Night Music
Page 17
“But we’ll never tell, will we?”
“Nah.” Drawing her down to him, Devlin kissed her and tucked her head on his shoulder. “You’re happy here, aren’t you?”
“I love your family. They’re wonderful, and what I dreamed of and longed for when I was a girl. So, of course, I’m happy here. But as perfect as this is, I’d be happy anywhere with you.”
“But?”
Growing more certain each day that Devlin could read her mind, Kate broached a concern. “Do you think Hobie would ever consider coming to live with us?”
“So that’s what’s been bothering you.”
“Not bothering, concerning.” Idly she stroked his chest and kissed his throat. “He’s alone, and not well. And, yes, I do worry.”
“Hey, is this what my life is going to be like…you filling the house with strays?”
A sharp slap against his abdomen drew a groan and a laugh as she scolded him. “Hobie isn’t a stray, and this is serious.”
“I know, sweetheart. I know. But you do understand, don’t you, that Hobie will never leave Summer Island.”
Kate shook her head, letting her hair drift slowly across his chest. “I suppose I should. But he needs someone, even if he won’t admit it.”
“Yes, he does,” Devlin agreed. “That’s why I made an offer on the Sea Watch. An offer the owner accepted. It’s a done deal, darlin’, contingent on your approval, of course.”
Kate had been moving over him, evincing her own particular sort of sweet torture. Now she was still, staring down at him. “You would buy the Sea Watch?”
“If it’s what you want. I know you love the house and the island. And there’s Hobie and Tessa to consider.”
“You would settle down?”
“It’s part of the marriage deal, remember? Home, family. Daddy spoiling his girls. Making babies.”
“What would you do?” Now it was Kate who laughed. “Besides that, I mean.”
“There’s a good college in Belle Terre. I was thinking we could both take some courses. Work toward helping Tessa and children like her.”
“You would do that?”
“If I’m going to settle down, I might as well make it count.” Wrapping his arms around her, drawing her closer, he said, “In the bargain, we’d solve the problem of Hobie. We’d be close if he needed us, and he could see Tessa anytime he wanted. So, darlin’, what do you think?”
“I think I love you more than I knew.” Kate folded her hands over his chest and propped her chin nearly against his. “About those babies. I think I’d like a boy exactly like his father, now.”
“Now?”
“Is there a better time?”
“None that I can think of, darlin’. None at all.”
In laughter two healed souls reached out to each other and the future. With peaceful minds, they loved as they knew they were meant to love. With whole hearts, and no regrets.
ISBN: 978-1-4603-1112-7
NIGHT MUSIC
Copyright © 2000 by BJ James
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*Men of the Black Watch
†The Black Watch