With Honor

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  Dropping his feet to the floor, he planted his elbows on his knees and propped his chin on one fist. She got a whiff of a woodsy scent and shampoo. His gaze held her face, but somehow it seemed to target the area between her thighs. Tingles erupted inside her stomach. Her body betrayed her mind. How could she want a man with his track record of love ’em and leave ’em? The pregnancy hormones caused the flare-up of need in the core of her body. The one thing she wanted from him was confirmation of his ability as a father, not as a partner.

  “I’m a little confused, darling. Are you here to give me shit for making a so-called promise for eggs and bacon? Or, did you just want to tell me that I’m responsible for making a baby?”

  Her jaw ached to drop, but she didn’t dare show emotion. She had a feeling he’d enjoy getting a rise from her. “I’m over the make-a-promise-then-run thing.” Waving a hand in the air, she blew off his sarcasm. “I didn’t miss you when you left. What we’d shared in bed was a blip on the radar of a forgotten night.”

  One corner of his mouth curved. “Is that so? Then why are you angry?”

  “Angry? Maybe I have reason to be. You left me a note like I was nothing more than–”

  “A blip, perhaps?” He wiggled his brows. “Maybe it’d be best just to clear the air and admit you were wanting seconds.”

  He teased her, or did he really think she wanted him? His eyes glistened and his smile broadened as if he found this entertaining.

  “I assure you, Shane Conner, I do not give a hoot about you–or your body parts.” Her gaze automatically dropped to his zipper. “It’s my moral obligation to tell you that during our time together we conceived a child. Just that simple.”

  “The paper you gave me says you’re eleven weeks.”

  “Yes.”

  “Why didn’t you come sooner?”

  “Because I just found out myself a short time ago. Then it took me another week and a half to decide if I wanted to share the news with you.”

  “Were you hoping I’d jump up and down in glee at the concept of becoming a father?” His eyes narrowed.

  “Is this an interrogation?”

  “I have a right to ask these questions,” he said.

  “Sure you do, but if you’re trying to figure out if I’m truly pregnant, then you should have called the doctor.” She didn’t like being treated like an enemy.

  “What makes you think the doctor would have told me anything? Isn’t that against some medical code of law?” he asked.

  “In most cases, probably so. But when the doctor is a very good friend of mine, and he knows the circumstances, he’s doing this as a favor. I even left a message on his phone letting him know to expect your call. Does that mean you didn’t call?”

  “I did. Doc confirmed your pregnancy.”

  “Then you should stop wasting your energy. If you’re not interested in being a father, that’s okay. I can do this alone.”

  “Did I say that I didn’t want to be the father to your child?” He blew out a long sigh. “I would never drop the ball on my responsibility.”

  * * * *

  Shawn had no clue what in the hell he was getting himself into. Shane’s responsibilities had become his. That’s what brothers were for, especially when one brother wasn’t around to handle the situation.

  He believed Jasmine. No doubt, she’d had an intimate encounter with Shane. She had no reason to lie. However, he didn’t know why his brother had given her the idea they could spend the following morning together. Shane had orders to ship out for a year. Any soldier knew he couldn’t make plans when he shipped out on deployment.

  Jasmine didn’t fit Shane’s usual type. This woman even seemed to have a mind and an idea of what she wanted in life. Shane tended to gravitate toward women who didn’t use brain cells. Shawn had a long mental list of questions he wanted to ask this strange woman who’d popped into his life, especially the conversation she’d had with his brother, because she might be the last person who’d seen him. He had to be careful, though and not disclose to her he wasn’t Shane, at least not until his crash cleared. Shawn had no clue how long the investigation would take. He didn’t want to be deceitful, and didn’t view what he was doing as a lie. And when the time came, he’d tell her who he was.

  In the meantime, he’d help her out in any way he could. He’d be a father to her child…his brother’s child.

  Smoothing his hand over his hair, he swallowed the nervous tightness in his throat. For now, he had to protect Jasmine. She carried his brother’s child, his family. “I want to be a father.” His lips quivered with the words. They actually didn’t hurt though like he’d expected.

  Her eyes rounded. “Huh? You do? That’s a surprise.”

