The White Knight (35 page)

Luke collapsed to the ground, panting, while he watched the fire of the burning plane.

****

Ritter's eyes opened, and he looked around wildly. He saw the plane, then turned to see Luke Winslow supporting him. Ritter was a man of great courage, and he knew exactly what had happened at that moment. “I guess you've won the game, White Knight. I seem to be checkmated.”

Two British soldiers were rushing across the field, weapons at the ready. The English were accustomed to German planes being shot down and were alert to opportunities to capture them.

“You're going to enjoy our prison camp, Erich. I hear the food is good, and you can dig potatoes for recreation until the war's over.”

Epilogue

D
ECEMBER
1942

Joelle was giving little Pete a bath. They were calling him Little Pete to distinguish him from his grandfather Peter. The baby enjoyed his bath immensely, but his favorite trick was slapping the water and cooing with delight when it splattered everyone in the vicinity.

Joelle heard the door close and thought it was one of the girls who had gone to the grocery store. “Just put the groceries on the table, Shirley.”

“I don't have any groceries.”

Joelle's heart gave a leap. She turned and saw Luke standing there, a big grin on his face. “Luke!” she cried, and he came to her and his arms went around her. She clung to him frantically, and he kissed her passionately.

When she could pull herself away, she asked, “What are you doing home? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?”

“I didn't know I was coming home, but I'm here because I have a new assignment.”

Joelle's heart filled with joy. “You mean you won't be flying combat anymore?”

“Nope. Just training missions here in the States. Got to train a new crop of pilots.”

“Where will you be stationed?”

“In Texas.” He held her and kissed her again. “Do you think you'll like Texas?”

“Pete and I will like it fine.”

Luke turned his attention to the fat baby, who was staring at him owlishly. The baby raised his arms and cried out, splashing water everywhere. Luke was almost deluged. He
laughed and went over to the tub, giving Pete a kiss on his head and rubbing his silky back. “Little Pete,” he said, “I've been missing you.”

“Can Pete and I go with you to do the training?”

“I threatened to quit if you couldn't come with me.” He put his arms around her then and said, “I promised to come back.”

Joelle Winslow clung to her man and whispered, “I knew you would!”

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Bethany House has been gracious beyond my desert throughout the history of the Winslow series—especially Gary and Carol Johnson. And a special thanks to my faithful editor and friend, Dave Horton.

GILBERT MORRIS spent ten years as a pastor before becoming Professor of English at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas and earning a Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas. A prolific writer, he has had over 25 scholarly articles and 200 poems published in various periodicals and over the past years has had more than 180 novels published. His family includes three grown children, and he and his wife live in Gulf Shores, Alabama.