by June Tate
‘There’s no need. I’m working and earning a living.’
He looked at her coldly. ‘You may have forgotten that you are a married woman and have a duty to me; however, I am different. As long as you are married to me, I will take care of you!’
She suddenly felt sorry for him. Adam lived his life by the rules. Rules were to be followed at all times, and now she had broken them and he didn’t know how to cope.
‘Thank you, Adam. Under the circumstances, I think you are being very noble.’
‘The circumstances are not of my making, Jenny.’ He dropped his guard for a moment. ‘Can’t you see what a terrible mistake you’re making, how much you are throwing away? I beg you, think again before you ruin your life . . . and mine!’
‘I am sorry, Adam, I really am. I have thought long and hard about what I’m doing, but I haven’t changed my mind, and I don’t want you to go away with any false hopes. After the war, I’m going to the States to start a new life. None of this was planned, it just happened, and I cannot let the opportunity pass. I’ll always regret it if I do.’
His jaw tightened. ‘If you continue down this road and it doesn’t work, don’t think you can come crawling back to me!’
She smiled softly. ‘It will work, I am certain of that. Chad and I love each other.’
‘We loved each other once!’ His cry of anguish touched her deeply, but there was nothing she could do to alleviate his unhappiness.
‘Yes, we did, and I will always remember those early days, but we all change. You will always have a special place in my heart.’
‘Don’t patronize me, Jenny! If you continue with this divorce nonsense, I’ll have no choice but to sue on grounds of adultery. Is that what you want . . . your dirty laundry spread all over the papers?’
‘It’s not ideal, but I don’t have any choice.’
‘Yes, you do! For God’s sake woman, when are you going to come to your senses?’
She stood up. ‘Look, Adam, this isn’t getting us anywhere. I will come back and take care of the house until you return from the war, as you wish, and after that we will go our different ways. Just take care when you’re over there, wherever that is. Here is my office number if you want to contact me during the day.’ She handed him a card. ‘Look after yourself,’ she said and picking up her handbag she left.
Later that afternoon, Jenny was surprised when Brad knocked on her office door, then entered. They hadn’t a meeting planned, and she wondered why he was there. ‘Something wrong?’ she asked.
He sat down. ‘Not in the way that you mean, Jenny, but I do have some news.’
She frowned at the seriousness of his tone. ‘I have a feeling I’m not going to like what you have to say.’
‘I’m being shipped out, and Chad is coming with me.’
Jenny felt a chill creep up her spine as if she was sitting in a draught. It was the news she’d been dreading. ‘Oh Brad, I am so sorry. When do you leave?’
‘Next week. Obviously I can’t tell you more, but it’s a big operation. If it’s a success it could bring an end to the war. That’s a big if!’
‘That would be wonderful! Have you told Rusty yet?’
‘I haven’t had the chance, and it’s Rusty I want to talk to you about. You’ll be alone once Chad and I have left. I just want to know you’ll look after each other.’
She cast a critical glance at him. ‘I do hope that you’re not inferring that Rusty might go off the rails once you’ve left? Because if you are, I would be bitterly disappointed in you, Brad!’
‘No, no, I don’t mean that at all, but you’ll be lonely and worried, you’ll need one another for support.’
‘I saw Adam earlier today, and he wants me to move back into the house when he goes to make sure it’s kept up together. I had planned to ask Rusty to move in with me.’
‘That would be great, Jenny. I’m sure she’d love it there.’
‘Well, it’s big enough, as you know, and she can help me with the garden – and as you say, we’ll need one another. You just make sure my man comes back safely . . . and you too, of course!’
He rose from his seat. ‘Both Chad and I have an overnight pass from tonight, so I guess I’ll see you later.’
When she was alone, Jenny fought back her tears. Thousands of women had been through this sort of hell, that’s what war did to people. She and Rusty would just have to get on with life, but she was so grateful to have her as a friend, especially at this time.
