by Karina Bliss
He was an hour and a half early for their dinner date, had puzzled the dogs by feeding them midafternoon and done the absolute minimum in terms of work. But he was in love for the first time in his life and incapable of staying away. He’d arrived with some idea of wooing her into marriage—women loved that stuff—but the moment he saw her, half-naked in the sun getting reacquainted with her body, he’d wanted her.
Good thing she wanted him.
The sex was hard and fast and furious and when they were done, the lime-green bedcover was on the floor. So were all the pillows. One hand holding Jo, Dan groped for a blanket and covered their bare asses. Jo chuckled. “You still have your shoes on.”
What do you know? He did. “And they’re hanging off the bed. How do you sleep in this thing?”
“When I move I’ll buy a new one.”
“You won’t need to,” he reminded her. “You’ll be sleeping in mine.”
“Sometimes I will, sometimes I’ll be in my own bed.”
“Are you deliberately trying to piss me off?”
Jo sat up, pulling the blanket around her shoulders. “Getting angry isn’t going to change my mind about marrying you.”
Dan pulled her against his chest. “Then tell me what will.”
“Nothing,” she said firmly. But he didn’t believe her. There had to be something. She was right in one thing, though. Anger wouldn’t get him anywhere.
“We’ll work this out,” he said, because women like to hear a guy being reasonable. Jo gave him a squeeze of approval.
“I saw Mum today,” he said, wanting another one. Pathetic. Love was making him pathetic. “You should have warned me about her hair.”
“I hope you told her you liked it.”
“Even Blue barked at her.”
“Dan!” But he felt her silent laughter against his body. One of her feathery curls tickled his chin; he wrapped it around his index finger. “You didn’t cut your hair to this length, did you?” he said quietly.
“No. I wore a wig when it started falling out during chemo, then when it grew in enough, appeared with a radical new style. It came back wavy though. Chemo does that sometimes.”
“I like it.” Gently, Dan kissed the soft, baby-fine strands, but he was unsettled.
Jo stirred. “We need to talk about canceling the wedding.”
“No. We’ll only argue again.” Getting up, he straightened his clothing and pulled up the zip on his jeans. “Here’s an idea. Let’s give ourselves some breathing space for a week. Enjoy this. Then we’ll review.”
“Meanwhile you’ll carry on organizing the wedding,” she said dryly. “I don’t think so.”
He sat on the bed. “I promise I won’t do a single thing on the wedding. It all stops.”
“All right,” she said. “But only if I get ten minutes a day—no interruptions—to argue my case for cancellation.”
“We both do.”
She sighed. “Fine.”
“Our days are too busy to spend any real time together.” He picked a dress out of her wardrobe, one he’d always liked. “I’m thinking nights.”
“Sleepovers?” The way she said it made him want to get naked again.
“With Herman away, they’ll have to be at the farm.” When she looked suspicious he said patiently, “Jo, you have a single mattress.”
She still wavered.
“Tell you what,” he said. “I’ll forgo my ten minutes’ talking for it.” He’d do his persuading in bed. Their bed.
“Give me your ten minutes and we have a deal.”
She really thought she had a shot at talking him out of this. He tried not to be offended.
“Tough negotiator,” he said bitterly.
“You know the saying…all’s fair in love and war.”
“Glad we understand each other.”
“Dan,” she dropped the sheet and came over, soft, naked and vulnerable. “You will keep an open mind about this, won’t you?”
“If you will,” he said and watched his soft, naked and vulnerable bride look away.
“Of course.” She kissed him. He kissed his little Judas in return.
“And you won’t go organizing the wedding behind my back, will you?”
“I promise,” he said.
There was nothing left to do.
* * *
“I am picking up a hottie tonight.” Her red dress swirling around her sturdy calves, Delwyn shimmied off the dimly lit dance floor and wiggled into the booth next to Jo, smelling of peach schnapps and Anais Anais.
Gulping at her cocktail, she flicked her long dark hair, fired a lopsided wink at a group of guys at the bar and repeated her new mantra, “Being single is the bes’ thing ever.”
