Love of a Marine (The Wounded Warriors Series Book 2)

by Patty Campbell

  Dwayne growled and made a fake charge. Marla screamed, and then when he turned away she laid a hard whack on his butt. Shoulders shaking with chuckles, he pulled a rag out of his back pocket and wiped his hands on the way to the garage.

  Laughing at their antics, Cluny hugged Graciella from behind and nuzzled her neck. “My hands are clean. I’d like a kiss from my beautiful girlfriend.”

  She gave him a sidewise glance. “Santos will see us.”

  “I don’t care. Do you?”

  Did she care if Santos saw her kissing Cluny? Yes, of course she did, but what was the harm? He’d been witness to most of those goodnight kisses for a while now. She tilted her head up and gave him a light kiss on the mouth. “No, I guess not, amor. We’ll just have to see how he takes it in. Now, take a sandwich and sit. It’s been hours since breakfast. You’ll need your strength to help us move.”

  He waggled his eyebrows. “And for other activities.”

  “How do you plan to manage that?”

  “Where there’s a will, baby.” He winked, grabbed a sandwich, and headed for the picnic table.

  Santos and Amber returned, drying wet hands on the seats of their pants. “I’m starved, Mama. Can I have one too?”

  “Take a sandwich and go sit with Macfearsome. I’ll bring cups for the lemonade. Then you can tell us all about your campout.”

  Dwayne and Marla joined them. She set the baby monitor on the table. DD and Queen sat in the shade of the big eucalyptus and chewed rawhide strips.

  Santos swallowed a gulp of lemonade and regaled them with recounting the scariest ghost story, and how the big kids snuck outside the tent to yell and bang on the sides of the canvas to scare the daylights out of the rest of them. “I was scared, but it was fun! Did you and Mama have fun last night, Macfearsome?”

  “It was an adventure, sailor, but not nearly as exciting as yours. Sounds like you’ll be hitting the rack early tonight. I bet you didn’t get much sleep, did you?”

  “I don’t know for sure, but we finally fell asleep. Amber did before me because she already knew the ghost story by heart.”

  Graciella tipped her head at Amber. “Do you like ghost stories, Amber?”

  “Yeah, I guess, but they’re rilly for little kids. I’m getting too big for them.”

  “My, aren’t we growing up a little fast?” Marla asked her. “When you tricked me into marrying your dad, you promised me you’d be my little girl for a long time.”

  Santos’s eyes got big. He stared at Amber. “Did you trick them?”

  “Not rilly. They wanted to get married, but were taking too long to decide. Do you want your mom to get married again?”

  Santos shrugged. “I never thought about it.” He turned to his mother. “Do you want to get married again, mama? Get a new dad for me?”

  Cluny smacked the table. “Hey, guess what! Baseball practice starts day after tomorrow. You both need to get your paperwork in by Saturday morning. I expect we’re going to get a lot of kids signed up this summer.”

  “Do you have the papers, mama?”

  Graciella hugged Santos and kissed his cheek. “They’re in the desk at home. You can finish filling them out when Cluny takes us there.” She glanced at the other three adults, and then put her hand on Santos’s shoulder. “We’re going to stay at his house for a little while starting today.”

  “We are? Why?”

  “I’ll explain on the way home. Now, help clear up the table so we can be on our way. We have a lot to do this afternoon.” She wasn’t sure how she would explain why they were staying with Cluny, but would probably tell him as much of the truth as possible without frightening him.

  “Hey, Santos.” Amber followed him to the house. “If you stay at Uncle Cluny’s I can ride my bike over there. It’s not that far. We can practice baseball and go to the park and stuff. And Uncle Cluny promised he’d take some days off to go to the beach again.”

  Marla nodded and spoke quietly so the kids wouldn’t overhear. “That’s a good decision, Graciella, especially after what happened. It’s farther for you to go to and from work though.”

  Graciella piled plates and cups on the tray. “I’m thinking of closing the samba studio for a few weeks. I did last summer, and it didn’t hurt the bottom line that much. Many of my adult students take time off to travel and vacation with their kids as it is.”

