Heart of a Marine (The Wounded Warrior Series Book 1) (27 page)

Still, he remained quiet because he was sure to say the wrong thing if he tried to comfort her. He held her as best he could with the damn console digging into his hip bone and stroked her back.

After an eternity of him getting sicker by the minute, she wiped her face with her fingers and dropped her head against his neck. A wave of relief went through his chest when he felt her relax. “Better?”

She nodded.

Not sure how long they’d sat there, all he could do was wait for her to compose herself. Finally she pulled away and said, “I have to blow my nose. I need a tissue.”

He chuckled and handed her the tail of his shirt. “This is the best I can do, honey. I can go inside and grab some napkins if you want.”

She reached for the latch on the glove box. “Maybe John has some in here.” She shrieked and slammed back against the seat like she’d encountered a rattlesnake.

His heart stopped for a split second. “What?”

“There’s a gun in there.”

“Dad has a CCP. I should have looked before I took the car.”

“A CCP?”

“Concealed carry permit. Don’t worry, it has a safety, you can’t fire it accidentally. Takes a lot of strength to release it.”

She leaned into him and wiped her face on his shirttail. “Sorry. You offered.”

“I guess I can’t complain. What say we go inside and have a cup of coffee?”

“OK, how do I look? And don’t say beautiful!” She wiped her fingertips under her eyes and smoothed down her wild hair.

“Like you got smacked in the kisser with a two by four. Come on, who cares?” He opened his door and stepped out. Leading with his left leg wasn’t ideal, but unless he moved to Britain, where the steering wheels were on the right side, he was stuck with the situation. He leaned in. “You coming?”

She pushed her door open. “Yes.”

He met her at the back of the car, took her hand, and they walked into the fast food place together.

She smiled when he carried a tray to the table with two cups of coffee, two soft drinks, and several greasy paper bags containing tacos and burritos. “Looks like this is dinner.”

“Looks like.” He slid onto the bench across from her and set the tray on the table.

She leaned forward on her elbows, cupped her hands around her mouth and whispered, “Don’t let it get around, but I love their tacos.”

He winked. “Something else we have in common. The Mexican guy who owns the Gaggin’ Wagon comes in a pretty close second.”

“Yummy.”

His heart bounced when she ran her left foot up the inside of his right leg. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Red.”

“Oh, I can finish it, you common lowlife laborer.”

When they got to her house, he asked if it was OK if he dropped her off and didn’t come inside. “I promised Dad I’d have his car back before six.”

“That’s fine. Charlene and I need some time to catch up before she leaves. I’ll carry my bag.”

“Don’t you sisters talk about me.”

“No promises.”

“Where shall we have dinner tomorrow? My house or yours?”

“Char and I are taking Rosie out tomorrow evening. It’ll have to be later in the week. You’re starting your new project on Tuesday, aren’t you?”

“Yep. I’ll call you during the day Tuesday if I can find the time. First few days are pretty hectic.” He prayed she wasn’t giving him the brush-off.

She smiled in a way that set his mind at ease. “No problem. You know where to find me, Dempsey.”

“That I do, Danaher.” When she made a move to open her door, he grabbed her arm. “Don’t even think about leaving me without a kiss to hold me over.”

“Never, lover man. Never.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Charlene’s car wasn’t parked in her driveway. She carried her bag to the porch, set it down, and unlocked her front door. The house was dark and quiet and the message light on the phone flashed. She closed the door, turned on the lights, and pressed the play button.

“Hey, sis, Skipper and I are at my house. Somebody kept calling your phone and hanging up when I answered. I tried to call your cell, but you must have turned it off. There was a blue car that kept driving past the house this morning. It was creepy, so I decided to leave, call me when—”

The message cut off. She needed to change the recording time allowed. Fifteen seconds wasn’t long enough for Charlene’s messages. Tapping *69, she waited while her phone redialed her sister’s number.

“Charlene’s superior doggy sitting service.”

“Hi, Char. I’m back. I’m on my way to your place. Are you going anywhere tonight?”

“Nope. The love of my life is in San Diego, and I’m true blue. Want to have a pajama party?”

“I’m on my way.”

