Mercenary Trilogy - Willing Part 29

Josie could tell. The woman was strong, and her att.i.tudes were changing rapidly. She and Abel were just leaving when the doctor arrived on rounds.

He read her chart and then smiled. "You should be able to go home tomorrow." He looked at Daniel. " That is provided she has someone to care for her. I'd like her to stay off that leg for another week and then only mild exercise until the torn muscle has healed."

"I'll make sure she doesn't overdo it."

He hadn't repeated his marriage proposal in the last three days, but his behavior indicated it was on hismind."Good." The doctor put the chart back in the pocket on the wall. "I'll draw up discharge orders for tomorrow morning.""Can I fly?" Josie asked. "I don't want to spend the next five and a half weeks staying in a hotel.""No. I'm sorry, but plane travel would put a lot of stress on the wound, and a long car trip, even with frequent stops, is out of the question for a while as well."

She understood the doctor's reasoning, but she couldn't mask her disappointment. She wanted theprivacy of home."What about a personal jet where she could lie down for most of the journey?" Daniel asked.The doctor's eyes widened. "I can honestly say that's the first time I've been asked that question. If you can arrange such a thing, I don't see any reason for her not to be taken home. Just make sure she hasfollow-up care on her wound with her local doctor.""Will do."The doctor left, and Josie smiled at Daniel. "You think Wolf will fly me back to Portland?"

"No, but he'll fly you to my home."She'd love to see his house. "Do you think you'll have a better chance of keeping me immobile on yourown turf?"

He shook his head, his expression not reflecting her humor back at her. "I think I'll have a better chance of convincing you to marry me."

She wasn't going to need much convincing, but his reasoning intrigued her. "Why?""I'm more than a soldier there, and I hope seeing my house will make you realize I can be somethingother than a warrior."

"I've always known that." She was going to cry again. "I thought you wanted to stick with the soldier'slife.""That was before I had a better one to go to.""Being with me is a better life?"

"Yes.""This isn't about you feeling guilty because I got shot?" she asked, needing to know, hoping desperatelyit wasn't.

He sat down on her bed, putting his hands on either side of her and hemming her in so the rest of the hospital ceased to exist for her. "This is about me not wanting to live the rest of my life without you." He took a deep breath and let it out. "I realized you were right about my mom. She chose to stay with Thunder."

"Like I chose to go on a mission."

"If I'd been physically present in either case, I would have done anything I could to prevent you beinghurt.""I know that, but your mom chose to be with your dad, and I chose to go on the mission.""Will you choose to spend the rest of your life with me?"Her heart twisted at the emotion in his voice and the warmth in his eyes. "You don't have to give up being a soldier for me. I don't need you to change who you are to want to spend the rest of my life withyou. I only have to know you love me.""I do love you."

"I love you, too, Daniel. The man you are, not a man you think you have to be to make me happy.""I don't want to raise my daughters to be soldiers. I don't want my sons to feel that's their onlyalternative in life. I've been a mercenary for a long time, and I'm ready to give you the normal life youwant."

She cupped his face, her heart in her eyes. "Life with you will be normal for me.""I've already talked to your dad. He's ready to shut the school down. He doesn't want to rebuild.""But what will he do?" Her dad didn't know anything but being a soldier."He's going to move to his house in Nevada and get to know that woman on the plane. They've talked on the phone every day since we've been here. She knows more about you than I do. She runs a garden

nursery, and your dad has developed a sudden interest in plants and how to grow them."

It was too much to take in all at once, but the idea that her dad might have found something to live for besides training other soldiers was a nice one.

She smiled. "He's not going to get blown up growing flowers.""I talked to Wolf and Hotwire. I want to do more than design high-level security alternatives. We could work together on some projects, but our businesses would be separate. They think I could make it as an architect."

She knew that like her, he probably had enough money in savings to last a lifetime, but they'd both make

lousy lounge lizards. "I know you can.""So, will you take a chance on me?""You were so against marriage, so sure you didn't want kids and all you ever did want was to be a soldier. Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes." He kissed her, his mouth warm and possessive on hers. "I needed that. Look, Josette, I spent most of my life afraid that underneath all the self-discipline I was a man just like my father. But then I

realized that the self-discipline was what made me different."

"But you're nothing like your dad. Even when you had a temper, you didn't take it out on people smallerthan you.""You're right, but I'd spent so much of my life being told I was the image of him, I had this belief deep down that meant more than just physical appearance.""But-"He kissed her again. Quick and hard. "Shh...I know. I'm not like him, and I will never hurt you or our children. I've spent too many years learning to control myself, but when that little boy shot you, I knew.""Because you realized you loved me?""Because even though he had hurt the person I loved most in the world, and I was so furious I could have spit nails, I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want to take my anger out on him.""Oh, Daniel...""He's starting trauma counseling, did his mom tell you?""Yes.""Anyway, if I didn't hit that kid, I'll never hit one of my own.""According to his mom, you were really careful with him.""He was just a little child, doing what he thought his daddy would want him to.""His daddy probably did."Daniel shrugged. "His mom doesn't, and she's the one that's going to be raising him for the next few years. His dad is one of the society's members who is facing a long prison sentence.""She's got to be hurting so much right now.""She married the wrong man.""And now she's paying for it.""Like my mom did, but, Josette, I'm not the wrong man for you."She curled her arms around his neck and moved until her lips were brushing his. "I know that, Daniel. I'

ve known that since the night you made me your woman. You were so gentle, so careful not to hurt me and to make it special. I've been in love with you a long time, Daniel, but that night it became irrevocable.