  “I hope you do. That’ll give the two us time to get better acquainted,” Marla said. “We can take the kids to the beach if Dwayne and Cluny have a problem taking time off. I’m ready to get my mother to babysit so I can go on a real live shopping spree, and maybe you could join me for a day at the spa for some serious pampering.”

  Graciella pressed her lips together to suppress a smile. “Are you by any chance vetting me? Making sure I’m good enough for Cluny?”

  “Am I that obvious?” Marla rested her hand on Graciella’s arm.

  Dwayne and Cluny exchanged amused looks but didn’t comment. Cluny took the tray from her. “Let me take that, sweetheart. Gunny and I’ll clean up the kitchen while you and Marla visit.”

  Marla shifted to the opposite bench directly across from Graciella. “I hope you’re not too worried about moving into Cluny’s place. He’s so easy to get along with and he’s got plenty of room for both of you.”

  “I’m very worried, Marla. Moving in together, even temporarily, is a big step. I hope we don’t get off to a bad start. He’ll want us to sleep together, and I told him it wouldn’t be proper with Santos in the house. I’m not at all sure how to handle it.”

  “I hear you. It was very tricky for Dwayne and me with Amber underfoot. Fortunately, we had a few weeks by ourselves when she spent time at his mother’s ranch in Wyoming. It worked out because she was scheming the whole time to get us together and thought it was the most natural thing for us to share a bedroom. It’s hard to know what a child is thinking. Sometimes we worry too much.”

  “I suppose you’re right. We’ll just have to see how it goes.”

  “Santos can spend the night here now and then to give you some private time. It’s perfectly fine with Dwayne and me. After all, he’s our future son-in-law, right?”

  They enjoyed a laugh then went to join the others.

  * * *

  Cluny met Santos’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “So, after Jamal showed up at your apartment and behaved so badly, I asked your mother if she’d consider moving to my house for a while. He doesn’t know me or where I live.”

  “I don’t like Jamal. He scares me.”

  Cluny hid a small smile when he saw the boy put his arm around Queen and move closer to her. The dog sniffed Santos’s ear and looked like she understood what he’d said.

  “I’m going to bring my laptop to Cluny’s so I can e-mail my customers and let them know I’ll be closed for a while,” Graciella said. “We’ll stop at the studio and put a sign in the window before we leave Chatsworth.”

  “Macfearsome?”

  “Yeah?”

  “What am I allowed to bring with me?”

  “Anything you want. We’ve got the trunks and seats of two cars to fill up. Do you have a bike?”

  “I know how to ride, but I don’t have one. Grandpa taught me on his. Mama says there’s too much traffic where we live to ride a bike.”

  Cluny grinned. “Well, I’ve got two of them in my garage. There are plenty of quiet streets in my neighborhood and a nice long bike trail through the park next door.”

  It took nearly two hours for Santos and Graciella to decide what to bring and to pack clothes for each of them. Cluny lugged the boxes and suitcases down to the cars. “Don’t worry about forgetting anything. It’s not that much of a trip to come back if you do.”

  Santo’s eyelids grew heavier as the day wore on. He dozed off in Cluny’s car on the way to his house. Graciella’s backseat and passenger seat were stacked with boxes.

  She pulled into his driveway and parked behind him. She went to open the back door of Clun
y’s car. “Oh, Santos is asleep.”

  “Let him sleep while we haul your stuff in, baby. I’ll inflate the air mattress, and you can make up his bed, then I’ll carry him in.” He stepped out of his green monster and embraced her for a brief kiss.

  “I’m tired too.” Graciella yawned. “None of us got much sleep last night. It’ll be an early bedtime all around. I could whip up an omelet for dinner. Would that be enough for you, amor?”

  “That’ll hit the spot, sweetheart. Now, let’s get the cars unloaded.”

  He dragged the air mattress from a hallway cupboard and inflated it in one of the empty bedrooms. While Graciella made up the bed, Cluny made a few trips to the car and set Santos’s suitcase and a few boxes of his things next to the bedroom wall.

  They returned to his car together. Cluny opened the back door and lifted Santos in his arms. “He probably won’t wake up for dinner. The poor kid is out like a light.”

