by Grady, D. R.
They also loved seeing Ed in action. (Please don’t ask why men find flatulence funny, because I can’t answer that question.) They all appreciated Ed’s unique personality. He certainly seems like a character. Just imagine if he’d been twins. So you see life can always be worse.
I appreciated the videos on a more personal basis. Everyone assumed I’d have been there were I not in Kuwait. I can’t even begin to describe how much that means to me. They talked as though I will be there next year. Wow. I thought after the Fandrichs died I’d be on my own again. I wish I could better express how I feel, but I’m not very good at it.
A heartfelt thank you for thinking of me! I’m glad I could share your holiday.
I’m on base for a few days, but I think we’re scheduled to leave shortly again. I have some paperwork to catch up on, but since today is Saturday, I’m taking today and tomorrow off. Just goofing off. I think it’ll take the rest of today to wade through my e-mails alone. I’ve got a bunch of them to answer from your family which is really nice. Looks like a nice long one from Steve. I’ll be interested to hear what he has to report.
Steve and Laurie sent more game cartridges for my Game Boy, and Al already saw them. So I bet I’ll be playing some games against him before the day is out. I’m not as bad as I thought I’d be. Steve’s given me some excellent tips, some of which Al doesn’t know. I’m not going to mention them either - at least that knowledge gives me half a chance of winning against him.
It’s still hot and sandy here. I keep hoping things’ll cool off, but so far that’s not happened. Maybe some at night.
I imagine you’re shoveling snow by now? How many snow falls have you had so far? A white or brown Christmas this year?
All for now. I’ll write regularly until we leave.
Your’s,
Mitch
Chapter Thirty
Lainy watched Mitch’s letter open on her computer and noticed immediately that he’d signed off again with your’s. Deliberately. She’d been brave and signed hers that way, too. But he wouldn’t have done that twice in a row accidentally. Which indicated the sign off had been on purpose.
Suddenly finding it hard to breathe, she bounced up from her computer desk and began a brisk, energetic pacing. The sky outside was a dismal gray and threatened snow, but the world couldn’t be brighter.
Mitch had signed off with, Your’s. Their own little sign of commitment. It was a mere technicality that your’s didn’t exist, but to them it did. Their own special form of saying they thought they belonged together.
Her heart beating too fast, Lainy couldn’t contain the smile that spread across her face. She nearly tripped over Bentley and dropped to her knees to squeeze him and held him tight for a moment. She wanted to squeeze his dad just like this, but Bentley would suffice. For now.
She wanted this man.
And he wanted her.
She’d given up on men. She always figured she'd end up one of the old maiden aunts. Content in her house and with her family, but not ever marrying or having children. It wasn’t like the family name was about to die out.
And she’d nurtured her independence. Could she give up that hard won victory? Was being in love enough to relinquish her solitary life? Was love worth the risk?
Lainy finally settled down enough to return to the computer. There was a firewall to repair and she needed to author another virus, since the attacks hadn’t ceased.
While she worked, she glanced at Mitch’s company picture she’d reprinted, since someone had swiped hers again, and something warm and sweet uncurled inside. That man in the back, second in on the left, wanted her. He considered himself hers, just as she considered herself his. Lainy intended to take him for as long as she could hold onto him. Maybe being in love could be fun.
Too restless to stay in the house, Lainy took Bentley for a walk. It was cold and started to snow, hard, but Lainy didn’t care. She laughed as Bentley frolicked. He chased flakes and their antics brought out the herd. She started a snowball battle and they ended up making a snowman and then trooped into her grandparent’s house for hot chocolate and cookies before parting ways.
Her grandmother sent her a secret smile when she left and Lainy figured that lady must have seen something on her face to elicit that smile. Thoughtfully, Lainy strolled to the mirror when she returned home. Her eyes sparkled behind her glasses and her face looked flushed. She smiled easily. She looked like a woman in love.
Which was appropriate.
*****
She and Mitch e-mailed every day, as promised, sometimes several times a day. Each message was precious. They had a bit of a respite, since he stayed on the base for ten days. She savored each message.
Lainy was as happy as she could be, for a woman thousands of miles away from the man she loved. Mitch gave her little indications he loved her, too. That he shared her feelings. She didn't care if he realized his yet or not. Just so long as they felt the same way. She’d be crushed if he changed his mind.
His concern for her safety was a wonderful indication. As were certain words he used, and the way he said things. Her sisters and mother all claimed only a man in love would say things like that. Lainy didn’t want to voice her thoughts over e-mail. She needed to tell him to his face.
How she’d work up the courage was a completely different story, but she’d have to try. Sending her wants, needs, and desires electronically felt wrong, even to her, and must have to him, too, because he never voiced his feelings either. Except to tell her he missed her, and wished they could be together.
He told her he dreamed of her nearly every night and this made her cry. Even now, while he was gone again and they couldn’t speak for the next three months, she felt an unfamiliar longing rise within her. He dreamt about her. Only a man in love would do that, right?