When Chad rang her a little later they decided to meet for a meal first to give Rusty and Brad some privacy as these final days together were so special. He rang again later with a change of plans.
‘Pack an overnight bag, Jenny. I’ve booked us a room for the night; that way we can be totally alone. We have a lot to talk about before I leave, and I don’t want any interruptions. Besides, I want to hold you, make love to you, without worrying about Rusty and Brad being in the next room. I’ll pick you up at seven.’
Hearing his voice made the situation all the more poignant, and she couldn’t wait to see him. He had become such a part of her everyday life, and Jenny knew that when Chad eventually left there would be an enormous void, as this extraordinary man had come to mean absolutely everything to her.
She longed to experience his world. The simplicity of it sounded wonderful, and the thought of living on a ranch, of riding in wonderful surroundings, was so exciting and so different to everything she was used to. Her one worry was that she would disappoint Chad. How awful it would be if she didn’t live up to his expectations. Being lovers here and now in wartime was one thing. It had a certain edge to it, an excitement. But being settled in a home, being part of normal everyday life, was very different. Well, it would be a long time before that happened, anyway. Tonight might be the last time they would be together for a very long time, and she was going to make the most of every moment.
Twenty
Jenny arrived at Rusty’s flat before Brad, so it was she who broke the bad news to the redhead, and it was she who comforted her when the tears began.
‘Come on, Rusty, you don’t want Brad to see you all red eyed and sad. These are the last few days you’ll spend together for a while, so send him away with happy memories.’
Rusty looked at her with amazement. ‘How can you be so calm?’
With a wry laugh, Jenny confessed: ‘Don’t you fret, I shed a bucketload of tears when Brad left my office, but I’ve had time to recover. Now I suggest you go and have a bath, wash your hair, put on your make-up and enjoy every moment you can; I intend to. Chad has booked us in to a hotel for the night, so you’ll have your captain all to yourself.’
Rusty quickly wiped away her tears. ‘You’re right, of course.’ She giggled mischievously. ‘I’ll give him the time of his life!’
‘Before you go, there is an offer I’d like to make to you.’ Jenny explained about her visit with Adam. ‘So how would you like to move in with me? It would save rent on this place, and we’d have more room.’
‘Oh my God, are you really asking me to live in that beautiful house?’ Her eyes were bright with excitement.
‘Absolutely, or I’d be rattling around on my own. Mind you, you’d have to help me with the garden.’
Rusty hugged her. ‘How marvellous! We can keep each other’s spirits up.’ She went to say something else, but Jenny stopped her.
‘We haven’t time now. I’ll take the bathroom first, we need to get ready.’
Chad was the first to arrive. He whistled when he saw the girls. ‘My oh my, you two look good enough to eat! Are you ready, honey? Have you packed your overnight stuff?’
Jenny told him she had, and they left the flat. They drove to a restaurant in town where Chad had booked a table, neither of them saying a word about his leaving until they’d ordered and the wine had been poured.
Chad lifted his glass. ‘To us, darlin’, and to our long and happy future together.’
Jenny clinked hers with
his. ‘To us and our future.’ She sipped her drink. ‘I don’t know how I’m going to manage when you leave.’
‘You’ll do just the same as all the women in your situation; you take it a day at a time, and write . . . often. But I just wanted to discuss with you my plans for after the war, so you’ll know what you’re letting yourself in for.’
Jenny held up her finger and hushed his flow of words. ‘I don’t need to know. I’ll come to you wherever, whenever – the rest is just background.’
He smiled, gazed at her and shook his head in disbelief. ‘You really do mean that, don’t you?’
‘Absolutely!’
‘I don’t deserve you, Jenny honey, but I promise you, you’ll never ever regret what you are doing, what you are giving up for me. On that, you have my solemn oath.’
They talked about a million things during their meal. Jenny explained that she and Rusty were moving back into her house and the reason why.
