“N-no one knows about it yet,” Terri stammered. “We have to get the memorial service behind us first.”
She felt a firm squeeze that sent warmth streaming through her sensitized body.
“So you see,” Ben filled in, “I won’t be needing any assistance from other quarters. I’ll phone Creighton and tell him I appreciated his willingness to let you fly down to be of help.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Martha sounded like she was a victim of shell shock.
Ben finally let go of Terri’s shoulder. “We were in the middle of a movie when you arrived, and would like to get back to it. I’ll walk you to the elevator.”
Now that Terri had capitulated, she needed to act like a woman in love for as long as it took to get rid of Martha. It wouldn’t be hard, not when Ben had become her whole world.
She jumped up from the chair and caught hold of his hand. “You should be in bed. I’ll see Martha out.”
He lowered his head and kissed Terri on the side of the neck, reducing her body to jelly. A word of goodbye to Martha and he left the living room.
Somehow Terri found the presence of mind to ask the other woman if she would like to use the guest bathroom before she left the ship.
“I don’t think so.” She marched to the foyer ahead of Terri and stepped inside the elevator.
“Have a safe trip back to Texas.”
The furious glitter in Martha’s brown eyes was the last thing Terri saw before the door slid shut.
Without wasting any time, Terri headed for Ben’s bedroom. He’d turned the movie back on and appeared to be enjoying it.
“She’s gone.”
He pressed the pause button on the remote. “My tactic worked.”
She could tell he was pleased, but his air of calm was mildly irritating when she could hardly breathe because her heart was pounding so hard.
“I agree it got her out of your hair. But she’s going to go back and tell your brother that you and I are getting married. When your family finds out it’s not true, she’ll probably resort to other methods to pursue you. I’m afraid you just may have created a monster.”
“That all depends on you.”
“What do you mean?”
“In the hospital I made the decision that when this was all over, I was going to ask if you would come to work for me as my private secretary. I’ve never had one before, never saw the need for one.
“But there’s a quality about you that has caused me to change my mind. I found out right away you’re a person who lights her own fires. You’re unique in this world. Someone who would be invaluable to me now that my dream is becoming reality.”
She clasped her hands together. “Coming from a business tycoon like yourself, I’m very flattered, of course, but—”
“I’m not finished.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not,” he brushed off her apology, “but that’s all right. For several days I’ve been asking myself what it would take to lure you away from your creature comforts back in the Black Hills.”
Every word that fell from his lips made her pulse accelerate.
“I can promise you more problems to fix on this ship than you’ve had to tackle at the chamber of commerce. All you have to do is name your own salary. I can offer you a lifetime of security and benefits. Free visits for your family, time off to visit them. The opportunity to see the world many times over. But something tells me none of that would be enough for you.”
“Well, thank you.”
A deep chuckle ensued. “I’m not through. What makes you so necessary to me, so powerful in an invisible way, is that feminine part of you which knows how to deal with people. You ooze with compassion. But I recognize that side of you will never feel complete without a husband and children.”
She sank down in the nearest chair. He knew her far too well, and no wonder. During those first couple of days, she’d bared her soul to him in an attempt to pull him from the depths of his misery. She’d told him things she’d never admitted to another soul.
“In my clumsy way, which is a result of my being a bachelor these many years, I’m asking you to marry me.”
Dear God.
“You don’t have to give me your answer right now. In fact I’d prefer you wait until the service for your ex-husband is over and you can concentrate.”
She got up from the chair, unable to sit still. “I think you’ve been using your voice way too much and need to rest it.”
“There’ve been several women in my life,” he persisted as if she hadn’t said anything. “Naturally there have. But I always had this dream driving me. It prevented me from putting down roots because I knew I couldn’t be the kind of husband they needed.
“However these last few days have forced me to realize my life has entered a new phase. Your presence has crystallized my thinking. I find that the thought of going on alone brings me little pleasure.”
She cocked her head. “What about love?”
“We’ve both known it before,” he came back reasonably. “Both of us have experienced first love, the first throes of passion, the excitement and mystery of what goes on between a man and woman. You’ve known what it’s like to be pregnant and carry a baby inside you.”
Terri averted her eyes.
“Are you afraid that if you got pregnant again you would miscarry?”
After a brief hesitation she nodded.
“That would explain why you feel so anxious for Juanita.”
Hot tears trickled from her eyes. “It’s horrible to go through the experience of losing your baby alone.” Her voice shook. “You feel so empty. And then not to be able to hold on to the man who helped to create that little life because he’s not around, and doesn’t want to be—”
She broke off, burying her face in her hands to get control of her emotions. Finally she lifted her head. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t ever apologize for your emotions, Terri. They make me feel closer to you than ever. We already know we have this rare mental chemistry that practically allows us to read each other’s minds. Between us there’s respect and humor. And I believe loyalty.