  They put Santos on the airbed, removed his shoes, and covered him with a sheet. He didn’t move a muscle. Queen lay on the floor next to him. “Don’t get any ideas about being a pampered pet, Queenie. You’re still on the job.” Cluny gave her a vigorous scratch between the ears and stood. “Let’s leave the door open in case he comes around while we’re eating.”

  Graciella put her arm around his waist. “Yes, I wouldn’t want him to be scared when he wakes in a strange place. Come, I’ll make that omelet. I’m fading fast.”

  After dinner, Cluny led her to the living room. He lay on his back on the big sofa, pulled her down on top of him, and put his arms around her. They slept through the night, and when they woke, Santos and Queen were snoozing on the carpeted floor in front of the couch.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Friday morning, Cluny’s house

  Graciella raised her groggy head and remembered where she’d fallen asleep. Before she had a chance, Cluny pushed tangles of unruly hair from her eyes. He wore a broad grin on his unshaven face. She was surprised to spot a few gray bristles hiding among all the black ones.

  “Good morning, babe. I slept great, how about you?”

  She stared down at his chest. “Oh no, I drooled all over your shirt.” Heat flushed her cheeks.

  “Yeah, I know. Gross.” He brushed his fingertips on her cheek.

  “Why are you whispering?”

  He put a finger under her chin, turned her head, and pointed to the floor. “We have company.”

  Queen raised her head and gazed at them for a moment then lowered it between her paws next to the sleeping Santos.

  Graciella smiled. “When did he come in here?”

  “No idea.”

  She shifted. “You’re poking me.”

  “Happens every morning.” His grin grew broader. “Can’t be helped.”

  She returned his sexy smile and tongued his earlobe. “By either of us, I’m afraid. Do you know what time it is?”

  “Does it matter?”

  She lowered her chin to his chest again. “No, I guess not. How are we going to get up from here without waking him?”

  Cluny’s big hand pressed down on her bottom, pushing her tight against his erection. “He found us like this, so why does it matter?”

  “You better stop that, amor. Nothing can come of it.”

  “Pure torture, isn’t it?” He pulled her head down and kissed her.

  A sleepy boy’s voice drifted from the floor. “Torture?”

  Cluny turned his head. “Morning, sailor. We were just speculating about how to get up from here without waking you, but that’s no longer a problem. How did you end up sleeping on the hard floor in here?”

  Santos sat up and rubbed his eyes. “I woke up and Queen was gone. I looked in your bedrooms but couldn’t find anybody. I thought you left, and then I found you in here. So I snuggled up next to Queen because you were asleep.”

  Graciella put her hand on his head. “Looks like we’re all awake now. Shall I fix breakfast?”

  Santos lay back down next to Queen. “I’m so sleepy. It’s still dark out.”

  “Yes, it is.” Graciella slid higher on Cluny’s body and kissed him softly. She raised her eyes and smiled. “Maybe you should go back to bed for a while, son.” She pushed off Cluny and stood. “Come on. Let’s get you to a more comfortable place to sleep. Nobody is going to leave you alone.” She tugged his arm.

  He stumbled down the hall next to her as she led him back to his temporary bedroom and tucked him in.

  “Did Queen come with us?” He said on a yawn.

  “No, Cluny takes her for a run every morning before daylight. Go back to sleep. I’ll wake you after a while.” She kissed his cheek and pulled the blanket over his shoulders, left the room and closed the door.

  Cluny was tying the laces on his running shoes when she got to the kitchen. “It’s still pretty early, baby. Why don’t you catch a few more winks? Queenie and I’ll be out for about an hour.”

  “I’m awake now. If it’s OK, I’ll rummage around in here and find something to cook for breakfast.”

  “Make yourself at home.” He stood and pulled her into his arms. “Sure you don’t want to catch a little more sleep. It’s only five.”

  She placed her hands on his cheeks. “Are you going to work today?”

  “Got to. We’re starting a big job on Monday, so I’ll work a long day today. Tomorrow morning too, but I’ll be back in plenty of time to get the kids organized for the first day of baseball tryouts at the park. I’ll let you in on a secret.”

  “What secret?” She smiled at his teasing grin.

