With a curt nod Noah returned to the job of sanding the bureau. “Very close.”
“I see.”
“I wish to hell I did. That kiss came out of nowhere, Aly. I haven’t been thinking about Kit in those terms.”
She began to sand again, watching Noah closely. “Maybe you were, but weren’t aware of it.”
“We came together like an explosion. I’ve never been so shaken, Aly. And I’ve had my fair share of relationships. Kissing a woman isn’t something new to me.”
“Kit is different.”
“She sure as hell is.”
With a smile, Aly reached over and patted her brother on the shoulder. “Hang in there. I have a hunch all this will become crystal clear to you after a while.”
Noah wasn’t so sure. He hadn’t been able to forget, much less erase, the kiss he’d shared so hotly with Kit. All night he’d tossed and turned in bed, replaying that molten moment. her mouth had been so soft and inviting, and he’d drowned in her arms for that one stunning moment torn out of time. In a monumental effort to put Kit out of his mind, Noah changed the subject to Aly’s progress at flight school. She complied, telling him about the instructor who was trying to wash her out because she was the sister of a traitor.
It was almost noon when Aly finished talking about the incidents at Pensacola. The bureau had been sanded, and now needed a second sanding with a finer grit. “Why don’t you go help Kit for a while?” Noah suggested, standing and brushing the dust from his jeans.
“Better yet, I’m thirsty. How about if I make us all some lemonade and bring it out to you and her?”
“Sounds great. Thanks.”
Kit was on her hands and knees when Aly came out the front door, bearing two glasses of lemonade. Kit smiled gratefully, sitting back on her heels.
“I was dying of thirst. How did you know?” Kit said, taking the glass. “Thanks.”
“I was getting thirsty out there in the garage, so I figured you were probably even thirstier working out here in the sun.” Aly sat down on the grass, admiring the flowers.
“I’m taking a break.” Kit motioned to the border surrounding the front of the house. “Got half of it weeded so far.”
“I’ll help you with the second half.”
Sipping the sweet, ice-cold lemonade, Kit groaned with satisfaction. “This tastes wonderful.” She wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her arm. “You’re a mind reader like Noah.”
“Oh?”
Kit smiled over at Aly, who sat cross-legged in front of her. “He’s forever surprising me with his ability to know what someone needs.”
Aly sipped the lemonade and nodded. “Noah’s always had a special sensitivity to everyone around him.” She pursed her lips, holding Kit’s friendly gaze. “I imagine working and living together is a bit of a strain on you.”
Absently Kit picked at a few weeds between the marigolds. “In some ways,” she admitted. “I feel I’ve become a real burden to him.”
Snorting, Aly stretched out on her stomach. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to him, Kit.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
Choosing a blade of grass, Aly put it in her mouth and chewed on it thoughtfully. “I’m sure he told you about Morgan and what happened.”
“Yes. Knowing you and Noah, I find it hard to believe that your brother would be capable of such an act.”
“Exactly. Morgan didn’t defect, and he didn’t leave his men to die alone on that hill.” She grimaced. “That aside, the past five years have been hell on all our family. Noah got it broadside because he was already an officer in the Coast Guard. A lot of people went out of their way to try to derail his career because they thought Morgan was a traitor and they wanted to punish a Trayhern for it. Noah became their target.”
“I understand you’ve had your share of hell with that particular item, too,” Kit said, noting the pain in Aly’s eyes.
“Yeah, nobody escaped the full-scale attack by the press and Pentagon,” she muttered bitterly. “Because of it, Noah’s had to double his efforts to keep his record clean. He’s had to become like Superman and overachieve just to be grudgingly accepted by his superiors. I’d hate to add up all the overtime and special assignments he’s taken to keep our name clean and his nose out of trouble.”
Kit frowned, weaving invisible patterns in the short grass where she sat. “You mean he isn’t really a workaholic?”
“No. Have you seen his carpentry out in the garage?”
“Yes, he showed it to me one time. There are some beautiful but unfinished pieces of furniture out there.”
“Precisely. Noah’s been good with woodworking since he was in his teens. At one time he wanted to be a wood craftsman.”
“But family priorities got in the way?” Kit guessed.
