“I’ll fetch her,” Graciella offered. “You need to take a breather, and anyway I’ve wanted the get my hands on the cute little fluff ball all afternoon.” She carried out the salad and peered around the large yard. DD chased some of the children while Queen watched from the shade of a large eucalyptus. Everything about Queen indicated she thought the little dog was nothing if not boring.
Approaching the kids, Graciella stood until DD ran past her then reached down and scooped her up. “Come here you little miscreant. Your mom says it’s time for your afternoon nap.”
She carried the tiny dog inside.
Marla nodded her head in the direction of the hall. “Her prison cell is in Amber’s room. The first one on the left. Please close the door when you leave. She’ll be asleep in no time.”
Graciella cuddled the little dog that was panting with exhaustion and went down the hall to Amber’s bedroom. She put her in the kennel with a final pat and locked the wire door. “Sweet dreams.”
On her way back outdoors she heard some men talking and laughing. She peeked in the living room then ducked back when she heard, “Did you see the babe on McPherson’s arm today? How does he do it?”
“That lucky bastard has had more women on their backs than an Arab sheik.”
An icy chill settled in her stomach as she leaned back, tight against the wall.
“Do you suppose he and Beachy are still doing the nasty? They look pretty tight.”
One guy snorted. “The words Beachy and tight don’t belong in the same sentence.”
“What do you know? You’re just pissed because she’d never spread her legs for you.”
“You either, smartass.”
“She never put out for any of the guys in our unit but McPherson.”
To her horror, Dwayne Dempsey walked in from the dining room and saw her cowering against the wall. She turned her head, tried to hide the dismay on her face. He glanced at the men in the living room. “You’ve had enough to drink. Either go out and grab some food or haul ass.”
“You’re not our sergeant any longer, Gunny.” One of them slurred.
“This is my home, asshole. You want to take me on?”
“Nah, he’s OK, Gunny. We’ll get some food and coffee down him. Come on, jerk-off, before you get us thrown out of the party.” The men trooped from the room. One murmured to Dwayne as he passed, “Sorry, man.”
“Yeah,” Dempsey answered, his voice laced with anger and skepticism. He watched them leave then came to her. “You OK? What happened?”
Graciella squeezed her eyes closed and swallowed. “Nothing.”
“What did they say, Graciella?”
She drew in a shaky breath. “They were talking about Cluny.” To her horror, tears brimmed.
“Those creeps will never be invited to my home again.”
“No, please don’t make anything of it. They had too much to drink, that’s all.”
“It’s not the first time. What did you hear?” He gently placed his hands on her bare upper arms. “Tell me what they said, Graciella.”
She choked back a sob. “They said…they said…”
Dwayne put his arm around her shoulders and led her down the hall. “Come with me.”
Marla entered carrying Declan. “Something wrong?”
He looked back over his shoulder. “She overheard those drunks, Sal, Ben, and Joey, shooting off their mouths about something they probably don’t know a damn thing about. In fact, they don’t know shit. I’m going to go and kick their asses out of here.”
Graciella gave him a pleading look. “Please, don’t do that. I’ll be fine.”
“Great goats, please do as she asks, Dempsey, and watch your language, there are women and children present. Come with me, Graciella. I’m going to change Declan and put him down for a nap.”
Not sure what to do, Graciella hesitated. Dwayne gave her a gentle push. “Sorry for my big mouth. Go on. I won’t do anything. Tell Marla what happened.” He left them.
Tears threatened again. She choked back a sob and followed Marla to the master bedroom, not sure what she was feeling or if she could even talk about it. “I should probably go. I should…”
“Come with me. We’ll take care of the baby and get a breather from the party. I need a few minutes anyway. Please?”
Graciella sat on the side of the bed while Marla changed the infant and placed him in the bedside cradle with a pacifier in his mouth. She turned and sat next to her and took her hand. “I don’t know what they said, and you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I’m so sorry.”
“They said some things about Cluny. About him and women.”
