Chapter 2

As the night wore on Kris could feel her eyes begin to droop. She'd enjoyed the stories from Babe and Bill about their travels with the USO and they seemed to be enjoying life. The squeeze on her hand drew her attention back to the man sitting beside her. Buck had taken the chair next to her and taken her hand under the table. He'd yet to relinquish the hold.

At her lifted brow, he leaned in and whispered in her ear, "why don't you get some sleep Kris. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Don't worry; we'll take care of Sam."

Nodding she got to her feet and laid her hands on his shoulders, addressing the table. "Well one and all, I'm not the woman I used to be and need my beauty rest." When she saw Sam getting to her feet, she waved her back into the chair. "No need for you to come. Stay and keep these dirty old men company, but don't believe half what they say." Chuckling at her joke, she leaned down, kissed Buck on the cheek, and then walked out of the dining room.

Across the table, Sam's frown had changed from one of concern to one of anger. Shaking her head after her grandmother had left she stared at Buck with the same anger she'd liked to have unleashed on Nana. What was the woman thinking; Poppy had only been dead two years and here she was kissing on some man and holding his hand like they were long lost lovers.

Buck was watching Sam's face and recognized the anger lighting the black eyes. He also knew what the woman was thinking; Sam honestly thought that Kris was betraying Ron's memory. Deciding to end this before it got started he tapped the table in front of her, "don't be angry with Kris, it's not what you think."

Sam snorted, "Really? Moreover, just how do you know what I think? Because from my position something isn't right about all this, the woman is friendlier to you than she ever was to her own family." Realizing she'd raised her voice she glanced around the table and saw everyone was now staring at her. Closing her eyes, she felt her cheeks heat in embarrassment.

Beside her Bill coughed, "well boys Wild Bill is heading to bed, how about you Babe?"

"Oh yeah right you are, my look at the time, I didn't realize it'd gotten that late."

By the time she was in control enough to meet Buck's eyes across the table everyone else was gone. Her lips slid into a smirk as she watched him, "guess you think I've made a fool out of myself don't you?"

He shook his head and took a sip of wine before answering. "No, I just think you don't understand her. Hell there was a time I made the same mistake and it cost me a lifetime of regret. Don't do the same now, never say or do what you can't take back."

Running a hand through her hair in frustration, she sighed and leaned back in the chair. "I'd never hurt her, but there is so much I don't understand. I've never and I do mean never seen Nana cry. Not when her daughter was killed or when the man she'd been with for fifty years suddenly died. Yet tonight, when she pulled away from you I saw her wiping the tears from her eyes. Care to explain that?"

Buck could feel the sadness mixed with anger rolling off Sam. All of this confused her and he quickly realized that Kris had kept her own council as usual. "I'm sorry I can't explain her reaction tonight."

Before he could finish Sam pushed to her feet, the temper her grandfather had been famous for pushing its way out of her. "Well let me tell you what I think. I think that it was all a lie and that she never loved Poppy, hell up until tonight I wasn't sure she could love anything. I get the feeling that she settled with him and the rest of us were just a buy product of that situation."

He watched her pace and tried to control his own temper, one thing was sure, he needed to remain calm or all this was going to get out of hand. "Sam, there is one thing I can tell you for certain and in the coming weeks, you'll realize this too Kris loved Ron with everything she had. You'll also learn that she's cried more tears than anyone ever should and that's why she doesn't break easily."

Sam's eyes narrowed and she sat back down across from him. "Really she loved him, well boy I can't wait to hear the story because it must be good. Do you realize I catch her watching me sometimes with the strangest look on her face almost like she wished I'd died with along with my parents?"

"No Sam that's where you're wrong. Did you ever see Ron when he was younger? Ah, I can tell by the look on your face that you didn't. Honey, she looks at you that way because it hurts to see you and know he is gone. Everyone handles death differently and well Kris…" he gave a shrug and weary sigh, "she just pushes the pain away along with everyone who cares for her. I promise just have patients and then you'll understand."

"Okay, well before I go, I've one more question…do you love her?"