“Those are precious ingredients that could form the basis for a solid marriage. What’s to say that given time we wouldn’t find love with each other?”
He’d left out desire.
It was all very well to talk about everything else, but without that one vital ingredient, there could be no passion. No excitement. No driving force. No babies.
Her desire for him had already reached an explosive level. But if he never felt the same way…
Maybe he couldn’t feel that way. Maybe that lack in his psyche was the reason why he’d been able to stay a bachelor all this time.
She began to suspect that what she and Parker had talked about was true. The accident had made Ben vulnerable. For once in his adult life he’d experienced helplessness. For a short period of time he’d been forced to rely on someone else. That someone had happened to be Terri.
But these were early days. Give him another week to recover and he might be in a very different frame of mind. He probably knew that, which was why he’d told her not to give him an answer until after the memorial service. A shrewd businessman like him knew how to leave his options open.
“You make a compelling case. I’ll think about it.” But that’s all I’ll do, her heart cried.
“There’s more. Parker thinks he has a chance with you. So does Carlos. All that either of them is waiting for is an opportunity to find out.
“If you become my wife, those problems will disappear. Furthermore I’ll have the assurance that you won’t be leaving me in the lurch at a future date to marry someone who could never appreciate you the way I do.”
Stop, Ben. You’re making me want it too much, want you too much.
He turned on his side. “I don’t know about you, but all this talk has made me hungry again. The next time you feel the urge to go to the kitchen, I wouldn
’t mind a grilled cheese sandwich.”
She gathered the empty bowls and put them on the tray. “According to the instructions Sister Angelica sent home, you can’t have a sandwich until tomorrow. How about an omelet? I’ll go heavy on the cheese.”
“That’ll taste good with about a half gallon of milk.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to do with a quart,” she retorted.
“When you come back, I’ll turn on the movie. We were just getting to the good part.”
“Don’t wait for me,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ve seen it before.”
“But it won’t be the same without you.”
He shouldn’t have said that. Especially if there was any chance that he really meant it…
“…so we thank thee for the life of Richard Jeppson. Though he is lost to us now, we know we will see him again when all will rise in the resurrection of our Lord. Amen.”
Following the pastor’s uplifting eulogy, the congregation sang a closing hymn. Terri was gratified to see that the small chapel had filled to capacity. A lovely tribute had been paid, not only to Richard, but to the aunt and uncle who’d raised him.
Holding a memorial service in Spearfish had been the right thing to do, but she couldn’t forget the exciting man seated several rows behind her and her family.
Thanks to Ben’s generosity, the church overflowed with flowers. He’d also made arrangements for a tombstone to be placed in the same cemetery plot where Richard’s parents and aunt and uncle were buried.
For that gesture he’d won the praise of Terri’s mother. She wouldn’t hear of him going to a motel. Instead she insisted he be a guest at the Jeppson home in Lead. Her invitation prevented Terri from giving into the temptation of letting him stay at her apartment.
Over the three day period Ben had treated her like a cherished sister. He’d charmed Beth who became a constant visitor. Terri couldn’t blame her. He was so attractive and fascinating, he had their family mesmerized.
No one wanted to see him fly back to Ecuador. Particularly not Terri who’d feared he’d changed his mind about wanting a private secretary, let alone a wife.
Ben didn’t ache for her the way she did for him. That was why he hadn’t broached either subject since they’d been in South Dakota.
When the noonday service came to an end, she purposely chatted with old friends and acquaintances in an effort to keep her distance from Ben.
“Honey?” Her mother put a hand on her arm. “I’m going to drive back to Lead with Beth and Tom. As soon as you and Ben get there, we’ll have lunch.”
“He’s planning to leave for South America today, Mom.”
“If I know him, he won’t say no to a meal first.”
Ben had been around long enough for her mother to figure that out. Since the swelling in his throat had subsided, he was able to eat whatever he wanted and couldn’t seem to get enough.
Terri gave her parent a hug. “It was a wonderful service. Thanks for everything, especially for being you.” Her voice quivered.
“Honey—what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I guess I’m feeling a little emotional.”
“Then don’t let him get away,” her mother whispered.
She knew!
“Terri?” Ben’s voice had come back. His deep timbre resonated to every cell in her body. “Is there anything else I can do to help?”
In a hand-tailored gray silk suit, he looked so gorgeous she didn’t dare give him another glance. Otherwise she’d end up feasting her eyes on him and make an utter fool of herself.
She moved away from her mother. “No, thank you. Shall we go?”
Terri started down the aisle ahead of him. After stopping outside the doors to talk to a few more well-wishers, she headed for the parking lot. Thankful to reach the car ahead of him, there could be no argument about who would drive.
She’d driven them to Spearfish in her Honda Civic. Normally she would have enjoyed letting him take the wheel. But the doctor had said he should wear his arm in a sling for another two weeks at least. Thus she’d insisted on being the chauffeur.