Marla changed clothes, replaced the things in her overnight bag, and turned out the lights. It was full dark outside now, no moon. An icy feeling in the pit of her stomach sent chills down her legs as she was about to turn the doorknob. She put her eye next to the peephole, screamed and reared back when a shadow passed in front of it.

“Marla?” A man’s voice. “Marla, are you there?”

She yanked open the door. “Edwin, are you trying to scare me to death!”

His back stiffened, his expression indignant. “Certainly not. Why would I engage in such a schoolboy prank?”

Was this really the man she’d thought would be her forever after? She sighed and switched on the porch light. “I’m just leaving. What do you want, Edwin?”

“I can only assume you’re rushing back to your unsuitable lover. Is it too much to ask for a minute of conversation?”

She sighed and stepped back. “I’m on my way to Charlene’s for your information, but do come in, we might as well get it over with.”

“Indeed.” He brushed past her.

“Turn on the light in the living room. I need to let Charlene know I’ll be delayed.” She lifted the receiver and redialed Charlene’s number. After a brief conversation, she joined Edwin.

“What do you have to say to me, Edwin?” She sat across from him, hands clasped tightly in her lap.

“I’ve reconsidered my initial reaction to your indiscretion and I think we can repair the breach.”

“My indes—?”

“I accept the premise that I’ve been absent for long periods of time and may have been somewhat aloof and unaware of your physical needs.”

“My phys—?”

“I assure you, I’m fully capable of satisfying your needs. I’m willing to accept a position with my employer that will not require excessive travels. We need to spend more time together.”

“Toge—?”

“I’m quite aware that for a liaison to flourish, for your physical and emotional needs to be satisfied, I shouldn’t travel so much at this stage of our relationship.”

“Our relation—?”

“I’m fully prepared to accept your impropriety and my part in it.”

“Your part?”

“I do believe however, that it is incumbent upon you to fully explain your peccadillo with the construction individual. Who is unfortunately, handicapped.”

“Handicapped!”

“Your mother explained to me that the man was wounded in the lamentable war pursued by our politicians. I know you have a deep love for the country, and no doubt that’s what brought about your untoward lapse in judgment.”

“My lapse in…?”

“So to summarize, Marla, all is forgiven.”

“Forgiven?”

“I would like to resume our relationship as if nothing happened. I am in a far better financial position than the carpenter could hope to aspire, to support you in the future. I’ll give you time to think over my proposition, and I expect you’ll come to the realization that we are a good match.” He stood. “I’ll take my leave.”

He did just that. Marla sat in stunned silence.

* * *

Charlene did a double take. “He said what?” She slapped a hand over mouth and fell back on the sofa laughing through her fingers and kicking her feet in the air.

“Don’t laugh, Char. I’m ashamed of myself.”

Charlene rolled on her side and propped her head in her hand. “Shame is such a colossal waste of time, sis. You are not perfect and all wise. Everybody makes mistakes.”

“But I did disrespect him. The least I could have done is phone him or e-mail him when I started seeing Dwayne. Not let him find out by practically walking in on us.”

“Marla.” Char sat up. “He never respected you. He’s one of those…I don’t know how to label them, but I sometimes have to have an accountant who works under me go over tax returns with clients like him.”

“What do you mean?”

“Men who think because I’m an attractive woman, I couldn’t possibly have a brain in my head. It’s insulting, but it’s their problem, not mine. All I have to do is look at the way they do business to know I’m smarter than them.” She patted the couch. “Come here you little sweetie.”

Skip jumped up and wallowed in her baby talk and ear-scratching.

“I’m keeping your dog.”

“No, you are not.” How lucky she was. Her sister loved her little guy and was always available to babysit. “Get your own.”

“Never mind, I’ll just borrow him once in a while.”

“Char, did you leave my house because you thought it might be Dwayne’s wife calling and driving past?” She wondered whether or not to tell Dwayne about it.

“I don’t know, but you said they had a blue car. I’m more comfortable in my own place anyway.”

“Dwayne asked me to go to his mother’s Wyoming ranch in August. He’s planning to spend a few weeks there when he finishes his new job, and then bring Amber home.”

