THIRTY
Dec. 9th: 0630 hours
"Knock. Knock," a voice called over the sound of the wind.
Inside her tent, Sarabeth MacAllister recognized the man's voice and grinned to herself. She walked to her door, "Who's there?"
"I'll be a..." was the response.
"I'll be a what?"
"I'll be a popsicle, if you don't open this door."
"Come on in, B J," Sarabeth told him with a laugh.
Captain Hunnicutt hastily stepped inside her quarters as a blast of cold air followed him. Hurriedly pulling the door shut, he walked over to the heater and began rubbing his hands together. The small black and white terrier curled up next to the heater gave him a disgusted snort before settling down again.
The woman laughed, "I reckon you've just been cussed out."
"I think so, too," Hunnicutt grinned. "Sorry about that, boy. Good morning, Sarabeth," he smiled at her.
"It is a good morning---only if you're a polar bear," the woman retorted. Standing beside him, she studied his appearance carefully. "Look at you! Freshly showered and shaved; wearing your Class A's. Someone might think you're actually going somewhere, today."
The man was now smiling broadly. "I am so excited about seeing Peg and Erin! I can't believe this day is finally here! And I want to thank you for making it possible, Sarabeth. You have saved my life!" He gave the woman a quick, brotherly hug. "Thanks for all your hard work in getting my girls here. I can't possibly pay you and Hawk back for all of this!"
"B J," her expression was tender, "that look on your face, when you talk about Peg and Erin, is all the payment I'll ever want," MacAllister stated. Her own smile grew as she watched his happiness.
"I also wanted to thank you for letting Hawkeye think it's still a secret. He's having so much fun planning 'our' R&R and trying to keep me from guessing what's really going on."
"Judging from the way Hawkeye was acting this morning, he's even more excited about this than you are," the Texan noted.
Hunnicutt chuckled, "He is definitely driving Charles crazy. He can't wait for us to leave!"
"So, when are you leaving? Not that I'm that anxious," Sarabeth added with a grin.
"Our truck should be here within the hour. I wanted to stop by and see if you thought I looked all right."
"You look great! Peg is a very lucky lady."
"Actually, I'm the lucky one. I have a wonderful wife and daughter; and some wonderful friends!"
Still smiling at his enthusiasm, Sarabeth listened to the approaching footsteps. "Come on in, Charles," she called. Major Winchester quickly entered. He also moved towards the heater and held his hands over the flames as he tried to absorb some of its warmth. "Howdy," the Texan greeted her second visitor, "Welcome to the MacAllister Ranch…Arctic Headquarters."
"I fail to understand how anyone can be so cheerful on a morning when you can get frost bite inside your tent," Winchester grumbled.
"Why are you complaining?" B J asked. "It's a balmy 25 degrees out there."
"It's so nice out there, I was planning to put on my shorts and go sunbathing in a little while," the woman contributed.
"My apologies, my dear. I didn't realize you enjoyed hypothermia."
"Doesn't everyone?"
With a slight smile and an exasperated shake of his head, Major Winchester removed a leather carrying case from inside his coat. "Hunnicutt, I am loaning you my camera. I have included several rolls of film, as well. Try not to get sand and salt water in it while you're frolicking on the beach in this heat wave."
A muffled snort of laughter was heard from the young woman.
"Thanks!" Smiling at the unexpected generosity, Captain Hunnicutt accepted the camera. "I was hoping to get some new pictures of Peg and Erin while we're in Tokyo."
"And, Hunnicutt..." the major paused. "B J...enjoy these next five days with your lady and your daughter."
"I will. Believe me, I will," the man shook Winchester's hand with enthusiasm. "Thank you, Charles."
"Just remember, this is supposed to be a surprise---you know nothing and you suspect nothing," Sarabeth informed him. "Now, everything's been taken care of. Hawkeye has all the receipts. He's going to give them to you before he leaves. Just in case there's been some mix-up, we want you to have them available."
"And, he's going to give you an envelope with something extra from all the senior officers. Buy something pretty for Peg. Get Erin a toy. Maybe buy your self a new mustache comb," she smiled at him. "Just spend it on frivolous things."
"I can't take that. You've already paid for the hotel and the plane tickets and everything!"
"You have to take it, B J," the woman insisted. She added, with a mischievous grin, "We've already raised the dough. And you can't leaven us out in the cold like this."
"I suppose it is the yeast I can do."
After Hunnicutt had left the tent, MacAllister smiled at Winchester. "Charles, that was very generous of you. And, that was a very nice thing to say."
"Yes." He looked down at her and grinned, "Are you ready to brave the Arctic winds to eat an inedible breakfast, my dear? Or would you prefer to change into your shorts, first?"
Sarabeth laughed, "Since you're in a hurry to be poisoned, I reckon I'll just wear what I've got on." She reached for her jacket. "What's with all the jocularity---as Father Mulcahy would say?"
As the man helped her with her coat, he replied, "In less than an hour, both Pierce and Hunnicutt will be leaving for Tokyo. I can not wait for their truck to arrive!"
"Charles, Hawkeye is heading back tomorrow morning."
"I know. But he will be gone for hours! I will actually have the Swamp to myself. I can have it cleaned. And I can play whatever music I want! Just think; solitude and serenity will be mine in less than an hour!"
