Whether he realized it or not Hank Metcalf had become a part of the McCawley family, Sarah made sure of that.

He also became something of an older brother to Ann.

As he got to know her his first summer in Hawaii, he would often give her his opinion on things and wouldn't hesitate to dispense advice when he felt the need. She wasn't too sure how she felt about that because it now meant that not only would Danny put in his two cents, but now Hank did as well.

But he also spoke to Ann as a young woman and not a kid as Danny still did and she appreciated it.

He was concerned about Danny though, and didn't hesitate to voice it as he, Sarah and Ann walked down to the beach with her family and Sarah's. The trio hung back as the McCawley's and the Walker's strolled ahead of them and talked about the new pilots that recently transferred to Wheeler and how many of them had families. Mama and Mrs. McCawley were part of the hospitality committee to welcome the wives and help them settle in while their husbands went through their orientation.

Hank's concern was due to the fact that Caroline arrived from New York the day before and from what Danny told him later that same afternoon, she must've been full of more than her usual charm. But it was none of her business. Besides, Caroline Harris was the last person she wanted to think about because it was her birthday and she was headed to the beach for a picnic. Dad and Major McCawley barbecued chicken the whole morning while Mama and Mrs. McCawley made potato and macaroni salad to take to the beach where they could eat by the water.

He mentioned that Danny promised to take him out and teach him how to surf but as they found a large enough spot for all of them, Danny was no where to be found. Ann figured that the last place Caroline wanted to be was the beach so she didn't expect him to show that afternoon.

Sarah seemed to think the same thing. "If he doesn't show up because of her…" Her voice trailed off.

"Then it's his loss Sarah." Hank answered and put his arm around her waist for a moment, but it was long enough for Ann to see her friend's face flush a deep pink. "Danny knows where we're going to be."

"But he missed four years of birthdays while he was away and he shouldn't miss this one." She frowned.

"What's so important about this one?" He asked.

"It's the first one since he's been home and he shouldn't miss it, especially because of her." Sarah told him.

"It's more important that he doesn't miss yours Sarah." Ann said. "You're his sister."

"That's not the point Annie and you know it. Whether it's your birthday or mine, he should be here."

"I'm right here baby sister. I've been walking behind you since Hank mentioned my teaching him how to surf." Danny's voice got her to turn around and Ann saw her face flush a deeper red. His held his surfboard was under his arm and a towel was thrown over his shoulder.

Sarah stopped and the frown was still there. She looked as though she wanted to say something before Hank grabbed her hand. "Come on Sarah. I've smelled that chicken since we left the Walker's and I really want to dig into it." And he pulled her down the beach without another word.

Danny laughed. "He's learning how to keep her in line."

"Hank was telling us that Caroline came in yesterday." Ann said in way of a diversion and didn't much care for Danny's comment.

He sighed and grew serious. "She did and when I asked her to come with me today, she refused."

"But at least you came."

He grinned at her and put his free arm around her shoulders. "I didn't think you'd notice."

She shrugged to try to get him to drop his arm but knew that he wouldn't. He was too cocky for his own good sometimes. "It was important to Sarah that you be here, that's all I meant." And to her utter embarrassment she felt her own face flush.

"And it didn't matter in the least to you if I came." His grin got wider and bumped her against him as they walked. "It's just hard to believe that you're seventeen."

"And it's hard to believe that you've become a cocky pilot, Danny McCawley." She frowned because the nearness of him was doing strange things to her heartbeat

"That's a cocky Lieutenant to you Annie Walker." He seemed to enjoy the fact that he could rattle her. "I didn't work my tail off through four years at the Air Force Academy for nothing you know."

"And I'm sure we'll never hear the end of it, will we?"

He laughed again. "Listen to you. What happened to that shy little girl that I left behind?"

"She's not a little girl anymore in case you hadn't noticed." She said and suddenly tried to remember how to breathe.

"I've noticed." And the look he gave her was serious. "You went and grew up on me."

"I didn't have much say in the matter, it just happened." She felt her face flush again. "And you're not exactly the same boy who went away four years ago."

"I'm not a boy any more." His voice was low.