Buck chuckled, "I've loved her for sixty plus years. I screwed up and lost her, lost her trust. By the time I'd realized my mistake, she was beyond my reach. But understand my love for her is not what you think, it's different now, and we are different now." He reached across the table and covered one of her hands with both of his. "But there is one thing I can promise you, I'd never hurt her nor would I tell her more than she wanted to hear."

Sam studied the man across from her and knew he was being truthful. Sliding her hand away she pushed to her feet, "well I guess we'll see. Good night Buck."

Buck watched her leave knowing that what was already going to be a tough few weeks suddenly got that much harder for them all.

Kris sat alone at the table the bruise like shadows under eyes the only sign that she'd not slept. She'd heard Kris come in and heard her pacing her room like a caged animal. Rubbing her forehead she could only imagine what'd driven her to that reaction, damn the girl was as high strung as Ron ever was.

"Can I join you?" Looking up she met the warm blue eyes of Jay Compton. Waving a hand at the chair across from her, she watched as he poured a cup of coffee and took his first sip.

"If you don't mind me saying, it looks like you had as hard a night as my Granddad?"

"What? What's wrong with Buck, is he okay?"

"Oh I'm sorry that's not what I meant; it just looks like you didn't sleep any more than he did. I know he wasn't happy when he came upstairs and wouldn't talk but," he gave a shrug and let the conversation die.

Kris looked over his shoulder to see Buck, Bill and Babe all come in together and make their way over, each of them pausing to kiss her cheek before they took their chairs.

"So where's that spunky granddaughter of yours?" Bill asked as he picked through the food on the table.

Shrugging she waved at the door, "well funny you should ask because here she is now."

Sam smiled and said good morning to everyone at the table before taking a seat next to Kris. It hadn't been lost on Kris that Sam refused to look at Buck or acknowledge his existence. She opened her mouth to say something but Buck covered her hand with his and shook his head. Sighing she realized that he was right and now wasn't the time.

Deciding to lighten the conversation Kris reached across and nudged Bill in the arm, "so, what's on the plan today?"

Swallowing the mouthful of scone, he took a drink of coffee before answering. "Well that BBC guy said we were heading to the studio that they wanted to get a little back ground interviews before we start. Then sometime this week they want us to talk about our experiences. I think maybe they've cancel the tours. Personally I'm not complaining."

Nodding her head, she looked over at Sam, "Sam when we do the interviews I'd like for you to be in the room with me."

Sam couldn't hide the shocked look, "okay Nana, I'll do whatever you want."

"Good that's settled. Oh better eat faster Bill, here comes the BBC crew now.

"Alright then Mrs. Speirs are you comfortable?"

Kris waved a hand at the young woman sitting across from her. "I'm fine but since we are going to be spending a large amount of time together call me Kris. Mrs. Speirs makes me feel old."

"Alright then, I'm Adie. Let's just start where ever you feel comfortable. I'd like a little background on you and then we can move into how you were involved in the war effort."

Kris nodded and smiled at her granddaughter. "Alright then, I was born in a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia in 1925. I was sixteen years old when the war started. I had a good friend who knew a friend of a friend so to speak that allowed me to fake a birth certificate and other documents to say that I was seventeen. That same friend of a friend signed as my mother giving me permission to join the Nurse Corps."

"Now I'm sure you are curious as to why a sixteen year old girl would want to pack up and leave home. That's easy; my father was an abusive drunk." Holding up a hand, she begged patients from her listeners who had gasped in shock. "Now calm down, not sexually but if he couldn't find my mother to beat on, he'd beat on me." Her brittle laugh echoed inside the small room. "In fact the day I left for training I was still sporting a black eye."

She gave a weary sigh, "you know I've not talked about that any of that in a very long time. At the time, I thought that was the worst thing that could ever happen to me. Little did I know how wrong I would be."

Adie gave a small smile. "You know I think that's enough for now. We'll pick up everything tomorrow. The plan is to let you talk and record until you grow tired. We won't ask questions unless we feel there is something additional we need."

Kris nodded her head; she didn't realize how tiring thinking about the past would be. "Good, well I guess we'll see you tomorrow then, come on Sam."