“Listen to me. Dwayne and Cluny have been like brothers for over half their lives. I don’t know what you heard, but Cluny’s one of the finest men I’ve ever known. He’s our daughter’s godfather. I trust him with my children. For goodness sake, I’m half in love with the big softy myself.”
Marla’s words took the edge off Graciella’s distress, but she suspected there had to be a grain of truth in what they said or why talk about him that way? “They said some things about him and Misty Beachy, about him having a lot of women.”
Marla scooted closer and hugged her to her side. “Look. They’re speculating, but I’ll tell you what I know. Cluny is an attractive man. He loves and appreciates women. He likes to have fun. He likes to laugh, but he’s never been with anyone for more than a date or two. I doubt most of that time was much more than dinner and a movie. You’re the first woman he’s ever introduced to us. That says a lot.”
“What about Misty? Why would they say those things if there was nothing to it?”
“That was many years ago. Dwayne told me Cluny and Misty were very close in Iraq. They looked after each other. They might have slept together back then. She was his superior officer and very much to herself as far as the men in the unit were concerned. Cluny was the only Marine she ever allowed to get close, and to this day he has never said a single word about their relationship. Dwayne said it drove the men crazy that he wouldn’t dish on her, or why he was able to get close while she held every other man at arm’s length.”
Lingering doubt and fear persisted. “But, do you suppose they’re still—?”
“No, I do not. When they came home from their deployment they went their separate ways. They have a special bond, as soldiers often do who’ve served in war together. Don’t listen to rumors. Ask Cluny. He won’t lie to you.”
“Hearing those things, it really hurt because I’m falling in love with him.” She covered her face with her hands and rocked back and forth. “It’s just…it’s been so long since I’ve had feelings for a man. I have a child, I have responsibilities, and I can’t behave like a moonstruck teenager.”
Marla chuckled. “Oh, honey, don’t find trouble where there isn’t any. I can give you that advice because that’s what I always did before I met Dwayne. Just relax and try to have a good time tonight.” She stood and tugged Graciella to her feet. “If we stay here much longer we’ll miss the sing-off.”
“Sing-off?”
“Let’s go, you’ll see. It’s so much fun. Even the kids participate. Why don’t you splash some cold water on your face first?”
“Yes, my eyes are probably red from crying.”
Marla waited for her then checked the baby monitor, led the way from the bedroom, and quietly closed the door.
Cluny spotted her when they walked out onto the covered patio. He stood and flashed a happy grin, pointed to an empty chair, and motioned for her to join him. “Where you been, baby?” He kissed her cheek. “You almost missed the fun.”
She forced a smile. “I was talking to Marla while she put the baby down. What fun?”
He remained standing, then to her surprise began to belt out the Marine hymn. As soon as the words, “From the halls of Montezuma” left his lips about half the men joined him in a raucous version of the familiar song and finished it with a deafening “Ooh Rah!”
amid good-natured hoots and catcalls. Cluny waved his hands and sang, “Off we go into the wild blue yonder,” and other men joined in, singing louder than the Marines. When they finished, laughter and applause filled the yard. Neighbors must have heard them from blocks around.
Chief bellowed, “Listen up you jarheads and flyboys!” He stood with Santos in front of him and a single other man. He sang, “Anchors away my boys, anchors away.” Santos sang along in his reedy boy’s voice and the other partiers joined in. Before they’d finished the final note, the last few men in the crowd began, “Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail,” and were soon joined by the rest of the company.
Cluny leaned close to her ear and shouted, “In official circles the Army song is always done first, but every year I get the jump on them.” He laughed and clapped with the rest.
She smiled in spite of her bruised feelings. “This is wonderful, Cluny. Except for Chief, I thought every man here was a Marine.”
“The only service we don’t have tonight is Coast Guard. Last year there were a couple of Born Readys here, but nobody knew the lyrics to sing along with them. They don’t get no respect.” He grinned. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to cut into one of those steaks Dempsey barbecued. Let’s grab a plate while the parents in the group get their kids settled. Santos and Amber can take care of themselves.”