Lainy filled her time with more inventions. She didn’t know what it was about being in love, but she’d thought up several new very promising items. The only bad thing was that she kept having to update her firewall. And her locks had definitely been tampered with. Even the outside cellar door had scratch marks.
Now she’d taken to securing the laptop she used for her projects every night. As well as encrypting the entire contents. Someone wanted something from her. After seven or eight months of unusual happenings, this someone struck her as foe.
She’d gathered her latest patent applications and sent them in the hopes that would stop matters. She was wearying of updating her security systems every month. Tired of feeling hunted. Ed was as tired as she about her fight with the firewall. A cousin, a cop, investigated on the side, and she figured her brothers all made excuses to pass by her house regularly. Glancing down at Bentley, she was grateful for her last line of defense.
She played with Bentley in the snow and signed up at a gym with her sisters. They wanted to get into shape for swimsuit season, which they claimed was very close. She didn’t quite believe them, since February had only just begun. But they understood these things, so she went along.
Valentine’s Day arrived, and Lainy knew Mitch was in the desert and wouldn’t have any idea as to the day. She thought of him often, and hoped he thought of her. That would have to do for this year. Besides, she'd never been anyone's Valentine before. Why start now?
A knock sounded at the door and she hurried to open it. Steve stood on her doorstep. She stared at him in bemusement. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”
“School’s over for the day.”
“Oh, right.” She glanced at the clock in the living room.
“This is for you.” He handed her something wrapped in notebook paper.
A heart shaped woven basket made out of red and pink construction paper fell into her hand. A slip of paper peeked out of the top.
“Thank you, Stevie.” There, she had gotten something from a male on Valentine’s Day. So what if he was her nephew?
“It’s not from me, Aunt Lainy. Uncle Mitch asked me to make the heart, and told me h
ow. Then he sent me an e-mail attachment to print out and put inside. I didn’t read it,” Steve assured her and Lainy blinked back tears and swallowed her heart.
“Oh, Stevie,” she whispered.
Steve gave her a quick, awkward hug, patted Bentley and slipped him something before he left with a wave.
Lainy floated into the living room and sank onto the nearest chair. She plucked the sheet of paper from the heart and carefully unfolded it. Tears threatened to spill again. Mitch was in the middle of a desert across the ocean, but he’d thought of her.
He’d remembered Valentine’s Day.
My Dearest Lainy,
If you’re reading this, it’s Valentine’s Day and I didn’t want the day to pass without you getting something from me. I can’t send you flowers or candy, as I’d like to, or take you out for a romantic dinner, as I’d love to.
I want to hold you close, too, but since I can’t do that either, I enlisted Steve to assist me. He was very eager to help. What a great kid.
I told him I didn’t know what to do for you for Valentine’s Day and he came up with this heart shaped basket they’d made a few years ago. I helped him with the specifications and together we made it work.
So, I suppose the only thing I need to do now is ask you a question.
Will you be my Valentine?
Your Valentine,
Mitch (I’m taking this for granted, I know. But you’re the only woman I want.)
Lainy clutched the paper to her chest, bowed her head, and sobbed.
Chapter Thirty-One
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Bentley the Hero
Hello Mitch,
Thanks for my Valentine's Day surprise. I will most definitely be your Valentine. I've never been anyone’s Valentine before. And I'm thankful. I'm very proud to be yours. Thank you for that gift! I hope you're back soon. I hate the time you're away. (I know I tell you that all the time.)
We had a little adventure here. Someone broke into my house the other night. I have bad allergies and took some sinus medicine before going to bed. Unfortunately, it dopes me out – the boys like to tease me about being a moron... Whoever broke into the house chose a good night, because I could barely function.
Bentley however had no problems with this issue. He seemed to have chosen the “bite first, ask questions later” plan of attack and his decision proved worthy. He set up a ruckus so loud it woke Great Aunt Tilly, and she’d taken her hearing aids out. Bentley was very ferocious.
I think he would have protected me to the death. His behavior is root-beer-every-day-for-the-rest-of his-time-with-me worthy. I couldn't have defended myself. The police believe it was just a random break-in by some local punks. (Fortunately not suspected to be relations.) I'm not entirely sold on that theory.
But, we're fine, a bit shaken, on my part at least, but fine. I feel... violated. I don't believe they'll be back because one of them swore and then said something like, “She has a dog.” And the other one yelled something like, “It's a big dog!” and they both escaped through the window they pried open. (Bentley wasn't feeling friendly at all.)
Like I said, we're fine. I just thought I should tell you before you heard exaggerated tales from the family. Bentley saved the day!
Your’s,
Lainy
Mitch stared at the screen in horror. Lainy tried to sound all tough and nonchalant, but her fear nearly oozed from the screen. With an exclamation, he jabbed the disconnect button and then lunged for the door. He needed a phone. He mentally figured out the time difference. It wasn’t too late to call, thank goodness.
Tapping out Lainy's number took only moments since he'd long ago memorized it. The ringing on the other end set his teeth on edge. He kept up a litany for the duration of about four rings, “Answer the phone, answer the phone, answer the phone.”
