Always - Iris Johansen [56]
The door opened suddenly and Lisa sat up in bed. Clancy! A wave of relief swept over her as she saw him standing in the doorway.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he came into the room. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get back sooner, but—”
“I’m fine,” she interrupted. He looked so tired. There were deep lines around his mouth, and the skin was taut over his cheekbones. “How are you? I was worried about you.”
“Were you?” He came across the room and dropped on the bed beside her, then took her in his arms. “That’s nice to know.” He kissed her gently. “Maybe I should go away more often.”
“No.” Her arms tightened about him. “Oh, no.”
“I brought Galbraith back with me.” His hand stroked her back. “I may have to go away again for another day or two. I wanted someone here to protect you.”
She stiffened. “Protect me? Why should I have to have anyone to protect me?”
“Just a precaution. I don’t like leaving you alone. You’re too important for me to risk.” He changed the subject. “How did you and Kira get along?”
“Wonderfully. I like her very much. I’m glad she’s going to stay for a while. She practically oozes vitality.”
“She certainly does.” He frowned. “But don’t let her enthusiasm carry you away. She sometimes thinks everyone has as much energy as she does.”
Lisa nodded. “I noticed that, but she’s very appealing.” Suddenly her eyes grew wistful. “And that gorgeous figure. I don’t envy her vitality, but oh, what I’d give not to be quite so clumsy-looking.”
His hand went to her abdomen and rubbed gently back and forth on the slight swelling. “It really bothers you?”
“It bothers any pregnant woman to be unattractive, even when she knows it won’t last that long. There’s no question that it’s worth it, but yes, it does bother me.” She smiled uncertainly. “Does it bother you, Clancy?”
“Unattractive?” He looked stunned. “Why the hell do you think you’re unattractive? You’re more beautiful now than when I first saw you.”
“It’s very kind of you to say that, but I know—”
“I’m not kind. I told you I’d always tell you the truth.” His hands cradled her face. “Every day I look at you and see the changes and I’m filled with a kind of wonder. Your skin glows and becomes satin and velvet at the same time. Your hair shines and ripples in the sunlight. Your entire body is ripening like a young tree that blossoms in the springtime. It’s all freshness and beauty and new life.” He looked at her with complete sincerity. “Can’t you see that?”
“No.” Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “But I’m very, very glad that you do.” She turned her head and kissed his palm. He was the wonder. How lucky she was to have found him. “Then perhaps you won’t be too embarrassed to stand up with me before a preacher.”
He went still. “What?”
“I’m asking you to make an honest woman of me.” She smiled shakily. “If you want to, that is. Kira said she thought you did, but if she was wrong, I’ll—”
“If I want to!” His face had the same radiant expression she’d seen the day she’d told him of Marna’s prediction about the baby. “Oh, God, yes, I want to.” His blue eyes blazed with joy. “You know damn well I want to marry you.” He suddenly frowned. “Kira didn’t try to steamroll you into it, did she?”
“No, she merely pointed out that you probably wanted to make the baby legitimate. I find I want that, too.” She kissed him. “I like living in sin with you, but I believe I’ll love being married to you.”
He drew a deep, unsteady breath. “Tomorrow. We’ll fly to Marasef tomorrow and be married. I’m not taking any chances on you changing your mind.”
“I’m not going to change my mind. Why didn’t you tell me it was this important to you?”
“I was afraid you’d run for the hills,” he said. “You were so determined not to marry after your experience with Baldwin. I didn’t want to push you into giving more, when I had so much already.”
“You’re the one who’s done all the giving.” She smiled, her eyes misty. “We’ll have to see if we can’t change that, starting tomorrow. Now come to bed, you look terribly