She’d talked Jo into a quiet drink at Shaker’s after work, drained two cosmopolitans, then pulled a compilation CD of female empowerment anthems out of her handbag and persuaded the DJ to play them.
Mired in her own Mexican standoff with Dan, Jo hadn’t the heart to say no to Delwyn’s post-Wayne recovery plan, even when her sales rep dragged in fresh recruits—Dan’s sister Meredith and Pat, who’d been having a quiet dinner in the adjoining restaurant.
So far, they’d danced to “Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves,” “Ladies’ Night” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Three of the four were drunk. And it was only 8:15 p.m.
Resolutely, Jo pushed her cocktail aside in favor of her water glass. Delwyn plonked her highball on the table and frowned. “Why aren’t you drinking your Sloe Comfortable Screw?”
Across the circular table, Meredith smothered a laugh, drawing the sales rep’s attention. “See, Merry, Merry—” leaning forward, she tucked her bright pink cocktail parasol behind Meredith’s ear “—I told you it’s fun be’n’ unattached.”
Dan’s younger sister was a very pretty woman but with her dark hair pulled into a tight ponytail and wearing a conservative yellow blouse, the gaudy parasol made her look like a spinster on her last prayer.
At the reminder that she’d just separated from her husband, Merry sucked on her straw like it was an intravenous drip delivering morphine. The sound spurred Delwyn to another slug of her own drink. “Wonder what Wayne’s doing?” she said sadly.
The mechanic had put down his tools and listened politely when Jo had tried to mediate, then equally politely told her to mind her own business. “Like I’m minding mine with you and Dan.”
She couldn’t argue with his logic. “Just keep the lines of communication open,” she’d advised. “That’s how we’re working things out.” Yeah, right. She’d left the garage feeling like a hypocrite. As friends she and Dan had always been able to work through stalemates, but as lovers they were treading new ground—all of it mined.
Jo found herself reaching for her cocktail again and in desperation, picked up a congealing cheesy potato wedge from the shared bowl on the table.
Spending more time with Dan had only reinforced her conviction that they should wait. He barely slept, worked himself to the bone and made love with an intensity that initially made Jo wonder if, despite his optimism about her cancer, the possibility of a recurrence haunted him. When she’d raised the subject he’d finally admitted he was fighting depression over Steve and Lee’s deaths.
His unresolved guilt was another good reason not to get married, but he flat out refused to talk about it again. It was sensible to wait and Dan didn’t want to be sensible. He wanted to throw himself into commitment. And while Jo loved him for his courage, she wouldn’t be swept into doing something that might be the opposite of what he needed.
Desperate for a cocktail, Jo crunched on a piece of ice.
Delwyn’s gold bangles rattled as she plonked her empty highball on the table. “So anyway, Merry, all I’m saying is, why buy the pig, all for a li’l saus—” She broke off, her brown eyes lighting up as “It’s Raining Men” started booming over the sound system. “Oh, I love this song. I hope the male stripper uses it.”
Jo choked on her i
ce. “You ordered a stripper? For tonight?”
“Why should I miss out jus’ because I’m not having a hen night anymore?”
“Does Anton know?” She looked for the bar manager, spotted him polishing glasses.
“Phfft,” said Delwyn.
From the dance floor, Dan’s mother hollered drunkenly, “Girls, get out here!”
Meredith shrank into her seat. “Not again.”
“Coming!” called Jo and shoved Delwyn out of the booth. “You got her this way, you go dance with her.” Obligingly, Delwyn boogied on over, snagging a couple of guys en route.
Jo signaled Anton and broke the good news about the stripper. Shaking his head, he reached for his cell. On the dance floor Pat started a conga line, her platinum hair swinging. Her daughter watched in awe.
“I’ve never seen Mum like this,” Meredith confided. “I’m starting to think she might actually care about Dad…I mean as a person, not just out of habit.”
Jo knew what she meant. For Pat to loosen up meant a seismic shift was taking place. “I really hope they work it out.” It seemed unlikely. Herman had only returned with Merry and her two kids a couple of days ago and was avoiding his estranged wife.