  Damn, this woman didn’t have much of an opinion of him, or his brother, or both of them. Feeling guilt because he shared his brother’s gene pool wasn’t fair. Shawn had never been the type to charm a woman into bed, then bounce out at morning light. He wanted to tell Jasmine that he’d grown tired of her pointing her finger at him like he were scum of the earth. “Again, your opinion of me is flattering.”

  “During your interview with me, you laughed when I asked about children in the future. You seemed dead set against having any. Last night, you seemed cold when I’d told you. You even mentioned that I should ‘take care of it.’”

  “I didn’t say it quite like that.” He swallowed. Maybe he had. Yet, now he wanted the baby. Sure, he wasn’t the father, and eventually he’d have to tell her, but for now he was the closest thing to one.

  “Give me some credit. Think of the circumstances. How would most men respond with news of that caliber?” Did he see a glimpse of relief cross her features? Bright eyes stared back at him and he swore she melted his layers of steel.

  “Okay, I’ll give you that. I handled it poorly myself. In fact, I wasn’t even sure at first if I wanted to keep it. Feelings change, though, after the truth has time to sink in. But…where do we go from here?” Silence surrounded them.

  “You move to Texas,” he blurted. Oh fuck. He’d actually said the words. What the hell? Had he lost his mind? He gave himself a mental ass-kicking. And by her shocked expression, he guessed she thought he’d lost his mind. Perhaps he had.

  “Can’t do that. No possible way,” she said.

  She was right. He opened his mouth to agree, but the words didn’t come. If she left, how could he keep her safe? Keep the baby safe? She carried his flesh and blood. That made all the difference in the world. “Why not?”

  Her jaw tightened. “I have a career. I have–”

  He lifted his brow. “You have what? Family? A boyfriend? I guess I didn’t think of that. Something like another man’s baby would be hard to explain.”

  Her bright eyes dulled. That faraway expression reminded him of himself. She was alone, just like he’d been for a while. His mother and father were dead. Now Shane too. His throat tightened. He had been alone until now. He had another living being to think about.

  “No one is keeping me from moving here.” She cleared her throat. “But asking me to move here is a lot.”

  He wondered how he could convince her that moving was right for him. A vibration on his thigh stopped him. He grabbed his cell from his pocket and offered her an apologetic frown. “Damn technology. I should take this.”

  “Sure. Should I leave?” She started to get up.

  “No, stay.” He hit Talk. “Conner here.”

  “Holbert here.”

  “Why the hell you calling me, Airman? Today’s my day off.” First day he’d had off in weeks, since the accident. He still couldn’t get away. Shawn grimaced as he listened to the other man complaining about a problem back at the shop. “Shit! I’ll be there in a few. And tell the other boys to keep their grimy hands off my girl or I’ll shoot them.” Punching the off button, he shoved the phone back into his pocket.

  “Duty calls?” Jasmine asked.

  “Yeah, I guess you could say that. I’ve got to run.”
He jumped up and she stood also.

  “I’ll jot down your number–”

  “I’ll give it to you later. Give me two minutes to get changed and we’ll head out.” He started for the stairs.

  “I’ll go ahead and get out of your way.” She took a quick step toward the door.

  “I thought you’d go with me.” Shawn guessed he hadn’t made himself clear enough. Communication wasn’t his strong point. He’d always been good at barking orders and never talking.

  “Go with you? Uhh, sounds like a woman issue and I’d rather not get involved.” She edged closer to the door.

  Woman issue? Then he understood and laughed. “Trust me, it’s a girl problem, but not with one that’ll talk back. Give me two, okay?” Rushing up the stairs, he didn’t give her time to argue.

  Without thought, he broke into an upbeat whistle.

  Chapter 4

  Sliding out of the passenger side of Shane’s Jeep, Jasmine glanced around the parking lot. Past the large blue metal building were rows of old airplanes.

  “We call this the airplane graveyard. A lot of history sits out there on that lot,” Shane said. They made their way to the building.

