Banning's Woman

by Ruth Langan

  Chris nodded. “I started running and didn’t stop until I got here.”

  Bren turned to Noah, who was kneeling beside her. “I hope you’ll forgive me for all the things I was thinking about you, Officer.”

  “I deserved them, ma’am. Sorry about the way I mouthed off to you at the charity dinner. Guess I was trying to shoot the messenger. I didn’t like what you and your committee were reporting about our police force. I resented any blemish on our fine men and women. But I have to admit, you were right on the money. I realize now that it would have only gotten worse if you hadn’t brought it to the public’s attention.”

  “But I allowed my preconceived notions about you to color my judgment. And when I saw you outside my office, I foolishly let Trevor smooth talk me into breaking my word to Chris.”

  The burly man flushed. “I was outside your office because Chris asked me to keep an eye on you until he could get there.”

  She nodded toward Chris. “Trevor told me he staged the accident to keep you from reaching me.”

  “He needed to trick you into revealing where you were staying. He’d already checked out your apartment and mine and knew we weren’t there any longer.”

  “And I led him right here, putting my entire family at risk.”

  “We’re none the worse for wear, lass.” Kieran stooped down and gathered her into his arms. She rested there a moment, loving the feel of the old man’s arms around her.

  When the emergency team arrived with a stretcher, Bren pushed free of her grandfather’s arms. “You’re not getting away from me, Captain Banning. I’m going to the hospital with you.”

  “I don’t mind. I’m used to dealing with these things alone.” He winced as they lifted him.

  “You’re not alone anymore, Chris.” Bren laced her fingers with his as she moved along beside the gurney.

  “Indeed you’re not, boyo.” Kieran walked up to clap a hand on his granddaughter’s shoulder.

  “You’ll never know what that means to me.” Chris saluted Kieran and the rest of Bren’s family, who stood watching in silence as he and Bren were whisked away, lights flashing, sirens blaring.

  Chapter 15

  “Time out, boyos.” Kieran stepped out onto the back porch and cupped his hands to his mouth to be heard over the shouts of four grown men pushing and shoving. Chris and Cameron had taken on Micah and Donovan in a no-holds-barred, cutthroat game of hoops. “Our Bren’s coming on TV now.”

  The four men grabbed up towels and mopped at sweat as they trooped into the house and settled themselves on the floor of the great room where Kate and her daughters-in-law were already staring at the TV.

  Little Taylor pointed as Bren’s face was flashed on the screen. “Look. It’s Aunt Bren.”

  Bren stood facing a bank of microphones. “Our committee wishes to commend the Washington, D.C., Police Department for their spirit of cooperation as we investigated corruption within their ranks. They opened their records, made top-secret documents available to us and answered our questions fully and completely. They acknowledged that a single blemish on their reputation has the ability to stain an entire force. They admitted that security was lax in the property division. Guns and drugs were stolen and sold on the street. But, to our great relief, we have discovered that this was no large-scale conspiracy. Rather, it was the work of a single man, who took advantage of the department’s code of silence to ply his evil for his own benefit. The officer in question will face criminal prosecution. I have no doubt that he will pay dearly for the choices he made.” She set aside her notes and looked directly into the cameras. “Our committee has come away from this investigation with a deep respect for the men and women who daily put their lives on the line for each of us. Greater love hath no man.”

  As she started to step away, a reporter’s voice bellowed over the din. “Congresswoman Lassiter, I understand that as a result of your investigation you found yourself in the line of fire. Can you tell us about it?”

  She paused, and those who knew her could see the struggle going on within. But the viewers deserved the truth.

  “It is true. The officer in question thought that by killing me he could put a stop to the investigation.”

  “Does this make you want to give up public life?” the reporter shouted.

  Bren smiled. “I came to this job hoping to make a difference. I believe, in some small way, I have. I think for now I’ll continue on, doing my best to serve my constituents, and let our fine police officers worry about keeping its citizens safe.”

  Someone shouted another question, and she shook her head as she turned away from the microphones. “Sorry. I’m late for an appointment.”

  Bren stepped through the front door of her mother’s house and breathed in the wonderful smells of freshly baked bread and dinner cook ing. Tossing aside her briefcase, she pushed open the kitchen door and paused to drink in the familiar scene.

  Kieran, in his apron, was lifting a huge roasting pan from the oven. Kate was stirring something on the stove. Pru and Andi were showing young Taylor and Cory how to sprinkle grated cheese over sliced vegetables in a shallow baking dish. Donovan was slicing bread still warm from the oven. Micah had just popped the cork on a bottle of champagne, while Cameron, his expensive white shirt splattered with gravy, was extolling the virtues of his latest female conquest.

  And there, in the midst of the activity, was Chris, the sleeves of his uniform rolled to his elbows as he prepared his own salad dressing. He and Kieran were laughing as they shared a private joke about police work.

  “Bren.” Kate was the first to spot her daughter standing there.

