Sly sat at the head of the Peleliu’s stern ramp and watched the sunset. The lazy waves sloshed up and down the steel beach with a soft murmur. The Christmas party had run through most of the day despite it being everyone’s “night.”
A late mail call had reached the carrier and great bundles of packages and letters from home had arrived at the Peleliu adding to the merriment.
Gail’s crew had made a vast number of pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies, all of which had been consumed.
And now, at long last, the Well Deck was quiet. And clean, this was the Navy after all, and they were always on call.
He didn’t need to hear her to feel her when she approached.
Gail sat down close beside him and laced an arm through his.
“That was some fine barbeque, Chief,” she whispered it like a secret.
“Damn
