He beamed down at her, and his smile made hers bloom wider.
“As a matter of fact, yes, you did. You’ve been a good father to me. I just wanted you to know I appreciate it.”
Goodwin blushed, but pleasure shone in his eyes. “Hell, girl, you made that easy enough. Truth is, I’m grateful you came and put some excitement into this old bachelor’s life. So right back at you, Tamara Jones. You’ve been a good daughter to me.”
“Even though I couldn’t get that Piper home last Tuesday?”
Goodwin laughed. “Even though. But I have a feeling your having landed here, when you did, was meant to be.”
A hand on her shoulder told her the flyboys had followed her. Morgan gave her a gentle squeeze and took her right hand back at the same time Henry clasped her left again.
“I was just introducing Goodwin to the fathers of the bride and grooms,” Kate said. “Tamara, this is Caleb and Jonathan Benedict. And this Mike Murphy—he’s the father of Colt and Ryder.”
Tamara congratulated the men on the occasion. The three of them looked pleased as punch their kids were making a new family. They excused themselves to go stand up near the arbor, as the guests of honor would be arriving soon.
Kate followed after them, after she’d bestowed hugs and kisses on Morgan and Henry. It startled Tamara to be included in that tradition. The show of affection had been a grandmotherly gesture and another new experience for her.
“There you are. I thought we could all sit together later.” Jordan looked as if he’d just arrived after having gotten ready in a rush. Trailing him were Jake, and Peter Alvarez.
“Sounds like a plan,” Morgan agreed. “Where’s Adam? He get stuck staying on duty?”
“No, Jasper’s manning the Sheriff’s office today. Adam is looking for Ginny. He’s going to try and persuade her to join us,” Jake said.
He’s excited by the prospect. Tamara thought of the shy waitress and wondered how she’d feel about being courted by these two Kendalls. Adam seemed a calm and steady force, but Jake struck her as being a little more aggressive and adventurous. Jake’s gaze seemed to come to rest over her shoulder, and she could tell, just by the expression on his face, that his brother had been successful.
“Snagged us a couple of pretty girls to brighten up our table,” Adam said. He winked at Tamara. “Not that you’re not pretty, Ms. Jones.”
“You don’t mind if I join you?” Tracy Jessop stood close to Ginny, and Tamara might have thought she’d only come over for Ginny’s benefit, if the young sous-chef hadn’t directed her question at Jordan.
Jordan returned her smile then introduced her to Peter.
Tamara had the sense that there were definite sparks between Tracy and Jordan—unless she was mistaking familial bonds for something more. Then she thought Peter’s eyes showed more than a spark of appreciation when he looked at the young woman, too. Isn’t that interesting?
“We don’t mind one bit, honey. Why don’t we try to edge our way a little closer to the front?” Jordan maneuvered himself so that Tracy ended up between him and Peter, putting Jake closer to Ginny.
“Good idea,” Morgan said. Since he still had Tamara’s hand, she followed when he led her back toward their previous spot.
Applause erupted and with the rest of the assembly, Tamara turned her attention to the front of the hall, and the celebrants who’d just entered.
* * * *
It was the hardest thing Preston had ever done, driving away from that Piper the day before. Every instinct in him screamed at him to move on it, then and there. Of course he knew he couldn’t. He needed to get his bearings, get his men in place, and learn what he could of the airfield and the people who ran it, as soon as possible.
Only fools rushed in, and ended up behind bars for their trouble. Or in his case, first behind bars and then dead. Miguel Ramos had a very long reach.
They’d taken rooms out by the Interstate, because the town of Lusty, Texas apparently had no visitor accommodations.
He’d dined late Friday afternoon at a restaurant called Lusty Appetites,