  “Hey, little sis.” Micah handed her a tulip glass of champagne. “That was quite a dog-and-pony show.”

  She grinned. “Thanks.”

  “It would have been a lot better,” Cameron said as he brushed a kiss over her cheek, “if you’d have mentioned your family by name once or twice.”

  “That would have added another hour to her press conference.” Donovan dropped a hand on her shoulder. “You did good.”

  “High praise, coming from you.”

  “Yeah. Well, I may not tell you often enough, but I think you’re pretty terrific.”

  Kieran crossed the room and gave her a fierce hug. “I was proud of you, Mary Brendan. Standing up there, saying such fine things about the police.”

  “They came from the heart, Pop.”

  “I know.” He kissed her cheek before returning to the stove.

  Kate studied Bren, seeing the way she kept glancing toward Chris, who hadn’t said a word. Dropping an arm around her daughter’s waist, she said, “Let’s go in the other room.”

  When they were alone in the great room, Kate caught her daughter’s hands in hers. “What’s wrong?”

  “Just tired, I guess.”

  Kate shook her head before squeezing Bren’s hands. “I know you too well, darling. You were never very good at lying. What’s bothering you?”

  “It’s seeing Chris here with the family.”

  Kate arched a brow. “I should think that would please you. It means that we’ve all accepted him as one of us.”

  Bren swallowed, knowing she couldn’t hide the truth from her mother. Besides, she needed to unburden her heart. “I think it’s grand that the family loves him. I’m just not sure if he’s here because of me, or because he’s discovered how much he loves being part of a large family. Let’s face it. He has more in common with Pop or Micah or Donovan than he does with me.”

  “Is that what you think?” Suddenly a slow smile curved Kate’s lips. Squeezing her daughter’s hands she said, “I think it’s best if Chris speaks for himself.” With a quick kiss on her daughter’s cheek, she hurried away.

  When Bren turned, Chris was standing directly behind her.

  She flushed. “You had no right to sneak up on me like that.”

  “It’s one way to get to the heart of the problem.” He frowned. “For such a smart woman, you can com
e up with some…weird assumptions.”

  “Weird?” She brought her hand to her hips. “I’ll have you know…”

  “It takes two to fight, Mary Brendan. And right now, you’re the only one in the mood for it.” He touched a finger to her lips to silence her protest. “In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been racing on a treadmill for an awfully long time now. You’re involved in your congressional duties, while I’ve been wrapping up this investigation. And when you’re not meeting with some committee, I’m pulling double duty until we replace Trevor. On top of that you’re going off to your apartment late at night while I race off to mine whenever there’s time. And then there are your family commitments.”

  “What are you saying? That we should both cool it for a while?”

  He smiled. “There you go again. Jumping to conclusions. I’m just saying that there hasn’t been any time for us to talk about our feelings. Maybe we ought to do that right now.”

  She lifted her chin, anticipating a blow to the heart. “I suppose you want to go first.”

  “Yeah. I do.” He took her hand between both of his, studying the way it looked. “To those who don’t know you, you come across as so small and fragile.”

  At her arch expression he merely smiled. “But I’ve learned that looks can be deceiving. There’s nothing fragile about you, Mary Brendan Lassiter. You’ve got the heart of a warrior.”

  The smoldering look he gave her had her throat going dry.

  “That’s what first hooked me. But that was just the beginning. There are so many layers to you, I feel as though it’ll take me a lifetime or two to get to know everything about you.” He drew her closer and touched a hand to her cheek. “Now that I’ve met you, Bren, I can’t imagine my life without you. But I’m not talking about moving in together. Though I want that, I want more. I want it all. The vows, the lifelong commitment. I want you to marry me, Bren.”

  “About time.” It was Cory’s voice that had them looking up as the entire family came rushing into the room, shouting and screaming.

  Bren’s smile turned to a scowl. “How could you let them do this, Mom?”

  Kate was laughing too hard to stop. “You know how we love to eavesdrop.”

  Pru and Andi were nodding and giggling.

  “I’m sorry, Bren,” Pru said between laughs. “But it looks like it’s rubbed off on us, as well. Andi and I have become experts at eavesdropping the Lassiter way. Haven’t we, Andi?”

  Her sister-in-law was laughing so hard all she could do was nod her head.

  “Okay, big sis.” Cameron lounged in the doorway. “Give the guy an answer so we can get on with dinner.”

  “Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?” She scowled at him, then turned to include the rest of her family. “Sorry. You’ll just have to wait. I’m going to find some privacy in this madhouse, if it kills me.”

  Bren grabbed Chris by the hand and led him out the door and onto the front porch. Just as she lifted herself on tiptoe to wrap her arms around his neck, a car turned into the driveway and Noah Swale and the chief stepped out and sprinted up the steps.

  “Well, well. Just the two we’re looking for.” Chief Martin was beaming. “The entire force was cheering at the end of your press conference, Congresswoman.”

  “I’m glad.” She glanced over at Noah Swale, who was grinning from ear to ear.

