The flight was smooth from takeoff tonding. Eleanor kept her daughter entertained withic books while Decker made good use of the time, typing away at hisptop.


    Four hourster, the ne touched down at an airfield nestled among rolling mountains, the kind used by the military. As soon as the cabin door opened, Eleanor took Evelyn by the hand and saw Mansfield Ellington waiting at the bottom of the steps, standing tall in full uniform, a bouquet of fresh flowers in his


    arms.


    "Wee to the Ninth Military District, Miss Sutton." He stepped forward with a warm smile, offering the flowers to Eleanor.


    "Thank you," Eleanor replied, gratitude in her voice.


    "Mr. Ellington," Evelyn piped up, peeking shyly from behind her mother, her round face full of curiosity—and a touch of awe at the sight of Mansfield''s crisp uniform.


    Mansfield crouched to be at eye level with her. "Hello there, Evelyn. Wee to my corner of the world."


    Evelyn blinked her big eyes, clearly feeling the respect in his gesture, and rxed a little. "Is this really your ce?" she asked, her voice sweet and small.


    He grinned. "It is. You can explore as much as you like." Then he straightened and turned to Eleanor. "You must be tired from the journey."


    Eleanor shook her head. "Not at all."


    "Come on, let me show you to your quarters," Mansfield said.


    He personally led the three of them to a waiting car. As they drove through the heavily guarded base, Evelyn pressed her face to the window, captivated by the military vehicles and equipment scattered along the way.


    "Mr. Ellington, is that a real tank?"


    "It sure is."


    "And that is that a cannon?"


    "Yes, it is."


    Eleanor watched her daughter''s excitement grow, afraid she might try to crawl out the window. She gently pulled Evelyn back into her arms. "No rush," she soothed. "We''re staying here for a whole week, remember?"


    Mansfield nced back with a smile. "Next time, how about I take you inside the tank for a look?"


    "Really?" Evelyn pped her hands in delight.


    They arrived at the residential quarters, and Eleanor was surprised to find their amodations were a private little cottage. Mansfield exined, "Since you''re traveling with your daughter, I wanted you to have a quiet ce to stay. I arranged this just for you."


    Eleanor smiled gratefully. "Thank you. That''s very thoughtful of you."


    One of Mansfield''s men, unable to hold back, added, "Our boss has been looking forward to your visit for days, Miss Sutton."


    Mansfield just chuckled. "I hope you and Evelyn will befortable here."


    After they''d settled in, Mansfield escorted Eleanor and her daughter to the mess hall for dinner. Only when they''d finished did he lead them toward the base''s research wing.


    He brought Evelyn to a cozy lounge near theb, which was stocked with toys and games for kids. A gentle-faced female assistant was there to keep Evelynpany.


    Eleanor, along with Decker and Garrison, headed into theb proper, where Garrison had been waiting for them.


    Eleanor threw herself into work immediately. Not long after, her phone buzzed. She nced at the screen: a message fromn.


    "Have you arrived?"


    She ignored it.


    By eight that evening, Eleanor was back at the cottage, tucking Evelyn in for the night as darkness settled over the base. The air was cool and fresh, the sky a tapestry of brilliant stars. Eleanor and her daughter stretched out on lounge chairs in the garden, counting stars together.


    "Wow, Mom, look at all those stars! I''ve never seen so many before!" Evelyn eximed, her eyes wide with wonder. "Back home, you could hardly see any."


    Eleanor gazed upward, a soft smile on her lips as the memory of stargazing with her own parents drifted through her mind. The night sky glittered like diamonds above them.


    "I can''t even count them all!" Evelyn said, her little head tilted back as she tried.


    Eleanor stroked her daughter''s hair, savoring the gentle breeze on her face and the peace of being far from Ashford City. The weight she''d been carrying seemed a little lighter.


    "Still awake?" A warm, deep voice drifted over from the entrance to the garden.


    Eleanor looked up to see Mansfield in a casual army-green shirt and cks, a grocery bag in one hand. In the soft glow of moonlight, he looked less like themanding officer and more like an old friend dropping by.


    "Mansfield," Eleanor greeted him, using his first name now-because, truth be told, they really were friends.


    His eyes lit up at that. He pushed open the garden gate with a smile. “I had the kitchen whip up some snacks—especially for the little one."


    The moment Evelyn heard there was food, she popped up from Eleanor''s arms, her eyes shining. "Are those for me?"