True Honor (17 page)

“Here’s her bottle. I so appreciate this help, Sam. Joe got hung up for a few minutes, and it’s critical that I get this packing done before he gets home. We’re leaving at eleven tonight and driving straight through while Bethany sleeps, and Joe has to get the insurance and will paperwork signed at the lawyer’s office before six. What a time for the sitter to be late.”

Sam tucked the bottle comfortably in place against his arm but found Bethany was more interested in flirting with him than eating. “I’m glad you caught me. Go and pack. I’ll keep Bethany occupied. I’ve got a little time before I need to leave.” Darcy had said eight, and if he left in the next twenty minutes, he could probably make it on time without getting a speeding ticket.

“You’ve got a date.”

“Not exactly.”

Kelly leaned over the back of the couch to look down at him.

Sam smiled up at her. “Okay, maybe a small date.”

She patted his cheek. “Relax, I talked to Darcy. There’s been a slight change of plans. She’s coming here to meet you.”

“You talked to Darcy—” His surprise had Bethany succeeding in winning their tug-of-war for the blue plastic donut ring.

Kelly slipped in her earrings. “I like her. It was supposed to be a surprise, but since I’m extra partial to you and you don’t handle surprises very well, I thought I’d give you a little warning.”

It took Sam a moment to catch up with the information. “Darcy’s coming here.” He looked down at Bethany now happily swinging the blue plastic donut back and forth. “The missing babysitter was a ruse? You were supposed to figure out how to keep me from leaving?”

“Oh, it’s real enough. The babysitter isn’t going to show in ten minutes. And there is no way you would turn down Joe if he asked you a last-minute favor to stay and help us out. Not when it also involves your goddaughter.”

“You’re thinking of having me babysit?”

“No. I’m thinking of having Darcy babysit Bethany. You’re going to watch her and learn.” Kelly laughed. “You are adorable when you’re speechless.” The doorbell rang. “That should be Darcy; she’s right on time. This is called neutral territory. I think she’s nervous. No, don’t get up. You look totally charming so out of your element.”

Sam got up anyway as Kelly went to get the door. This wasn’t what he had planned. He should at least have flowers.

“Darcy, hi. I’m Kelly. It’s great to finally meet you. Did you have any trouble finding the place?”

“None at all. You give great directions.”

Sam was hungry for the sound of the voice he had thought about nearly every day.

Darcy stopped in the living room doorway. “Hey, sailor.”

The worn-out picture in his pocket didn’t do her justice. Darcy had been rushing; her cheeks were flushed and her hair a bit out of place. He wanted to say something profound but instead he just stared, absorbing the fact that the months away had only intensified the pleasure of having her company. “Hello, Darcy.”

They stood smiling at each other until Kelly bustled through the room to answer the ringing phone. “Darcy, did Sam tell you he’s that angel’s godfather?”

“No, he didn’t.”

Sam walked over to introduce them. “This is Bethany.”

“Oh.” Dar’s entire face softened. “She’s beautiful.” She gently rubbed Bethany’s arm.

“I hear you’re helping me babysit.”

Darcy looked up at him and a small smile appeared. “I have to admit, the last time I babysat I was sixteen,” she whispered. She held up a piece of paper. “I’ve got a list of baby experts in town if we need help.”

“We’ll manage,” Sam replied. He leaned over and kissed her, a soft brush of his lips against hers. “Hi, beautiful,” he whispered. He moved his head back just enough to enjoy the depth of blue in her eyes. “I’m glad you came.”

Sam realized suddenly that there was very little he could add to tonight to make it more perfect. Her blush turned her cheeks a beautiful rose color. Kelly was right; Darcy was indeed a bit nervous. He wanted to stop that subtle biting of her inner lower lip with another kiss but instead he just smiled. He was going to make tonight the best night of her life.

“Kelly,” he asked, not looking away from Darcy, “you and Joe need about an hour for the errands?”

“Better make it two given the traffic. I’ve set out baby food jars for Bethany. She likes the peaches best. Diapers and supplies are by the changing table.” He took one step back from Darcy as Kelly rushed back into the room. “My cell phone number.” She tucked it in his shirt pocket. “Joe had a change of plans; I’m to pick him up.”

“He’s the boss, all the stuff lands on him as soon as we dock.”