"It took me forever to realize what I felt was love."

"I wasn't that quick on the uptake myself."

"At least you said it."

"So did you."

"But I waited so long, you had a hard time believing me."

"I believe you now."

"I love you, Josette." Then his lips molded hers in a kiss that sealed the words in her heart forever.

They were married four weeks later. Josie finally got to meet Daniel's sergeant major, and she understood why her new husband respected the older man so much. Claire was her single attendant, wearing the first dress Josie had ever seen her in and her grandmother's locket.

Hotwire had found it in a drawer in the office and brought it back to her.

Her dad brought his new wife with him. He'd married the woman he met on the plane a scant week after his return to Nevada. He'd told Josie he was too old to waste time like Daniel had. She'd laughed, unable to believe the difference in her father since he started training plants instead of soldiers.

But the difference in her own life was even more phenomenal. Daniel had asked her if she wanted to run the business side of his new venture into personal home design, and she had agreed. She was going to finish her degree remotely, and she and Daniel had decided to start a family right away.

She'd thought that staying with Daniel would mean giving up her dreams, but instead he was making each and every one of them come true. She'd given him a new name in the language of his people-Dream Maker, because Angry Warrior did not fit him any longer.

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A short time later, Julius and Amanda dismounted before the house and were met at the door by a young manservant.

"The Marquis of Darley and Lady Bloodworth," Julius said. "Come to see Lord and Lady Grafton."

"I'll see if my lord and lady are in."

"No need. We're old friends," Julius had no intention of being turned away. He gestured the man forward.

The servant had no choice, of course, as Julius well knew.

Moments later, the flunkey opened the drawing room door and announced their names.

Lady Grafton looked up from penning a letter and went pale.

Taking note of their hostess' stunned look, Amanda quickly said, "I thought I'd take the opportunity to call on you, Lady Grafton." Advancing into the drawing room with a warm smile, she added, "My family has a race box in Newmarket. I believe you know the marquis." She glanced at Julius who had followed her in. "I hope we're not intruding."

"No-that is...my husband is at the stables. I'll have him summoned." Elspeth turned to her maid as she rose to meet her guests, high color having replaced her pallor. "Sophie, have Lord Grafton called in."

"No need to interrupt his lordship," Amanda smoothly interposed. "We won't stay long. We were out for a ride and found ourselves near your house."

"I'm sure Lord Grafton would like to see you," Elspeth countered, signaling her maid to fetch the earl. She couldn't chance he'd find out later that she'd had guests without his permission. "Would you like tea?" It was impossible not to observe the social graces, although she found herself hoping her visitors might refuse.

"That would be lovely," Amanda replied with a smile.

"Sophie, tea as well," Elspeth ordered, trying to avoid eye contact with the marquis. She could feel her cheeks flushing with embarra.s.sment. Or excitement. Or something else entirely.

"What a lovely view," Amanda exclaimed, walking over to the row of windows overlooking a bucolic vista of green fields and grazing horses. "Do you have a favorite mount you like to ride?"

Whether intentionally or unwittingly, Amanda's words incited an outrageously lewd image. Struggling to displace her wholly inappropriate thoughts, Elspeth found herself at a loss for words.

Aware of Lady Grafton's overlong silence, Julius smoothly interposed, "I've been trying to persuade Lady Grafton to take Skylark out for a ride."

Amanda spun around. "Skylark? You'll absolutely adore him! He's powerful and swift, yet gentle as a lamb. Tell her, Julius, how he took me over ten miles at top speed without even breathing hard."

"He has enormous staying power. It's characteristic of the Atlas Barb breed. You'd enjoy trying him out, Lady Grafton."

Elspeth tried not to misinterpret the marquis's comments. Get a grip, she told herself. Everyone was simply discussing horses and she was reacting like an agitated adolescent to the most benign remarks. "If it were possible, I'm sure I'd enjoy riding Skylark, my lord. However, we lead a quiet life since my husband's illness. But thank you for the offer. Won't you sit down," she politely offered when she would have preferred pushing her guests out the door and avoiding any further complications. From her husband and otherwise.

"Oh, look!" Amanda exclaimed, gazing out the window. "The most precious basket of violets! I adore violets!" Contriving a moment alone for Julius, she opened the terrace door and stepped outside to inspect the willow basket on the bal.u.s.trade.

"Why did you come?" Elspeth hissed the second Amanda closed the door behind her. "I'm sorry-how rude...please forgive me," she stammered, blushing furiously at her graceless behavior. "I shouldn't have said-I mean...I don't know what came-"

"I couldn't stay away." Uncharacteristically blunt words for the marquis who only played at love. And if Grafton wasn't about to appear at any moment, Julius would have taken her in his arms and kissed away her trepidation.