  “Every kid makes the team even if they have two left feet. We’re in it for fun, not serious like Little League. I probably enjoy it the most. Wanna be the team mom?”

  “That all depends.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and held tight so she could lean back and gaze into his long, noble face. “What do I have to do?”

  “The usual mom stuff. Have plenty of Band-Aids for the boo-boos. Organize the Snack Patrol of other moms. Hugs when needed. Stuff like that.”

  On tiptoe, she kissed his lips. “That I can manage. Now beat it, and I’ll rustle up some breakfast. I can’t have you going off to work inadequately nourished. It’s against my principles.”

  Cluny lifted her off her feet and turned in a circle. “Careful, you might spoil me.”

  “That I can manage too. Now, put me down so I can get to work. I need to shower first.”

  He ogled her, waggling his eyebrows. “I’d rather stay and watch.”

  Graciella held up a fist and squinted, pressing her lips tight to keep from laughing.

  Cluny chuckled and backed off. Summoning Queen, he and the dog left from the kitchen door.

  Graciella hugged herself and spun around in the large modern kitchen. She’d cooked in here last week when they’d made the chocolate candy for the party. It shouldn’t take long for her to locate everything she’d need to put together a hearty breakfast for Cluny and Santos. But first, she’d shower and change clothes.

  She walked quietly down the hall to the bedroom where Cluny had carried her suitcase and a couple of cartons. “Now where did I put those things I pulled from the dryer?” She dug through a box looking for underwear and found a freshly a laundered bra and panties, and then decided to put the rest of them in a drawer of the large dresser across from the foot of the bed.

  The top drawer wasn’t empty. The first thing she saw was a hairbrush, a tube of hand crème and a book. It had the feel of snooping, but she touched the brush and stared at the blond hair strands. All of a sudden the presence of Misty Beachy suffocated her. Graciella dropped the brush, slammed the drawer shut and backed away. When her knees bumped into the mattress, she sat on the bed, slumped forward and put her head in her hands. “Stop this, Graciella. Stop this right now.” But no matter how many times she repeated the phrase, the green-eyed monster refused taming.

  * * *

  Cluny pounded down the street next to Queen. He couldn’t rememb
er the last time he felt so good, so full of energy. He sucked in a deep breath of cool morning air and laughed out loud. “I don’t know about you, Queenie, but I feel great.” He leaned down, smacked her rump, and sprinted ahead. She took off with a burst of speed and passed him easily, eager to play.

  A patrol car appeared over the rise and approached him slowly. The deputy leaned out the window and grinned like a Cheshire cat. “You look like you just hit the lotto, McPherson.”

  Cluny stopped and bent to catch his breath. “You’d look like this too if you had a beautiful woman in your kitchen cooking breakfast, pal.”

  “Ah, it just so happens I do, and that’s where I’m headed right now.” He whacked the outside of the door with his hand. “Have a good day, my friend.”

  Cluny put out his hand. “Hey! You bringing your kid for baseball tomorrow?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it, coach.”

  “Good. See ya.” He took off in a run. “Come on, Queen. It’s time for breakfast.” The last half mile went by in a flash. He passed the park and ran up his driveway, sat on the top porch step and pulled off his shirt. Growling, he played tug-of-war with an old knotted rag with her for a couple of minutes then stood. “Oops, gotta go round back, girl. This door is locked.” He hadn’t taken his wallet or keys when he left an hour ago.

  The smell of coffee and bacon greeted him at the back screen door. Sniffing like a starved cur, he opened the door and strode into the kitchen. “It smells like heaven in here, baby.”

  Santos sat at the table sipping a glass of orange juice and smiled a greeting. “Macfearsome, Mama’s making waffles.”

  “Great!” Cluny patted the boy’s back. “You’re up early.” He embraced Graciella from behind. He sensed her stiffen and chalked it up to the fact he probably needed a shower. “I’ll be back in five, sweetheart. I’m starved.”

  He walked down the hall toward his bedroom. When he passed the open door of the guest room, he noticed her suitcase and the still-packed boxes sitting on the bed. He shrugged off a hint of unease he couldn’t explain and hit the shower.