A Soldier's Return (15 page)

“I know it’s short notice, but I need to borrow Carrie for lunch.”

“But we were going to have lunch together,” Jim exclaimed.

“You and Carrie?” Vanessa asked in surprise.

“No, the three of us,” Jim explained.

“Couldn’t you do that tomorrow? I want to have lunch with Carrie today.”

Jim just stared at his sister, unable to answer.

“Is that okay with you, Carrie?” Will asked. “Actually that might be better because we can go over last-minute preparations for your trip this weekend.”

“Yes, that’s fine,” Carrie hurriedly said. She grabbed her purse and went out the door with Vanessa.

Jim didn’t speak until the two ladies had disappeared. Then he said, “My little sister is slightly spoiled, Will. You’ll have to agree with that.”

“Absolutely,” Will said with a smile. “But, like her mother, she has a good heart.”

O
NCE THEY WERE SEATED
in the restaurant, Carrie looked at her friend. “What was so important that you insisted on lunch today?”

Vanessa slumped in her chair. “My party was useless.”

“What do you mean?” Carrie asked, leaning toward Vanessa.

“There’s no use in me trying to find a lady for Jim. He’s not interested.”

Carrie stared at her friend, shock on her face. “Are you telling me Jim’s gay? I don’t believe it!”

“No, not that. But he thinks he’s a jinx to anyone he gets close to.” She then went on to repeat what Will had told her.

“That’s terrible,” Carrie muttered. “He said something to me about his parents and Wally dying, but I didn’t really understand. No wonder he wanted to dance with me at the party. He was trying to avoid any women he might feel attracted to.”

“Oh, I don’t think that’s true,” Vanessa hurriedly said. “I’m sure it’s because he’s attracted to you.”

“Me? Don’t be ridiculous, Vanessa. And even if he was, it wouldn’t matter since he doesn’t plan on getting close to anyone of the female persuasion.”

“I was hoping you could tempt him,” Vanessa said in a mischievous voice.

Carrie was horrified. “Vanessa! What are you suggesting?”

Thursday’s lunch was a group affair at the office. Jim went out and bought sandwiches and the three of them gathered around Will’s desk for their noon meal.

“Pass me the potato chips,” Will requested.

The bag was passed to him and he put some on his paper plate. “This is great. It’s like a picnic.”

Jim eyed his partner. “Yeah. You haven’t had enough picnics?”

“No. Betty doesn’t think picnics are proper meals. I don’t dare tell her we brought in food for lunch. She’d think I needed twice as much to eat for dinner.”

“We won’t tell,” Carrie assured him.

“I don’t know,” Jim said in a considering voice. “I might be interested in blackmail. Or maybe a dinner invitation.”

“Done,” Will agreed with a big grin. “You have an open invitation.”

“Maybe I’ll take you up on that after we get back from Vegas,” Jim said. “I’ve made a copy of our itinerary in case you need to find us. Plus, we’ll have our cells.”

“What cameras are you taking with you?” Will asked.

“I’ll have my digital camera with me, and my camera phone,” Carrie said.

“I’m taking a small camera in this pen,” Jim said, holding up what looked like a ballpoint pen. “I’ll have to be close for it to work, but that might happen.”

Will nodded. “All right. And remember to begin your cover from the moment you leave your apartment, you two. You never know who you’ll run into, or what they’ll say that might expose your secret.”

“Right,” Jim agreed. “Wedding rings from the word go.”

“Yeah. You’ve got those, right?”

They both nodded.

“Do you know anything about Riley’s gambling habits?” Will asked.

“Some,” Carrie said. “He usually plays blackjack, but he also likes craps and roulette.”

“And Mrs. Riley?”

“She likes the slots,” Carrie said.

“How are you two going to work that?”

“We’ll stay together,” Jim said. “Mrs. Riley’s not scamming the insurance company so we’ll stick to Mr. Riley. Occasionally one of us will go play some slots, just to locate the wife and make sure she won’t notice us taking pictures whenever Riley leaves the gaming tables.”

“Good. Now, I’m going to the bank after lunch. Have you figured out how much cash you’ll need?”

Jim and Will discussed the proper amount, but Carrie didn’t concern herself with their discussion. She knew she could turn in an expense account after her return and
get her money reimbursed. Instead, she was mentally reviewing the clothes she would pack that evening.

She tended to buy unnoticeable clothes that allowed her to blend in with the scenery, which was helpful in her job. But they wouldn’t work on this trip. No. On this trip she needed sexier clothes. Clothes a bride would wear to entice her new husband.

“Carrie?”

She jerked her head up and stared at Will. “Yes?”

“I called you several times. What were you thinking about?”

“The trip. Trying to make sure I had all my ducks in a row, that’s all.” She ignored Jim’s sharp look. The last thing she needed was for Jim to start reading her mind.

“Any problems?” he asked.

