Chad kissed her cheek. ‘Oh, yeah, I remember. I couldn’t imagine anybody not missing you. Still can’t, sweetheart.’
‘I’ll think about your . . . offer. I can’t do anything until I’ve got Emily safely married off.’ He went quiet. ‘You told me to spit it out earlier, it’s your turn now,’ she insisted.
‘I mentioned hanging around for a few extra days but would it be way out of line for me to suggest staying until after the wedding? I’m owed a ton of vacation days at work so it’s not a problem there.’
Maggie guessed it’d taken a lot of courage for him to ask, knowing she could toss the idea right back at him.
‘I don’t want you to think I’m forcing you to make a decision anytime soon, but . . . I thought you could maybe do with some support.’ Chad’s uncertainty was at odds with his usual confident manner and somehow that made her feel better.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. ‘I’d really like that.’
‘Really?’ He looked so amazed Maggie kissed him again, only this time Chad took the kiss to another level until she forgot everything but him. The hint of salt on his tongue, a rasp ofstubble against her cheek, his hard body moulded against hers and his clean, warm scent all took over her senses.
‘Oh, Maggie, what am I goin’ to do with you?’ he murmured, his rapid breaths hot on her skin.
‘I’m sure you’ll think of something. You usually seem to.’ Maggie’s voice trembled and she pulled away slightly, unnerved by the powerful effect he had on her. All her usual common sense flew up into the night sky. ‘Just love me.’ The words tumbled out and a scorching heat lit up her face and neck.
‘It’s okay,’ Chad whispered and trailed a finger down her flaming cheeks. ‘I do.’
‘But it doesn’t make sense.’ She tried to be realistic, but the sight of Chad’s eyes glittering in the dark fried her brain.
‘I know,’ he chuckled, ‘but did you ever hear anyone call love sensible? It’s why so many love songs have the words crazy, reckless and mad in their lyrics.’
‘Doesn’t it bother you?’
Chad’s exuberant laughter rang out and she stared at him.
‘It scares the hell out of me but I’ve never felt so damn good either so I’ll take the chance if you will.’ He took hold of her hands and Maggie’s throat tightened. ‘Remember no pressure, no expectations, just hope. I’m good with that for now if you are?’
‘Oh, yes.’ She made no effort to protest when he pulled her back into his arms and it was a long time before they got around to leaving.
* * *
Chad called Josh’s number and listened to it ring several times. Suddenly his brother’s deep, gruff voice answered. ‘Hi, it’s me. I’m just calling to see how you’re doin’.’
‘You’re over in merry old England schmoozing at some dumb family wedding and you had the wild-assed notion to callme?’ Josh’s rough laughter hummed down the line. ‘Come off it, bro, what’s up?’
Be honest. Maggie’s compassionate smile filled his vision. ‘I needed to tell you I’m sorry. Really sorry.’
‘What for?’
‘Being a lousy brother. Not helping when you needed it. Everything I guess,’ Chad admitted, exhaling a long slow breath when he’d finished.
‘What’s brought this on?’ Josh was always direct and no-nonsense. He’d been that way before he joined the military and it’d solidified his natural inclinations. ‘Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate it,’ his voice wavered, ‘but why now?’
‘I’ve been thinkin’ okay?’ That wasn’t good enough. ‘I met someone . . .’
Josh chuckled. ‘Who is she?’
‘How do you know it’s a woman?’
‘Always is, unless you’re the other way inclined and I’m pretty sure that’s not the case where you’re concerned,’ Josh stated bluntly. ‘I’ve seen it a million times.’
‘You too?’ A heavy silence hummed along the phone line.
‘Yeah.’ Josh exhaled a deep sigh. ‘I’ll tell you about it one day. It didn’t work out.’
He didn’t push and quickly changed the subject. ‘You didn’t reply to my email but I’m guessin’ it’s okay for me to come visit? I might bring someone with me.’
