Moonlight Serenade by Chris Karlsen

Author:Chris Karlsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical romance, World War Two, big bands, Romance, Glenn Miller, Marines, South Pacific, Australia, Battle of Okinawa, War wounds
Publisher: Books to Go Now
Published: 2017-12-04T00:00:00+00:00

THEY ARRIVED AT A PLACE called Summerland Beach just as the sun was setting. The beach was the site of the penguin’s rookery. Caretakers of the rookery set up raised boardwalks and railings that restricted interfering with the animals. Charmaine led them to a spot where they had a perfect view of the ritual parade.

The fairy penguin parade lived up to every wonderful adjective Charmaine used to describe it. At dusk, the tiny creatures waddled out of the sea in parade formation, one after the other, and headed for the rookery.

“Why is that one tiny chap still out there?” Ron asked. “He’s just staring at the open water.”

“One stays behind and acts as a sentry. The designated steward verifies all the flock is out and on their way to the nest for the night.”

None of the human admirers moved, keeping watch with the sentry. Minutes passed, then apparently satisfied everyone was where they were supposed to be, the sentry hopped as much as waddled to the rookery.

“This is delightful,” Ron said. “What fascinating little guys.”

Charmaine smiled up at him. “I adore them. I’m not sure which I’d choose as my favorite animal between the koalas or the penguins. I want to bundle each in my arms and hug them to bits.”

“That’s exactly what I’d like to do to you,” Ron said with a wink. “Great minds and all that.”

“I’ll let you too. Ready to go dancing?”

“I am.”

They walked the short distance to the park. The band Mel of spoke played on a raised gazebo just off the promenade. They were in the middle of a jumping version of Tiger Rag. He should’ve expected the band to be made up of mainly women with the men off to war. The brass section, except for the trombone player being all women was still an unusual sight. He wished Johnnie was there. The trumpet player looked like Betty Grable with a horn. Johnnie would be in hog heaven.

“What’s your favorite song?” Charmaine asked.

“Moonlight Serenade.”

She waited until the band finished and made her request. They struck up the Glenn Miller tune and Charmaine sang the lyrics as they danced. Ron closed his eyes for a few seconds and allowed himself to pretend they were at the Aragon Ballroom. A warm breeze blew off the ocean, Charmaine’s perfume wrapped them in a sensuous floral haze, and in those seconds he pretended there was no more war. There was just Charmaine in his arms.

“I didn’t know there were words to the song until I heard you sing them,” he said, opening his eyes.

They spent the next hour dancing then returned to Mel’s. A café they passed on the way home sold homemade red wine. Ron bought a bottle which they shared while listening to the radio back at the farm.

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