“Bingo. Before Morgan disappeared and this whole mess erupted, Noah had his life laid out. He likes the Coast Guard, but loved his woodworking even more. I remember he and I used to talk about his dreams.”
“What dreams?” Kit asked softly, seeing Noah in a new, more positive light.
“Oh, you know.” Aly rolled over on her back, closing her eyes and absorbing the warmth of the July sunlight. “He wanted to make his living doing woodworking. And he wanted a wife who wanted lots of kids, because he loves kids.”
A lump formed in Kit’s throat, and she stared down at the grass. “But then family obligations got in the way.”
“Noah figured he’d put in the mandatory twenty years, retire, then pursue his real dream.” Aly opened one eye and looked over at Kit. “Of course, he wanted to marry and have that passel of kids before that.”
“I see…” Kit said faintly.
“Funny how family tradition can change things,” Aly went on quietly. “I mean, I love the navy, and even more, I love to fly. Noah wasn’t really in love with the military the way Morgan and I were. That’s why he joined the Coast Guard.”
“Because it’s the least militaristic?”
“Right. He’s always been good at helping others, and felt the Coast Guard was a perfect answer for him. They do a lot of rescue work, and he’s happy in that capacity.”
With a sigh, Kit got to her knees and began to pick at the weeds once again. “It looks like we’ve both been trapped by tradition.”
“Noah said he didn’t feel you belonged in police work.”
“He’s right. I wish I’d known that five years earlier.”
Aly slowly got up and came over to join Kit at weeding. “I think being here with Noah is going to be good for you,” she confided. “Let him take care of you. It’s what he’s best at.” A smile filtered through Aly’s serious demeanor. “Right now, you need a little attention and care. And Noah needs someone to care for.”
Chapter Eight
“Thank God it’s Friday and we’ve got the weekend ahead of us,” Kit said, meaning it as she climbed into Noah’s Trans Am. Behind them, the Osprey sat docked in the shadowy dusk.
Noah gave her a quick glance while buckling up. “Ever since Aly visited, all hell has broken loose for us,” he griped. Driving slowly down the parking lot, Noah took off his officer’s cap, tossing it in the back seat.
“Three weeks of incredible work,” Kit added tiredly. “I really think Garcia’s deluging U.S. shores with boats to get our attention so he can make his big drop elsewhere without law enforcement interference.”
“I think you’re right.” Noah turned the car onto the street, heading for the on-ramp to the freeway that would take them home. The Osprey had intercepted at least two boats a day. It was as if someone were sending them in droves toward the Florida coast. His and Kit’s days started before dawn and rarely ended before nine or ten at night.
Kit leaned back and chuckled. “I don’t know if we want Aly to visit this Saturday, Noah. She was the harbinger of all this boat activity,” she teased.
Grinning, Noah nodded. “I’ll tell her it’s all her fault.” His eyes darke
ned. “Are you sure you don’t mind if she visits us again?”
“Of course not. I like your sister.” Aly had been the perfect buffer between Kit and Noah, easing the tension between them. Kit didn’t want to admit that living with him was like a wonderful dream come true. It was as if they were married—without the physical intimacy.
“She thinks an awful lot of you, too.” Noah studied Kit’s face in the light and darkness for a moment. Ever since she had cried in his arms, she had changed markedly for the better. No longer did she get up at night to pace the house. The shadows were almost gone from beneath her sparkling eyes, and she smiled more often. With a monumental effort Noah returned to the task of driving. Kit’s mouth was far too delicious, and there was too much danger in thinking about the one kiss they’d shared.
Yawning, Kit muttered, “I don’t know about you, but I’m dead on my feet. As soon as we get home, I’m going to have a bath and go to bed.”
“Good idea, because I’m sure Aly will show up bright and early on our doorstep tomorrow morning,” Noah said with a chuckle.
“She’s good for us. We need a laugh or two,” Kit returned with a smile. A feathery feeling tremored through her as Noah said “our” doorstep. The past few weeks had bound them inexorably to each other in simple but telling ways. And she knew without a doubt that Noah wasn’t really like Pete at all. Leaning back, she closed her eyes, looking forward to Aly’s effervescent visit. Yes, they all needed to laugh, kick up their heels and have a good time.
