Free Ride the Tiger by Lindsay McKenna Page B

marine in here that isn’t jealous of me sitting here with you.”
    With a frown, Dany eased the bulky straw purse off her shoulder and placed it beside her chair. Looking around, she saw a number of marines sitting with Vietnamese women. “GI love affairs are only for the naive,” she muttered.
    Gib moved uncomfortably. “What do you mean?”
    â€œI’ve seen too many of the young girls from our village fall in love with American advisors. The men lie to the girls, tell them what they want to hear—that it’s true love. Inevitably, they talk the girls into going to bed with them. The girls get pregnant, and, at the end of their allotted time here, the GIs go back to America.” Her voice lowered with feeling. “The girls, of course, are left behind to support a half-American child.”
    Taking a drink of iced tea, Gib nodded. “I can’t dispute what you’ve said.”
    â€œI see it happen all the time,” Dany said sadly.
    Gib slowly turned the cool, sweat-beaded glass between his hands. He glanced over at Dany. “What if you fell in love with an American?”
    Her mouth pulled into a pained line. “What? And have him leave a year later? No, thanks. I don’t call that love.”
    Gib nodded. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he entertained the thought of Dany becoming an integral part of his world. Swallowing against his disappointment, he murmured, “It’s not love when a man runs out on his woman.”
    â€œThe American GIs do it all the time, Gib.”
    â€œMost, but not all,” he countered gently. Wanting to drop the topic, he motioned to a rolled-up piece of paper sticking out of her purse. “What’s that? A set of blueprints?” He grinned.
    â€œNot quite.” She smiled, relieved at the change of subject. Dany didn’t want to admit even to herself that she wondered what it would be like to have a relationship with Gib. Anyway, she knew the inevitable result: abandonment. She was truly alone in the world now, and it was much safer to stay that way.
    Retrieving the paper, Dany felt heat flood her face as she handed it to Gib. “Vinh made this for you. Even though you visited in civilian clothes, he knew you were a marine pilot. He’s fascinated with helicopters. Go on, look at what he drew for you.” Dany sat back to watch Gib’s face as he unrolled the drawing. His expression changed from initial surprise to obvious pleasure. A warmth stole through her as his very male mouth curved in a smile.
    â€œI’ll be darned. This is good! Very good.” Gib held up the drawing made with pastel chalk, inspecting it closely. Vinh had drawn a Sirkorsky helicopter like Gib’s, flying against a pale pink sky with the many colors of the jungle below it. In the lower left-hand corner, the boy had painstakingly printed his full name, the date and his country.
    â€œI can’t believe his talent,” Gib uttered in awe. “His attention to detail is incredible. Look at this—” He turned the drawing around and laid it out on the linen-covered table.
    Joy coursed through Dany as Gib flushed with obvious delight. “I told you Vinh was artistic. Isn’t he wonderful? He’s never seen one of your helicopters up close—just flying over the plantation.”
    â€œThe kid’s got a set of eagle eyes,” Gib said ruefully. He rolled up the drawing with care and set it beside him. “Tell him thank-you for me, will you?”
    Dany held his gaze. “You won’t throw it away?”
    Taken aback, Gib said, “Of course not. I intend to mail it to the ranch. My foreman’s wife, Vivi, will take good care of it until I get home.”
    â€œOh...good.” Dany gave a small, apologetic shrug. “I didn’t mean to insult you. It’s just that I know Vinh will ask me what you thought of his drawing and what you’ll do with