I was totally set up. As soon as the three of us pull up at the restaurant, Ricky Cowen is standing by the entrance, waiting on us. I’m going to kill my brother.

“Hey, buddy, surprised to see you here,” Mike says as Rick looks at him strangely.

“You told me …” Rick starts to say as I watch Mike’s eyes grow wider. “Oh, yeah, I was hungry and didn’t feel like cooking.” He smiles, nodding at Mike.

“Hi, Holly. Olivia, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Nice to see you, too, Rick.” I smile before shooting my eyes back over to Mike.

“Well, if you’re alone, why don’t you join us? You girls don’t mind, right?” Mike looks at me with his innocent baby brother look before wrapping his arm over my shoulders.

“Sure, the more the merrier, right?” I grin as I elbow him in the ribs. He quickly releases me.

“Great, I’ll go see if the table … I mean, I’ll go get us a table. Be right back,” Ricky says before going inside.

Mike gets away from me and opens the door. “Let’s go in, shall we?”

“You’re so dead.” Holly laughs as she steps in.

“Just wait, baby Brother, I’ll get you back,” I whisper out of Rick’s earshot.

The four of us sit and enjoy a nice steak dinner, while reminiscing about our school years. I’m still irritated at Mike for playing matchmaker, but I have to admit, I’m having a great time.

Rick sits next to me and demonstrates his gentlemanly ways by making sure to ask me if everything is okay and if I need a refill. He’s also quite nervous, which I find sweet.

When it’s time to pay our bill, I get my credit card out. Mike and Holly are doing well financially, but this dinner was pricy and their unwillingness to allow me to pay rent or utilities have me wanting to do the right thing.

“Don’t you dare, Sis. I invited you to dinner,” he says before handing me back my card.

“But, Mike, you and Holly—” I try to speak but he interrupts.

“Are doing just fine,” he says.

“Mike, I’ll get mine and Olivia’s,” Rick says, handing over several bills that Mike willingly accepts.

“Rick, you don’t have to do that.” I look over at him.

“I insist. Call it a welcome home dinner,” he says.

“Thank you, that’s very sweet.” I finally give in.

We all step outside and the mugginess of the hot summer evening air hits us.

“Is it ever going to cool down?” Holly whines.

“Still summer, baby. Pretty soon, you’ll be wishing it was warmer,” Mike teases her.

“Well, I best be getting home. Y’all have a good night and thanks for letting me join you,” Rick says as we make our way to our vehicles.

“Anytime, my friend,” Mike says, giving Rick a handshake.

“Night, Holly.”

“Night, Rick, good seeing you.”

“Olivia, can I speak to you for a minute?” Rick asks me as Mike and Holly start walking away.

The part of the evening I was dreading is happening. I’m going to kill my brother.

“We’ll wait in the car, Sis,” Mike says, waving at us.

“What’s up?” I say as we walk over to his truck.

“I just wanted to let you know I had a really good time tonight and to apologize. As you probably guessed, it was a setup.”

“Nah, really?” I smirk.

“See? I told Mike it was a bad idea, but well, I guess it kind of worked. You’re not too mad, are you?” His handsome smile and natural shyness is making me feel badly for teasing him.

“I’m not mad.” I smile at him. Just don’t get any ideas of kissing me, I think to myself.

“Good. I was wondering if it’s okay to call on you sometime? Maybe go out on a real date, just you and me?” he asks.

I knew this time would eventually come. Everyone has been bugging me to get out there and start dating again. It’s been almost four years. That’s long enough, isn’t it? “I would like that,” I find myself saying out loud.

“Great! Mike gave me your number, I hope that’s okay? I’ll text you and maybe we can go out tomorrow night?”

“Sounds great.”

He leans in, and by reading my body language, just gives me a friendly hug. “Good night, Olivia. I’m looking forward to tomorrow night.”

“Me, too. Good night and drive safely.”

The next morning, Mike offers to drive my SUV to the air show in Florida. Holly sits upfront beside him, while I sit in the back with a very anxious Mason.

“Uncle Mike, are we almost there?” Mason asks as we are barely a half hour into our ninety-minute drive.

“Not quite, buddy. We’ll be there soon.”

“Sweetie, let’s just watch a movie, and before you know it, we will be there.”

“Okay, Mommy.” He hands me the DVD he has been holding a death grip on ever since we left the house. It’s one of his favorites, Planes. I’m not surprised and am very thankful that I don’t have to fast-forward this movie.

Once the movie starts, it’s all quiet for him, giving me a chance to grab my e-reader and catch up on the book of the month for my library group. After watching Top Gun last night, I at least hope this doesn’t involve anyone dying.