Char’s eyes widened. “Weeks? Are you going?”

“I told him I couldn’t possibly be gone that long. He suggested I drive up with him and fly home after a week. He’s got a lot of work to do up there, repairing fences and the barn roof. But it would be nice to spend some time with Amber and Kathleen. Did you know Miss Emmaline is there?”

“Yes, Donovan told me. He’ll visit his mom when he gets liberty later this summer. He wants me to come with him. I’ll go and stay as long as he wants me to.”

“What about your job?”

“I’ll tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell anyone, including Dwayne. Do you swear?”

“Have I ever told one of your secrets?” She put a mock expression of insult on her face and stared at Charlene.

“No, but this the biggest secret I’ve ever told you. Do you swear?”

She pinched her lips, rolled her eyes, and crossed her heart. “I swear.”

“Donovan and I are engaged.”

Marla sucked in a startled breath. “When did that happen? When are you getting married? Why is it a secret?”

Charlene hugged herself, sheer joy on her face. “He proposed when we were in Coronado. We decided not to say anything until he makes up his mind about reenlisting, whether to make the Marines his career. We’ll set a date after that decision.”

“Oh, Char. That’s wonderful, but it’s awful. He’ll be gone so much and in danger. How will you stand it?” The thought of Dwayne being sent to some foreign land where he might get killed made her sick to her stomach.

“He’s applying for a stateside job. If he can get the drill instructor assignment he wants, we’ll move to Oahu. He’ll be stationed at the Marine Corps base at Kaneohe.”

A sudden sense of loss engulfed Marla. She and her sister had never lived more than ten miles apart all their lives. Tears sprang into her eyes.

“Sorry.” She waved her hands. “I want to be happy for you, and I am, but Hawaii is so far away. I never thought we’d live so far from each other. Mom and Dad will be devastated.”

“Oh, they will not. They still have you and the boys, and that’s what life is all about isn’t it? Leaving home, moving on?”

“Yes, but…”

“We plan to have lots of kids. Sil and Dadley will love being grandparents. Donovan wants a big family, like Dylan and Grace.” She stared at Marla. “Say something.”

Instead of a verbal reply, Marla went to the couch, sat next to her sister, and hugged her. “All I want is for you to be happy, no matter where you live.” She leaned back and smiled. “You’re my favorite sister after all.”

They changed into their pajamas and sat at the kitchen table to eat ice cream, just like they used to after their parents went to bed.

Charlene said, “You haven’t told me whether or not you liked my thoughtful role-playing gifts.”

“Dwayne did.” Warmth at the memory of last night’s hotel stay spread through her body.

“Yes, and?”

She blushed. “At first I wouldn’t put on the maid’s uniform, but before the night was over, Dwayne forced me to.”

Charlene’s spoon stopped halfway to her mouth. “He forced you?”

“What could I do? He was my employer. I was a lowly maid who couldn’t afford to lose her job.”

“I can’t wait to hear the details.” She leaned forward, elbows on the table and goggled. “Tell me, tell me.”

“I’m not telling you any details, Char, but I will say you got your money’s worth. For both outfits. However, the only one that survived the night was the leopard print silk slip.”

Charlene shrieked, put her hands over her mouth, and rocked back in her chair. “I knew it. I knew it.”

“You knew what?”

“I knew there was a part of you, you didn’t even know about. I’m unashamedly proud of myself.”

Marla laughed. “And how did you know that?”

“I was there when you were born, remember?”

“What? You were only ten minutes old.”

“I’ve always had super instincts. Don’t question me. Was I right or not?”

She flipped a spoonful of ice cream at Charlene. It hit her on the forehead.

“Oh, you want to play that game?”

“Uh, no, I don’t know what came over me.” Her response was too late. Charlene plopped a handful of peanut butter and chocolate on top of her head. And rubbed it in.

Things went downhill from there.

Except for Skipper. He had a great time running between and around the table legs licking up what landed on the floor.

“Stop!” Marla covered her head with her sticky chocolaty hands. “Look at us! I have to take a shower, and Skip needs a bath. I don’t have any other pajamas. Mercy, Char!”

“Not before you admit I’m just as smart as you are.”