‘It makes good sense,’ Chad agreed. ‘It’s a beautiful place, and I can understand why Adam wants you to look after it. It’s the least you can do for him.’
They chatted about a million things until it was time to retire, and they drove to the hotel, where Chad signed the register as Mr and Mrs Maxwell, picked up the key and headed for the lift. When he found their room number, he swept Jenny up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
‘Here we are, Mrs Maxwell, this is our trial honeymoon!’ he said as he put her down.
‘What do you mean, trial?’
‘Well, if you don’t cut the mustard and please me, I’ll find me a nice little Mademoiselle to take your place!’
‘You cheeky devil! I haven’t heard you complain up till now!’
He pulled her close and kissed her softly. ‘That’s for sure. What’s to complain about? You are everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman – and more.’
Brad arrived at the flat that evening, carrying a huge bouquet of crème roses and an extravagant box of chocolates.
‘Good heavens, how on earth did you come by these?’ Rusty asked as he handed them over.
He grinned broadly. ‘I’m liable to be court-martialled. These were sent over from the States for the Colonel, but unfortunately they got lost in transit!’
She couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Oh Brad, thank you so much, you have no idea what a treat that is. Come in, I’ve made some coffee. What do you want to do this evening?’
He raised his eyebrows quizzically.
‘Apart from that!’ she scolded.
‘As Chad and Jenny are elsewhere, I thought we’d stay in. I had one of the chefs make up a picnic for us.’ He went over to the front door, opened it and brought in a box and a bottle of champagne. ‘Tonight we’ll celebrate.’
‘I don’t want to celebrate you leaving, Brad.’
‘No, Rusty darling, we are going to celebrate my return – and our future.’
She put her arms around his neck. ‘Are you absolutely sure that’s what you want?’
‘Definitely. Now put this bottle into the fridge, and let’s see what the chef has done.’
They sat down to a sumptuous meal which, in the wartime conditions that prevailed, Rusty really appreciated. There was pâté to start with, followed by large prawns in a delicious sauce, a Waldorf salad, potato salad and something Brad called coleslaw – a mixture of carrot and white cabbage in mayonnaise that was really tasty. Freshly-baked bread rolls with real butter were carefully wrapped, and to finish there was a lemon cheesecake.
Rusty tucked in with great relish. ‘My goodness, Brad, if the food in the States is like this, I’ll pile on the pounds!’
‘No, you won’t, you’ll soon get used to it. Anyway, you forget I’m a doctor. I’ll keep an eye on you!’
As they ate, Brad told her all about Denver where they would live, about his parents, and how they would be able to spend their spare time together . . . and the children he hoped they would have.
This startled Rusty. With the life she’d been leading, children were the last thing she’d thought about; her one concern had been making sure that she didn’t become pregnant. Her surprise must have shown on her face because he questioned her about it.
‘Don’t you want a family, Rusty?’
‘To be honest I hadn’t thought about it. You forget, Brad, I haven’t been in a serious relationship for a very long time.’ Then she stopped. Why the hell had she said that? It only brought up her past.
‘But now you are. I’ve always envisaged my household filled with children when I eventually married, that’s all.’
She realized that this was a serious issue with him. ‘I’m twenty-eight; you don’t think that’s too late?’
He roared with laughter. ‘Good God, Rusty, I’ve delivered babies whose mothers have been well into their thirties, and a few even in their early forties.’ At her shocked expression he explained: ‘This was usually at the beginning of the menopause and mostly unexpected, I have to say.’ He held her gaze. ‘Don’t you want us to have children?’
She took hold of his hand. ‘I would love to have your babies – but not too many!’
‘I think six is a nice round figure.’
‘What?’ She looked horrified.
He started laughing again. ‘I’m only joking, but at least two; I was an only child and often wished I had a sibling.’
‘Me too. All right, two.’
‘In which case, I think I need a bit of practice. Let’s leave the dishes, this is far more important.’ And he led her into the bedroom.
