Heart of a Marine (The Wounded Warrior Series Book 1) (22 page)

Marla shook her head. “See what I have to put up with? Sit down, Dempsey, before we put our hands on you in ways you won’t welcome. The last thing you want is for my sister and me to gang up on you.”

Dwayne sat and raised his hands. “I’ll be good.”

Charlene winked. “I don’t doubt it.”

“Oh, please you two. Can we just eat?”

Charlene’s mood lifted considerably during dinner and lively banter. She glanced at her watch. “It’s after ten. Mind if I skedaddle without helping with the dishes? I have to be at work by seven.”

“No, go ahead.” Marla carried dishes to the sink. “The mess looks worse than it is.”

Skipper ran to the front door and yapped with alarm.

“What’s with your mutt?” He stood and walked into the hallway. “What’s the matter, boy?”

Marla followed him. “He probably thought he heard something.”

Dwayne picked up an envelope. “What’s this?”

“Did somebody put that under my door?”

He opened the door and stepped out on the small porch. “I don’t see anybody.” Back inside he turned the large brown envelope over. “I’ll be damned. It’s addressed to me.” He held it so she could see the name.

Charlene joined them. “What’s going on?”

“Somebody left this for Dwayne.” She pointed to the envelope. “It wasn’t here when you came in, was it?”

“No.”

He ran a finger under the flap. “Not when I got here either.” He pulled a small sheaf of papers and a photo from the packet. “What the…?”

Marla switched on the ceiling light. “What is it?”

He held a picture of Amber in her school uniform then continued to the living room, switched on the lamp next to the sofa, and sat. “What the hell is she up to?”

Marla and Charlene watched him silently while he shuffled through the papers.

“Who?”

“Francine. That witch! I’ve got to call my lawyer.” The Chinese food sat like lead in his stomach. He raked a hand through his hair.

“At this hour?” Marla tipped her head at the crystal Waterford clock on her mantel. “It’s too late, isn’t it?”

“Lordy, Dwayne. What does she say?”

He set a typed paper on his knee and smoothed out the crease. He looked it over once more, and then read it to them.

So now I know what my kid looks like you sneak. And it proves you aren’t her biological father for sure. Bring her to my lawyer’s office in the next two days or I’m having you arrested for kidnapping. I demand a DNA test, you bastard. I mean it. Francine Henry

He gazed at the shocked expressions on Marla and Charlene’s faces. Most likely they reflected his own. He paged through the other papers then dropped the packet on the table next to the sofa.

Marla came to sit beside him. “That woman is crazy. You know you’re Amber’s dad. What is she after? I don’t believe she really wants custody, do you?”

He dropped his head back and reached for her hand. “I wish the hell I knew.”

Charlene reached for the photo of Amber. “Where do you suppose she got this?” She turned the photo over. “It’s an official school picture, see the stamp?” She held it out for Marla.

She took it. “That’s the same photographer who’s been taking school photos in Spring Grove since we were kids. It probably wouldn’t be too hard to get one from his studio. All she’d have to do is say she’s Amber’s mother and needed another copy.” She squeezed Dwayne’s hand.

“Shit, shit, shit! Why did she have to surface after all these years?”

Charlene stood and gathered her jacket and purse. “I better go, it’s really late. Marla, please call me tomorrow after Dwayne talks to his lawyer.”

He pulled himself up. “You’re not going anywhere until I check the street. If she and the jailbird are hanging around, you stay here tonight. They don’t need to know where you live.” He turned to Marla. “Got a flashlight?”

“Yes, several. I’ll get one for you.” She went to the kitchen, opened the utility closet, and removed a large flashlight from a holder on the wall next to her vacuum cleaner.

“Sheesh, this thing’s a weapon.”

“I hope you don’t have to use it. Be careful. Should I call the sheriff?”

“No, She’s long gone by now. But I need to make sure. Sit tight. Both of you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“I suspect Mrs. Henry is attempting to intimidate you. Her lawyer is a shyster, and he’s probably giving her ideas on how to get access to your daughter by going around the law. As I said before, she has no standing. If this ever got as far as a judge, she’d be thrown out of court.”

Dwayne fidgeted with his keys. “How do I get rid of her?”

“As long as she doesn’t break the law, I’m afraid all you can do is wait for her to tire of the game.”