“No, of course not,” she hurriedly said. “Everything’s fine.”

But would she say that once she got to Vegas?

T
HAT NIGHT
, Carrie packed her clothes. She put in some bright-colored tops and some sexy underwear. She was supposed to be a newlywed, after all. She’d even bought a couple of nightgowns.

The one thing she’d bought that she hadn’t told Jim about was in a box in her bathroom, awaiting her. She didn’t really like using it, but because she’d seen Mrs. Riley before, she couldn’t take a chance that she might recognize her.

The next morning, when Jim knocked on her door, Carrie swung it open and waited for his reaction.

“What happened to the good-looking blonde who lives here?” he demanded, staring at her brown hair.

“She’s in disguise,” Carrie whispered. Then she picked up her suitcase and purse and entered the hallway so she could lock her apartment door.

“Here, I’ll take that,” Jim said, reaching out for her bag. “I’ve already taken mine down to the car. Why did you dye your hair?”

“It’s just a rinse to last for the weekend. I was afraid Mrs. Riley might recognize me if I didn’t do something to my hair.”

“Maybe. But you were wearing heavy makeup when you went to her house.”

“I’m wearing makeup now,” Carrie returned, annoyed that he hadn’t noticed.

“Yeah, I can tell, but that day you wore too much.”

As much as his words irritated her, she knew he was right. “Let’s go,” she said firmly.

“Right this way, dear wife,” he said, gesturing for her to precede him.

There was little conversation on the way to the airport, but once he’d parked the car, Jim said, “Okay, from here until our return, we’re married. Remember?”

“I think I’ve been doing this longer than you,” she pointed out.

“Good. Give me a kiss.”

“What?”

“Brides like to kiss their husbands…frequently.” He leaned toward her.

Carrie knew he was right and she had to pretend. She closed her eyes and puckered up.

His lips brushed hers and her eyes popped open.

“Okay, now let’s go.”

Jim shook his head but said nothing. He got out of his car and took both their suitcases out of the vehicle. “Ready?”

“Yes.” She followed him from the parking lot into the terminal, where they checked their bags and went to the gate to await their flight. When Jim caught her hand, she didn’t protest, though she thought he might be overdoing it just a little.

Until she saw the Rileys sitting at the gate.

Suddenly she turned toward Jim, throwing her arms around his neck and putting her lips against his neck as she quietly whispered, “They’re here.”

Jim wrapped his arms around her. “Where?” he whispered.

“In the second row of seats to your right.”

“Okay, I’m going to keep my arm around you and take us up to the desk to be sure we get seats together.” He kissed her cheek and did as he said.

She kept an arm around his waist, clinging as a newlywed would do. After receiving their seat assignments, Jim led them to the row of seats behind the Rileys and several seats down from them.

Jim was quite solicitous and Carrie played along. She put her head on his shoulder.

“Tired, sweetheart? I guess I didn’t let you get much sleep last night.”

“I’m just a little sleepy.”

“Once we get on the plane, you can put your head on my shoulder and sleep all the way to Vegas.”

“Mmm, I can’t wait,” she whispered.

Jim hugged her close and kissed her again.

And that was the scariest part of their pretense. She could get used to touching and being touched by this man.

When they got off the plane in Vegas, after Carrie had actually slept a little with her head on Jim’s shoulder, they took a cab to the Bellagio. They noted that the Rileys were met by a white stretch limo.

“Some people spend their money in a hurry,” he whispered in her ear as the taxi pulled away.

She lay her head on his shoulder again and didn’t respond. She’d noted that Riley was still using his wheelchair. What if he stuck with it the entire trip and their efforts were wasted?

Their taxi actually got them to the hotel faster than the Rileys’ limo. She and Jim were checking in when the Rileys came through the door.

Carrie grabbed Jim’s muscular arm and leaned closer to him. “He’s not in the wheelchair.”

Jim, to his credit, didn’t look over his shoulder. He took the key the desk clerk handed him and turned to put an arm around Carrie. “Come on, sweetheart.”

“What about our bags?”

“The bellhop will bring them.” He leaned down and kissed her briefly. Then he pulled her right past the Rileys toward the elevator.

When they reached the bridal suite, Jim opened the door and then scooped Carrie up into his arms and stepped across the threshold.

Held against his rock-hard chest, she felt as if she didn’t breathe until he put her down to tip the bellhop.
When she heard him close the door, she finally let out the emotion she’d been hiding since they’d encountered the Riley’s in the Dallas airport.

“I don’t know how I got their flight information wrong. From what Susie said, I was sure they’d be on a later flight.”

“Don’t beat yourself up over it, Carrie. It’s just as well.”

“Yeah, well let’s hope that’s our first and last mistake of this trip.” She looked around the suite. They were standing in the living room portion, and beyond double doors she could see the bedroom with a giant-size bed layered with luxurious red linens. Well, it was a honeymoon suite, she reasoned. Tearing her eyes away from that room, she spun around. “Shall we head for the casino? I’m sure the Rileys will.”