They didn’t turn on the light, but kept the curtains open, letting the moonlight from the clear sky above shed its soft glow. ‘Come here,’ he said, taking her into his arms. His kisses, at first soft and gentle, intensified as he caressed her body and slowly removed her clothing. Then, when they were both naked, they lay on the bed together.
‘I’m really going to miss you, darling,’ he murmured as his mouth moved down her body, kissing the soft mounds of her breasts. As he parted her legs, she tensed with pleasure and anticipation.
Brad’s love-making was slow and sensuous, until she cried out for him to take her.
After, they lay sated and satisfied. Rusty let out a deep sigh. ‘I really needed that,’ she said softly.
He nuzzled her neck. ‘I know just what you mean.’
They lay together, talking softly, until they fell asleep, entwined in each other’s arms.
The following morning, Rusty awoke to the smell of bacon frying, and pulling on a dressing gown she wandered into the kitchen to see Brad standing at the stove. She stood behind him and put her arms around his waist. ‘That smells amazing.’
‘I brought some bacon with me; as you can see, I’m always prepared. Will you make some toast whilst I cook some eggs?’
‘Eggs too! My, you know the way to a woman’s heart.’
‘There, and here was me thinking it was my good looks and bedroom technique!’
‘Oh, that too,’ she told him.
They sat eating their breakfast until he had to leave. ‘I may not have a chance to see you again before we ship out,’ he told her as he left. Holding her close, he said, ‘You take care, you hear?’
Rusty sat finishing her coffee, looking out of the window, wondering just how long it would be before the war would be over and when that happened, she tried to visualize her new life as Mrs Brad Jackson, but somehow the picture wouldn’t form in her mind at all. She supposed it was because it still seemed unreal that she could have survived her life on the streets, to find such a man who knew of her past and who still wanted her. She found herself crossing her fingers as she thought about the future.
In the two weeks that followed, the men couldn’t get away, but phoned the girls as often as possible. Chad managed to escape for a couple of hours and suggested to Jenny that they take a couple of mounts from the stables and have one last ride together.
Knowing how much it meant to Chad to ride out into the woods, s
he was happy to accommodate him, calling her friend Beth to save two horses for them. She, knowing the situation, was happy to oblige, and when they arrived at the stables it was to find the horses already saddled and waiting.
‘Take as long as you like,’ she told them and left them alone.
Neither of them spoke as they rode out of the stable, along the country road, then turning off into the wooded area they loved so much. When they reached the middle, Chad reined in his mount, indicating to Jenny to do the same. He tied the reins to a tree, took her hand and they walked even deeper into the wood, stopping soon after. They sat on an upturned log, and he gathered her into his arms.
‘Don’t you just love the peaceful atmosphere of this place?’ he asked her.
‘Yes, it’s lovely. No one could imagine sitting here that there’s a war on.’
‘If only that were true, honey. But we must just try and think of how great a life we’ll have in Wyoming.’ He looked at her with eyes shining. ‘I can’t wait until that day comes. We are going to have such a good time, Jenny darlin’. I long to see you blossom like a flower as you learn to enjoy the freedom you’ll have living there with me.’ He drew her to him and kissed her longingly. Then looking at his watch, he pursed his lips. ‘We have to go, I’m afraid.’
They rode back in silence, both lost in their own thoughts.
After unsaddling the horses, Chad said goodbye to Beth and drove Jenny home. He helped her out of the jeep and held her close. ‘I wish we had more time, but I have to go now. You write me as often as you can, and I’ll do the same.’
She was lost for words and just clung on to him as he kissed her goodbye.
Tears streamed down her face as she watched him drive away, then she ran inside the house to her room, where she lay on the bed sobbing.
Brad had even less time to spend with Rusty, but two days before he left he was able to spend a few hours with her at the flat. They went to bed together and made love. After, they lay in each other’s arms talking.
‘Have you any idea at all how much longer the war will last?’ asked Rusty.
