From Ashes to Honor

by Loree Lough

  She stood on tiptoe to kiss his chin. “Please. Like you’re surprised to hear it. I’ll bet a hundred girls have said the same thing, on the very spot where I’m standing right now.”

  His smile faded as he took her in his arms. “You’re wrong, Mercy. Dead wrong. No woman has stood where you are. I never introduced any of them to the Callahans. Or grilled steaks for them. Never took ‘em up on deck, never watched the sunset, never told ‘em to watch for the green flash—”

  “Which I missed—”

  “Sorry.”

  Giggling, she rested her forehead on his chest. “And fire rainbows?”

  “Nope. Never told ‘em about those, either.” He pulled her closer, so close that he could feel her heart beating hard against his chest, and much to his delight, she didn’t resist.

  “Keep it up,” she whispered, “and I’m liable to get a big head.”

  “S’OK. I’ve always been partial to girls with big heads.”

  “That isn’t what Flora said.”

  “Uh oh … I’m almost afraid to ask. What did Flora say?”

  “That all of your women have been tall and lithe, blondhaired and blue-eyed. Like centerfold models. Well, except for the redhead. She had a normal figure. Oh, and green eyes.”

  Funny, but Austin couldn’t remember ever dating a redhead, let alone bringing one here.

  “How do you suppose she’s so up on your type?”

  “Who?”

  “Flora.”

  He chuckled. “I dunno. Maybe she’s got a telescope aimed this way.”

  “If that’s true, it’s only because she’s looking out for your best interests. She thinks the world of you, you know.”

  Nodding, he said, “Yeah, I know. And I feel the same way about her.”

  “Do you think she’s watching us right now?”

  The moon chose that moment to slide out from behind a cloud, lighting a mischievous grin lit her gorgeous face.“Probably.” Oh, to have the power to read that amazing mind and know what inspired it.

  She walked her fingers up his chest until her palms came to rest on his shoulders. Raising herself on tiptoe again, she touched her lips to his. “Then what do you say we put on a little show for her?”

  “Put on a—?”

  “Just so she’ll have a good story to tell the next girl you bring here?”

  “Next girl? What’re you talkin’ about? There isn’t going to be—”

  Mercy silenced his denial with a long, tender kiss, and for the first time in his life, Austin understood what the poets meant when they wrote about pure, heart-pounding love.

  16

  Leo had been in town nearly a week, and, except for two breakfasts and dinner the night he arrived, Mercy had only seen him in passing.

  “I’m only trying to be a good houseguest,” he said when she pointed it out.

  “You aren’t fooling me, brother dear. You’ve met a wholesome Maryland girl, haven’t you? Is she teaching you why the travel brochures call Baltimore ‘Charm City’?”

  “I must confess,” he said around a mouthful of potato chips, “I’m learning a lot about the place under her tutelage, but ‘wholesome’ is hardly the word I’d use to describe her.”

  “And where, exactly, did you meet this unwholesome creature?”

  He dumped a few more chips onto a paper napkin. “At the Walters Art Gallery.”

  “I don’t believe it.”

  Leo shrugged and crunched another chip. “It’s true, I tell you!”

  “And from the gallery to—”

  “—to the B&O Railroad Museum. I had no idea how trains moved from track to track. Quite enlightening.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Now, now, now. Sarcasm doesn’t become you.”

  “Uh-huh. So what are your plans for the evening?”

  “I’m all yours,” he said, arms wide. And after delivering an expansive yawn, Leo added, “If you can keep me awake, that is. And don’t bother to blame my late hours, because I’ll just be forced to remind you it’s jet lag and nothing more.”

  Eyes narrowed, Leo gave her a sidelong glance. “All right.Out with it. What’s going on in that can’t-rest-for-even-aminute brain of yours?”

  “I was hoping we might have dinner together, so I could introduce you to a—to a friend.”

  He smirked. “A friend, eh?”

  Mercy nodded and did her best not to let her enthusiasm show.

  “How old is your friend?”

  She frowned. “You know, I’m not exactly sure. Thirty-two? Thirty-five?”