Over the last three days they’d packed in quite a bit of sightseeing around the Black Hills. Time had passed so quickly, she couldn’t believe it was about to come to an end. The knowledge that he was on the verge of leaving had plunged her into such a depressed state, it felt as if she was in mourning.
“Terri?” They’d just entered Lead. “Is there a reason why you haven’t taken me to your apartment yet?”
The unexpected question seemed to have come out of nowhere. It caught her off guard.
“We’ve been so busy, there hasn’t been time.”
“We have time now.”
Her heart jumped to her throat. “Mom has lunch waiting. After you’re through eating, we’ll need to get you to the airport in Rapid City.”
“The pilot will be ready whenever I decide to leave.”
“I don’t think going to my place is a good idea.” Terri continued toward her destination. She pulled into the driveway of her mom’s house behind Tom’s car.
Tension crackled between them as she turned off the ignition.
“Is that because you’ve decided to marry me, but you’re afraid I’ll try to make love to you before you’re ready?”
What? “N-no!”
If anything, Terri was afraid he wouldn’t try. That’s what had stopped her. She shook her shook her head. “You’ve misunderstood me.”
“I don’t think so. Credit me with the sense to know this isn’t the time or place. You’ve just put your ex-husband to rest. My interest in seeing the apartment where you knew so much unhappiness stems purely from the desire to know more about you. If sex were all I was after, the subject of marriage would never have been raised.”
Terri couldn’t believe it.
Ben hadn’t changed his mind.
He really was offering her marriage.
“I thought I’d made it clear we’ll take things as they come and see what develops, but rest assured I live in the hope of one day enjoying every aspect of marriage with you, including children.”
“I’m not the best bet in the world on that score,” she said in a haunted whisper.
“Since I haven’t tried to father a child before, I guess neither of us can predict the future. But no matter what happens, I’ll be there for you, Terri,” he vowed fiercely.
Coming from Ben, she knew he meant it.
“Have I averted your fears on that score enough to tell your family our happy news? I’d like you to fly back with me today. We’ve a wedding to plan before we sail. Once we’re underway, there’ll be more work for us than I trust even your extraordinary imagination can conceive.”
Her heart thundered in her chest. After her first marriage had failed, only a fool would rush in a second time knowing he wasn’t in love with her. It would be a marriage of convenience. But the thought of losing him, of never seeing him again…
“Do ship’s captains still marry people at sea?”
Something flickered in the recesses of his eyes. “Not unless they’re a clergyman, too. Happily, Captain Rogers of the Atlantis was a naval chaplain and still retains his ecclesiastical authority.”
Maybe she was dreaming.
“The chapel on the first floor of the ship will accommodate our families nicely.”
“I’m afraid mine wouldn’t be able to come, Ben. They don’t have passports.”
“I have a government friend who will grant them temporary visas. What else is on your mind?”
“My boss.”
“I feel sorry for the poor devil. He’ll never be able to replace you.”
Terri’s mouth turned up at one corner. “He’s not a poor devil.”
“He will be when he hears the news.”
She took a deep breath. “Won’t your family be shocked?”
“It’s guaranteed.”
“When will you tell them?”
Their glances collided. �
��Is there any doubt in your mind they already know?”
“I suppose not.” Martha had been furious. And hurt.
“Parker is probably in mourning as we speak.”
Flame licked her cheeks. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“What else are you worried about?” he drawled.
“I have an apartment to vacate.”
“That’s easy. With one phone call we can hire movers to pack. I’ll send a company plane to transport everything to the ship.”
The man moved with the speed of light. It caused her mind to run in a dozen different directions all at the same time.
“Beth and Tom need a second car. I could give them mine.”
“Speaking of needs, you’ve reminded me that you’ll have to bring along a birth certificate to get the application process started on your passport.”
“I think Mom still has the original in a scrapbook somewhere.”
He leaned closer. “She’s waving to us from the front porch. Before we go in, there’s one more thing to do. Give me your left hand so I can put this on.” His voice sounded husky.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw something glint. Within seconds he’d pushed home a breathtaking diamond solitaire set in gold onto her ring finger. Terri’s body trembled so hard, the different facets kept picking up the light, revealing a heart of fire to match the one blazing inside her.
“Terri? Ben?” Captain Archibald Rogers of the Atlantis stood in front of them looking splendid in his white uniform.
“The day after tomorrow this great ship will undertake its maiden voyage. People around the world will laud it as a truly momentous occasion. They will say it is something unique in the annals of engineering, miraculous in the history of mankind’s achievements.
“But as great as that will be, something more glorious is about to take place right now. Family, friends and business associates from near and far have assembled to witness the joining of you two fine, worthy people in the sacred bonds of holy matrimony. You are about to become a family, the mainspring of civilization.
“When a man and woman honor this hallowed institution, there can be no greater bond on earth, no greater haven, no greater refuge, no greater joy.
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