TWENTY THREE
"The food here is pretty good, Charles," Lieutenant MacAllister commented and then added with a teasing grin, "except for the octopus. That was awful!"
"I do apologize for that." Smiling back at the woman, Major Winchester added, "Actually, I rather enjoy fresh cephalopod."
"Then you can have my share of that particular mollusk. I'm sticking to sirloins!" the Texan announced. "And forks. Whoever decided to eat rice with chopsticks was sadistic---and right-handed. These things are definitely not designed for left-handed people."
"You seemed to have adapted to them quite well."
"Yes, but you don't know how much food I dropped in my lap before I figured them out!" Sarabeth answered with another grin. She and Winchester had sampled many of the culinary offerings of the restaurant and were now enjoying some sweet cakes and tea. "This is a pretty place. I like the décor with all the silk embroidered panels, flower arrangements and the koi ponds everywhere. And the musicians are wonderful. Thank you for bringing me here."
"I knew you would like it. The White Lotus is one of my favorite eating establishments," the man responded happily. "And now, Sarabeth, I would like to give one more thing to you." Reaching into the jacket of his Class A uniform, Winchester pulled a small velvet box from a pocket. "For you, my dear," he said as he handed it to the woman.
Puzzled, and slightly hesitant, MacAllister opened the box. "Oh, my," she gasped. "Charles! This is beautiful!" She exclaimed as she removed a sapphire, emerald and diamond pendant attached to a golden chain, from the box to admire.
"It's a Texas bluebonnet for a Texas lady," the major announced, pleased with her reaction. He thought he saw a strange shadow of amusement flash across her face. It disappeared so quickly, he couldn't be certain that he had seen it, at all. With a dismissing shrug, Winchester continued, "I had this commissioned for you. There is quite a story behind that particular piece. Would you care to hear it?"
"Yes, please," MacAllister smiled back at him.
Reaching for the still steaming tea pot, the man poured them both a fresh cup of tea. "Before you arrived at the 4077th," Charles Winchester admitted, "I was miserable. Nothing in my life had ever prepared me for the deplorable medical conditions of that place."
"I am an exceptional thoracic surgeon and they expected me to perform 'meatball' surgery for hours, and hours, on end. In addition, along with the depravity of the living conditions, I had to put up with Pierce's sarcastic comments and infantile behavior and Hunnicutt's practical jokes…." He shuddered at the memories.
"Then you arrived. From your initial treatment of those soldiers, I could tell you were an excellent surgical nurse. I admired your professional expertise. Added to that, your hair color, your accent, even your persistent puns helped to draw my attention towards you."
"With you, Sarabeth, I felt so comfortable. I could talk to you about things that I could never mention to anyone, not even to Honoria. I actually began to enjoy myself. For the first time, I believed I might be actually able to endure my Korean experience."
"However, Margaret was so determined to have you transferred that I was convinced I would never see you again. So, I had this designed for you. I wanted a Texas nurse to have something to remember the Yankee doctor who liked her smile."
"Unfortunately, it took longer than I had expected; the pendant arrived only two days ago. No one in Massachusetts seemed to know what a bluebonnet looked like. Our Republican Congressman refused to speak to your Democratic Congressman---not even as a personal favor to our family. Honoria finally had to contact the Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn, himself, to get a picture of that flower to show to the jeweler."
"The chain has a safety latch that you operate like this," he demonstrated the procedure for her. "Do you like it?"
"It is very pretty. And, yes, I like it. So," the woman added softly, "this is only meant as a gesture of friendship?"
"Yes." Realizing that she was not as enthusiastic as he had hoped, Winchester added, "What's wrong, my dear?"
"Nothing really," the woman looked up at him and shrugged. "It's beautiful. And I really like it! It's just that; no one's ever bought me jewelry before. And with the hotel room, and now, this place…I can't help but wonder…."
"If there is an ulterior motive?" the man completed her sentence. "That was never my intention, Sarabeth." At her flushed face, he sighed, "Give me a scalpel and I can soar with expertise. Expect me to express myself in words and I stumble over every one. I was trying to show how deeply I appreciate, and value, your friendship. And to return to you some of the happiness I have received merely by being in your presence."
"My presence deserves the presentation of such a precious present?" She gave him a lopsided grin.
"Precisely," he smiled.
The Texan shook her head in amusement, "Charles, I will never need anything to help me remember you. I'll cherish it always." She fastened the gold chain around her neck. The pendant was sparkling against the dullness of her dress uniform. "Thank you!"
"You're very welcome, Sarabeth."
"Why did you decide to become a surgeon instead of a financier like your father?" MacAllister asked. The two of them were still lingering at their table.
"Partially because my father insisted that I follow in his footsteps. But, mainly, because of a clock," Winchester admitted.
"A clock? As in: 'hickory, dickery dock'?" the woman teased.
"Only without the mouse," the man answered. "On the mantel, in my study, is the pendulum clock that my mother's grandfather left to me." He smiled in remembrance. "As a boy, that clock always fascinated me. I used to stand there, for hours, peering beyond the front plate to watch the moving parts. I would wonder how all those gears could fit together so precisely every single time they met. I always wanted to take it apart and find out why. I never did, of course."