"You shouldn't have come. He might-that is...you don't understand my...situation." Nervously surveying the door to the hallway, Elspeth visibly trembled. "My husband"-she took a sustaining breath -"is very difficult."

"I'm sorry." She was so obviously alarmed he felt a twinge of conscience-a rarity for him. This frightened child was clearly not equipped to undertake any amorous games. He shouldn't have come. "I' ll fetch Amanda and we'll be on our way," he offered, moving toward the terrace door.

"No."

It was the merest whisper. His pulse quickened despite his newfound conscience and he turned back.

"G.o.d help me-for not having more restraint," she breathed, her hands clasped tightly to still their tremors. "I shouldn't be talking to you or even thinking what I'm thinking or-"

"Will your husband be here soon?"

She nodded, a jerky, skittish movement.

"We'll talk later, then," he calmly said when he wasn't feeling calm in the least. When he was contemplating taking the lovely Lady Grafton to bed and keeping her there until he'd had his fill or couldn 't move or both. "Please, sit down." Offering her a chair with a wave of his hand, he swiftly walked to the windows, knocked on a pane and beckoned Amanda in. Turning back, he smiled. "Don't be nervous," he gently said. "Relax. We're just here on a friendly visit. Tell me something about your father's parish. I understand he was a vicar."

The marquis's voice was incredibly soothing, as though they were indeed friends. She felt an instant lessening of her anxiety. "I suppose you do this all the time," she murmured, taking a seat. "Rumor has it, you're-"

"I never do this," he said. In fact, the mindless craving he was experiencing was so outre, he thought he might still be feeling the aftereffects of last night's drink. Taking a seat a respectable distance away, he added with almost an unbecoming brusqueness, "You affect me in a most unusual way."

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"W ell, this is it." Julie Kay tossed her keys on the kitchen counter. "Home sweet h.e.l.l."

"It's nice," he commented, glancing around the small house she rented from her brother-in-law. "I used to live in Inver, back when I was a student at the U."

"Yeah, what, six weeks ago?"

"Oh, you're hilarious."

"I hate apartments. I always feel like a bee in a hive. So when my brother-in-law moved into a bigger place, he let me rent this one. It's worked out for everyone."

"Mmm." Scott was prowling around the living room and dining area like a big, brunette panther. "I have an apartment, and I know what you mean. But I'm almost never there."

"Where are you?"

"Work, usually. That's why I was really glad when you decided to go out with me. I mean, I have no social life."

"But you're so..." Gorgeous. Delicious. Fabulous. Tall. "...smart."He shrugged. "I was always the tallest kid in my cla.s.s, and the skinniest. But I was bad at sports. So who'd want to go out with a big gork like me?"

Oh, I dunno, anyone with half a brain?

"Uh, let me see if I can find something better than my old cardigan." She turned to go into her bedroom,but he came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder, gently turning her around."It's fine," he said. "It's the least of my problems, believe me. What the h.e.l.l am I going to do about that poor guy at the restaurant?"

"Uh...well, I...uh..." Blue eyes were filling her world, her universe. They were getting closer and closer.There was nothing else: no house, no living room, no cardigan, no dead guy.She felt his lips on hers and she put her arms around him-she could hardly reach, his shoulders were so broad. Her mouth opened beneath his and his tongue touched hers, tentatively and then with more a.s.surance, licking her teeth and nibbling her lower lip. She pulled and the cardigan was on the floor, and her hands were running across his fine chest, and...

(Dead guy, dead guy!) ...she yanked herself away. "Stop that! This is totally inappropriate!""Hey, you kissed me.""I did not!" Oh, wait. Maybe she did. "Well, it doesn't matter. This isn't the time or place.""I know. That's why I didn't kiss you. Although, I have to say," he added cheerfully, "I've been dying to all night. But you're right, this isn't the right time. Bad, sweetie.""Oh, like you were really fighting it!""It seemed rude to give you the brush-off," he said, sounding wounded. "You know, me being a guest in your home and all.""Well, never mind that. Let's stay focused. Put your sweater back on.""I didn't take it off," he grumbled, but did as she asked."Let's figure this out. We have to be back there in fourteen hours. So, if you didn't kill the guy-""Charley Ferrin."She gasped. "You know him?""No, no." He held his hands up, palm out. "Calm down, don't have a coronary.""I'll have one if I d.a.m.n well please!""It's not like that. Detective Hobbes told me his name. I swear, I have no idea who he is. The name meant nothing to me."

"Okay, okay." She forced herself to calm down. He was right, this was no time to burst a blood vessel. "So, if you didn't do it, who did? Who had a motive and could do it quick, and avoid the cops, and stickyou with a murder charge?"

"Honey, I got nothin'. I've been trying to figure it out all night. I was minding my own business, waiting

for you, and the next thing I know, I'm wearing handcuffs. And not in a good way."She felt the blood rush to her face as she pictured him cuffed to her headboard. "All right. Did youoverhear any arguments? See anybody fighting? Anything weird at all?"