To: KCGilmore@gilmoreproducts.net
From: MaxMorrison@gilmoreproducts.net
Subject:re: Work, sand, heat, work, sand, heat
Dear KC,
Thanks for your last e-mail. I’m sorry you had to lose a patient so early in your tour, but I am grateful you wrote me. I wish I could come and take your pain away. Since that’s not possible, I did the next best thing.
I contacted my Aunt Emma. You remember her? The force of nature? The one who’ll mow you down if you get in her way, even though she’s about five feet tall and weighs a hundred pounds? Silver hair, bright blue eyes, a terror to any who tries to stop her?
She’s pretty unforgettable, I know. We took to calling her The General behind her back... Well, Lainy called her that to her face, and General Emma thinks it’s funny, so we all use it now. And the nomenclature is surprisingly fitting.
Anyway, I called the general and she came up with a great idea. From what I gathered, she’d been thinking about it anyway, so here’s the scoop...
KC finished the rest of the e-mail and laughed for the first time in days. Since Admiral Rich O’Riley was currently on her base, and Mitch had told her he was approachable and friendly, she thought she better go talk to him.
Mitch had also explained that the admiral knew about Emma, and actually seemed fascinated by her. Emma and Rich met via e-mail when she made arrangements to house the Admiral’s dog, Rocky. Admiral O’Riley was therefore as connected to the Morrison family as she herself. KC thought he would appreciate hearing the news she brought.
Since KC knew this indomitable woman well (yes, she was absolutely unforgettable), and loved Emma, she thought telling the admiral about the new Morrison General could be a good thing. Besides, this news might help morale, and if the good tidings came from an admiral, especially Rich O’Riley, a man everyone liked and respected, perhaps their jobs would be a little easier.
“You want to speak to the admiral?” the woman behind the desk asked, her eyes wide.
“Yes. If you could please inform him Lieutenant Commander Gilmore would like to speak with him?” KC repeated.
“Okay, Doctor,” the woman said, her eyebrows nearly in her hairline, a definite moue around her lips. “I’m sorry to bother you, Admiral, but I’ve got a LT Cmdr Gilmore to see you? Yes, sir, I’ll send her in, sir.”
The woman hung up the phone and gestured for KC to enter the office. If one could call their temporary-accommodations-with-a-door an office. KC nodded politely to the woman and after a brisk knock, entered the room and saluted.
The admiral rose to his feet, saluted her in turn, and gestured for her to be seated. He was in his early fifties, but still bore the lean and muscled body of a man half his age. There was no denying Rich O’Riley, with his masculine chiseled features, reddish hair, and piercing eyes was handsome. “LT Cmdr Gilmore, how may I help you?”
KC was grateful for his manners. She’d been barked at enough to understand why this man was so well respected. Not that Admiral Richard O’Riley couldn’t bark when he needed to, but he didn’t need to at the moment, and she appreciated his restraint.
“I’m KC Gilmore, sir. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Morrison family?”
“Of course, Mitch Monahan married a Morrison woman, and another one has my dog.”
“That’s right. Mitch’s wife’s brother, Max Morrison, is my business partner and he’s taking care of my son and dog while I’m here.”
“Ah, the Morrison family strikes again.” KC liked the satisfaction and slight affection she saw in his eyes.
She laughed. “Yes, they have. Max’s mother and aunts came and packed up all my things, and his brothers and cousins came and moved it all. Max and my son cooked up the idea of them living together while I’m here.” She thought about Max and her stomach flipped at the thought of all he and his family had already done for her.
“I take it you didn’t come just to tell me that,” the admiral said sagely.
“No. I lost my first patient, Lieutenant Lance James,” she started, but tears welled in her throat and she swallowed before taking a deep breath. Admiral O’Riley gave her the time she needed. He nodded when she mentioned the Marine’s name. “A good man,” he murmured and she recognized her sorrow on his face. That helped her to regain composure.
“I wrote Max,” she said, battling her emotions and winning, “because I knew Lieutenant James left behind a wife and three children and I couldn’t imagine how they’ll cope.” She paused to take a deep breath.
“They’ll probably live one day at a time,” he answered, his voice soft and compassionate.
“Yes. I suppose my grief must have been fairly evident in my e-mail because Max called his Aunt Emma.”
“Ah, the force of nature?” She liked the gleam in his eye.
“Yes. And she is. She’s about five feet tall, and maybe a hundred pounds, but if you step in her path, you’re getting knocked over!”
Admiral O’Riley laughed. “That’s what I’ve heard.”
“Well, some of them started calling her General,” his bark of laughter encouraged her, “but Mitch’s wife, Lainy, called her General to her face, and Emma thought it was funny. General Emma doesn’t take offense easily. She’s an amazing woman.” KC shook her head and smiled as she remembered her own interactions with Max’s aunt.
“What has that woman done now?” She heard fondness, and a personal affection again in his tone.
“Well, you know she and Lainy weren’t able to keep Bentley and Rocky apart and they made some puppies?” Mischief rose like an imp inside and KC tamped the troublemaker down. Right now probably wasn’t the time.
He nodded and rolled his eyes.
She grinned, but continued. “Well, Emma hit on an idea, since they’ve had close to fifty offers on the new batch of puppies.”
His eyebrows disappeared. “Fifty?”
“At least that many,” she confirmed, nodding to add credence to her statement. “And these haven’t even been born yet.”
“Fifty?” he muttered and shook his head.
“General Emma decided to start up a fund. It’s called the Bent Rock Foundation in honor of Bentley and Rocky and the foundation’s purpose will be to raise funds for the families of military persons who die in battle or any who need further assistance. General Emma plans to auction off the puppies and all proceeds, plus any other funds obtained, will go toward the foundation.”
“Auction off the puppies?” The gleam in his eyes made her grin.
“Oh yes. From what Max tells me, she’s already cranking with publicity. And ever since, funds and donations have poured in from local businesses and residents. Schools are holding car washes, and ladies groups are holding bake sales. Sounds like it’s already a big production.”
“Emma could run an entire branch of the military. So this wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Emma could run the country,” KC offered dryly and he chuckled.
“So she’s going to auction off Rocky’s newest batch of puppies.” He leaned back in his seat and stroked his chin.
KC leaned forward in her seat. “Yes. I’m going to e-mail Max and have him video tape the entire thing. I definitely want to see this.”
The admiral straightened abruptly in his chair. “I hope you’ll invite me?”
“Of course. I’ll let you know once it comes.”
“I would love to see her in action.”
“General Emma is a sight to behold,” KC agreed and she rose from her chair, saluted, and turned to leave.
“Is this something I can tell the camp?” His voice stopped her at the door.
KC turned and smiled. “I think this news would go a long way to increasing morale.”
“You’re right, Dr. Gilmore, you’re definitely right.”