"Luckily, in school, I discovered that the workings of the human body were equally fascinating. And so, I decided to become a surgeon, rather than a clock repairman."
"A timely decision, don't you think?" MacAllister asked with a grin.
Winchester shook his head in fond exasperation, "I do have to watch what I say around you."
"And, I have to hand it to you…" Stopping suddenly, her eyes widening in alarm, the Texan abruptly stood. "Charles, stay here!" MacAllister ordered.
"Why? What's the matter?" he asked in concern.
"Stay here! Please!" the woman repeated. She hurried away from the table.
"I don't need a reservation! I'm here to find my sister. Now, get out of my way!" A red-haired man was speaking angrily to the maitre d' near the entrance of the Japanese restaurant.
Lieutenant MacAllister approached, "Fannin! What are you doing here!"
"Saving what's left of your reputation, sister mine!" he answered.
"How?" The young woman demanded, "By acting like a horse's rear end?"
Grabbing her wrist, he replied, "I'm taking you back where you belong."
"You're going to drag me all the way to Texas? Not too likely, brother mine. Let go of me!" Sarabeth hissed through clenched teeth. She was pulling back against him while trying to make him loosen his grip.
Her brother had the superior strength, however. Despite her resistance, he forcibly dragged her towards the door. "Damn it, Fannin! You're hurting me. Let go!" His sister protested.
"Let her go!" A cold, furious voice was heard. Major Winchester stepped towards them. "That is an order, mister."
Fannin MacAllister's grin could not be called friendly, "Well, now, Mr. Boston; himself. Just the thrice-damned Yankee I wanted to see."
"I gave you an order, Captain," Winchester replied. "Release the lieutenant, immediately!
"Sure thing, Major. I'd rather mop up the floor with you, any day," MacAllister loosened his grip and the woman jerked her arm away. She tried to move between the two men at the same time that her brother reached for the lapels of the medical officer's jacket. The three of them stumbled into a cloth screen. There was a sound of tearing fabric and shattering pottery.
"Sarabeth! Get out of the way!" The older MacAllister sibling spoke angrily.
"Fannin Ross! You idiot! Think!" His sister called out. Speaking in softer tones, she pleaded, "Bubba...please...don't do this."
Very slowly, her brother straightened and moved back. Breathing heavily, both men glared at the other. "Step outside, Winchester," the Texan directed. "We have a lot to discuss."
"Indeed we do, MacAllister," the surgeon stated. He carefully examined the woman for injuries. Angrily, he stared at the other man, "Indeed we do."
Still glowering at each other, the men marched out of the foyer.
Sarabeth followed them to the door. "Fannin. Charles. Don't. Please," she begged them as she placed herself between the two men once again.
"Stay inside," her brother ordered, "This is between the two of us."
The younger MacAllister had a stubborn expression on her face. "I'm coming out with you---unless y'all promise to behave yourselves!" she declared.
"It's OK, little sister," the helicopter pilot was now calmer. "I promise I won't hit him."
"And I shall try to behave in a civilized manner," the medical officer remarked acerbically.
Outside the entranceway, the two men turned to face each other. Straightening his jacket, Charles Winchester spoke first, "Fannin MacAllister, listen to me VERY carefully. I am a skilled surgeon. I am hesitant to risk ruining my hands for...fisticuffs. However, if you EVER grab Sarabeth like that again, I'll...I'll...mop up the floor with you! Do you understand me!"
The captain studied the other officer. He could tell from Winchester's stance that the man didn't even have rudimentary knowledge of fighting. MacAllister could also tell that he meant every word he said.
The Texan slowly relaxed and nodded his approval, "Good for you, Winchester." He leaned against the wall. "Tell me something, Major. What would you do if you found out that your sister was sharing a hotel room with some man?"
"I would be very angry, at first," the man with the New England accent conceded. "After that, however, I would want to determine if I had my facts straight."
"Ah, but I did check with the hotel. There's no MacAllister listed. Only a C. E. Winchester."
"The reservations were made in my name; for two rooms. My room is across the hall and several doors down from her room. How dare you make that assumption!"
"MacAllisters take care of their own!" Fannin replied. His anger was flaring again, "Our dad's too far away. Crockett's too busy, right now. So that leaves me. I have to protect our little sister!" the redheaded man declared. He regained control of his emotions with an effort. "She is very special to us."
"She is, indeed, a very special lady. However…." Winchester stopped as the door to the restaurant was opened and the young woman being discussed walked outside.
"Go back in," her brother directed. "We really aren't going to kill each other." He grinned at the other man, "at least; not yet, anyway."
"Um. Well-l-l, I can't." She was embarrassed. "We've been told to leave this restaurant and never come back. I had to pay for our supper---and for the screen---and for a large flower vase. Also, the MPs are on the way."
"How delightful," was Charles Winchester's comment. He helped the woman into her coat. "I'd suggest that we vacate the premises...except, we came by taxi."
"This way," the older MacAllister led them to a darkened side street. "My jeep's over here."
As they were driving down the road, a vehicle carrying military police passed them, heading in the opposite direction. It stopped in front of the White Lotus.