  Inside the hangar sat three new, shiny planes. Although Jasmine knew as much about flying as she did about repairing a car engine, she still admired the beauty of the sleek machines. The acrid smell of oil and metal hung in the air, not suffocating, but strong. Hang On, Sloopy played through the speakers.

  She stayed back, watching Shane walk to where a man dressed in dirty overalls stood shoulder deep in the bottom of a jet. He was belting out the words to “Sloopy” in a high-pitched, uneven tone. Jasmine bit back laughter.

  “Holbert?” Shane yelled. No response. “Hey, Holbert!” Shane pounded his fist against the side of the plane.

  The slender man jerked and struck the back of his head against the frame of the plane. He crawled out of the opening, holding his head. “What the fuck?”

  “Sorry that we interrupted your live concert, Holbert.” Shane laughed. “If I wasn’t embarrassed for you, I’d have listened a while longer. Your singing reminded me of the roosters my mom had on the farm.” Shane moved underneath the plane’s belly and looked up inside.

  He’d changed into his ABU’s before they left his house. He looked amazingly tough and masculine–broad and strong. His build matched the jets he flew in: powerful, sleek and stealthy.

  “Embarrassed my ass, Conner.” Holbert grabbed for a dirty towel and scrubbed his hands. “I know I have talent.”

  “I’m talking about our company, Holbert. I’m talking about her embarrassment,” Shane nodded at her.

  “Huh?” Holbert looked past Shane. Jasmine could see his Adam’s apple bob. Even the oil couldn’t hide the three shades of red he turned. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”

  “No problem.” Jasmine smiled. “And don’t worry. I’m not embarrassed. Shane’s envious that he can’t sing as well as you.” She teased, since she’d never heard Shane sing. He dipped his head out of the hole and shot her a grin that could melt an iceberg. That smile did something to her, deep in the pit of her stomach. Inhaling sharply, she forced the feeling to take a backseat to logical reasoning.

  “Haha, she’s got you figured out, Conner.” Holbert, above average in height, and below average in weight, strolled toward her. His eyes and teeth appeared stark white against the backdrop of his dirty face. “I’d shake your hand, Miss, but–” Instead, he held up his hands and waved his grimy fingers.

  “I understand.”

  “Holbert, this is Jasmine Sinclaire,” Shane mumbled from the underbelly.

  Holbert chuckled and scratched his balding head. “What is a pretty, intelligent woman like you doing with an ugly beast like Conner?”

  Jasmine liked the man already. “Well, I’m not with him. I’m just here visiting.” She caught Shane rolling his eyes as he moved away from the plane.

  “Can you tell me the problem here, Holbert? Then you two can chitchat. This was my day off, you know.” Shane dusted his palms on his pants.

  Holbert winked at Jasmine and turned to Shane. “She’s still making that clicking sound. I can’t give her the go-ahead to fly unless I figure out why she’s moaning and groaning.”

  “She’s not ready for the sky yet.” Shane rubbed his palm along the side of the plane. “She just needs some TLC first.” He unbuttoned his long-sleeved jacket and slid it off his arms.

  Jasmine listened as the two men discussed plane parts, but completely lost track of their words as she watched them from afar. Shane fascinated her. He’d brought her along, when he could have blown her off, which didn’t correlate with her opinion that he was the egotistical, I-know-everything-with-a-smile sort of guy. He had a toughness, and a gentleness when he smiled. The opportunity to get to know him lay ahead. Yet, getting to know him was only a small part. Shane had asked her to move to Texas. Had he been joking? How could she possibly uproot herself from her home and move to a place where she had no job? Shane was the only person she knew in the state. He was the father of her unborn child, which did mean a lot for her baby.

  What had come over him since last night? What had changed from then to this morning? Maybe because he wasn’t the arrogant ass she’d thought.

  Jasmine sat down on a wooden barrel as she continued to watch Shane. He grabbed a hammer with a flat head from the box on the floor and went back to his girl. A metal, made-for-speed, three-thousand-pound one, to be exact. A loud bang echoed off the walls, making her jump, followed by a string of curses from Shane. Then she heard, “Sorry. I forgot there was a woman close by,” he said. She laughed.