Dwayne shifted in the hard chair. “Amber’s safely out of the state with my mother in Wyoming. Francine’s from there. That’s where we met and married. If she’s sneaking around here trying to find my daughter, she may figure out that Mom’s ranch is the most likely place I’d send her.”

Anger burned in his chest at the audacity of Francine showing up after all these years, demanding access to the child she never wanted and couldn’t desert fast enough. What in hell did she want from him? He didn’t believe for a New York minute that she cared a damn about Amber.

The lawyer’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “I’ll send a strong letter to her attorney today, telling him to advise her to desist, or you’ll file charges against her for stalking and harassment. If there are any other incidents, tell me immediately.”

“You think that’ll work?”

“One never knows, but the courts take very seriously any misbehavior affecting minors. Let’s give it a few days and see what happens.” He stood and extended his arm across the desk.

Dwayne shook his hand and left the office. He returned to Marla’s jobsite to help Jack secure the trailer so it could be hauled off the lot this afternoon. He’d keep it at his facility until the new site had a fence constructed around it. An empty trailer on a vacant lot was an invitation for mischief.

He checked the screen of his phone when the Marine Hymn sounded off. “Hello, woman of mine.” Nearly sunset, he’d just pulled into his driveway. “You miss me as much as I miss you?”

“More, Dempsey.”

“Not possible, Danaher.”

“How did it go with your attorney today?”

“I was about to call you to see if we could go for dinner, and I’d fill you in.” He dug in his pocket for the house key and unlocked his front door.

“Um, my parents just called. They’d like us to come over to their place for dinner tonight. Is that OK with you? I’m afraid my dad is going to give you the ‘What are your intentions with my daughter’ speech. So embarrassing.”

He laughed. “He must have given it a dozen times with Charlene’s lovers.”

“I doubt it. Char would laugh her head off if Dad ever attempted it.”

“I’ve got to shower and change. What time do they want us there?”

“Why don’t you bring a change of clothes and shower here? I want you to come home with me after dinner tonight.” She paused. “Do I really sound that needy?”

“As long as it’s me you need, no problem, Red. I’m on my way. Do we have time for a quickie?”

“No, but we’ll have all night to make up for it. I bought a copy of the Kama Sutra at Books-A-Million today. It’s full of very intriguing pictures. Things I never imagined possible. I’ve got some wicked ideas I’m itching to try.”

“You’re killing me.” He pressed down on his raging hard-on and grabbed his gym bag from the closet. “We may never make it to your parent’s house at this rate.”

“I’ll sic Skipper on you if you try anything.”

“That’s a terrifying thought. I’m on my way.”

He’d barely scratched the surface with this woman. Every day she said or did something that caught him off guard. Wow, maybe he’d have to take up drinking after all.

He knocked on her front door. She opened it a crack and peeked out. “Yes?”

“Is the lady of the house home? I have some free samples she requested.” He winked.

“Oh, please come in.” She stepped behind the door and pulled it open. He couldn’t see her until she closed it.

“Sweet Jesus, Marla.”

She wore panties and bra, thigh-high nylons and high heels. “You can leave the samples in the bedroom. The lady of the house will be out this evening. I’m sure she’ll want to try them as soon as she returns.”

He stood with his mouth hanging open as she walked down the hallway, hips swaying, Skipper trotting alongside.

He caught her and threw his arms around her waist. “Oh, no you don’t. Come back here and kiss me. You must think I’m a man of steel.”

“Oh, I think you are.” She pressed her breasts against his chest and ran her hands up the sides of his face and dug her fingers into his hair. “Oh, yes. You are. See?”

He wiped the wicked smile off her face with a bruising kiss. Then another. “What time to we have to be there, because late or not, we
are
having a quickie.” He walked her backward to the bedroom, fell onto the bed, and pulled her on top.

She unsnapped her bra. “Oh, if you insist.” With her knees on either side of his hips, she put her face close to his. “You do realize you’ve turned me into a wild sex-crazed harlot, don’t you?” She unzipped his work pants.

He arched his back and dug his head into the pillow. “Get out of those panties quick, Danaher, or you’ll have to call the paramedics.”

