“I’ve never heard it so quiet here,” she sighed.
“Any place can be beautiful.” He lowered his chin to her shoulder then kissed her cheek. “Hey. I never said thank you.”
“What for?”
“You brought me here. It’s because of you that my buddies are safe now.”
“I’d say we’re even. I’d never have come without you.”
She felt him shake his head slowly, his chin on her head. “No. This was you, Marion. All you.”
The view was striking, the arc of the moon shining on the still surface of the water, framed by the lines and curves of the jungle. It was unexpected, this beauty. She’d gotten so used to blasts and gunfire, screams and death. This was peace, if only for a little while.
“I feel like a different person,” she said softly.
“You’re still you.” She heard the warmth in his voice. And the smile. “But, ah, the stories you can tell. Did you ever imagine you’d get on an airplane, fly to Vietnam, then rescue POWs in the middle of a war zone? And you did all that with a man you hardly knew? Doesn’t seem like the cautious, rule-oriented doctor I knew before.”
“Who’s this man you say I hardly knew?” She turned in the circle of his arms and rested her hands on the insides of his elbows, where the skin was soft. “I know you, Daniel.”
They hadn’t kissed since the day the helicopter had crashed, which felt like years before. There had never been a time or place where it felt right. But here, under the stars of another world, Marion let herself fall.
“You changed my life,” she told him.
She saw her own gratitude in his gaze, and she relished the slow beat of his pulse under her. He swallowed, always watching her, and she lifted her chin, waiting for what she knew he would bring. His kiss was soft at first, but not brief. He was feeling her there, tasting her, joining with her in the most exquisite sensation she had ever felt. When he drew back, it was as if he gazed into her soul, and she held it open for him. He belonged there, and she belonged with him.
forty-sevenSASSY
Sassy hung up the telephone, shock vibrating through her. Never,nevercould she have imagined she would hear what she’d just heard.
We’re coming home!Marion had said, then Sassy heard her voice crack.We’ll be there in two days, Sassy, and—For a brief moment Sassy wondered if the call had been dropped. It was from such a far distance away. A world away. Then Sassy heard Marion catch her breath.
Are you crying, Marion? Why are you crying? Are you all right?
Sassy! Oh, Sassy. You won’t believe what happened. Oh, God, I can’t wait to see you.
Sassy’s heart stopped.What? What are you talking about? Are you all right?
She held her breath, waiting on edge. Then…We found him, Sassy! We found Joey! We’re bringing him home.
Then they both were sobbing, and Marion was saying something about how expensive the phone call was, and the next thing Sassy knew, her phone receiver was back on its cradle, and her whole body was trembling. She wanted to reach over and smother Tom with the news, but he had finally managed to crawl out of bed, take a shower, then head out to buy them something to eat. All she could do was wait for him to return, but she was afraid she’d burst before then. She sat on the couch beside Chester, then shelinked her hands on her lap to keep them still. It felt like forever before she finally heard the front door rattle with her key.
“Tom!” she cried, tears starting up again. Chester flew off the couch and disappeared. “Tom! Come here!”
He stepped into the room, arms full. “You beckoned? Hey! What’s with the crying? I was gone for, like, ten minutes.”
She laughed through more tears. “They found Joey,” she cried. “Joey’s coming home. He’ll be here in two days.”
“What?” Tom dropped the two bags he was carrying and ran to the couch, throwing his arms around her. “That is incredible. How did you find out?”
“Marion called me from Vietnam! She just called me! Can you believe it?” She drew back to look at him eye to eye. “I’m freaking out. Joey’s safe! He’s coming home! This is beyond my wildest dreams. I thought… I didn’t think I would ever see him again.”
Then Tom was kissing her, and she was swept away by the news and his passion. She never wanted it to stop, and when he began to draw away, she pulled him back for more. His eyes were shining when they finally parted.
“You make me crazy,” he murmured, kissing her again.
“Ditto,” she put in. “We’re both nuts. Don’t tell Marion I used that word.”
He held her gaze a moment longer, stealing her ability to think. Then he grinned, looking so young it made her laugh.