Her mood lifting, she followed him to the buffet table. Misty handed plates and wrapped silverware to them, then the others lining up behind. Graciella studied the attractive woman. Devoid of makeup, she looked too young to have been a combat veteran. Misty was friendly but guarded. She joked with the guys, said things like, “Move along soldier,” with a smile, but always seemed to have an invisible barrier between herself and others. Graciella would ask Cluny about her, but not tonight.
The water balloon batting contest started before everyone had finished eating. Cluny leaned in and said, “You don’t want to get too close to that corner of the yard, unless you want to get your sexy new dress wet. Just watch, you’ll see what I mean.” He stood. “Got to take my turn behind the plate.”
She admired his graceful, masculine walk as he strolled to the jerry-rigged batting cage, gathering kids as he went like the Pied Piper. Marla sat down beside her, bouncing Declan on her shoulder. Graciella held out her arms. “May I hold him?”
“Sure.” She handed her a small receiving blanket. “Put this over your shoulder. He just ate like a starved piglet.” She stood and put the infant in her arms. “I’ll be right back; I’m going to get a Coke. Want anything?”
“No. Take your time.” Graciella hugged the warm little body to her shoulder and kissed one of his fat hands then rubbed his back. In a few seconds he let fly a massive burp and kicked his legs. “My goodness, you don’t seem big enough to make a sound like that.” She held him so she could examine his features, and he rewarded her with a sappy grin. “Proud of yourself, are you?”
Misty Beachy took the seat Cluny had vacated. She let out a sigh. “Wow, I’m famished. They must have had to bring a U-haul truckload of meat for this crowd.”
She set the plate on her knees and sliced the huge steak on her plate. “Umm, oh, this is so good. Dempsey cooks a mean steak.”
Graciella saw Marla approach then stop, raise her eyebrows, and tilt her head as if to say now’s-your-chance.
Misty grinned around a bite of steak, chewed and swallowed. “Ever get the idea you and I were invited here as babysitters and serving wenches?”
Graciella returned her smile. “Now that you mention it.” She put Declan on his back on her knees and patty-caked his fat little feet together. “What do you think, shorty?”
“That kid looks like he’ll be bigger than his dad some day. Dempsey’s the short one of the three brothers.”
She cocked her head. “Short one?”
“You met his brother Dylan over there, and his brother Donovan is taller than both of them. I’m sorry Donovan didn’t make it today. I haven’t seen him in over four years. He’s a lifer.”
Graciella gasped. “He’s in prison!”
“Oh, no, sorry, he’s a career non-commissioned officer in the Marines. He’s stationed in Hawaii.” Her shoulders bounced when she laughed. “I’ve been around the military so much I forget everybody else isn’t familiar with the jargon.”
Here goes. “So, you’ve known Cluny for a long time?”
“Yeah, we served together in Iraq. We rotated out the same year.”
Not much information there. “Um, you’ve stayed in touch.”
“Not as much as we used to, but yeah, we’re pretty tight.”
Pretty tight? “Oh, so…”
“OK, I’ll make it easy on you because I can see where this is going, OK? I love Mac. He’s the best friend I’ve ever had, male or female.” She met Graciella’s gaze. “Friend. Without benefits. That’s it. Anybody who would ever hurt Mac will have me to answer to.” She jabbed a bite of steak into her mouth, her expression black, she blew a breath from her nose and chewed.
Too stunned to speak, Graciella stared at the happy baby in her lap and swallowed.
“Sorry,” Misty mumbled. “I didn’t mean it to come out like that.”
“That’s OK. I get it.”
“No. My dad says I lack people skills. The only thing I was ever good at is giving orders to soldiers and training dogs.”
“Misty, it’s OK.” Graciella put the baby on her shoulder and stood. “Really.”
“What’s OK?” Cluny came up behind Misty, grabbed her around the shoulders and smacked a resounding kiss on her cheek.
“Mac! You got me all wet, you big jerk.”
