The Captain's Lady (33 page)
Read The Captain's Lady Online
Authors: Lorhainne Eckhart
Tags: #Ship Captains, #Man-Woman Relationships, #Kidnap, #Contemporary, #General, #Romance, #Navy, #military, #Fiction, #Love Stories
"Got a second, Captain?” Joe joined Eric at the rail as he looked out over the Pacific.
"What's up?” Eric continued leaning on his forearms on the rail.
"I finally connected with Edwin. They located Seyed.” Now Eric raised his head. His heart leapt. “Don't get too excited; he slipped away before they could capture him."
He dropped his head to his hands. “Fuck ... what the hell is wrong with those guys?"
"He's a professional at staying undercover. He's slippery as a worm. But they'll get him. You know they'll get him."
"But when? And after how many other women disappear?"
"I know you're worried he'll come after Abby and the baby. It'd be pretty hard once we're back home."
"She jumps every time the phone rings."
"Have you assured her that he can't get to her there?” Eric tilted his head up again, squinting in the bright light. Their eyes met. “Never mind, of course you have."
Eric had, time and again, assured Abby of the base's security, but the fact was, it didn't matter where they were. Even on base this guy could find a way to get in.
"I know,” Joe said, “we'll all keep an eye out."
"Great, what about when we head back out? And she and Rachel are alone all the time?"
"The chances of that are slim. This is a US military base. Neither Seyed nor the CIA can just grab her there."
"Yeah, right.” Eric whispered the words as he searched out over the water. The unease in the wind as it whipped cold and harsh around him left an imprint of uncertainty.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Abby stood on the deck of the USS Larsen as it eased into port. She cradled Rachel, taking in the warmth and beauty of the day. Gradually the land, which had been just a dark line on the horizon, grew and developed. Now she could make out buildings, people. And solid ground. How long had her stomach lurched and twisted on the waves? She'd never been here before; even so, its allure pulled Abby so hard she felt like leaping over the side and swimming for shore. If it hadn't been for Rachel...
She fought back tears, overwhelmed with both joy and sadness. Joy for the possibilities of a new life. Sadness from a remembered time on the other side of the country.
Home. The word echoed in her head. Part of her wished to stay on the ship. Thick metal and heavy rivets—they'd protect her from Seyed, wouldn't they? The other part of her couldn't wait to get off and explore her new home.
The crew scrambled all around her, readying the ship for docking. The gathered crowd was loud. They threw confetti and cheered their heroes into port. Abby was swept away in their glory. It filled her with such pride that she wanted to shout, too. In response, an irrepressible laugh bubbled up. Rachel's eyes opened. She gazed up at Abby ... and smiled.
Where was Eric? His daughter had smiled for the first time, and he'd missed it. Speak of the devil; she sensed more than saw him approach. He placed a protective hand on her lower back. That small gesture sent waves of stabilizing peace into every crevice of her being.
Eric leaned down and, with a subtle brushing of his lips, uttered so lightly, “It's time you went back down. Petey will take you to my cabin. Wait there until I come and get you."
"But I want to watch us dock."
He cut off any further protest. “When I give an order I expect it to be obeyed."
Bristling at the sharpness of his tone and feeling the sting of dismissal, Abby just looked at him and nodded. She pursed her lips and stifled her own sharp retort. He was right; this was not the time or place.
She accompanied Petey back to the cabin. “Can I get you anything, some coffee, tea...?” he asked.
"No, thank you."
He poured a glass of water and stood in front of her, holding it out.
Hesitantly she accepted the glass as her seething glare met his patient one. She set the glass down on the table, and then settled Rachel in her bed. After looking down at the tiny bundle contentedly cooing, she turned to Petey, fidgeting from one foot to the other. She blew out an exasperated breath. “Is there something on your mind?"
"Don't mind the captain. It gets hectic on deck when we come in, and anyone could see he didn't want you or the baby getting hurt."
Abby closed her eyes with a sigh. She couldn't help feeling hurt. Would she ever get used to Eric's brusqueness? She'd assured him she would—could—but there were times she wasn't so sure. “I guess I already knew that. It just bothers me ... his abrupt dismissal. Like I'm one of the crew."
