Incorporeal (26 page)

Her vision blurred with tears.
What an odd sensation, to know that the man you love is buried in the ground at your feet, yet at the same time he’s in England, alive and well.

But Sara, remember; he was dead when you first met. He was dead when you fell in love with him
.

“
No, that’s not true, brain. Even incorporeal, Nathan was alive, more alive than any man I’ve ever met. He’ll find me; he’ll find us. He has no choice.”

“
You’re right about that, you know.”

The voice was rough and raw. It was the most beautiful sound she’d ever heard.

Sara whirled around. Catching the toe of her boot in the soft soil, she stumbled and nearly pitched headlong into the grass. Nathan caught her up in his arms.

“
I never had a choice.” His lips brushed her earlobe. “When it comes to loving you, Sara, I’ve never had a choice.”

“
Nathan.” Overcome with emotion, Sara stopped speaking. She felt his breath slide through her hair like a caress. The warmth of his body flowed into hers.

What is there to say?

“
What is there to say?” Nathan tilted her head back. His eyes bored into hers. “I love you, Sara Wise. That’s what there is to say. I’m never leaving you again.”

She smiled through her tears. “Never?”

The corners of his mouth twitched, but he didn’t smile, not yet. “Never. Can you live with a real man, or would you prefer the ghost?”

Sara lifted her hand to caress his cheek. “You were always a man, Nathan de Manua. Always. I never doubted you.”

Nathan set her down and looked her over from head to toe. His palm settled on her belly. “I have no explanation for you, Sara. I don’t understand any of this.”

“
I know. I don’t either, but I’ve come to realize I don’t care. Logical explanations don’t exist and if they did, they’d be meaningless anyway. You are the answer to all my questions. She…” Sara placed her hand over Nathan’s, “is the answer.”

They stood together in silence for a long time. At last Sara saw the crinkles in the corner of Nathan’s eyes as he smiled at her. Her heart light, she smiled back.

“
Do you want to go home?” she asked, twining her fingers around his.

“
Yes.” He squeezed her hand. “It’s time to go home. I have another gift for you.” He flashed a wicked grin. “And I could use a shower.”

The End.

J.R. Barrett lives on the West Coast of the United States. She writes romantic suspense, science fiction romance, paranormal romance and the occasional contemporary. You can find her other works on Amazon under her author names, Julia Rachel Barrett and Julia Barrett. For additional information, see her website:

http://juliarachelbarrett.net