“I know, and it’s okay. I get him for the next two weeks. Is there anything else I’m supposed to tell you?” She tickled her daughter, who laughed back.

Sam settled the infant more comfortably in his arms. “We’re fine. Do you still keep spare house keys in the dish by the microwave?”

“Yes. If Bethany fusses, turn on the tape in the player and walk with her. She loves her daddy’s voice.”

“Will do.”

“Darcy, it was great to meet you. Sorry to be rushing out. I’m normally so organized. I’ll tell you all about Sam later, I know
everything
.”

Darcy laughed. “I’d like that.”

“Okay, I’m going.” Kelly kissed her daughter one more time, then grabbed her jacket.

Sam pointed out the baby bag. “Snag that, Darcy.”

“Where are we going?”

He slid on his sunglasses. “A walk down the block. I’d like you to meet Wolf’s wife, Jill.” He took the spare set of house keys and picked up Bethany’s blanket to tuck around her. Sam realized the direction of Darcy’s gaze. “Would you like to hold her?”

“I was wondering if you were ever going to offer.”

He chuckled and gently transferred the child into her arms. “I think I’m going to enjoy being a godfather.”

“I think you will too.” She snuggled with Bethany.

Darcy looked wonderful holding an infant. Sam stayed in her space on the pretext of helping with the blanket. Sam figured Darcy would get along great with Jill, but if they needed an icebreaker, Bethany was a perfect one. She would create instant common ground. “You must have left the office shortly after I called.”

Darcy nodded without looking up at him. “Gabe kicked me out and said go.”

“You couldn’t have given me a more special welcome home than meeting me here. Do you have a place arranged to stay already or should I make a couple calls?”

“He recommended a bed-and-breakfast. I’m set for a few days.”

Sam held the front door for her. “How long can you be gone before Gabe sends out search parties?”

She stepped outside and waited as he locked the house. “I don’t have to be back until Monday.”

“I’ve got two weeks off,” he offered, walking backward on the sidewalk, hopeful.

Darcy smiled at him. “We’ll start with dinner first.”

“Playing hard to get. Okay. You know a SEAL likes a challenge.”

“And a spy likes to decide the ground that’s played on.”

He laughed. “I noticed that. My boss’s place. Not bad, Darcy. It kind of guarantees good behavior.”

“I thought it was pretty clever myself.” She glanced down at Bethany. “Besides, if you’re boring company, I’ve still got a couple perfect hours coming up.”

“Ohh, you slay me. I think I’m going to enjoy tonight.”

“I know I am.”

Fourteen

* * *

MAY 21

Tuesday, 6:15 p.m.

Norfolk, Virginia

Darcy sank deeper into the couch, letting a sleeping Bethany settle against her shoulder. She should have kept babysitting into her thirties instead of leaving that practice behind as a teen. There was nothing more soothing in life than to cuddle an infant whose only priorities in life were to eat, sleep, and play. The stress of war hadn’t touched Bethany, and in just sharing that there was a reason to relax. Darcy couldn’t remember the last time she had truly stopped and let everything go. She handed the nearly empty baby bottle to Sam. “She’s asleep.”

Sam traded her the baby bottle for the blanket. “She’s grown up so much in the months we’ve been away. You should have seen Bear down at the pier this morning when he brought her around to show off.”

Given how proud Sam was to be this little girl’s godfather, she could imagine what it must have been like when Joe saw his little girl for the first time after months away. “Proud daddy?”

“Oh yeah. He’s also a great boss.”

“I think so. He got you home alive,” she added softly. “Jill is a sweetheart.” She and Sam hadn’t stayed long as Tom and Jill were also getting ready to head out for a vacation over the leave, but they had stayed long enough to convince her Jill was indeed the perfect wife for Sam’s swim buddy. Wolf and Cougar: The two men stood beside each other and it was like an invincible wall. It mattered to Sam that she meet his partner’s wife, and Darcy found that touching. “To get married and two days later send your husband off to war?” She shook her head. “I don’t know that I could handle that.”

“You handle what you have to.”

Darcy leaned over to retrieve her glass of iced tea. Sam looked ready to handle whatever came. She studied him stretched out in a nearby chair. He’d been in great shape before he left. Now that physical toughness had been honed by months at war. She enjoyed just looking.