  Her seat happened to be the best in the house. The man was sexy and very hard on her libido. His muscles bulged in the t-shirt as he twisted and turned the tool. He made working on the plane appear erotic. A warm feeling erupted inside her core and spread through her.

  She was attracted to her baby’s father. She’d believed the infatuation had lasted from the time she’d met him at the interview and ended when she awoke that next morning with him gone. It struck her that what she was feeling now was different, stronger, than before. Could it be the rush of hormones?

  Shane moved back, breaking her concentration as he tossed the tool to Holbert. “Problem solved,” he stated with a proud grin.

  “Show off.” Holbert shook his head in bewilderment. “You’ve never been this good before. I don’t think you wanted anyone to know that you can fly a plane and fix her too.”

  “I just know this girl inside and out.” Shane held out his arms and hands to keep from touching his clothes.

  Could he treat a real woman, not a plane, with such tenderness? She did know he could work his charm. This time, he wasn’t using the same arsenal with her. He almost seemed to be keeping his distance. She found herself wanting to know him better–for the baby’s sake, of course. That’s all.

  “I’ll wash up and be right back,” Shane said to her as he passed. “Don’t let Holbert kill you with his singing.”

  “Yeah, yeah, Conner. I might steal her away from you if I sing too much.” Holbert teased while he cleaned the tools. “I bet she’s a woman who appreciates a man with good vocal chords.”

  Shane’s laughter faded until he disappeared down a hallway. Holbert fixed the door back onto the underside of the plane. He paused in his work and said to her, “Really, in all honesty, Conner’s a great guy. He’s seems to have settled down a lot in the last few months. A little edgy, but still, a good change.”

  Jasmine nodded, still watching the spot where Shane had disappeared. “I’m getting an idea that he’s a good guy, but at the same time, I’m thinking that statement is loaded.”

  “I’m just glad to see the man attached. First time he’s brought a woman around that I’ve seen,” Holbert said.

  “First time?” She found that hard to believe.

  “He’s always lived a life of freedom, swearing he’d never stay in one place too long. Appears he could be t
hinking differently these days.” Holbert winked and went back to his work on the door.

  Jasmine needed fresh air. Sliding off the barrel, she headed toward the open double doors and into the bright afternoon sunlight. She didn’t want to put much thought into Holbert’s words, but it did make her curious. Why had Shane brought her here? Sounded like he didn’t mix personal and professional business often. That was understandable, but why mingle them now?

  Following the sidewalk along the row of desolate planes, she stopped at a rusted heap of metal. The forgotten machinery reminded her of her life, layers of steel and solitude.

  Her mother had run off with a neighbor man, leaving Jasmine alone with her father, who traveled a lot for work. When he was off in some foreign country, he’d leave Jasmine alone with Aunt Sophie. The older woman had been the greatest aunt a niece could ask for, but Sophie had health issues most of her later life that had kept her from leaving the house. When Sophie had passed a few years back, Jasmine had lost all living relatives.

  Until now…

  Jasmine palmed her flat stomach. No real physical sign of a baby yet, but she or he was there. Was she mother material? At thirty-four, she wasn’t old but her clock ticked. Many women were having children later in age but who knew what her future held? This could be her last chance at having a family. The pregnancy hadn’t been planned or expected, but some of the best things in life came out of the blue.

  “She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”

  Jasmine turned and bumped into Shane’s massive chest and bounced backward. He gently caught her by the elbow. “I didn’t hear you. You caught me off guard,” she said breathlessly.

  “You look pale. You okay?” Shane still held her.

  “I’m fine. I am pale. I don’t have your coloring.” Jasmine attempted a nonchalant laugh, but it fizzled into a low gurgle. She was nervous. His large fingers moved from her elbow to her hand, sending tingles of warmth through her veins and pumping straight into her heart. The man did have a power over her. “I couldn’t see the plane past my thoughts,” she admitted.

  Their eyes connected. The moment passed like an intravenous drip filling her veins with morphine. He moved closer and she saw a look in his eye. Was he going to kiss her? Awaiting the moment his lips touched hers, she leaned closer–but it didn’t come. He let her go instead. She immediately felt the chill, and the disappointment.