Chapter 89

The helicopter quickly took off and the second one landed. Another gurney was pushed alongside as Billy and Jared helped passengers off before once again lifting someone on a stretcher onto the waiting gurney. Jordan Quick accompanied that gurney as it made the short journey to the hospital. Once again the crowd roared its approval. Everyone realized that Charlie must have been injured if Jordan was hanging so close.

The remaining friends started down the walkway to the hospital. Cheers and whistles continued as locals expressed their approval, and pride, in the actions of the young friends of Steve and Gwen. Reporters called to them to answer questions, but the group simply waved and continued into the hospital.

***

Steve and Chip had been somewhat surprised at the delays that cropped up on their trip to Iraq. They had to switch aircraft three times and the trip wound up taking several hours more than they would have expected.

“Doesn’t it seem strange that t