Noticing Meredith twisting her wedding ring, Jo asked gently, “Any chance of reconciliation for you and Charlie?”
Meredith shook her head and sucked so hard on her straw that the ice rattled in the bottom of her glass. “I need another one of these.” No one knew the details of her separation, not even her twin in New York.
“Here.” Jo slid her untouched cocktail across the table. “Have mine.”
Emboldened by alcohol, Merry finally asked the question Jo knew she’d been dying to. “Are you really going to stand my brother up at the altar next week?”
“It won’t come to that,” she said firmly. “Ross will help me talk sense into him.” Jo glanced at her watch. “Dan is picking him up from the bus station now. They should be here any minute.”
Ross was Jo’s last hope. If he wouldn’t help convince Dan to cancel the wedding, she’d leave town the day before the ceremony.
Meredith glanced nervously at the door. “They’re coming here?”
“We’re going to need reinforcements with Pat.”
Merry scrambled for her bag. “I’m calling a cab.”
“Relax,” said Jo. “I know he’s Charlie’s brother but we’re talking the Iceman, remember? Ross will be cool. And only an idiot would hold you responsible for the breakup.”
Meredith began twisting her wedding ring. “The thing is,” she began, then stopped as her mother bopped toward them.
“Get ready for some action, girls. The stripper’s finally arrived.”
Looking to where Pat was pointing, Jo saw Delwyn approaching a muscle-bound hunk standing at the door. “This is going to be interesting.”
The new arrival stepped into the light and Pat stifled a tipsy giggle. “Oh, how funny!”
Meredith gulped. “Ross,” she said faintly.
Delwyn cupped a hand to her mouth and yelled a question above the music. Ross inclined his head and listened politely. One corner of his mouth twitched, but otherwise nothing about the Iceman’s demeanor suggested he was being asked if he got naked for a living.
He might have the body for it but to Jo everything about Ross Coltrane screamed soldier, from his bearing and close-cropped dark hair to the uncompromising line of his jaw. He lifted his gaze and met hers. Even his eyes were battleship gray.
Of all the men in Dan’s SAS family, Ross was the one Jo liked least.
“I’ve never understood the appeal of the strong silent type,” she confessed when Dan first asked what she thought of his troop mate. He’d killed himself laughing.
“That’s because you’re so alike. Both smart, pigheaded, loyal and laws unto yourselves.” Jo hadn’t appreciated that.
But now, seeing the gaunt cheekbones and heavy limp as Ross started toward her, she swallowed a lump in her throat. He’d hate pity as much as she did, so she forced herself to keep her welcoming hug casual. “Just in time to buy the next round, Coltrane.”
“Is that before or after I take my clothes off?”
“I thought you guys were trained to multi-task?”
The music stopped as the DJ took a break. Ross’s grin faded as he caught sight of Meredith. Ignoring her, he turned to greet Pat, who was tugging on his arm with tipsy dismay. “Oh, Ross, my poor boy, sit down. You look terr—”
“Mom,” Dan cut in harshly as he joined them, and Pat recollected herself. Swaying slightly, she patted her hair, as though aware of her dishevelment.
“Ignore me, Ross,” she said with dignity. “I’m a little drunk.” She saw her son’s disapproval and giggled. “Oh, lighten up,” she said. “We’ve having such fun. We’ve been dancing and drinking…what was it again, sweetie?”
Delwyn moved closer to Ross. “A Sloe Comfortable Screw,” she told him. “Against the Wall, with a Kiss. That’s with Galliano and Amaretto.”
Dan half groaned, half laughed. “No wonder you’re all tanked.” He sat beside Jo and dropped a kiss on her mouth. His lips were cold from being outside. In the overheated fug of the bar, he smelled of fresh air and cypress. He was breaking her heart. “It’s encouraging to see you’re still sober.”
“I’m trying to take a more mature approach to my troubles these days.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Three drunken and unhappy women frowned at her.
“C’mon, Pat.” Delwyn tucked her arm through her new best friend’s. “Les’ go ask the DJ if he’ll play ‘Girls Jus’ Wanna Have Fun’ again.”
