Mountains of Dawn

"I wouldn't leave you alone for anything in the world," Paul said, his voice intense. "If you ever need me, I'll be there for you, even after we return to Vermeil." He grinned at her. "I'm a nice person, especially if I want to be."

Tanya glanced at him from the corners of her eyes. "How can I be sure? You may have killed thousands of people." A small smile, the first in several days, appeared on Tanya's lips.

"Yes. I've killed, but it was one of those kill or be killed situations. But I did what I needed to do, with no hesitation. And I'm proud to be a good shot. You should feel well protected, Miss Caldwell. Well protected indeed."

When they returned to the station, the pilot approached them, his expression grim. He took Paul aside. "Bad news. We will have to stay here longer than I thought. There's no choice. They need more time to test the engine." He glanced at his wristwatch. "At best, we'll leave around midnight."

Paul's temper flared. "This charter cost a fortune! I, personally, asked for your best aircraft…" He paused. "I'm going to check with my superiors and with your company. I don't like what's happening." He turned and hurried for the main office.

"Tanya," he said when he returned. "I finally spoke to Malcolm. I think Joe gets confused or something, maybe he just doesn't quite know what's going on, but I spoke directly to Malcolm. He assured me that if we're not in the air by three o'clock in the morning, a military plane from a nearby base will pick us up. It will be here before seven o'clock."

Tanya shivered. "My God…" she said, her voice a whisper. "Why can't they send a military aircraft right away? I'm frightened, Paul. I don't like this, not at all."

"Damn government red tape…I asked Malcolm the same question. He's moved all the heavy guns he could reach just to get us this arrangement. They're doing it as a special favor for him." His hand rested on her shoulder again, squeezed. "Nothing we can do, Tanya. We're stuck here for the time being, but I'm with you. You're not alone." He grinned. "Let's go see what there is to eat in this godforsaken place."

Tanya sat by the window looking out on the landing strip. Her appetite was gone. She sipped iced tea and nibbled on a few bread sticks. She watched as another small aircraft made its appearance from above the forest and floated to a perfect landing. She watched as the pilot stepped from the plane and looked in her direction.