“You and Rick seemed to hit it off last night. Are you going to see him again?” Mike asks.

“Yes, we have a date tonight,” I answer quickly, looking at Mason for his reaction. He hasn’t met Rick yet and I don’t want to expose him to guys I might be dating until the right guy comes along, if he ever comes along. Mason couldn’t care less since he has on his headphones and is watching the movie.

“He’s really a great guy, Sis.” Mike tries to keep the conversation going.

“I know he is, Mike, and I know you tried to set us up,” I mumble as I try once again to start reading.

“Okay, so I may have nudged him a little, but he really does like you. He’s just a little shy, that’s all.”

Finally, I look up, meeting his eyes in the rearview mirror. “I’m not ready for a relationship right now. I told him we could go out tonight, but just as friends. I’m trying to focus on my new job and on Mason for now.” I remind him.

“But it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Brent wouldn’t have wanted you to be lonely the rest of your life.” Mike reminds me.

“I know that,” I snap. I’m so annoyed by everyone telling me that. Brent wouldn’t have wanted you to be unhappy. Brent wouldn’t want you to not remarry. Brent also didn’t want to die at twenty-eight years old, I want to scream at them.

“I’m sorry. I’m just saying.”

“Would you just focus on the road and let me worry about my love life?” I tell him before beginning the book again.

Mike looks over at Holly, who is smiling.

“I told you. You should mind your own business,” she says, having my back.

I return to my book. Amy was right, the book is very good and the story line has me imagining the hero, not as the author described him, but like Tom Sullivan from the other night. I wish he had stayed and maybe talked to me. There’s something about him that reminds me how I felt when I first met Brent.

We arrive at the air base. It’s the air show open house and you couldn’t ask for a better day. The sky is a beautiful blue and a slight breeze takes some of the heat’s edge off of us. September is quickly approaching and fall is my favorite time of year.

Mason is barely sitting still in his seat with excitement as he sees the base and the big plane out in front. When we finally get out and go inside, he is practically pulling me around as he wants to see every plane that is on display. Planes don’t exactly thrill me, but seeing the excitement in my young son’s eyes does. I was so worried when we moved that he would be unhappy, but it looks like I was wrong. He loves it here.

“Mommy, look, a fighter jet.” Mason points to show me one of the planes he likes most of all.

“I see it, honey.”

“Look, Mommy, they are letting kids look closer,” he says as he tugs my hand and pulls me along, while Mike and Holly laugh and keep walking the opposite way.

“Mason, we should really stick with Uncle Mike and Aunt Holly.”

“I just want to see this one, Mommy. Please? We’ll catch up.”

We approach the aircraft, and next to it stands a man in a flight suit, who I assume is the pilot. He is smiling and talking to people as he shows them around. When I finally clearly see his face, I recognize him instantly from the dinner last weekend. It’s Tom Sullivan.

“Mommy, that’s my favorite plane. Can I meet the pilot?” Mason is tugging at my hand as I try to keep him patiently standing in line and waiting his turn.

“Honey, we have to wait our turn, but you will get to meet him,” I say to him as I look down. When I look up again, I notice the officer smiling at me, and it catches me off guard. Does he remember me from the other night? I glance up again as he continues talking to people but keeps looking my way quite often. I listen to him speak about the plane and the tours he’s done.

As I stand in line, holding tightly to Mason’s hand to keep him from jumping ahead of the others, we finally make our way to the front of the line.

“Hello, let me guess, this is your favorite plane.” The officer squats down to be eye level with Mason.

“Yes, sir,” Mason says, thankfully remembering his manners.

“I’m Lieutenant Colonel Sullivan, and who might you be?” He holds his hand out for Mason to shake.

“I’m Mason, and this is my mom,” he says as he shakes the officer’s hand.

“Well, hello, Mason’s mom.” He looks up and smiles. “It’s good to see you again,” he says before standing back up.

“Hello,” I manage to say, once again feeling butterflies in my stomach.

“You know my mom?” Mason asks.

The officer looks back down at him and smiles. “Yes, we met last week. Your mom’s the new librarian, right?”

“Yeah, the best librarian in the whole world,” Mason brags.

“Really?” The officer laughs before looking at me once again.

“Honey, this is Ms. Andrews’ nephew. Right?” I ask him.

“Yes, actually I’m her great-nephew. My name is Tom. Ms. Kennedy, right?” he asks.

“Yes, but please, just call me Olivia.”

“Olivia,” he repeats my name.

It’s not the fact he says it, but the way he says it. My heart is beating like crazy. Even in this crowd, it feels like we are the only two people standing here.

“Are you a real pilot?” Mason asks, breaking up the moment or whatever that was.

