Free On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

each other grow?” A wave knocked Georgie onto her backside. She scrambled to get up before the water went over her head and made her hair frizzy.
    “Mm-hmm.” He swam along, oblivious to her clumsiness. “My parents have a great marriage, filled with love. But they can be hard on each other when necessary. They balance each other.”
    Was Ward good for her? Or just good to her? Georgie stood, shivered, and renewed her search for Rose.
    What was she worried about? Daddy spoiled Mama, and they were the happiest couple ever. “Remember, every woman likes to be treated like a princess.”
    “Ah, Phyllis can be a princess on our wedding day. And that’s coming soon.” Hutch swam back with a big wet grin.
    “Because of the Pharmacy Corps?”
    “Yep. Still need details, but when I go home for Officer Candidate School, I’ll marry her.”
    “That’s so romantic and exciting. All your dreams coming true.”
    “Now I can be content.”
    She opened her mouth to remind him that contentment came from God not circumstances, but she pressed her lips together. The job of being good for Hutch belonged to Phyllis. “I’m glad everything’s going your way. I’d hate to see you become bitter.”
    He shot her a glance, something dark in his eyes. Anger? Fear? Conviction?
    Guilt washed through her, and she raised a hesitant smile, which he returned.
    A splash behind her. Arms wrapped around her waist. Down she went, face-first into the surf. She spluttered to the surface. “Rose Danilovich! How dare you.”
    Rose sat in the water beside her, bursting with laughter. “Clint! Did you hear her scream? Like a little girl.”
    “I am a girl, and I’m not ashamed of it.” Georgie stood and wiped water off her face. Now her hair would explode in a mass of unruly curls. “Any sign of Tom and Mellie?” Getting those two together had been the first success of the day. Tom had flown in, Mellie had revealed her identity, and it was so romantic.
    “Right behind you.” Mellie stood at water’s edge in her swimsuit, holding hands with Tom MacGilliver. Both glowed. They couldn’t be more different—Mellie with her dark exotic beauty, and Tom with his blond boy-next-door good looks.
    Georgie cocked her head. “Looks like you two had a nice—long—bike ride.”
    “We did.” Mellie raised a hand to cover her wide smile, then dropped her hand.
    “They deserve it.” Clint helped Rose to her feet.
    “True.” Georgie’s heart swelled with the joy of knowing she had a hand in their happy ending. But her day’s work wasn’t done yet. She stretched her hand toward Hutch. “Everyone, this is John Hutchinson, the pharmacist at the 93rd. Hutch, these are my friends, Rose Danilovich and her boyfriend, Clint Peters. Clint’s a C-47 navigator. This is Mellie Blake and her—boyfriend?”
    “That sure sounds good.” Tom shook Hutch’s hand. “Tom MacGilliver. Yes, I’m his son.”
    Georgie cringed. She’d meant to warn Hutch that he was about to meet the son and namesake of the notorious executed murderer.
    “Nice to meet you.” Hutch’s face registered only the slightest shock. “Read about you in the Stars and Stripes .”
    Clint chuckled and draped his arm over Rose’s shoulder. “He’s a better man than the article said, but nowhere near as heroic.”
    Tom led Mellie into the water. “Don’t know about the better-man part, but I agree with the not-as-heroic part.”
    Mellie whispered in his ear, and he gave her an adoring smile.
    Georgie glanced at Rose so she could roll her eyes and mouth the words she was certain Mellie had spoken—“You’re my hero.” But Rose gazed just as adoringly at Clint. Oh dear, it would be a long day with two pairs of lovebirds chirping around her.
    “Where are you from, Hutch?” Clint asked.
    Georgie smiled as a wave slurped sand from beneath her feet, glad Hutch could make more friends.
    Rose tugged on Georgie’s arm, a fake smile on her face. “May I talk to you for a