Debbie Macomber Navy Series Box Set: Navy Wife / Navy Blues / Navy Brat / Navy Woman / Navy Baby / Navy Husband. Debbie Macomber
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his seabag and headed toward the door.
“I’ll leave you two alone.”
“It would be appreciated,” Rush answered.
Steve turned back to face his friend and Lindy couldn’t remember when his dark eyes had been more intense. “You hurt her, Callaghan, and you’ll answer to me personally.”
The tension in the room was so electric it was a miracle lightning didn’t flash from the ceiling. It seemed to arc and flow between the two men, ready to ignite at any moment.
“I thought you knew me better than that,” Rush answered through clenched teeth.
“I don’t trust anyone. Not anymore. Just remember what I said. If Lindy’s ever unhappy, I’m going to hold you responsible.”
A throbbing, wounded silence filled the room after the front door slammed. Lindy sat on the davenport and forcefully expelled her breath. “What is his problem?”
“When was the last time you saw your brother?” Rush wanted to know, taking the seat beside her and reaching for her hand.
“About a year and a half ago. Steve and Carol drove to Minneapolis when Steve was on shore leave. They were so much in love and so happy, we were all stunned when a few months later we got a letter that said he’d filed for divorce. We never knew why. I think he would have told me had I asked, but I never did. What happened between him and Carol is their business.”
“The divorce changed him,” Rush explained softly.
“You’re telling me. But his letters were never like this. He was always so encouraging, so upbeat. When he heard what happened with Paul, his letter helped me so much. He understood so well what I was going through, but now I feel like I hardly know him.”
“He’s upset,” Rush answered after a moment. “He’ll come around once he has time to think things through. He knows us both, probably better than anyone else.”
Lindy nodded. “I’m not fickle and my brother knows that. I didn’t marry you on the rebound. I swear that, Rush. I love you.”
Rush’s face broke into a slow, relaxed grin and he draped his arm over her shoulders. “And I love you, wife.”
Lindy tucked her head beneath his chin and snuggled into his warm embrace, cherishing the closeness they shared. She didn’t expect anyone else to understand something she couldn’t explain herself. Finding Rush was like stumbling upon her other half. With him she was whole.
“What went wrong with Steve and Carol?” Lindy asked quietly as her thoughts drifted back to her brother. She was concerned about the changes she saw in him.
Rush was silent for a long moment. “I’m not sure. Like you, I felt it was his and Carol’s business, but I’m almost certain she was unfaithful.”
“No way.” If Lindy knew anything about her ex-sister-in-law it was that gentle, sweet Carol would never cheat on Steve. “She just isn’t the type.”
“Then I haven’t any idea what went wrong.”
“How sad,” Lindy murmured. It was obvious to her that Steve had changed drastically since his divorce. Although she couldn’t believe Carol had been unfaithful to her brother, that would explain Steve’s statement about not trusting anyone anymore.
“I think we could both learn a valuable lesson from what happened with your brother’s marriage,” Rush said, his voice tightening.
“What?” Lindy asked, and raised her head to study her husband’s face. His eyes had darkened slightly and she wasn’t able to read his thoughts, but she had a good idea what he was thinking. And she didn’t like it. Not one damn bit. “Are you going to start lecturing me, Rush Callaghan?”
“Lecturing you?”
“Yes. I have a fair idea of what you’re going to say.”
The muscles of his face relaxed into a half smile as he leaned against the back of the davenport and crossed his arms. His knowing eyes came alive with mischief. “Oh, you do, do you?”
“You were about to give me some dopey line about what we’re experiencing now being some kind of euphoric stage all lovers go through.”
“I was?”
“Yes, you were. You were going to say we’re experiencing a time when everything and everyone is perfect. There’s no one else on the planet but us and nothing else but our newly discovered love.”
Rush’s brows arched, but if he was portraying anything other than amusement, Lindy couldn’t tell.
“And…”
“There’s more?” he asked, and laughed, his rich baritone sounding relaxed and amused.
“Oh, I’m just getting to the good part.” She stood and rubbed the palms of her hands together, sorting through her thoughts.
“Well?” he pressed, having trouble disguising his amusement.
“You’re about to tell me that the tension is gone. We’ve stepped over the line, entered the bedroom and now that territory has been charted.”
“Not as much as I’d like, but we’ll make up for lost time later.” Rush’s words were more promise than comment.
“Don’t interrupt me.”
“Sorry.” He didn’t look the least bit repentant.
“You’re going to tell me we’re about to step off cloud nine and should expect to be hit with a healthy dose of reality. We could be headed for trouble now. If we aren’t careful, what happened to Steve and Carol could happen to us.”
All traces of amusement faded from Rush’s eyes and his face tightened. Lindy knew she was right. “By this time tomorrow, you’ll be gone.” She forced herself to offer him a brave smile. “And I’m going to be alone.”
Rush stood. His eyebrows were pulled down into a heavy ledge of concern. “That’s right, Lindy. Up until this point everything’s gone smoothly for us. Our whole world has been telescoped into a two-part universe. After tomorrow everything will change, and I doubt that it’ll ever be exactly the same again. In two weeks you could be wondering how you ever imagined yourself in love with me.”
“That will never happen.” She shook her head hard for emphasis.
“In two months, you’ll have forgotten what I look like.”
From his narrowed, tight expression, Lindy knew he wouldn’t listen to any denials. She hadn’t started this conversation to argue with him. The last thing she wanted was for them to spend their remaining hours fighting.
“You’re married to a man you hardly know who’s going to be leaving you for half a year. The next time I see you, it’ll be close to Christmas.”
She crossed her arms and cleared her throat loudly. “Have you finished?”
“Finished what?”
“Your lecture.”
“Lindy, I’m serious. I—”
“You’re not saying anything I haven’t already thought about a hundred times. I love you, Rush, and I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. My feelings aren’t going to change in ten days or ten years.”
Tenderly he wrapped her in his arms then, and held her close. If there was anything more he wanted to tell her, he left it unsaid.
* * *
Hours later Rush lay on his back in bed with Lindy nestled, sleeping, in his arms. He hadn’t been able to sleep, dreading the thought of leaving her. Getting married the way they had was possibly the most irresponsible thing he’d done in his life. But he didn’t care. Given the same set of circumstances he’d marry Lindy again. Gladly.
She