Ross sat down next to his sister-in-law. “Don’t you want to join them?” He tweaked the parasol behind her ear.
Blushing, Meredith yanked it out. “Delwyn put it there.”
Jo frowned at Ross. “Merry’s been a really good sport about this.”
“I’ll bet.”
Chapter Fifteen
Dan looked between his sister and his friend. “Am I missing something?” Normally they got on like a house on fire.
Merry folded her arms. “Have I told you, Danny, how much I appreciate you staying out of my marriage?”
Ross narrowed his eyes. “If that’s a dig at me for taking my brother—”
“Taking him in is fine.” Merry turned on him. “It’s the advice I object to!”
He snorted. “The facts pretty much speak for themselves, so don’t play pious—”
Reaching across the table, Dan laid a hand on his friend’s forearm. “Why don’t you go get the beers?” Without another word, Ross stood and limped toward the bar.
Dan looked at his sister. “What the hell was that about?”
She deflated like a balloon. “Call me a cab.”
“When I’ve got answers.”
Knowing it wouldn’t work on him, Merry looked plaintively at Jo.
His lover folded. “I’m on it.” She nudged him to let her out of the booth. “Be gentle,” she murmured as she passed. Tonight she wore a navy jersey dress that flowed over every curve and as Dan watched her walk away he noticed he wasn’t the only male appreciating that. Sorry, guys, she’s taken.
Jo didn’t know yet that Ross was Dan’s best man. Like she didn’t know that the first of their wedding guests were arriving tonight. Of course, he’d expected to have his reluctant bride on side by now. He should have guessed she’d be stubborn about this.
Dan returned his attention to his little sister, wishing her twin were here to sort her out. But Viv was in New York designing costumes for a Broadway show that opened next week.
“Talk to me,” he said more quietly, following Jo’s advice. “What don’t I know about this breakup?”
Tears brimmed in her big brown eyes. “Please, Danny, I can’t cope with a postmortem right now.”
“Okay,” he said reluctantly and handed her a cocktail napkin. “But whatever it is, I’m on your side.”
Merry dabbed he
r eyes. “Even though one of your best mates is on the other?”
That could be a problem, but it wasn’t hers. “Ross and I will work it out.”
Jo waved from the door.
“Taxi’s here, go get your coat. I’ll make sure Mum gets home safely.”
Tortured singing drew their attention to the dance floor. Arms around each other, Pat and Delwyn were singing at the top of their voices, “…take from me… Herman an’ Wayne can’t trample on our digg-ni-ty.”
“Oh, God.”
“I’ll send Dad,” Merry promised. Herman was babysitting his grandkids.
“Maybe seeing her like this will shock some sense into him.”
“I hope so.”
Merry gave him a hug before she left. “You’ve got enough on your plate talking Jo into the wedding. I won’t let Ross rile me again.”
“I’ll talk to him, don’t worry.”
He waited until his sister joined Jo then strode to the bar where Ross had lined up two beers on the brushed steel surface. What concerned Dan most was that a year ago the Iceman would have kept his feelings to himself.
Ross had been so badly injured that medics hadn’t thought he’d live, let alone walk. But like Jo, the guy didn’t recognize limitations. His relentless reconditioning regime was driven by the burning ambition to return to active service.
He’d always been the consummate soldier, totally professional, dispassionate, even clinical in his duties. Ross would never let something as paltry as emotion ride him. Now he seemed to slow-burn with a cold rage that worried his superiors. As yet, they didn’t need to make a decision about active duty, but when they did…and if they consulted Dan…
He rubbed his temple, knowing he’d have to argue against his friend’s redeployment. One ambush, two deaths and the course of so many people’s lives changed.
Dan pulled up a stool. “Mind explaining why you’re picking on my sister?”
“Charlie’s really hurting over this.”
“And Merry’s not?” His friend’s mouth tightened. “Oh, c’mon, Ross, this is Saint Meredith we’re talking about. She’s been running after your little brother since the day they met.”
“Hey, he’s never asked her to.”