Tom chuckles once again, looking down at Mason. “Yes, I’m a real pilot. Would you like to take a look at my plane?”

“Can I, Mom?” Mason quickly looks up at me.

I hesitate a moment, not sure about his safety.

“Don’t worry, Mom, all the safety features are on. Just be sure to look with your eyes and not your hands.” He reminds Mason. It’s a familiar phrase that I have said to Mason myself many times.

“Okay, but like he said, look, but don’t touch.” I exhale.

“Yes, ma’am.”

They both head up the ladder next to the plane. Mason is in front with Tom right behind him. I listen closely as Tom explains each thing inside and shows Mason his helmet. As I watch the interaction between the two of them, a sudden heaviness weighs on my chest. It’s like watching a father talk to his son. Something Mason will never have and I ache in grief for my baby. He will never have Brent to talk guy stuff to. Sure, he has my dad and his uncle Mike, but is it truly the same? Can anyone really replace a father? I once again start playing with my rings. I watch them and listen in on their conversation about instruments. Before I know it, they are making their way back down the ladder.

“Mom, it was so cool. Colonel Tom showed me all the stuff inside the … the …”

“Cockpit.” Tom helps him.

“Yeah, the cockpit,” Mason repeats.

“Colonel Tom?” I eye Mason, wondering if it is a respectful way to address him.

“Yes, Mommy, he told me to call him that.”

“A little less stuffy than Colonel Sullivan.” Tom smiles.

“Okay, honey, thank Mr. … I mean, Colonel Sullivan for the tour.”

“Please, just Tom.” He smiles again at me and once more the butterflies return.

“Tom,” I repeat.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get to introduce myself the other night, but I was called away.”

“It’s okay.” I try to minimize the effect he is having on me. So, he did bail that night.

“Well, not really. You see, my aunt Sylvie let me have it the next day. She said I was very rude to you.”

“You weren’t, I promise you. It got crazy after the speech. So many people were trying to talk to me.”

“So, how are you liking my aunt’s old job, Ms. Town Librarian?” he jokes.

“I love it. She was well loved by the town,” I pause, realizing I’m talking about her in the past tense. “I mean, she still is. I mean, it’s very big shoes to fill.” Olivia, just shut up, already, I say to myself.

“Well, I’m glad she is retiring. She’s getting on up there and should enjoy her years now.” He laughs. “I’m sure you are doing an outstanding job.”

“Thanks.” I smile, deciding to keep my mouth shut.

“Can you sign my book?” Mason asks as he holds up the program I bought him at the gate.

“Sure thing, I would love to,” Tom says as he pulls a Sharpie from his uniform pocket and signs the book.

“And Mommy’s, too,” Mason says as Tom hands him back the program.

“You don’t have to. Mason, you’re stalling and taking up too much time. Other boys and girls want to meet him, too.”

“It’s okay. May I?” Tom asks before reaching for my program.

I hand it to him, and he smiles as he writes in it then closes his marker and my program before handing it back.

“It was nice meeting you, Mason, and it was good seeing you again, Olivia.”

We both pause, staring at each other. For some reason, my body doesn’t want to walk away. Ever since the night of the dinner, something about Tom Sullivan is awakening something inside of me that has been missing for a while.

“Hey, don’t forget to watch me in a little while, flying this bad boy,” Tom says to Mason, breaking our moment once again.

“I will, for sure!”

“Okay, Mason, time to go. Uncle Mike and Aunt Holly are waiting for us.” I’m finally able to think clearly again as I catch Mike and Holly in the distance, waving to us.

“Okay, Mommy,” he says as he takes my hand. I smile once more at Tom and quickly guide Mason away, praying I don’t trip and embarrass myself.

The air show begins with the army parachute team coming down as the national anthem plays. Holly and Mike go back to the SUV to get our camping chairs and cooler, while Mason and I save us all a good spot. He is so excited for the show, making me feel badly that I didn’t want to go at first. I have to remember that he is a boy and wants to do boy things. Even though I’m still homesick for California, I’m glad to be here where Mason can have my dad and Mike to serve as male role models. It makes the fact that he is fatherless easier to deal with. Looking up at the big, blue beautiful sky, I sometimes wonder if Brent is looking down on us and is happy for us. I also wonder if he is mad that just a little while ago I was actually flirting with Tom Sullivan.

I couldn’t help it. He is so handsome in his flight suit and so damn nice, especially to Mason. I’m sure he is nice to all the kids, but he really took the time with Mason and made his day special. Almost as if he knew my son had no father. Or maybe it’s my romantic mind playing tricks on me again. I’ve been trying so hard to move on, but Brent was the love of my life. That’s it, right? You’re not entitled to find another love like that.