The ride back to the hotel was silent. Kris trying not to think and Sam thinking too hard, arriving at the hotel both women remained silent all through diner, letting the conversation and jokes flow around them. When Sam got up to leave Kris watched her go and then finally relaxed back in the chair. With only Bill, Buck and Babe left at the table she sighed and looked at each of them in turn.

"Well I guess tomorrow I start my story, hmm, I wonder what she thinks about today?"

Buck covered her hand with his, "so she knows about your father."

"She was there, she knows and not one word. Not that I really expected her to say anything, but maybe knowing that she'll gain some understanding of the rest."

Bill shook his head, "kids can be hard headed, especially when they think they know better."

Everyone at the table nodded but remained silent. Finally Buck grabbed Kris's hand, "come take a walk with me."

"Okay." Smiling she stood wishing everyone a good night and left the hotel with Buck.

They walked together remaining silent until they came to a small park. Stopping Buck smiled at her and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, it looks serious though, I'm not sure I'm up to a serious conversation right now."

He laughed, "no I was just wondering…did you…do you regret what happened between us?"

She pulled her hands free of his and turned away. "I can't believe you would ask something like that. I regretted it at the time, but never over the last years. You have to believe me when I tell you I honestly loved Ron. I'll see back at the hotel and when I do, this conversation never took place."

Buck watched her walk away, back straight hands clenched at her sides. It was 1944 all over again, he'd pushed her too hard, and the result was she'd walked away. Sighing he turned and headed back to the hotel alone.

Kris didn't pay attention to where she was going, she only knew she couldn't go back to the hotel. Why did Buck have to bring the past up? Hadn't things been going okay? Sighing she turned back toward the hotel, the last thing she wanted was for Sam to worry.

Opening the door to their suite, she shut it as quietly as she could, walked over to the small table, and sat in the dark. Tomorrow was going to be a difficult day but maybe getting the past into the light would be for the best.

Pulling her purse off the floor, she dug through it until she found her wallet. Opening it, she could just make out the picture she carried with her. In the dim light, the photo showed a young handsome man with dark hair, flashing dark eyes and full lips. Running her finger off the photo, she was shocked when a drop splashed on her hand.

"Oh Ron, why does no one believe that I loved you? I miss you so much, why did you have to leave me?"

"Nana, are you okay?"

Sam's voice caused her to drop the wallet and quickly wipe her face. "I'm fine except for you trying to scare me to death. What do you want?" She winced at the sound of her own voice, never meaning for it to be as harsh as it had sounded. Glancing at Sam, she wanted to cringe again at the look on her face.

"I didn't want anything but to make sure you were okay, but you always are okay aren't you?" Sam spun on her heel heading back to her room slamming the door behind her.

Kris raised her hand to try to stop her only to drop it with the slamming of the door. Bending down she lifted the wallet kissing the photo before putting it away. "Well Ron, looks like a screwed up again."

When Adie finished attaching the mike to her blouse, Kris looked over her shoulder at Sam who was sitting impassively looking at her. If she could have sighed, she would have, Sam was pissed but wasn't going to say anything, couldn't the girl fight like a normal person.

"Okay Kris, whenever you're ready."

Taking a drink from the water glass, she sat it down and drew in a deep breath. "Well let's see, I finished training in late 1942 and was sent straight to England. I arrived almost a year ahead of the Americans troops. The Americans were sending nurses on a volunteer bases to work in British hospital, I just happened to be one of those volunteers."

"About a year later, after all the Americans had arrived a friend of mine at the hospital felt sorry for me one night and set me up on a blind date. I didn't go out much and not having any experience with men was very shy. I almost didn't go, but I did and I can say that it was a very nice time."

Adie leaned forward, "so this is when you met your husband?"

Kris laughed, "oh no dear that would be another six months in the future. This man was funny, handsome and very…hmm, sexy."

Sam had sat up straighter realizing that something interesting was about to be revealed. She was dying to ask the question, but Adie, beat her to it, "so what was the name of his mystery man?"

Kris gave a small smile, "Lieutenant Buck Compton."

The gasp from the two women listening echoed in the room, followed by Sam's very spot on comment, "well that explains some things."

Kris lifted her eyebrow and smiled at her granddaughter, "honey, you've not heard anything yet. So without further delay, let me tell you about one cold day in March of 1944.