“That was my intention, Master Sergeant Beachy, ma’am.” He let go but not before growling into her neck. “What’s OK?”
Beachy extricated herself and shoved him on the chest. “None of your business. Beat it!”
He held his hands up and backed away. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll return when it’s safer.” He chuckled and walked away.
Misty huffed then began to laugh. “See what I mean?”
Graciella nodded. “Uh-huh, I do.”
Marla approached them. “Holy hail, are we going to have fisticuffs here?”
Misty straightened her soggy T-shirt. “Nope. Just putting that big clown in his place. Right, Jefferson?”
“Right, Beachy.” Graciella didn’t try to stop the big grin growing on her face.
Misty picked up her empty plate. “I’m going to put my shirt and shorts in your dryer if that’s OK. He must have taken a few direct hits with the water balloons.”
“Go right ahead,” Marla answered. “There’s a bathrobe on the back of my bedroom door if the fireworks start before they get dry.”
“Thanks.” The petite blond walked away.
Marla bounced the baby on her shoulder. “So? How’d it go?”
“Good question. I’m still processing it. She’s an interesting person.”
Cluny returned, still wearing a sappy smile. “Can I have a hug?”
Graciella gave him a warning look. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Come on, McPherson, I’ll get you a dry shirt.” Marla handed the baby back to Graciella. “Give him to his daddy. It’s his turn.”
“Be right back.” Cluny winked and followed Marla into the house.
Dwayne saw her coming. He took his son, held him high overhead then kissed his rosy little cheeks. “How’s it goin’, slugger?” He turned around so she could deposit the baby into the empty carrier he’d been wearing all day.
“All buckled up,” Graciella said and patted Declan’s chubby baby knees.
Dwayne touched her arm. “Graciella. I don’t want to alarm you, but stay close to Cluny during the fireworks. I’ll keep an eye on him too. He’ll never admit it, but I know the explosions get to him.”
“You’re having fireworks here?”
“No, but we’re high enough we can see them from the high school football field. Th
ey’re pretty spectacular. Don’t worry. He’ll be fine.” He patted her arm and was about to leave when Amber and Santos ran up to him.
“Daddy, look. I didn’t get wet.”
“How’d you manage that, squirt?”
“I missed on purpose and let Uncle Cluny catch all the pitches they threw at me. He got drownded.” She grinned.
“Drowned,” Santos corrected.
She scowled at him. “Yeah. That.” She looked up at her tall father. “When are we having ice cream?”
“After the fireworks. Would you excuse me and Santos for a minute?” He made little shooing motions with his fingers. Puzzled, Amber backed away. Dwayne leaned low next to Santos’s ear so his daughter couldn’t overhear. “A piece of advice, pal. If you want the relationship to last, don’t correct your girlfriend’s use of the language.” He patted the boy’s head and walked away.
Graciella smiled. “Mr. Dempsey will make a great father-in-law. Now do me a favor and go wash up. You’ve got mustard on your cheeks and your hands probably have enough germs to infect an entire city.” She pointed to the house. “That way. Now.”
He emitted a long-suffering sigh. “OK.”
“I better go too,” Amber said, and followed him. “What did my daddy say, Santos?”
“Nuthin.”
Some of the men gathered up trash and set the chairs in rows facing the back fence. Moms corralled their children. A few with the smallest went to Dwayne and Marla to say their goodbyes. Graciella was about to go see if she could do anything to help with the cleanup when Cluny returned and pulled her aside.
“Come in the garage. I want to show you something.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.” He took her hand then led her around the side to the back of the freestanding garage, next to the house. Opening the side door, he tugged her inside.
“It’s too dark to see anything in here. Where’s the light switch?”
“We don’t need light for this.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I’ve been dying to do this for hours.” He kissed her again. This time hugging her tight to his body, he gathered up the hem of her skirt, lifted it, and then he pressed a big hand to her panty-clad bottom. “God, you make me crazy.”
Love of a Marine (The Wounded Warriors Series Book 2) Page 15