  He wrinkled his nose. “Ugh. A tad long in the tooth for my taste, but—blond or brunette?”

  She knew as well as he that her “friend” wasn’t female, but Mercy went along with the joke, just for fun. “Oh, blond. One hundred percent natural, I might add, with huge blue eyes and the longest, darkest lashes, ever.”

  “Sounds delightful. So delightful that I’m sure this friend must be short and squatty. You know the type— all butt no body?”

  “Quite the contrary. This blond is tall.” She stretched her arm high over her head to estimate Austin’s height. “Six-two, maybe six-three?”

  “Goodness,” he said, grinning, “must be terribly uncomfortable.”

  “Uncomfortable?”

  “You know, the crick in your spine.”

  “The crick in my spine?”

  Leo looked around the room. “Odd, but this is the first time I noticed it.”

  “Noticed what?”

  “That there’s a terrible echo in this room.”

  “Leo, I—”

  “The crick,” he explained, wiggling his eyebrows, “from craning your neck to kiss him, of course!”

  There had only been the one warm and tender, glorious, mesmerizing, too-short kiss, and it had been anything but uncomfortable.

  “Mercy, dear. I don’t suppose you have you any antacids?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do. They’re in the medicine cabinet in the hall bath. Why? Has your not-so-wholesome tour guide been feeding you too much rich Maryland seafood?”

  “No, no,” he said with gusto, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the local fare, and I’m happy to report that it agrees with me quite well.”

  “Then why do you need antacids?”

  “Why, to counteract that sickeningly sweet look on your face, of course.”

  “What sickeningly sweet—”

  “The one you got just now, thinking of Mr. Longest, Darkest Lashes Ever’s kiss.”

  Mercy felt the blush creeping from her heart to her neck, and slapped both palms to her cheeks, hoping to hide it before it reached her face.

  Leo tossed his paper napkin and hit her square in the forehead.“Oh, don’t go all pink-faced on me. I didn’t mean to embarrass you, little sister.” He chuckled. “Much.”

  “Then you’ll join us for dinner?”

  “Why not?”

  She resisted the urge to launch into a detailed description of Austin, what he did for a living, how much fun she had in his company—

  Cold fear gripped her, because if she knew her brother, he’d ask how they met, one of the most natural conversation-opening questions ever asked. If she answered truthfully, Austin might feel uneasy. And then Leo would, too.

  You’re putting the cart before the horse, she thought, citing another of her father’s favorite expressions. For all she knew, Austin had to work tonight. And with Leo leaving in just a few days, the two might never meet.

  “Where will we dine?”

  Mercy blinked. “What?”

  “Are you planning to fix dinner here, or are we going out on the town tonight?”

  “Oh. I-I thought I’d make us something here. That way, if you get tired, you’ll only be feet from your bed.”

  “How very thoughtful of you, Mercy dear.” He loosed a wicked snicker.

  “Leo, honestly! Austin and I … we’re nowhere near … I couldn’t … we haven’t … for all I know, he isn’t even int
erested in me that wa—”

  “Heavens to Mergetroid!” he interrupted, hugging her.“Down, girl! I’m your brother, not your father. You certainly don’t owe me any explanations.” He held her at arm’s length.“Though I must warn you, if I get the impression he’s a churlish, dastardly sort, I might be forced to break out my black belt.” Leo let go of her and assumed a karate stance before unleashing a blood-curdling “H-h-hay-ya-a-a!”

  “Have I told you lately that I love you?”

  Straightening his back, he dusted imaginary dust from his trousers. “As a matter of fact, you haven’t.” He hugged her again,

  and, pressing a brotherly kiss to her forehead, said, “It’s rather nice to hear, so I won’t mind at all if it becomes a habit.”

  He yawned and stretched. “Do I have time for a nap before I shower and dress for dinner?”

  Laughing, Mercy said, “It’s barely noon, you big silly!”

  Leo checked his wristwatch. “So it is,” he said, and padded up the stairs.

  When the door to his room clicked shut, Mercy picked up the phone and dialed Austin’s cell number.

