Chapter 25

"I got a phone call from Chris Ragle this afternoon. He seems to be under the impression that he is still your husband! And he feels he needs compensation for his silence regarding our time tog…" he stopped mid-word and threw a look at AJ. He had obviously come to the realization that Sarah's current husband might not have known about them.

If it had been just a few hours earlier Farrow would have been right. As it was, AJ told him, "I am aware of what happened. What we need to do now is figure out how to handle this. Even if nothing inappropriate happened, with Sarah's position as a Judge, a scandal could adversely affect her career."

While Mac agreed with what AJ was saying there was still a sting in his words. Instead of saying, 'even though nothing happened' he had said 'if' as if he was still unsure of the truth of it. But they would have to deal with that later in private. It wasn't something to be done in front of John.

"Why don't you both let me handle Ragle? You could consider it the wedding gift I didn't have a chance to get you," John suggested.

"We couldn't let you do that, John," Mac said just before AJ was also going to refuse the offer.

"Why not? With you in that condition and both of your careers to consider…"

"You have a career too John and Chris is my problem."

"But he is threatening both of us Sarah!" he protested.

"That is why I should be the one to confront him. Once he knows that I know about the affair, I can, in my position as Judge Advocate General, make it clear to him that nothing scandalous happened because Sarah was no longer under your command. He won't have a leg to stand on," AJ assured John.

"That actually might work," Mac admitted. "It wasn't until he was shown the divorce papers that he brought you up, John. So, if he sees there's nothing to make money on, he'll just go away."

"He seems more the bulldog sort, Sarah. Likely to make something up if the truth won't get him what he wants."

"This really is something for Sarah and I to handle Colonel. It's not necessary for you to worry any more about it."

"I disagree! I think the best solution would be for you and I to confront him together. If he sees that both of us are interested in protecting Sarah's interest, maybe it will humble him into leaving town."

Mac could tell from John's body language that he didn't believe Chris would just slink away into the night, and one look at AJ told her he didn't buy it either. Both men were trying to protect her, but AJ was doing it out of love and concern for her current condition. She knew he was totally aware of her ability to take care of herself in any situation. John, on the other hand, had never seen her in action. She was startled to realize that even though he could name every medal on her uniform, that somehow he still believed she might not be able to deal with her ex.

Maybe that was why she ultimately hadn't chosen John. On some level, she must have felt in him this lake of trust in her abilities. That was certainly why she was with AJ. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he trusted her, even with his life!

"Thank you Colonel, but it's not necessary for you to become any more involved," AJ stated.

"Listen, I know both of you want to protect me, but Chris is a mistake I made. I need to see this through. AJ, I know you're worried about the baby and I, but Chris won't hurt me, that was never his style. Once he's realized that there is no trouble to stir up, or money to be had, he'll go away."

AJ nodded at her logic and said, "I can see that you need to face him, but you're not going alone. People change over the years, just look at yourself. You really don't know what he is capable of these days, Sarah."

"All right, I'll call him and set up a meeting," Mac said, and a few minutes later reported, "I'm to meet him at the Dew Drop Inn in an hour."

With a sigh, John looked at both of them and said, "Well, it does look like you no longer needed me. I hope you two will be happy and congrats again on the baby."

Both AJ and Mac were a bit surprised at John's quick exit, but since the drive into town took forty-five minutes they didn't have time to dwell on it.

To be continued….