She swung a leg over him and made quick work of the lingerie. When he went to nudge her over she said, “No. Stay right there. I memorized a couple of the pictures in my new book. I want to try something to see if it’s possible.”

Oh, it was possible, and then some. They lay panting like a couple of tri-athletes at the end of an endurance trial. Marla was comfortably spread across him like hot fudge. All he could manage was a silent prayer for his unbelievable good fortune.

“I’ll tell you something,” he gasped. “At this point, I’m so vulnerable I’ll agree with anything Brad asks. I’m at your mercy. I’m your slave. I’m…” He chuckled. “…exhausted.” He smacked her bottom. “I’ve still got my work boots on, Danaher.”

She stretched languidly and grinned. “You’re a pig, Dempsey.”

He nipped her silky shoulder. “Oink.”

Silvia opened the door. “There you are, right on time. Brad just dropped the steaks on the grill. Come out back. We’ve got the gas heater going on the patio.” She put her arm under Dwayne’s elbow and led him across the living room to the sliding doors.

He looked over his shoulder at Marla and grinned. “We thought we might be late.” He tugged the slider and waited for Marla’s mom to step outside ahead of them.

“Welcome!” Bradley Danaher waved a pair of long-handled tongs. “What’s your poison? There’s guacamole and chips on the table. Silvia whipped up a batch of her frozen margaritas.”

“Got anything soft, Dad? Dwayne doesn’t drink.”

“It’s all soft tonight, sweetheart, nothing but O’Doul’s and virgin margaritas. We’re off to Catalina Island early tomorrow morning.”

“Mom! You’ve talked about going over there for years.”

“I know. We watched a TV special on the island and wondered what we were waiting for, so Brad called and booked tickets for us on the boat and two nights at the best hotel.”

Dwayne enjoyed the mother-daughter chatter for a minute then took an O’Doul’s and strolled to join Brad at the grill. “Those steaks smell terrific. What’s in the foil pan?” He twisted the cap off the bottle and dropped it on the table.

“Grilled peppers and asparagus. Marla’s favorite.”

Dwayne waggled the bottle of alcohol-free beer. “Can I get you one of these?”

“I’m halfway through my margarita.” Brad leaned in for a close look at the steaks. “How do you like yours?”

“Medium rare.” The sizzling aroma went right to his stomach and it growled with hunger. “But, I’m easy to please when it comes to food.”

“Good man, that’s what we’re all having. Saves a lot of shuffling on the grill.” He peeked under the foil on the pan. “Perfecto.” He called, “Sil, bring the salad. These’ll be ready to come off any minute.”

She fluttered her hand and went inside. “Marla, carry the garlic bread for me.”

Dwayne put down his fork and sucked in a contented breath. “Brad and Sil, that was fantastic. You could open your own steak house.” He glanced around the table. Memories of past barbeques and picnics at the Danaher house when they were kids were many and varied. Brad and his dad had maintained their friendship since they were students at Royal High School, back in the 70’s.

Except for several months during his dad’s marriage-divorce blips, the Dempsey boys had considered the Danaher place a second home. The pool they’d tried to drown one another in every summer sat sparkling with reflected moonlight.

“You use the pool much anymore?”

“Oh, yes,” Silvia answered. “Especially the spa. Now that Brad installed the solar panels on the pool house roof, it’s warm year round. We couldn’t afford to heat it except in summer when all of you were children.”

Brad nodded. “That pool was what sold us on this house. We knew our kids and their friends would get a lot of use out of it.”

“I certainly recall the good times. Charlene would jump right in with the boys, but Marla sat in the shade scowling and reading all summer.”

“I did not!”

“You’d chase the twins and make sure they had their water wings on, but I don’t remember ever seeing you in a bathing suit. I can’t imagine why not, either.” He directed his next words to Silvia. “In Coronado she looked sensational in that red number she wore at the hotel.”

Silvia brightened. “Oh, I bought her that suit.” She smiled at her daughter. “See, I told you it was perfect on you.”

Dwayne smiled at the memory of rubbing sunscreen on her back and legs. “You’ve got great taste, Silvia. Every man at the hotel had their tongues hanging out ogling her.”

Marla poked him. “They did not!”

“Oh, yes they did. And I was loving it because you were all mine.” He pecked a quick kiss on her cheek and enjoyed her furious blush.