  “Hey!” he said after the third ring.

  “Hey, yourself.”

  “Worked a double shift yesterday or I would’ve called.”

  “I figured it was something like that.”

  “So, what was your excuse for not calling?”

  She heard the smile in his voice, and it inspired one of her own. “My brother’s in town.”

  “Cool. When do I get to meet Dr. London Bridge?”

  “Tonight, if you’re free.”

  “Hold on while I check with my secretary.”

  Mercy heard the muffled sound of paper-rustling before he came back on the line.

  “You’re in luck. Seems there’s been a cancellation, and I’m happy to say there’s an opening in my schedule.”

  “Be still my heart!”

  Chuckling, he said “Where should we take him to eat?”

  “He’s been running around doing touristy things for three whole days, so I thought it might be a nice change for him to eat in.”

  “Sounds good to me. Can I bring anything?”

  “Just a hearty appetite.”

  “What time should I be there?”

  “Six, six-thirty? I’ll put out some appetizers, and we’ll eat at sevenish?”

  “Sevenish. Got it.” Then, “What’s for dinner?”

  “Haven’t decided yet.”

  “I can bring something, save you the fuss and bother. Does Leo have a preference? Italian? Asian? Mexican?”

  “He’d eat a rock if I salted it, but really, it’s no bother. It’ll be fun, cooking for my two favorite guys.”

  She didn’t know what to make of the lengthy pause. Had she assumed too much from that kiss? Or had something in the atmosphere interrupted their cell reception? “Hello? Did I lose you?”

  “No way. At least, not if I have anything to say about it. Just picking myself up off the floor, is all.”

  “Off the—”

  “Had a dream last night that you said those very words.Woke up wearing a grin so big, my face hurt.”

  Mercy knew exactly what he meant, because if she kept smiling this way, her face would begin to ache, too. “See you at six.”

  “Five forty-five.”

  She laughed.

  “You think I’m joking?”

  “G’bye.”

  “G’bye.”

  She could hear him, chuckling on the other end of the phone. “Austin?”

  “Mercy?”

  “Hang up.”

  “No, you.”

  “All right, I will.”

  “When?”

  “Right now.”

  A second, then two, ticked by.

  Austin chuckled. “Well?”

  “Well what?”

  “I thought you were gonna hang up.”

  “I was.”

  “Then, why didn’t you?”

  “Because—” Because I can’t break the connection, that’s why.

  “Weakling.”

  “Who?”

  “Your feet don’t fit a limb.”

  Mercy giggled. “What?”

  “Owl? Tree? Feet on a limb?” He laughed. “Killjoy.”

  “Killjoy?”

  “That’s right, killjoy.”

  “Killjoy,” she said, trying to figure out what it meant.

  “A joke isn’t funny if you have to explain it.”

  “Explain—”

  “You can’t see me, but I’m shaking my phone. Hard.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m hoping it’ll put an end to the echo, that’s why.”

  “Echo?” And then she got it. “You’re a nut.”

  And he started singing a commercial she hadn’t heard in years. “‘Sometimes I feel like a nut, sometimes I don’t … .”

  “Austin.”

  “Mercy.”

  “If I don’t hang up, I can’t start dinner.”

  “Then I suggest you do it.”

  “All right. I will. Here goes.”

  She’d barely returned the phone to its cradle when it rang.

  “I’m crushed,” he said the moment she answered.

  Laughing, Mercy said “Why?”

  “You hung up on me!”

  “Guess you’ll have to do it this time, so we’ll be even.”

  “I love the way your mind works. Scratch that. I love everything about you.”

  Fortunately, he took her advice and ended the call, because she had no idea how she would have responded.

  “—and where did you say I could find those antacids?”

  “Good grief! You scared me half to death!”

  “I can’t believe you didn’t tell him.”

  “Tell him? Tell him what?”

  He slapped a hand to his forehead. “If you think I’m going to play verbal ‘who shot John’ and repeat the ridiculous back and forth of that phone call, you’ve got another think coming.“Then, “It’s perfectly obvious that you’re mad about the man.And that he’s mad about you, too.”

