Page 55 of The Hero
“Good. Kendric?”
He smiled. He’d almost lost that. Hearing her say his name before asking a question. It was one of the million tiny things he already loved about her. “Yeah?”
“Don’t scare me like that again. From here on out, if you get even the smallest splinter, I want you to tell me about it. I was so scared.”
Bob tightened his hold on her. “I will. I promise.”
She nodded. Several minutes went by, and he thought she was asleep again, but then she said, “I’m sorry I had to tell your friends about the rescuing-people thing.”
“I’m not,” he reassured her. “It was time. I didn’t like lying to them, and honestly, the thrill of doing those missions has officially worn off. I like helping people, but I’m done putting myself in harm’s way like that.”
“Good. That’s what I told them. I even told them what you mentioned to me in Cambodia. That you might see about getting on a rope rescue team or volunteer with a search and rescue group or something. You’d be amazing at either. Not that you aren’t great at the tree business or leading hikers on the Appalachian Trail, I’m sure.”
“I know what you meant. And while I’m looking forward to seeing what the possibilities are for my future, I’ve got something else to occupy my time now.”
She looked up at him. “You do? What?”
“You.”
He saw her eyes watering before she closed them.
“That is, if you want that. I want you to move to Maine with me, Punky. Live with me. I’ll teach you to cook if you want, or I’ll do all the cooking. You’ll love Carlise and June, and April too. We’ll find something for you to do if you want to work. Or if you want to keep traveling, I’ll come along and be your bodyguard or something.”
Her eyes opened at that. “No!” she blurted, then took a deep breath. “I don’t want to travel anymore. I’m content staying home.”
“Okay. All I’m saying is that whatever you want to do, we’ll make it happen.”
“I want to be withyou,” she whispered. “Have a family.”
Bob’s heart lurched. “Yes,” he said fervently.
They smiled at each other.
“Does your back hurt?” she asked.
“No,” he lied.
Marlowe rolled her eyes. “Whatever. So much for confessing every splinter.”
Bob grinned. “You still look tired. We have a couple more hours before we land. Sleep, Punky.”
“I’m not tired anymore,” she said, but a huge yawn belied her words.
Bob chuckled. “Right. I hear you.”
“Okay, maybe I’m a little tired. But just another hour. I want to have time to look presentable when I meet your friends.”
“You’re already presentable,” he told her.
She rolled her eyes again. “I’m a mess,” she said unselfconsciously. “My hair is probably sticking up everywhere, I stink, I’m dirty. I need to clean up before we land. I don’t want your friends thinking you’re with a wild jungle creature.”
“You’remywild jungle creature,” Bob said with pride. “And I love you exactly how you are.”
She seemed to melt into his arms. “I love you too,” she said shyly.
Bob palmed the back of her head and kissed her forehead gently. “Sleep, Punky. I’ve got you.”
“I know you do,” she replied, then promptly fell into a deep sleep.
