Chapter 21
AJ cleared his throat to make his presence known and the two in front of him parted slowly. Mac looked a bit embarrassed, but Tom grinned and asked, "I hope you aren't planning on bringing us up on Conduct Unbecoming charges, AJ."
"Unnecessary since you're retired now, unless the Colonel wants to file sexual harassment charges. But if you're the one that sent the flowers, I'm guessing that is unlikely."
"Yes, the flowers were from me. Sarah and I have been seeing each other for a while now, but I know she needs to get back to work." Tom turned from AJ to Mac and said, "I'll see you tonight, Sarah."
"Yes," she agreed quietly and watched as he turned and loped off down the stairs.
AJ took note of the look of longing and love on her face and said, "You love him."
"Is it that obvious?" she asked finally looking up at him instead of Tom who had passed out of sight.
"Yes," AJ replied, hiding his thoughts and emotions behind a carefully blank face.
"I'm hoping that he'll propose soon," she sighed.
Even though it felt like he'd been kicked in the gut, AJ managed to say calmly, "I see. Well I hope that you get all that you desire Colonel. If you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
"As do I, Admiral, and I'll get right to it," she answered.
The two of them walked a short distance together until they came even with Mac's office. She excused herself and entered, AJ nodded at her, while taking one more look at the huge display of roses, and thinking that Boone might be closer to proposing than she thought, then moving on to his own office. He instructed Tiner to hold his calls and firmly closed his office door.
Once in private he sat behind his desk and let his head slump into his hands. He was mentally berating himself for being a fool. Three years ago he hadn't acted on a desire to kiss Sarah Mackenzie, even though he had started to do so. Two things had held him back, the fact that he was her CO and the belief that he was too old for her. But now here she was dating and hoping to marry someone very close to his age! He couldn't help but wonder if he had kissed her what the outcome might have been. She hadn't pulled away when he moved towards her. He had been the one to do that. Now, in hindsight, if he was able to do it again he would have.
He had been in love with her from that first day at the reception in the Rose Garden. If he had only known then that she could have been interested in a man of his age! Now he would have to watch her with Tom Boone…could he handle that? Maybe since Tom was retired maybe he would be the one to stay home and raise the children! Or, she might resign her commission to stay home with them. Yeah that would be so much better! He wouldn't have to see her in the office at all, he could just sit here imagining her at home nursing a child that could have been his! Maybe it was time for him to retire!
Upstairs in the courtroom Harm was having a difficult time concentrating on defending his client that afternoon. He had a lot to think about after his talk with Tom. It wasn't just the fact that the older man expected him to apologize to Mac, but his mind was whirling with the information that his father might have been gay! How could he not have known? Granted he'd only been six when Harmon Rabb Senior had gone down in Viet Nam, but why hadn't his mother told him? Had she been ashamed or thought her son would think less of his father for knowing the truth?
But then again should he really take Tom's word for this story about his father? If it were true it would explain a lot, but how could he believe that about his dad? The problem was he was in the middle of a trial and needed to get his head back into the game or he would loose the case, sending a man he believed to be innocent to prison for life, or possible worse. The only thought he allowed to get through after that was that he would have to contact his mother to find out the truth! If she would tell him!
To be continued…..