“I saw a booth selling hot dogs over there. I’m starved and so is Mason. Would you girls like us to bring you back anything?” Mike asks as Mason quickly gets out of his chair to join him.

“Not feeling the hot dog thing right now, maybe just some chips,” Holly says.

“I’m good. I had a big breakfast this morning. You guys go ahead. Do you need some money, Mike?”

“I got it, Sis. Okay, buddy, let’s go.” Mike lifts Mason up onto his shoulders and carries him off.

“Mike is so good with Mason. He missed you guys something awful,” Holly says and I smile and nod. “You okay? You’re really quiet,” Holly asks as she hands me a cold water.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“So, tell me, did Tom Sullivan look as good up close as he did from a distance?”

“What?” I start laughing at her. The one thing I admire most about Holly is that she speaks her mind.

“I say, he must have. When you walked over to us a few minutes ago, you were in a daze.”

“I was not.”

“Girl, don’t you sit there and tell me that you are not attracted to him. I saw how you kept looking for him at the dinner last week.”

“I just wanted to apologize for being such a klutz, that’s all.”

“When you saw him a few minutes ago, did you apologize?”

“Well, no, but that’s not the point. Mason wanted to see the plane.” I try to defend my actions.

“Hey, it’s okay, you’re allowed to look. In fact, you’re allowed to touch, too. You’re a single gal.”

“Widowed,” I correct her.

“Going on four years. It’s time to get back into the saddle, cowgirl.”

“I’m not sure if I’m ready. I have a date with Rick tonight and I’m not even sure if I should go.”

“Look, Rick’s a nice guy, but I think he’s a little too simple for your taste.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s like I was trying to tell my wonderful husband last night. Rick is sweet, but he’s a local boy who likes to hunt, fish, and stay home on Saturdays watching collegiate football. You, on the other hand, like movies, shows, and restaurants that don’t have a two for one special.”

“Gee, Holly, you make me sound like a snob.”

“Honey, you’re not. I’m just saying that I don’t think you and Rick would be a good fit. Now, you and hotshot pilot over there, that might be a different story.”

“Truth is, Holly, I’m making Clover my home now. So maybe I can learn to like things like fishing and football. Hunting would be a definite no, but I would just find something else to occupy my time. Rick is very sweet and I think I should give him a chance and get to know him.”

“Do what you want, but I’m telling ya, Rick’s not the guy for you. I put in my two cents and I’ll shut up now.”

“I appreciate the advice, but like I said earlier, I’m not looking for a relationship right now, anyway.”

“Did you miss us?” Mike asks as he hands Holly her chips before giving her a quick kiss. I’m thankful he is back so we can change the subject.

Mason sits down beside me and I help him fix his hot dog and not make a mess. It smells wonderful, but is loaded with calories.

To take my mind off of food, I start thumbing through my program. Midway through, I see his picture. Air Force Lt. Colonel Thomas Sullivan it says under his picture, and beside it, a note he wrote.

Olivia, it was nice to see you again. I’ll be seeing you soon.

“Seeing me soon?” My hand quickly goes up to cover my mouth when I realize I actually spoke and try not to gasp.

“What was that?” Mike asks.

“Oh, nothing, I just said it should be starting soon.”

I read his bio, which mainly details his military career, but nothing about a wife or kids. It lists the many medals and campaigns he’s flown in. Then, at the very bottom, a sweet thanks to his mom and dad for supporting his career.

“I can’t wait for Colonel Tom to fly his jet,” Mason says, grinning from ear to ear. He hasn’t once stopped smiling since meeting Tom.

We sit and enjoy the air show, and when they announce the jet demonstration is next, Mason can barely sit still. The plane buzzes the crowd unexpectedly, making our hearts skip a beat.

“He told me he was going to do that.” Mason laughs as he watches the plane soar in the sky.

After the air show, which I have to admit was pretty exciting, Mike drives us home. Mason sleeps the entire way, holding tightly to the program and the toy airplane Mike bought him.

What I dreaded earlier today makes me happy now. Mason was excited about something and I was able to be included. I thumb through my program, looking at the handsome photo of Mason’s hero pilot. I’m flattered that Tom wants to see me again, but let’s be realistic. He’s a pilot and probably travels all over the country, possibly the world, and I’m forever stuck here in small-town Clover. While it’s nice to daydream about romantic dinners with a sexy pilot, just like the book I’m reading, it’s just that, a dream, not reality. A small-town girl is what I chose to become when I decided to move back, so that is how I should act. I quickly text Rick to let him know we are on our way back and he can pick me up at seven o’clock.

Great. I can’t wait to hear about the show. I’ll see you at 7:00. He texts back.