Chapter 3

"I would have to say Italian dishes. I met my ex-wife while I was stationed there and when she left me she took our daughter and returned then. Francesca still lives there and she and I trade recipies when we email."

"That's great. It must be nice to keep in touch with her even though she is so far away."

"It is and now that I'm retired we do see more of each other."

As dinner ended and people began to disapear to do what they wanted to after dunner activies Cassie turned to AJ and asked, "Would you like to tak a walk around town with me?"

"I would love to Cassie."

When they were walking out the front door they saw Sturgis, Varise, Bud, Harriett, Harm, and Mac were all gathered around the paino in the front parlor and they were starting a sing along.

They walked along in silence for a short time, but when they reached the edge of town Cassie asked, "May I ask how long you have been attracted to Mac Rabb, AJ?"

He stopped in his tracks and truned to her in astonishment, "Attracted to Mac?! What in the world would make you think that?"

"Are you suggesting that I'm mistaken?" she questioned.

Hesitating for a moment, AJ answered her honestly, "A long while ago, many years before she married Harm I had a few twinges of attraction to her. But not only was a relationship with her against regulations it also just never felt 'right'. It's something I hadn't thought about in a very long time."

"You never told her how you felt?"

"No, as I said there couldn't have been anything between us because of military regulations and the few times I did consider what could come of such a relationship it just felt off somehow."

"What was it that attracted you to her?"

With a lopsided smile at her he said, "Well to state the obvious, she is a lovely woman, just as you are. But not only is she beautiful, Mac is also honorable and loyal. Along with those qualities she was always there for a friend."

"Did you retire before or after she got married?"

"If you mean could I have said something to her before her marriage then yes I could have. I had retired about a year before she and Harm got engaged."

"Why didn't you tell her how you felt?"

"I guess because I was never sure it was the right thing to do. Both Mac and I had a history of bad relationships. After I found the woman I was engaged to in bed with another man I made the decision that romance was not for me."

"AJ…did you ever kiss her?"

He gave her a crooked grin as he answered her, "We had just rescued a kidnapped child and she kissed me. On the cheek. Why do you ask Cassie?"

"Because we only have a week before you go back east and while it might be very bold of me but I'm interested in you. I hope that doesn't…make you want to flee into the night?"

"No, I don't have a desire to flee into the night, however I have a hard time believing that someone like you could be interested in someone like me."

"Could you define 'someone like me and you'?"

"You, fasinating, inteligent, and heart stoppingly beautiful. Me, much too old for you."

"Thank you for the kind words but as for you, I don't think you are too old. How do you feel about my boldness?"

Smiling at her, AJ told her, "I like your boldness, but why me?"

She reached up and caressed his cheek with one hand and said, "Because AJ Chegwidden you are a good and honorable man. I also happen to find you sexy as hell."

He blinked and gave a disbelieving, slightly uncomfortable chuckle, "Cassie why did you ask me it I had kissed Mac?"

"Because I felt the need to know how far things had gone with a women who looks just like me. I know there is no way there can't be conparisons between us but I was hoping there wouldn't be any in that area."

To Be Continued…