Part 24 (2/2)

He stared at the tall, slender woman standing in front of him. She'd bought some clothes at the hotel. He was used to seeing her in shorts and T-s.h.i.+rts, but now she was dressed in a white silk suit with a blue blouse that matched the color of her eyes. She looked like a model posing for a magazine cover. Or an elegant businesswoman about to make a million-dollar deal.

She had law school. Commitments. Friends inL.A.What did he have to offer her? His apartment was conveniently close to work, but had little else to recommend it. There was only one bedroom. They could buy a house, of course, if she wanted to, andGeorgetownhad a great law school, but it wasn't just the logistics that kept him from proposing. It was him.

He wasn't done mourning Jeanne and J.J. He knew that now. In the next few months he was going to have to lay the past to rest. She wouldn't want to be around for that.

”You must be gladthese last couple of days are over,” he said.

”Yes. Spending ten-hour sessions with government agents and answering questions about Kray wasn't fun. But it's done.”

He touched her smooth face. She was wearing makeup. Something that made her eyes looked bigger and mysterious and her mouth a kissable shade of pink. ”You were a big help. With his men being rounded up, you won't have to worry about anything.”

She wrinkled her nose. ”Except what to do with the money. I wish they'd confiscated it all. How am I supposed to explain to Bobby that his father left him a million dollars?”

”The government only takes what they can prove came from illegal ventures. Kray had some legitimate businesses, too.”

”I don't want any of it. But I suppose I should take it for Bobby. At least I know he'll be able to go to the college of his choice.”

Jeff smiled. ”He's a good kid. He'll be fine.” He tugged at the cuff of his s.h.i.+rt. He was wearing a suit, too. When he got back toWas.h.i.+ngton, he was going directly to work. He'd already spoken with his boss. As he hadn't actually done anything illegal, he wasn't going to be disciplined. If anything, his boss had sounded pleased with the outcome of Jeff's unorthodox trip to St. Lucas.

”Just say it,” Andie told him.

”What?”

”Whatever you brought me over here to say.” She tilted her chin up slightly. ”We just spent two nights in the same hotel and you didn't once come to my room. I a.s.sume there's a reason. You regret what you said on the boat.”

Only the faint edge to her voice gave away her pain. He took her hand and brought it to his mouth. After kissing her palm, he squeezed her fingers. ”I didn't come to your room because there were guards in the hallway and I didn't want to start any talk.”

”And?”

”And I don't regret what I said on the boat. I do love you, Andie. I hated you at first, for who you were, but I can't imagine anyone more right for me. I admire your courage, your determination, your loyalty. You're everything I've ever wanted.”

”But?” She pulled her hand free and smoothed her skirt. ”I know there's a problem. I can see it in your face.”

He swallowed. This was harder than he'd thought. ”Go home,” he said at last. ”Live your life. Be happy. Find someone else. Someone whole.”

”You're giving me the brush-off?”

She was oddly calm, he thought. ”No, I'm doing the right thing. You deserve so much more than I can give you. I've come a long way, but I'm still not over Jeanne and J.J. I'm going to have to deal with that. I live inWas.h.i.+ngton. You would grow to hate my job. Most wives do. You've got a life, friends, Bobby. You don't need me.”

”I see.” She folded her arms over her chest. ”I suppose I'll get over you in time.”

He nodded. She was taking this really well. Too well. He'd thought she might at least be sad.

”A year from now, you'll give me a call,” she said. ”If we're both not involved, we might meet and see how it goes. Is that part of the plan, too?”

”Well, I thought maybe-”

”Bull. You didn't think anything except for what was easiest for you.” She leaned toward him and poked her finger in his chest. ”If you think I'm going to walk away from you and wait for a year, then you're crazy. My whole d.a.m.n life has been on hold. I've spent the last six years looking over my shoulder, praying for a miracle. Something to release me from Kray.” She poked him again. ”He's gone and I don't ever want to think about him again. I'm not waiting for you, JeffMark.u.m . Do you hear me? I'm not waiting a single day.”

He couldn't breathe. She was going to walk out on him, just like that? All this time he'd been worried about his feelings, when hers were the questionable ones.

”You guys about ready?”Cort asked as he walked toward him. Bobby clung to his new friend's hand. He had a stuffed dolphin under one arm and mustard on his mouth.

”Yes,” Andie said. ”Do you have my tickets?”

Corthanded them to her.

Jeff stared at her. ”I already gave you tickets.”

”I know. They were wrong.”

”Wrong?”

Cortglanced down at Bobby. ”I think we came back too soon, buddy. Let's go get an ice cream, okay?”

Bobby beamed. ”Strawberry? That's my favorite.”

”Strawberry it is.”Cort picked him up and set him on his shoulders. ”Tell me which way to go.”

”Over there,” Bobby said, pointing toward the snack stands.

Andie opened the tickets and handed Jeff one. He scanned the destination. ”Was.h.i.+ngton? What are you going to do there?”

”Apparently beat some sense into you.” She grabbed the ticket back and stuffed it in the envelope. ”You're supposed to be so bright, too.” She looked at him. ”I'm not leaving you, Jeff. I know you have feelings to work through about your late wife and son. I have things to work through, too. We'll do it together. I've come too far to lose you now. You're stuck with me. For always. I love you.”

She wrapped her arms around him. He was stunned. Then he hugged her back, squeezing hard, knowing he would never let go. ”Thank you,” he murmured.

”For what?”

”For not letting mebe n.o.ble.”

She looked up at him and smiled. ”Don't be silly. This wasn't about you, it was about me. I was being selfish. I couldn't stand the thought of losing you now.”

”I love you, Andie.” He cupped her face. ”Will you marry me?”

She reached up on tiptoe and kissed him. ”I thought you'd never ask.”

Epilogue.

Three years later .

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