Temporary Duty: With Thankful Hearts

By Beth Watson

Through her civilian job with the computer programming contractor at the military base, young and single Meg Atkins has met Marine Sergeant Cory Randall. Though Cory is only at the base on a temporary duty assignment, he faithfully attends the same church Meg does. There he met her landlord's family, who quickly befriended him, and he is now tea

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Jul 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887386089

Beth Watson

To contact the author, please email at [e-mail].

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Temporary Duty

With Thankful Hearts

Temporary Duty: With Thankful Hearts

Trilogy Christian Publishers A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2023 by Beth Watson

All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Public domain.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without written permission from the author. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Cover photo courtesy of D.W. Doc Watson.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 979-8-88738-607-2

E-ISBN: 979-8-88738-608-9

Acknowledgments

I want to give a thank-you to these precious ladies who read Temporary Duty and have become my readers’ circle of encouragement: Marci Baker, Kelly Barrett, Caitlin Bland, Nita Brothers, Gail Clements, Connie Engle, Toni Hahn, Barbie Copeland, Linda Everman, Kay Moulson, Brenda Pugh, Merle Rokenbrod, Pam Rookskool, Donnie Thomas, and Myra Severt.

I want to give a thank-you to my friend Janna Hayes for her wisdom, expertise, and guidance.

I want to give a thank-you to my cousin, Deanna Brown, who blessed and encouraged me so much when she shared her heart with me and said that she couldn’t wait to continue Meg’s journey.

I want to give a thank-you to my friends, Mary Ellen Smith and Kelli Swinney, who gave me clear advice but were never critical.

I want to give a thank-you to my friend, Pat Davis, who reviewed, critiqued, and encouraged more than she could ever know… and then wanted to know what happens next with Meg and Cory!

I want to give a special thank-you to my sisters-in-law, Tina Evans and Martha Walker, who have always extended to me a helping hand and an open heart.

I want to give a special thank-you to my brother, Doug Evans, who loves the writings of our family history and told me one day I would write a book.

I want to give a special thank-you to my brother, Chuck Evans, and our nephew, Doug Watson, who kindly gave me the guys’ review.

I also want to give a very special thank-you to Ben and Lois Ketron—dear Christian friends who have always come alongside in my times of greatest heartache to help and uplift me—for their tremendous encouragement and support in bringing this volume of the Temporary Duty series to print.

And to my husband, Wayne… the guy who reads, suggests, encourages, and supports me through all of my writing and without whom I would never be able to do any of this! Thank you for being there, for all that you are, and for all that you do!

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my dad and mom, Douglas and Audella Evans.

Dad always encouraged me to try, and Mom always told me that I could do it.

And to my husband, Wayne, my hero and my love… this man of strength and integrity who has stood by me and loved me through all of the ups and downs of our marriage.

I thank the Lord Jesus for these three precious people and hold them close…

With a Thankful Heart.

Chapter 1

With all that had happened in the past few days regarding the possible change in her job and employment location, Megan Adkins had had a restless night. Since she was already awake, she left for work early, deciding to pick up coffee and pastries for the Marine Corps Military Police guards on duty at the gates to the Military Base, where she worked as a civilian systems analyst for a contracting company.

This morning, she chose to drive the long loop around the base and use the back gate entrance, something she rarely did, even though it brought her more directly into the parking area for her building. She was accustomed to sharing her thank-you breakfasts with the front gate MPs, and they readily accepted them from her, so there was never a problem that held up the traffic passing through the entrance. But she had never shared the gifts with the back gate guards and didn’t know just what to expect. As she had hoped, she was early enough that she was the only vehicle approaching the back gate guard station this morning.

The MP stepped out, acknowledged the base sticker on the bumper of her late-model SUV, and motioned her to pass on through. However, she stopped. He hesitated. Then he approached the vehicle, his hand at the ready on his sidearm.

With her commitment to Christian integrity, Meg always tried to be friendly but never flirtatious. And the authority the guard had made her a bit nervous! So she took a deep breath, pushed the loose strand of auburn hair from her cheek, and smiled, Good morning, Corporal.

Is there a problem, ma’am? he asked as he did an immediate visual sweep of her and the interior of the vehicle to ensure that she wasn’t posing a potential threat to the base security.

She showed him her security badge as she answered, I just wanted to thank you and your partner… she nodded toward the second MP who had come out of the guard house to assist, …for what you do every day to keep us safe here at the base. It means so much to know that you all are here to protect us. And just as a way to show my appreciation, I brought you coffee and pastries for breakfast.

She handed the Corporal the tray of cups of hot coffee. He hesitated but only for a moment, then grinned at his partner. Meg’s generosity was well-known among the security guards, especially the front gate MPs, that were regular recipients of her breakfast gifts. This was the first time for these two, and they were delighted to finally have the experience they had only heard about from their team members.

Thank you, ma’am! He passed the coffee to his partner as he accepted the box of pastries from her, This is mighty nice of ya!

Well, I know that you’re here to protect us, she replied sincerely, and I know that we take that for granted. Just want to tell you that what you do is appreciated!

She smiled pleasantly, wished them a good day, and pulled slowly through the entrance. Just inside the gate, she had to stop to wait for a group of young Airmen on their morning physical training run. They were apparently at the end of their run, as they were having to really push to keep moving. Straggling behind the group was one who was thinner and younger-looking than the others. At his right hand was a running partner who matched his pace and encouraged him to keep going. The running partner stood out from the others not only because of his different colored fatigues but for his more mature build and demeanor.