  He wiped sweat from his forehead. “Did we catch you two at a bad time?”

  “You might say that. Excuse me.” Desperate for privacy, Bren caught Chris by the hand and led him around to the backyard. She paused beneath the basketball hoop. “Ah. Alone at last.”

  “We’d better be.” Chris drew her into his arms. “Because if I don’t get your answer soon, I’m going to toss you over my shoulder and carry you off to the nearest justice of the peace.”

  “There’s not a chance of that happening. Not in the Lassiter family. If you want to marry me, you’ll have to face the fact that we like our weddings like everything else in our lives—larger than life.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  She shrugged. “I suppose, now that I’ve found my perfect match…”

  He grinned. “You think I’m perfect?”

  She arched a brow. “Who says I’m talking about you?”

  He dragged her close and brushed his mouth over hers, sending her heart into overdrive. “Give me his name and I’ll break him in half.”

  She couldn’t help laughing. “His name is Chris Banning.”

  “Hmm.” He closed his eyes. “I’ve heard of him. A great guy. In fact, the finest man I’ve ever known. I’ve also heard he’s madly in love with a woman with the crazy name of Mary Brendan Lassiter.”

  “Hmm. Maybe she can’t decide if she’s a man or a woman.”

  “She’s all woman.” He framed her face with his hands. “And I hope she’ll be mine.” His tone turned serious. “Bren, I know it won’t be easy with two busy careers. But I happen to believe we can make it work. That is, if you love me as much as I love you.”

  “I do, Chris. I love you so much I can hardly bear it when we’re not together.”

  “I can remedy that.”

  As they came together in a blazing kiss, they heard the sound of cheering. This time when they looked up, they could see that Chief Martin and Noah Swale had joined the family around the big bay window in the kitchen.

  The back door opened and the family came streaming out to congratulate the happy couple. Bren found herself being hugged by her brothers and their wives, who seemed absolutely delighted at the prospect of another family wedding.

  Kieran gathered his granddaughter into his arms and hugged her fiercely. “I’m so happy for you, lass.”

  Until that moment Bren had been completely composed. But when she felt the dampness of his tears, it started tears of her own, until she and her grandfather were laughing and weeping together.

  At last they drew apart, and Kieran turned to Chris to offer a handshake. “It’s pleased I am, Captain Christopher Banning, that you’ll be joining our family. You’ll make a fine, proud addition to it.”

  “No more pleased than I am, Pop.”

  Bren wondered if Chris realized what he’d just said. He hadn’t even called his own adopted father by the title. And yet here he was, letting the name roll off his tongue as though he’d been saying it for a lifetime.

  She dropped an arm around her mother, who was watching through a mist of tears. “Are you happy for us, Mom?”

  “Oh, I am, darling. But I was just thinking that it’s a bittersweet moment. You’re my only daughter.”

  Bren nodded. “You’re not losing a daughter, Mom, you’re gaining a—”

  “A man in uniform,” Kate added softly. “It will be nice having that in our home once more. If your father were here, I know he would approve.”

  Bren smiled gently. “He does, Mom.”

  Kate sighed, and mother and daughter shared a quiet moment.

  When Chris turned and gathered her into his arms, the clouds suddenly parted and the evening sun sent out soft rays like a benediction. Though there wasn’t even a hint of a breeze, a shower of golden leaves drifted to the ground.

  As she and Chris came together in a joyous kiss, Bren heard her father’s voice, like a sigh of the wind. Just a whisper. But she knew, without a doubt, that Riordan Lassiter was still there with them, sharing their joy, just as he had shared their sorrow.

  “Welcome home,” she whispered against Chris Banning’s lips.

  “Home.” Chris could hardly contain the happiness he felt at this moment. For a man who had once had no home, this was heaven. And this woman was his guardian angel.

  “I intend to spend the rest of my life deserving you, Congresswoman.”

  “I’ll hold you to that, Captain Banning.”

  “Now,” he whispered against her ear, “as much as I love your family, do you think we could slip away to a more…intimate place?”

  Bren was grinning as she caught hi
s hand. “Don’t hold dinner, Pop.”

  Laughing like two conspirators, they made a dash to his car. Once inside he dragged her into his arms and kissed her until they were both breathless.

  Against her lips he muttered, “Do you think there’s anybody hanging around your office today?”

  “Not a chance. But I’m not sure what you have in mind is appropriate in the halls of Congress.”

  “It’s probably not legal, either.” He kissed her again before turning the key in the ignition.

  As they backed out of the driveway they caught sight of her family standing together in the open doorway.

  Bren blew them a kiss before turning to Chris with a look of love. She couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with this man who owned her heart so completely.

  ISBN: 978-1-4592-0390-7

  BANNING’S WOMAN

  Copyright © 2002 by Ruth Ryan Langan

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  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

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  §The Wildes of Wyoming

  **The Sullivan Sisters

  ‡‡The Lassiter Law