Was he a friend, a date, something serious and permanent? She looked at Sam and hoped this relationship would have a chance to grow. From his kiss in greeting, he was clearly thinking the same way. She helped herself to a handful of the Cheerios Bethany had been eating. She was ready for dinner. “What’s it like being on the front lines? I only know of a couple places you’ve been.”

“I can do better than Cheerios. How about Chex mix?”

“Hand it over.”

Sam passed her the dish. She picked out the peanuts first.

“I’ve seen just about every terrain God created short of tropical jungle. Cold and heat, tough living conditions, carry in your own water and food, lots of miles walked in boots, lots of sneaking around in towns you don’t want to be seen in.” He sorted out Bethany’s blocks by color. “Are you handling the work overseas okay? You’ve been busy. I’m glad you were able to get back to the States for a while.”

It was a hard question to know how to answer. “I walk away from the office every day wondering what I missed, what I should have seen.” She wished she could put in words what those long evening hours when she couldn’t sleep were like. “It’s a struggle to learn enough to head off the next attack. I know we aren’t going to be able to stop them all and it haunts me.” She knew what could come next, the rumors of what different terrorist groups planned, and she feared the phone call that would come in the middle of the night. “And Luther is still out there waiting to profit on that terror, to even fund it if he can make money doing so.”

“I’m sorry we weren’t able to grab Dansky. It—”

She stopped his words with an extended hand. “It’s okay. Morocco disrupted so many groups it’s considered the most successful strike of the last months. We’ll get him.”

“Dar, the weight of the last months is visible. I’d like to think you could get your life back at some point. Have you at least had a chance to get back to North Dakota?”

Just the thought made her smile. She dreamed of getting back to work on her house. She’d love to have Sam’s help digging the new fence posts. “I’ve been too busy to get home. I do talk to my sister several times a week though, and she shipped some of my stuff out here.”

“You need to get home.”

“I don’t want to drag this stuff back there, you know? Amy will take one look at me and read me like an open book.”

“She can do that?” Sam asked. “I’m going to have to meet her and ask her secret. Are you at least going to be able to get home later this year for the holidays?” The sound of a car door slamming caught his attention. “Hold that thought. That sounds like Joe and Kelly.” Sam got up to open the door.

* * *

Darcy liked Sam’s apartment. It was definitely a bachelor pad with only a few soft touches in the decor. It didn’t look like he had lived here all that much, but it was quite interesting to see what he had collected. Not many guys had a kayak in the hallway. There were more family photos on the tables and hanging on the walls than she had expected. His two brothers were easy to pick out and his parents. “How big is your family?”

“With cousins?” He paused to count. “Thirty-two, but I may have missed a couple.” He handed her the soda she’d requested. “Give me twenty minutes to shower, shave, and change. Make yourself at home.”

“Do you mind if I use your phone?”

“Feel free.”

Sam went to change for dinner. Darcy wandered for several more minutes, absorbing the images. Sam was a family man down to the guts of who he was. And his home vibrated South Dakota from the art on the wall to the rugs on his floor. He might love the sea, but he was also still deeply attached to the place he had grown up and where his family called home.

The family ranch must be huge. There were photos of guys on horseback moving cattle, bringing in hay; there was timber, a lake, and pictures of elk. She smiled at the photo of Sam with his arm draped around his mom. It was good to see his roots. He’d grown up in an area where the sheer scale of the land and the effort it took to live there led a man to have big dreams.

She picked up the cordless phone in the living room and walked outside to the patio to call Gabriel and let him know she had arrived.

* * *

Sam nudged open the patio door with his foot. He’d been dreaming about a steak and lobster dinner for a long time, and sharing it with Darcy would make this evening perfect. “Okay, what are you thinking about so hard?”

She looked back at him and smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just thinking.”

The phone was off but still in her hand. He studied her face for a moment and motioned her over. “Well think harder this way.”

She rose to join him. He settled her wrap more firmly around her shoulders. It was windy out tonight and a bit cool as it threatened to rain. She didn’t need someone taking care of her. She could handle herself briefing soldiers aboard an aircraft carrier and could probably sneak in and out of enemy country undetected if needed, but Sam rather enjoyed the fact that she was letting him take care of her anyway. “Let me guess, you checked your messages.”