As Meg sat there watching the group, she thought the man in the tan fatigues looked very familiar. He glanced up as they passed, and she was right—it was Cory Randall. Though he was only at the base on a temporary duty assignment, the young Marine Sergeant faithfully attended the same church she did. There he had met her landlord’s family, who had quickly befriended him, and he was now teaching basketball to the Claytons’ young sons. Basketball practice naturally meant Cory was invited to share family meal time with the Claytons. Since Meg was also a frequent guest at that table and they were both helping with the Teen Ministry at church, the two young people were getting to know each other.

But Meg’s civilian job with the computer programming contractor made her keenly aware that temporary duty meant members of the military could be transferred out to another duty station at any time. And though she was getting to know Cory and respected his sincere Christian commitment, she had her own commitment to Jesus for sexual purity and abstinence before marriage. So she was content to just be friends with him and continue waiting on the Lord for her future husband.

It only took Cory a second to realize that he knew that lady in the SUV! He spoke to the other runner and then broke away from the group and jogged over to where she was waiting. Having attended a veteran’s funeral with Meg’s father over the weekend, he felt more confident in approaching her. He really hoped she was warming to him, too.

Well! Didn’t expect to see you here this morning! he smiled.

On a mission, she responded, motioning back to the entrance gate where the two MPs stood drinking their coffee and watching them.

You do realize that they’re going to catch on to what you’re doing, don’t you? he teased.

Yeah, but hopefully, it won’t be until after I capture the flag. Her friendly reference was to a childhood game they used to play that was similar to King of the Mountain.

Cory nodded, looking over at the large American flag on the flag pole in front of the Base Commander’s Headquarters. His own experience with capturing the flag was intense military training exercises where teams were pitted against each other to be the first to capture the flag flying over a well-defended Command post.

If you need any help, I have some experience at that! he offered with a good-natured laugh.

Meg just smiled and handed him the bottle of water that she had picked up at Betsy’s Bakery when she purchased the pantries and coffee.

Looks like you’re pretty busy with the new group of runners, she motioned to the last of the Airmen as they disappeared over the knoll.

He accepted the water gratefully and took a gulp. I was just on the end of my morning run when I fell in with the Space Cadets.

Space Cadets? she grinned. Didn’t realize our Air Force was at that level now!

"Well, that’s what we call ’em. Air Force guys who are all trained computer techs. And they all look like kids! He laughed, Don’t know just why they’re assigned here, but they’re out doing physical training every morning, and sometimes I run with ’em."

He paused, took another drink of water, and then continued. Interesting to me that the smallest guy in the group is the one with the biggest desire to achieve the required physical training levels.

The guy you were running with? she asked.

Tyler, he answered with a nod, seems to have a lot of heart. He could really do something if he doesn’t get overwhelmed and discouraged.

Meg nodded; she knew something of being overwhelmed and discouraged herself!

It was really good being with your dad this weekend, Cory changed the subject, wanting to engage her in conversation as long as he could. I like the way he’s comfortable with people, regardless of the situation.

Yeah, she responded, Papa’s a great guy. And I don’t say that because he’s my dad and I love him, but I think the Lord has given him a special gift of being able to read people and be very comfortable with them. It doesn’t matter if he’s with influential, wealthy people or the homeless; he treats them all the same and interacts with them very comfortably.

Cory nodded; he, too, had seen that in Rob Adkins. Meg didn’t comment further, and after a brief silence, he quietly spoke to her, You seemed pretty upset at church last night. I saw you go to the altar during the invitation after preaching. Kinda looked like you were crying. If there’s anything I can do… His concern was genuine, his offer unpretentious.

Oh, I’m fine, the standard, polite response when she didn’t want to go into a discussion yet still wanted to be civil.

Meg’s attention was caught by the large American flag Cory had been watching a few minutes earlier. It had been hanging almost limp against the pole; now, it began to unfurl on the early morning breeze. The flag flew gracefully, majestically, moved and lifted by the unseen force. As she watched it, captivated, she realized that was how the Holy Spirit of God is: unseen, yet powerfully moving His followers, giving them direction and guiding them to fulfill His purpose in their life.

And in that visual lesson, she realized that the Lord was indeed in control and would guide her. Whatever He did this week regarding her job here at the base or leading her to change careers, it was going to be good, and she was going to be fine! She almost gasped in surprise at the sudden realization. Abruptly, she turned back to Cory.

I really am fine, she smiled a genuine and encouraged smile. Whatever the Lord does, I’m going to be fine.

He smiled, too, and gave a silent prayer of thanks to the Lord for such a positive answer to the prayer he prayed for her last night, Glad to hear that.

I have a meeting, she added quickly. I have to go.

Me too! I need to shower and change before reporting for duty! He nodded as he stepped up on the curb away from her vehicle, Thanks for the water!

Stay hydrated! she called cheerfully as she put the vehicle into gear and pulled away, heading to her parking place at the back of the office building.

Cory watched until she was out of sight, wondering about her and her situation, wondering if he was wrong about wanting to get to know her. He could feel an agitation rising within him, along with the frustration that he still fought at those times when he struggled with Meg’s seeming lack of personal interest in him.

As he stood there with his hands on his hips, he began to fuss silently, God, I really am trying to keep my focus on You, and I’m really committed to following You. But Lord! I really like Meg, but trying to get to know this woman is… well, frankly, it’s… oh, I don’t know! What are You doing here, Lord? And what am I supposed to do?

The breeze rustled the leaves above his head and again moved the American flag Meg had been watching just minutes before. There was a calm quietness in the early morning, and as he stood there, he seemed to feel the Lord saying to his spirit, Just complete your run.

With a heavy sigh, Cory said out loud, Okay, Lord. I’ll finish my run.

So he stepped off of the curb, fell back into the rhythmic cadence of his jog,