"I've noticed." She echoed his answer as they approached the large group and she saw him force a smile onto his face.

"Danny, are you teasing Ann again?" Mrs. McCawley asked with a slight frown as she and her mother opened the baskets. "I thought for sure you would have outgrown that by now."

"There are some things you never outgrow Mama." He grinned, but Ann could see that it wasn't sincere.

"Well then it's time that you do son." Major McCawley was stern with him. "You and Annie ain't kids any more and it's time you stop behavin' like it."

"Yes Sir." He answered his father as he took his arm from around Ann's shoulders before he put his surfboard down and looked at Hank. "You might want to save some of that bird for everyone else Henry."

"I'll save enough for Ann. It's her birthday after all Daniel." Hank grinned as Danny approached the open baskets and began to fill his plate.

Ann stood rooted to the spot and felt the absence of his arm around her shoulders, which irritated her no end. He hadn't really changed since they were children, except now it looked as though he was bound to be an insufferably cocky pilot.

"Mama, if it's all right Annie and I are going to take a walk before we eat." Sarah told her mother as she took Ann's arm.

Mrs. McCawley looked up from where she sat next to her husband and smiled. "I'll make sure there's some chicken for you when you get back. Just don't take too long."

"We won't." She answered dutifully as she escorted Ann away from the happy group and walked down toward the water. "So what gives with you and my brother?" Sarah asked her with a smile on her face.

That made Ann frown defensively. "Nothing is going on. Except that your brother seems to have an awfully high opinion of himself."

She laughed. "It's all for show Annie, you know that. The two of you seemed pretty serious when you got to the picnic."

"It wasn't anything important." Was all she would say.

"He's been really unhappy about some things since he came home."

"You mean Caroline Harris."

Sarah nodded and then sighed. "He and Dad had a long talk about her and Dad told him he needed to make a decision about their relationship."

Her comment got Ann to smile. "And how would you know all this?"

"Hank told me." She admitted with a flush. "He also said that Major Harris all but gave Danny permission to break things off with her."

"You and Hank seemed to have really hit it off." Ann commented. "I've seen him fluster you in a way that no other boy ever has."

"He's not a boy Annie." She said quietly. "And Danny isn't either."

"It's not the same Sarah and you darn well know that."

She smiled. "Whether you want to admit it or not, he's ready to ditch that Times Square trollop and I can't think of a better candidate to replace her than you."

"Times Square trollop?" Ann raised an eyebrow.

"Don't change the subject. My point is this, Danny has finally gotten what he's wanted his whole life and he's a pilot. He doesn't need that concentration he used on getting into the Academy and getting through it anymore which means he has the time to start looking around."

"So why should it be me? He's five years older than me and he should find someone his own age."

Sarah remained serious. ""But he's known you you're whole life and I can't think of a better place to start."

"Don't you think that Danny should have some time on his own before you start matchmaking for him? You just got finished saying that he's spent all these years concentrating on becoming a pilot. Shouldn't he be allowed to have the time to enjoy being a pilot before he starts looking for a girlfriend?"

Sarah didn't seem to know how to respond.

"I know how much you love Danny and how much you dislike Caroline. But it seems to me that it should be up to him when he's ready to pursue a girlfriend, don't you think?"

After a few moments she nodded. "I just want him to be happy."

"The only happiness he might need right now is to be on his own." Ann reasoned with her.

"I don't like that answer, but you have a good point." And she sighed. "I'll leave it alone for now."

Ann shook her head. "That's not good enough Sarah. Leave it alone for good and let Danny make his own decisions. Just give him the chance and he might surprise you."

Sarah sighed again. "I'll leave it alone and I'll let Danny make his own decisions. But if he has a brain in his head, which I know he does he'll give you a second look."

"You promised." Ann frowned. "Now I don't know about you, but I'd like a chance at some of that chicken that Dad barbecued. And if we don't hurry and get back there it's all going to be gone."

"Not a chance." Sarah smiled at her. "Mama said that she'd set some aside."

"For you, she didn't say anything about me." She smiled back as they walked up the beach toward their families.