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By Root 611 0

would be returning that evening. Tears stung the back of her eyes when she knew she could not fight what she felt for him any longer, no matter how hard she tried, and God knew she had. For three years she had fought anything developing between them and now she had to admit that she wanted him with a passion. He totally consumed her mind…and her heart. What Syneda, Brenna and Caitlin had said last week at Corinthians’s baby shower was true. To sum it up in a nutshell, if you loved someone, really loved that person, then nothing else mattered, especially what he did for a living or where you lived. Somehow she believed in her heart that things between her and Ashton would work out. She had to believe that they would.

“I love him,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around her middle. “I didn’t want to love him but I do.” She couldn’t fight her feelings anymore, and she could no longer fight him. Each time she thought she had gotten stronger in her affirmation, then something would come along and contravene. Like this trip of his to Washington. She’d had no idea that not seeing him for five days would have this sort of an affect on her.

Thoughts then whirled around in Netherland’s mind. What if Ashton was tired of pursuing her? What if he no longer wanted her? What if his vision had been wrong? There were too many “what ifs,” and she didn’t want to think about them tonight.

Deciding to save Rome from worrying when she didn’t come home, she picked up the phone. When he didn’t answer, she left a short message on the answering machine that simply said, “I won’t be home tonight, Rome. Don’t worry, I’m okay.”

After hanging up the phone she went over to the bed, pushed back the covers and slipped between the sheets. She fell asleep instantly thinking about dark eyes, warm arms and the sexy smile that belonged to the man she loved.

“I’m sorry, sir,” the airline receptionist was saying. “Your flight has been cancelled until morning due to the severe thunderstorms.”

Ashton nodded, clearly upset. He had been in numerous meetings all week with top military officials and White House advisers regarding the recent uprising near the Jordan borders. Now he was ready to return to Texas. To Netherland.

He had avoided calling her all week hoping his absence would give her a chance to miss him but now he wanted to talk to her, hear her voice. Finding the most quiet spot he could in the busy and overcrowded airport, he pulled out his cell phone to call her. He frowned when he got her answering machine. Deciding not to leave a message, he hung up and glanced at his watch. Chances were she was still at Sisters.

He sighed. If things between the two sovereign nations occupying the land surrounding Jordan’s banks continued, there would be more bloodshed, which meant there was a possibility that he would receive orders to depart on assignment immediately. The last thing he wanted was to leave Netherland with unfinished business between them.

Ashton inhaled deeply. Her time was up.

Chapter 12

Netherland gave Rome a half smile when she got home the next morning and found him sitting at her kitchen table drinking coffee and reading the morning’s paper.

“Ashton’s back?” he asked, setting the paper aside.

She shook her head as she joined him at the table. “No. I thought he would have gotten back last night but he didn’t.”

Rome nodded. “That’s understandable.”

Netherland lifted a brow. “Why is it understandable?”

“Because of the thunderstorms.” When Netherland’s features reflected her confusion, Rome said, “Surely you’ve heard about those severe thunderstorms that have rammed the East Coast over the past forty-eight hours?”

Netherland narrowed her eyes at her brother. “Rome, for the past one hundred and twenty hours I’ve been extremely busy getting things ready for tonight. I haven’t had time to keep up with any weather reports.”

“Well, from what I understand, all flights coming out of D.C. were canceled due to the severity of the storms. Chances are Ashton spent the night at some airport.”

Netherland rubbed both hands across her