“Psst, Kit!” Aly leaned forward from where she sat on the couch with Noah, a bowl of popcorn in hand.
Kit roused herself from the floor, where she lay on her stomach. They were watching a movie on television together on a Saturday night. “What?” She saw the look of devilry in Aly’s eyes.
Aly set her bowl of popcorn aside. “Did you know that my brother is ticklish?”
Before Kit could respond, Aly stretched across the couch and began tickling Noah unmercifully beneath the arm. Thoroughly engrossed in the movie and oblivious to their banter, he let out a yelp of surprise.
Kit sat up, watching the popcorn Noah had held in his bowl go flying all over the couch and carpet. Aly pressed her attack, tickling Noah until he fell off the couch and onto the floor.
“There!” Aly crowed triumphantly, getting to her feet with a grin. She beamed at her brother, who was still laughing from his prone position on the carpet.
“What was that for?” Noah demanded, sitting up and grinning, too.
“Things were getting too quiet around here,” Aly announced. “I’m going to get some soda pop. Anyone want some?”
Noah looked around with dismay at the scattered popcorn. “We drank it all.”
“Then I’ll drive down to the corner store and get us some more,” Aly said. “Be back in a bit, gang. Kit, why don’t you help Noah pick up all the popcorn he spilled?”
Giggling, Kit crawled over on her hands and knees to where Noah sat. She began to pick up the popcorn, one piece at a time, putting it back in the emptied bowl. Both Calico and Tuna Boat were getting their share before she could rescue all the kernels.
Noah scowled at her. “What’s so funny, Ms. Anderson?”
“Nothing,” she said, giving him a merry look. “Big, bad old Coast Guard officer is reduced to Jell-O by his teeny little sister…” and she started laughing so hard she had to hold her hand to her stomach.
A mischievous grin spread across Noah’s face. He heard Aly close the door on her way out. “It’s a good thing we’re alone,” he growled, and then lunged at Kit.
Startled, Kit let out a yelp and tried to escape, but Noah pinned her to the carpet, anchoring her hands above her head. “Noah!” she gasped. His body was so close to hers.
“Let’s see what a big, bad police detective does under the same circumstances,” he threatened as he began to tickle her ribs.
A cry broke from Kit, and she curled up, laughing hysterically. It was impossible to get away from Noah, and all she could do was try to protect her sensitive rib cage from his attack. Finally tears were streaming down her cheeks.
“Uncle! Uncle!” she gasped, giggling. Kit placed a hand against his chest, wildly aware of his masculinity. Noah’s face loomed close, and she could feel the warmth of his breath fanning across her cheek. “I give…I give…” she pleaded breathlessly.
Capturing Kit’s hands once again above her head, Noah straddled her with his body. “Uncle, huh?” he gasped, smiling down at her. God, but she was beautiful, her eyes lustrous with happiness. Taking his hand, he smoothed several strands of hair from her eyes.
Kit’s breasts rose and fell rapidly. Noah was so close that she could feel the heat from his body. Although he had captured her, he wasn’t hurting her. Far from it. Kit drowned in his sea-colored eyes. The memory of his kiss flowed to the surface of her heart and mind.
Noah saw her lips part provocatively as she held his gaze. This need for her was excruciating, her slender form taut beneath his. “Next weekend,” he rasped, “I want you to come with me.”
Puzzled, Kit asked, “What’s so special about next weekend?” His fingers traced her brow and a tiny shiver arched through her.
“We both need a rest from work,” he decided. “I want to take you to a special place for a day.” Tightening his hold on her wrists, Noah allowed his other hand to drop threateningly to her rib cage. “And if you don’t agree, Ms. Anderson, I’m going to tickle the daylights out of you.”
A breathy laugh escaped her. “If you start tickling me again, Noah Trayhern, I’m going to wet my pants and you know it!”
He gloated, his gaze never leaving her soft, sparkling eyes. He wanted to drown himself in their depths. “Then agree to be pirated away for a day.”
It was impossible to relax beneath him. The urge to lean upward and touch his mobile mouth was too much for Kit to ignore. Everything about Noah excited her, and she inhaled his special scent, closing her eyes. “I’ll go. Anything not to be tickled.”