Jim grinned. “Anxious to get out of here?”

Had he read her mind? Instead of admitting it, she hedged, “I just thought—”

“I know, honey, but newlyweds wouldn’t go to the casino first thing. They’d choose another activity first.”

Carrie understood what he was saying, but she had no intention of indulging in sex for an hour or two. Much as she might like to.

As if he read her mind, he said, “No, I’m not suggesting we make love, dear heart. I’m suggesting we pretend. Come on.”

She swallowed, and then followed him into the bedroom. What did he have in mind?

He took off his shoes and crawled onto the big bed. “Come on.”

“Why?”

“So housekeeping can talk about how the newlyweds couldn’t wait to get into bed,” he assured her, leaning on one elbow. “If you want, you can take a little nap to make up for the early morning. I think I will.”

He flopped back onto one of the pillows and closed his eyes, as if what she did meant nothing to him.

After a moment, Carrie kicked off her shoes and gingerly got onto the big bed. She was tired, she admitted, and a little sleep would help.

Jim didn’t move, which appeased Carrie’s apprehension, and gradually she relaxed. Just as she was falling asleep, she felt strong arms gather her close to a warm body. She snuggled up and slept like a baby.

J
IM AWOKE
a couple of hours later, only to discover his arms around Carrie as she slept on his shoulder.

Not a bad way to wake up, he decided. Too bad it wasn’t for real. If it were, he’d pull her closer and let her know how much he wanted her. She’d turn in his arms and give him a sexy smile right before she kissed him and gave herself to him.

Only in your dreams, Jim,
he chided himself.

Instead, he eased his arms from around her and sat up, trying his hardest to bring his wanton desires in check.

Beside him, Carrie stirred. When she saw him sitting beside her, her eyes filled with something akin to fear and she jerked up as if she’d been stabbed in the back. “Oh! Is it time? Shall we go down?”

“Sure, when we’re ready. I don’t think there’s any rush. We want to be sure we get the goods on Riley without taking any risks,” Jim said.

“Of course,” Carrie hurriedly agreed as she slid off the bed. She rushed into the bathroom and closed the door.

Jim sighed. Well, at least they’d gotten through that without a major embarrassment. But he wouldn’t forget those minutes spent holding her.

Half an hour later, they descended to the casino for the first time. Carrie had a handbag on her shoulder that held both her camera and her digital camera. Jim had his pen camera. Of course, they both knew photos weren’t allowed inside the casinos, so they’d have to catch Riley coming or going.

First they had to find the man.

As they began their tour of the casino, Carrie, her hand held by Jim, leaned over to whisper that she’d spotted Mrs. Riley at a bank of slot machines near the entrance.

Within minutes, they found Riley playing at a blackjack table, sitting on a high stool. There was no sign of his wheelchair, but they knew they’d have to get pictures of him on his feet for real proof.

Rather than join Riley’s table, Jim took a seat at another blackjack table where he had a clear view of the subject. “Will you stay and watch me play, sweetheart?” he asked, putting an arm around Carrie.

“Of course, dear,” Carrie cooed, then wondered if she’d overdone her response.

Jim didn’t appear to think so. Carrie stood at his side. Her job was to keep an eye on Riley while Jim concentrated on his cards.

Several hours later, Jim cashed out and they wandered around, watching others play.

Jim whispered, “I can’t believe the man has such staying power!”

Carrie gave a quiet chuckle. “He’s obviously dedicated to his gambling.” She’d kept track of Jim’s gaming, also. He’d actually come out ahead.

“Let’s try the craps table, shall we?” Jim suggested. “You can roll the dice for me for luck.”

“Yes, but what kind?” she teased.

“It had better be good luck or we won’t last long at this game.”

Carrie rolled the dice and seemed to bring Jim luck. They got a little wrapped up in the game as Jim began to pile the chips up in front of him. They were both surprised when Riley joined their table.

They exchanged a look, but it was too late. Riley was already seated on a stool, placing his bet. After a few minutes, Carrie pleaded with Jim to quit. She said she was tired of rolling the dice.

He gave her money to go play the slots, but he remained at his seat.

Carrie wandered over to the slots where she saw Mrs. Riley was still plunking in the coins at her slot machine. After a while Carrie returned close to the craps table.

As if he realized someone was watching, Riley turned around and looked at the people behind him. Not wanting to be caught staring, Carrie approached Jim, telling him she wanted to go see a show.

With a shrug, he cashed in his chips and left the table. “I made enough to go to any show you want, Carrie,” he whispered.

“That’s good, I guess. I wish we would’ve gotten pic
tures of Riley, but I don’t think he’s leaving the casino anytime soon.”

“Yeah, we’ll try again later.”

“I watched him for a few minutes at the craps table, but he must’ve sensed something, because that’s when he turned around.”