“Morrison residence?” a harassed sounding male voice said.
“Is Lainy there?” Mitch tried to sound calm. He was a Marine, for crying out loud, this should not be difficult.
“Yeah, who's this?” The voice sounded suspicious.
“Mitch,” he bit out, wanting to drum his fingers on the man's head, but settled for the table top instead.
“Yeah, thought so,” the voice said with satisfaction. “Lainy,” he heard the man yell.
“What?” He heard a woman's voice, Lainy's, answer.
“Yo, princess, the phone's for you.”
“Can you take a message?”
“I could, but I think you want to talk to this guy.” Now the voice sounded complacent.
“Who?” Mitch wanted to shout at her to pick up the phone.
“Mitch.”
“Why didn't you say that in the first place, genius, he's calling from overseas.” He heard the irritation and excitement in her voice and some of his tension eased.
“Excuse me, princess, your subject heartily...”
“Mitch?” Lainy's breathless voice rushed over the line finally and he tuned out the voice still heckling her in the background.
“It's me. Are you okay, Lainy?” he uttered in almost his normal voice.
“I'm fine. I can't be anything else. My brothers are taking turns staying with me. Tom's here now,” she answered and while he detected some stringency, he also thought he heard relief and affection in her voice.
“I'm glad one of them is with you.”
“I've got Bentley, I don't need them.”
“I'm sure you don't need them, baby, but please remember we need to know you're safe. Maybe they're in the way, but it sure does make the men in your family feel useful and protective. And it makes me feel better.”
She must have caught something in his voice because she said quietly, “Mitch, you're an ocean away, but you still protected me.”
“How?” he bit out, disgusted he hadn't been there, angry someone had scared her, disappointed he couldn't go to her yet, but relieved she had a huge family. What use was he?
“Bentley.”
“What?” He wondered if he'd missed something.
“You loaned me Bentley and if he hadn't been here...” The catch in her voice nearly killed him. Closing his eyes, he tried to deep breathe to keep himself from smashing something. “You had Bentley, and I'm proud of him.”
“Yes, I did. He was really, really wonderful, Mitch. He saved me. I was so incoherent. I'm never taking those pills again. I'd rather be able to defend myself and be miserable than to be doped up like that with no allergies.”
Mitch kept his eyes closed, wanting to hold her so much. He bit down on his lip and tasted blood.
“Lainy?” he whispered.
“Yes?” she whispered back.
“Are you alone?”
“I am.” The ache in her voice threatened to undo him, because the pain sounded identical to his. This woman touched his soul like no other woman had ever done before.
“Good. I can't be there with you right now.” He hated that his statement was true.
“I know.”
He heard a small sob. “But remember when I asked if I could hug you?”
“Of course.”
“If I was there right now, I'd squeeze you so tight you'd hardly be able to breathe. You really scared me, baby.” Mitch heard his voice crack.
“I'm sorry,” she whispered.
“I know, sweetheart, I understand. But I want you to concentrate on my hug for a moment. Put your incredible brain power to work, okay?”
That earned him a breathless gust of air that wasn't quite a laugh.
“Okay,” she answered softly and he pictured her in his mind, soft and sweet and beautiful.
“Oh, Mitch,” she whispered and he realized he must have said his last thought out loud. “Just think of my arms around you. I'm trying really hard on my end. While this works to a point, it can’t compare to the real thing.”
“No, I don't believe so, either. But it works for now.”
Mitch wanted to say so much more but he couldn't locate the words to describe how he felt.
She seemed to understand, though. “How can we not have ever met in person yet know each other so well?”
“I don't know. All I know is I'm grateful someone is with you, just in case.” Mitch wanted, no needed her to understand how important she was.
“But I've got Bentley.”
“Yes, you do, however, whoever broke into your home now knows you have a dog, and can make adjustments for that,” he said grimly. Wanting her to be scared so she'd be wise.
“I updated my security system and added motion detection sensors. I’ve had a system since I started making money on my patents. Ben reminded me, rather pithily, that most systems can be bypassed by someone knowledgeable in a matter of seconds.”
“Exactly.” Bless Ben.
“I'd like to see a Navy SEAL get past my security system. At least in seconds. Maybe they could in minutes, but not seconds,” she said with no lack of arrogance. Mitch grinned.
“What about a Marine?”
“That would depend entirely on the man,” she said, flirting, she was flirting with him. Mitch's heart swelled to about eight times its normal size.
“Very good,” he had to agree, because he would have to start cracking heads if another man even breathed wrong in her direction. This left Lainy with little choice in the matter, but she was flirting with him.
“Should someone try to get through my security system, I'll be waiting on the other side,” Lainy said grimly. Definitely not a flirty voice.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I'm not an electrical engineer and the sister of four brothers and millions of cousins for nothing.”
“Dare I ask what would happen should someone you're not expecting...umm.... not wanting to see,” which he really hoped didn't apply to him, she had flirted with him, “what would happen?”
“You can ask, but I'm not quite finished with the concept yet. My brother, Ed, the goofy one?”
“He’s unforgettable.”