  “You were—you were listening? Leo, I’m surprised at you!” He pointed to the phone, with its still-lit speakerphone light.

  Mercy hid behind her hands and groaned.

  “Austin,” he said, nodding his approval. “I rather like the name. It’s strong, simple, unique. And I’m guessing it fits?”

  “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

  “Yes, of course. Until ‘sevenish.’ ” He snickered. “That was the first time he bared his soul? Acknowledged his feelings? Confessed his love?”

  Mercy groaned and headed for the kitchen. “I have to start dinner.”

  Leo tagged her heels. “He gave you the perfect opening.Why you didn’t tell him that you feel the same way?”

  She stuck her head in the fridge. “For one thing, I’m not sure how I feel,” Mercy said, grabbing a bag of salad fixings.“And besides, he hung up before I had a chance to respond.”

  “That’s right. He did, didn’t he?”

  Thankfully, she’d faced the kitchen window to shred lettuce into a bowl.

  “Well, no problem. I’ll retire early and give you plenty of

  time—and privacy—to tell him how you feel once we’ve had

  our dessert. What are you making, by the way?”

  “Chocolate cheesecake.”

  “I approve, heartily!”

  “I aim to please.”

  “And the main course?”

  “Beef Wellington.”

  “Aren’t you a darling to make my favorite!”

  “Well, you are my favorite brother.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Well, sister dear, I’m headed upstairs for that much-needed nap. You’ve worn me out, I tell you, with all your back-and-forth lovey-dovey chatter!”

  Halfway up the stairs, he stopped, and, leaning over the rail, said, “Would you mind awful much if I invited my lovely redheade
d friend to dinner?”

  Mercy gasped. “Does she have green eyes?”

  “As a matter of fact, they’re nearly as brown as yours. Why do you ask?”

  How ridiculous, thinking Leo’s redhead and Flora’s might be one and the same. The jealousy that surged through her at the possibility? Even more ridiculous! “Oh, no reason,” she said. “Go ahead and invite her,” she said, breathing a sigh of relief. “The more, the merrier.”

  “Thanks, Mercy. I’ll ring her up right now.”

  “No thanks necessary,” she said, dicing a tomato for the salad. “Now, you enjoy that nap!”

  A glance at the clock told her she had six hours to prep the meat, set the table, and get herself ready. Five hours, forty-five minutes, she thought, hoping Austin had been serious about arriving early.

  17

  The table looks lovely, Mercy, simply lovely! In fact, your entire house is just lovely!” The redhead clapped, then jiggled her shoulders. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your invitation.What a lovely surprise it was when that darling brother of yours called and asked me to dinner!”

  Mercy didn’t know which distracted her more—Debbie’s tendency to over-emphasize every other word, or Austin, standing there looking like a GQ cover model, with hands in pockets and one loafered foot crossed over the other. “I can’t remember a time when Leo has enjoyed a visit to the States more,” she said, “and since you’re partly responsible for that, Debbie—”

  “Really? Do you think he’s having fun? Oh, I hope so,” came her breathy reply, “because I’d so, so, so like him to come back.Or invite me to come see him in London!”

  Clearly, Debbie wanted her opinion, and Mercy had no intention of giving it. “I know this dinner was rather last-minute, so I’m happy you weren’t busy tonight.”

  “Oh, believe me, if I had been, I would gladly have cancelled for Leo. He’s such a darling man!”

  Across the pond, her brother had earned his ladies’ man reputation. Charming and handsome, he attracted women simply by making his interest known. Add “doctor to the stars” to the mix, and it wouldn’t have mattered to most of them if he dragged his knuckles and summoned them by thumping his chest. Mercy felt a little sorry for Debbie, because she’d certainly put a lot of effort into impressing Leo, and really, what chance did a woman like that have with a man like him!

  “Tell me what I can do to help,” Debbie said. “It just isn’t fair that you’re in here all alone, slaving over a hot stove, while the rest of us are out there in your lovely living room, sipping iced tea.”