Martie gave little Beth a hug and told her to make friends with the older girl and that the older lady would look after them while she was at work. Beth seemed to understand, and left Martie’s side for the first time since she had arrived, allowing Martie to follow Preston. Preston noted that the first medical tent was already quite warm, with heat generated by several gas heaters.

They had already connected the hospital electricity to his generator, but he didn’t have time to check it right now. He and Martie ran across the tarmac just in time to see the fourth C-130, about three or four miles out over the lake, just a few moments away from turning into its final approach. The sergeant was also preparing himself for the reception. He was the senior military person on base, apart from the new doctor.

“Do we have a red carpet?” Preston asked Martie.

“No,” she replied. “The only moveable carpet we own you already sent somewhere into Washington this morning. By the way, I saw what we were looking for. There are ten trucks with about 30 to 40 guys, and they should be turning off I-95 in about 30 minutes to an hour.”

“You did?” he suddenly stopped and looked at her. They were right in the middle of the runway, but the news stopped him short and he just looked at her for a second. The roar of the incoming plane shook him out of his surprise. “Let’s get off here! You tell the general that as soon as you can!”

They ran off the runway in the direction of the house as a groggy looking Will Smart came out of the back door, moaning to Maggie about foul play. “Get yourselves together, and Maggie, get inside and tell everybody that the President of the United States is less than a minute out. Go!” Preston shouted to them, and Maggie looked at him in surprise. Preston looked at Will and laughed. “Will, buddy, you are an experienced pilot, I’ve heard. Martie is willing to give you flying lessons anytime you want. Ever meet the president?”

“No,” replied Will, still groggy.

“Well, I’ll take you over. You look a mess, but then we all do,” he said, and helped Will over to Sergeant Perry, who was now standing with 30 or so men in three lines ready to welcome the President.

There were sudden exits from all doors as people came running, Michael pushing Grandpa Roebels in the wheelchair from the direction of the house. Carlos and the whole Wang family came out from the hangar’s side door. Joe, David, and their team were just pulling into an area by the house, and several dozen soldiers were running in all directions to man their guns and secure the main gate.

Preston beckoned over to Joe and his group as they came to a dusty halt, and he smiled as he looked over everyone. Martie joined him at his side and the rest of the Air Force pilots ran over to join them. Everybody was grubby and most of the uniformed troops were missing bits of uniform here and there, but they were as ready as they would ever be. Joe and his group ran over and asked what was going on.

“Joe, get your boys lined up and you, David, stand by Martie and me. All civilians listen up! Please get into an orderly group, like our troops over there. We are about the welcome the President of the United States!” Preston turned just in time to see the tires of Air Force One touchdown on his little runway in North Carolina.

The troops stood at attention as the aircraft passed them; it turned in at the end of the runway, came in, and turned in front of the gas tanks to come to a halt facing north before the pilot let its engines go quiet and opened the side door.

General Allen was the first to disembark, giving the President of the United States a hand with the small jump to the ground. An older man was helped out next, and then Carlos’s father, three Colombian-looking bodyguards, and finally Buck and Barbara came out. In his head, Preston was just hoping that there were enough beds in the hangar for all the people spilling out of the airplane!

There were shouted orders from Sergeant Perry, and the troops did what troops do when the president arrived. The president smiled at everyone and he and the older man walked over with General Allen to be introduced to the civilians.

Preston and Martie were first. “Mr. President, I’d like to introduce you to the owners of this farm, Mr. Preston Strong and Ms. Martie Roebels,” the general said. All parties shook hands.

“I’ve heard you guys are having more action down here than I’m seeing at the White House, so I hope you don’t mind my visit,” the president said with his world-famous smile.

“If I’d known you were coming, sir, I would have built a Presidential Suite for you,” replied Preston, grinning.

“It would have only taken us a week, Mr. President. General Allen could have given us a little more notice,” added Martie, also smiling at the president and winking at the general. “General, I need to speak to you about our now confirmed incoming visitors as soon as possible.”

“Okay, let’s get the introductions done,” the general replied. “Preston, you know everybody here, could you please introduce the president and his friends to all these fine folk while I have a conversation with your lady here? Preston, Martie, this is Carlos’ uncle, Uncle Philippe, the Colombian Ambassador to the United States, and Carlos’ father, Manuel.” They all shook hands.

“I’ve heard many good things about you, Preston and Martie,” the ambassador said as he greeted them. “Carlos really appreciates your friendship. These are my bodyguards—actually, family— Manuela, Mannie, and Dani.” The bodyguards quickly moved and stood with Carlos.

It was now up to Preston to introduce the president and ambassador to the rest of those in attendance. General Allen, anxious about the president’s safety, took Martie by the arm and led her away to talk.

The introductions were first made to all the civilians, and the president was extremely interested in his introduction to Lee Wang and family. Once the president had met everyone, Preston took him over to meet the troops while Carlos explained to his uncle and father who Lee and his family were. Preston introduced the president to Captains Powers and Watkins, who introduced him to the other pilots. The pilots spoke with their Commander-in-Chief for a few minutes and then Captain Powers introduced him to First Sergeant Perry, who in turn introduced him to each of the troops at attention.

By this time, the general was back and asked all personnel to move into the hangar where it was warm. It was time for a meeting. He asked First Sergeant Perry to attend and for volunteers to find snacks and drinks—it was going to be a long meeting. Joe enlisted some soldiers to follow him and his boys to the trailer and get several tables and chairs out of the back.

“Quite a set-up you have here, Preston,” the president stated, walking down the runway with its owner, a totally free man for the first time since he had become president four years earlier. He was without his bodyguards hounding him every step of the way. The perimeter was now secure, the defenses on the road nearly complete, and he wanted some fresh air while everybody was getting ready for the meeting. Both men spent a few minutes inspecting the old aircraft. Preston walked with the president, as did Oliver and the puppy. “It took a bit of money to get all this together.”

“It did, Mr. President,” he replied. “My father was the co-pilot on the flight that went down over Lockerbie, Scotland, and the settlement money helped fund my airport.”

They quickly went over each aircraft. The two remaining Mustangs were parked next to the hospital tents on the south side of the old barn facing the runway, and the P-38 was next to them. The president was impressed. The FedEx Cargomaster was the last one on that side.

“You are doing FedEx deliveries these days?” the president queried.