Christmas Diamond, a Novella: Inspired by The Jewel series and the Virtues and Valor series
promise never to say Francis again."
    "Well, then, TJ never Francis, I am very glad to formally make your acquaintance"
    "The pleasure is mine. And I haven't forgotten our rain check," he said. He had yet to release her hand.
    She had thought he looked handsome in a pair of swim trunks, but she had no idea someone could look so devastating in a tuxedo. "Time is getting short," she said with a flirtatious smile. "You only have until the New Year before I'll be back across the pond."
    "Well, then, I better cash it tonight," he said, bringing her hand up to his lips.
    Faith felt a flush cover her cheeks and realized she didn't know what to say. She could hear Elizabeth asking Tony and Robin what happened, but she couldn't break away from TJ's dark gaze. "I look forward to it," she whispered, retrieving her hand and fighting the impulse to rub the spot where his lips had touched.
    "The chef here is pretty amazing," TJ confided.
    "Sure you have room for supper? Not too full of sea water are you?" Faith teased, making TJ grin.
    In a similar tone he retorted, "I like to think of sea water as more of an appetizer."
    Robin cleared her throat and Faith realized she'd been staring into TJ's eyes. Embarrassed, she shifted her attention to the tall, beautiful blonde woman.
    "I asked," Robin repeated with a smile, her eyes communicating her approval of the dawning attraction between Faith and her son, "how long have you been flying?"
    "Flying?" Fighting the impulse to shake her head to clear it, Faith reached up and touched her pendant, trying to find her center again. "My entire life, really. My grandmother taught me practically since I learned to walk."
    "Really?"
    "She was from America. Texas, to be precise. When she was 19, she flew over to help with the war in Europe. She was in a special band of women they nicknamed the Virtues. She piloted freedom fighters, refugees, and supplies in and out of Nazi occupied France."
    "I know the Virtues," TJ said as he put a hand on the small of her back. "Was Your grandmother Helen Mulberry Green?"
    Faith's eyes widened and she looked back at him. "How is it that you know that?"
    "Of course you're her granddaughter. Her code name was Faith." He looked at her in such a way that she felt her heart rate increase. Quietly, almost privately, he said, "You have her eyes."
    At a loss for words, Faith said, "I'm afraid you very much have the advantage of me, TJ."
    TJ ignored the remark and said, "I would love to talk with you about your grandmother some time. Did she ever tell you about her last mission?"
    Tony laughed and wrapped an arm around his son's tuxedo clad shoulders. "My son is a historian, and that particular conflict is his specialty."
    Faith turned so that she faced Tony. "Is that so?"
    With a nod, TJ slipped his hands into his pockets. "When I was fifteen, I came across a book about Grace Aubertin and what she did in occupied France called Code Name: Grace and I've been hooked ever since. It is absolutely fascinating to me. I've made it my primary course of study in writing my thesis for my Ph.D. The Virtues were amazing and I've collected everything I can on them."
    "Which, alas, has very little to do with operating Viscolli Enterprises," Tony offered with a sigh that was only mostly belied by the loving grin on his face.
    "That's why you have Madeline," TJ said with a laugh. "Leave it all to my baby sister —"
    "Oh, yes. And leave you to your books," Tony said, interrupting him. "I got the message. Despite your difference in age, she'll likely get her MBA before you even finish school."
    Robin apparently decided to change the subject. She slipped her arm through her husband's. "Faith, this air show is Tony's Christmas present to TJ."
    Considering what expenses went into an air show and knowing what Elizabeth charged, Faith couldn't fathom a gift of that kind of extravagance. "I beg your pardon?"
    Tony waved a hand in the air. "It is not entirely just his present. I've worked with the city

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