“Good.” Noah released her wrists and forced himself to move off her. Kit was too enticing, too close, and he could feel heat building in himself. He knelt at her side and helped her sit up.
Giving him a wary look, Kit ran her fingers through her short hair. A tremor of longing sang through her as she sat next to him. “Where are you taking me?”
“It’s a surprise,” he replied enigmatically. “One that you deserve.”
“I don’t believe this is happening,” Kit muttered, trading a glance with Noah as he drove.
His smile was one of pure devastation. “Just one of life’s little bonuses. How could I possibly leave Tripoli behind while we enjoy this special Saturday?”
Tripoli hung his head between the seats, panting to emphasize the point. Kit stifled her laughter, shaking her head. “We’re going on your boat with a dog!”
He shrugged his broad shoulders, the white polo shirt he had on emphasizing their breadth. “Sit back and relax. This is our day to enjoy.”
Kit ran her fingers through her black hair, smiling. When Noah had confided that he was going to take her out on his boat to a beautiful cove for a picnic, she had been excited. He’d promised her it would be a short trip by water, knowing that she would get seasick as always.
She curled up on the seat, rested her chin on her arm and watched Noah. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say Tripoli is looking forward to our outing.”
Noah grinned, guiding the car slowly down the quay toward a small bay that sheltered over a hundred privately owned boats and yachts. “He should. Every time I get a chance, I take him with me.”
“And he likes boating?”
“Why not? In the days of sailing ships, they used to carry cats on board to catch rats. Why not a dog?”
“I certainly hope you’re not hinting there are rats aboard your boat!”
Noah laughed, his green eyes flecked with gold as he looked over at her. “Trust me. Tripoli has sea legs and he isn’t wi
th us to chase rats.”
“I wish I had sea legs,” Kit complained, “so I would quit getting sick every day on the Osprey.”
Noah lost some of his merriment. “I guess you’re just one of those people with an inner ear imbalance, who will never adjust to sea life.” He brightened. “But we’ll take a swim, catch some fish and have a fine time on the beach.”
“Remember, I’m not such a hot swimmer, either, Noah.”
“Trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“That’s what they all say—‘trust me.’”
Noah grinned. “If you fall overboard, I’ll just toss Tripoli in the water with a rope in his mouth. He’ll keep you afloat until I can reach you.”
“Very funny,” Kit growled.
The boat basin looked like the others she had seen dotting the coastline of Florida. The sun was hot, the August day humid, with rapidly building cumulus clouds budding into towering turrets to the west of them. Kit wore her pale lavender bathing suit with a pair of comfortable pink shorts.
Carrying a small picnic basket, Kit watched as Tripoli bounced happily around them as they walked down the wooden wharf. Despite her misgivings about being on the boat, Kit felt her fear begin to fade as she allowed the pleasant events of the day to take their course. The past week had been just as busy as the three before. And Noah was right: they needed to take a breath and relax.
Noah halted and nodded to the boat on the right. “Meet the Rainbow.”
Kit’s gaze roved appreciatively over the eighteen-foot cabin cruiser. How like Noah to name his boat the Rainbow. His entire life-style attested to the fact that he allowed few stormy days to inhibit his mood. Noah crossed the plankway, then held out his hand for her.
“Okay, you’re next, landlubber.”
Kit returned his infectious smile, gripped his hand and stepped aboard. “It’s a beautiful vessel, Noah.”
“Coming from you, that’s quite a compliment. Climb up this small ladder and get comfortable by the helm. I’m going to cast off.”
She ascended the ladder to the bridge. Two black leather chairs were bolted to the deck on either side of the wheel. Kit sat down, glancing around until Noah gingerly came up the ladder. He looked breathtakingly masculine in a pair of well-worn cutoffs. Pulling off his shirt, he set it to one side and then took the wheel. Pressing the button on the console, he brought the motors to life with a throaty growl. A slight vibration raced through the sleek craft. Noah guided them safely out of the harbor, the turquoise water beckoning, adding to Kit’s building excitement. She tried to ignore the rich brown tone of his upper body as he steered them out into the beautiful waters, heading south.
A Question of Honor Page 11