"Yes, ma'am."
"You don't need to stay with me Petey, go on up."
He shook his head. “No, ma'am. I was ordered to stay here with you."
She smiled and cocked her brow. “Okay. I definitely don't want to get you in trouble with my husband."
Petey remained with her while they docked. The furor on deck, the emotion in the voices of the crew was easy to hear through the cabin walls. As Abby sat stiffly in Eric's leather desk chair, her anxiety was building. What would life be like outside these metal walls? She would be on her own. She would be responsible for the little things that were taken care of for her here. Going to the store, paying bills, doing laundry, looking after the house, all those mundane tasks she had taken for granted. Frightening, but still she looked forward to every leaky faucet or chipped piece of woodwork. She would be in her own home, hers and Eric's.
How long would it be before Eric shipped out again? Next time she wouldn't be allowed to go with him. He would not always be there to protect her. She would need to depend on herself, be brave for Rachel. Abby swallowed a lump of trepidation laced with anticipation. She could do this. Look what she'd been through so far. All those horrible things had made her a stronger person.
It had been more than a year since she was last on US soil. When her grandmother died. Abby swiped at the tears that threatened to burst forth. That was another lifetime. She was a different person.
The door opened without a warning knock. She could not help beaming up at the man who appeared in the doorway. He stood tall and strong. Her rock. His eyes took her in and, as most always happened, the hard captain-ness softened. Dismissing Petey, he strolled to her, reached down and swept her into his arms. “Are you ready to start your new life?"
Abby stretched her neck to peer up at him. She nodded. “Yes, as long as you're with me."
Like a teenager, the weak-in-the-knees feeling he suffered every time she looked at him struck again. He cupped the back of her head, leaned down and claimed the luscious lips. With a heavy sigh, he clasped her shoulders and gently held her away from him. “Go get our girl. We're going home."
Epilogue
Abby stood on the pier with the other Navy wives and kids, the familiar butterflies churning in her stomach. An hour ago, the USS Geary pulled up to the dock. Crewmen scurried around the deck looking like carpenter ants. Seemed like it took forever for them to have everything battened down.
"Daddy. Daddy,” cried Rachel, trying to wiggle out of Abby's arms.
"He's coming soon, baby.” Abby squinted into the crowd of uniformed men finally making their way down the gangplank. Where was Eric? She rose up on her toes. Was that him? Yes. There he was, at the bottom of the ramp, a head taller than most; the man oozed warmth and authority. Each sailor who passed saluted and acknowledged Eric with respect and devotion. Her husband stood tall with self-assured strength, speaking to each seaman.
At one point, he glanced her way. She waved, wanting nothing more than to run to him and throw herself into his arms.
Finally the last man had debarked. Abby made her way through the crowd, feeling her face flushed with radiance at that oh-so-familiar pull he exuded.
"Daddy, Daddy, my Daddy,” Rachel screamed. He scooped her into his arms, pulling Abby with her. Eric kissed them both, and then eased back as he felt the baby kick.
He reached down and lay his hand possessively on her swollen belly, gently caressing it. “How's my boy today?” Abby beamed as joyful tears shimmered down her cheeks. It would not be long before this baby made his entrance. “Your boy's fine. It's your wife and daughter who need attention right now."
His deep vibrant laugh emanated over the murmur of families as he bent down and gave Abby a passion-filled kiss that, even after two years, still left her breathless.
He straightened up. “Come on, wife of mine, let's go home."
About the Author...
Lorhainne Eckhart, the mother of three children, began her writing career five years ago. A lover of the outdoors and gardening, she and her children enjoy their property in the country on Vancouver Island.
Thank you for purchasing
this Wild Rose Press publication.
For other wonderful stories of romance,
please visit our on-line bookstore at www.thewildrosepress.com.
For questions or more information,
contact us at [email protected].
The Wild Rose Press
www.TheWildRosePress.com
Visit www.thewildrosepress.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.
Table of Contents