“How’s Aline?”
She told him about her parents becoming a foster care family for USCOM and arranging to bring Aline into their home.
He smiled and held her tight.
A rumble of bombs came from above. Lights—mounted on the sides of the tunnel—flickered and went out. People turned on electric torches and lit oil lamps, producing a dull glow and inky shadows over the subterranean refuge.
“Are you back with the Seventy-Three Squadron?” Ruth asked.
“Yes, we’re temporarily stationed at RAF Castle Camps. Next month, we’re being deployed to a base in Africa.”
She clasped his hand and intertwined her fingers with his.
“Are you being redeployed to another WAAF location?”
She drew a deep breath. “No.”
“Where are you going?”
She looked into his eyes. “I’ve accepted a confidential assignment. I want to tell you about it, but I was sworn to secrecy. I promise—someday, I will tell you everything.”
“It’s okay.” He caressed her hand with his thumb. “Whatever duty you’ve chosen, I’m quite certain you are doing the right thing. I’m in awe of your spirit and courage.”
She released his hand and hugged him.
He pulled her close.
She felt his heartbeat against her chest. “I wish we had more time.”
“So do I,” he breathed.
She closed her eyes. “But we’re here together now.”
“We are.”
A bomb blast shook the ground. Tiny bits of mortar fell from the ceiling and into Ruth’s hair, but she made no effort to shake it away. She clung tightly to Jimmie, refusing to let him go.
As hours passed, the Luftwaffe conducted wave after wave of mass air attacks on London. Electric torches were eventually turned off and lamps were dimmed. Children were tucked into blankets and people curled on the ground to rest, but Ruth and Jimmie remained awake. Nuzzled together in an unbreakable embrace, they whispered their hopes and dreams of a life together.
CHAPTER 62
LONDON, ENGLAND—OCTOBER 8, 1940
The all-clear signal sounded, stirring the hundreds of people in the tunnel. Ruth opened her eyes and sat up. She felt Jimmie place his arm around her and kiss her cheek.
Her skin tingled.
“Good morning,” he said.
She smiled. “Good morning. I must have dozed off. How long did I sleep?”
“Not long,” he said. “Is there any way to delay your departure for your assignment?”
“I’m afraid not. I was expected to leave last night, so I’m already late on my travel to my post. How about you?”
Jimmie shook his head. “I’m required to report back to RAF Castle Camps by noon.” He helped her to her feet and gathered her luggage.
They followed the mass of people, who were carrying their belongings, out of the tunnel. They climbed the stairs and made their way to the landing where Ruth’s train had arrived and people were beginning to board.
“I guess this is it,” Jimmie said, placing her luggage near the entrance steps of the train.
A surge of sadness flowed through her. “I don’t know when, or if, I’ll be able to write to you.”
“It’s all right. I understand.” Jimmie drew a deep breath and looked into her eyes. “If we should never see each other again—”
“We will,” she said, clasping his hands.
He squeezed her fingers. “I want you to know that I believe you came into my life for a reason. You’ve made me a better person, and you’ve created an indelible mark on my soul that will be with me always.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. She leaned in and hugged him.
He wrapped his arms around her and lowered his cheek to her hair. “You have my heart.”
She pulled him close. “And you have mine.”
A train whistle blew.
Ruth raised her chin, his lips met hers, and they kissed long and deep. She felt his body slip away, and she gathered her luggage and stepped onto the train.
