Iris Johansen - Star-Spangled Bride

"You wish to arouse my libido in the kitchen?" Gabe asked. "My cooking must be getting pretty boring."

"Once I saw a television show that featured a sex therapist who said every couple should make love in unconventional places." She finished taping the paper and started down the ladder. "I want to be prepared."

"You refused the hammock. What could be more unusual than that?"

"Try me tonight, by the light of the moon. I howl at midnight."

"You do? That should be interesting." He regarded the pink tissue paper. "Do you realize there's every chance that paper will catch fire if the lights are left on too long?"

"We'll be careful," she said cheerfully. "It's only temporary. I'm going to phone Dan and tell him to bring a whole box of pink light bulbs next time he comes."

"Because pink is soft and there won't be glare." He shook his head, but his smile was tender. "Why not red lights?"

"I thought red would be a bit surreal. Pink is fine. Pink is good."

"No, it's Ronnie who is fine." He reached forward to kiss her on the lips. "All this isn't necessary, you know. It was only a temporary thing."

"Maybe. We won't take any chances."

"I believe I like you in this maternal mode." He slipped an arm around her and led her out of the kitchen. "What do you have planned for die bedroom?"

"Nothing maternal." Her smile faded as die full import of her words sank home to her. "Andthat reminds me. I want you to start protecting me."

"I'd say you're a little late," Gabe said dryly.

"Since we've been intimate in the extreme for the last week."

"Better late than never. It didn't occur to me." A possibility existed that she had been deliberately irresponsible. Perhaps she had wanted to have Gabe's baby. "I'm not alone in this. You should have thought about it too."

"I assumed you were on the Pill." His rare, warm smile lit his face. "A baby…"

"No," she said quickly. "Don't even think about it." She was thinking far too much about it herself. She had never thought of herself as maternal, but she knew she would want Gabe's baby even though it would complicate her life enormously.

"I can't help it. It intrigues me."

"Forget it. If I got pregnant…"

He went still. "You'd abort?"

She shook her head. "That wouldn't be my choice."

"Thank God. I was afraid I'd have to kidnap you and hold you prisoner until I could talk you into keeping it."

"For goodness sake, why are we talking aboutthis? I'm probably not pregnant, and from now on you protect me. Right?"

"Right." His smile deepened. "I protect you. It's a role that suits me to a tee."

She felt a flicker of despair. There it was again. Protection. Responsibility. They were growing closer every day, every hour, and Gabe's natural instinct was to guard anything and anyone he cared about. She had reached out to grab happiness for herself and Gabe was being caught in the trap.

"Stop frowning." With an index finger he traced the wrinkle that furrowed her brow. "I can practically see the wheels turning beneath those blond curls. It's your body. If you don't want a child right now, that's fine with me. I just wanted you to know that I'd want your child anytime, anywhere."

"Thanks," she said, emotion making her voice husky.

"You're welcome." Gabe bowed with mock politeness. "Just so you know I'm willing to oblige."

"I know." Her hand closed tightly around his. He had just gotten out of one prison and would oblige her to the point of making himself a prisoner again in lovely Tanadahl. "I've always found you very accommodating."

Dan arrived at Tanadahl at noon the next day. Ronnie ran out to the helicopter to meet him. "You're early. We didn't expect you until dinnertime. Did you bring my light-" For the first time she noticed the gravity of his expression. "What's wrong?"

He didn't answer. "Where's Gabe?" he asked as he jumped out of the helicopter

"In the study. He's trying to wade through some of that paperwork you brought last time." She searched his expression. "Is it Pilsner?"

He gently took her arm and propelled her toward the house. "I think we should wait until Gabe is present."

"I'm here." Gabe came down the front steps. "What's happened?"

"It's Ronnie's father. He's been shot."

Gabe muttered a curse as he came swiftly down the steps to stand beside Ronnie. "The Red December?"

Dan shook his head. "It happened in Tamrovia. He was dealing with a dissident group for arms and was caught in a raid by the Tamrovian authorities."

"How bad?"

"Critical." Dan turned to Ronnie and said gently, "They don't think he'll make it. I can't tell you how sorry I am to bring you this news."

"Are you sure?" she asked numbly. She couldn't believe that Evan was hurt, perhaps dying. He was one of those people who sailed through life. People around him got hurt, but never Evan.

Dan nodded. "Our sources in Belsen are very reliable. It took the Tamrovians a little while to identify him. He was traveling with an Irish passport under the name Robert Reardon."

"Where is he?"

"Being guarded at a hospital in Belsen, Tamrovia."

"Will you take me there in the helicopter?"

Dan looked at Gabe.

"How public is this information?" Gabe asked.

"It's our story so far, but it could break anytime."

Gabe turned to Ronnie. "Can I point out a few hard facts without upsetting you?" he asked quietly.

"Probably not."

"I have to do it anyway." He slipped his arms around her. "It could be a dangerous move foryou. The minute you cross the Sedikhan border, you're leaving yourself vulnerable to Pilsner. If we know about your father, then you can bet Pilsner will soon. It's a five-hour flight to Tamrovia. There may be a watch at the hospital by the time we get there."

"I'm not stupid enough not to guess that."

"You don't owe your father anything. He used you."

"I used him too. I tried to talk him out of arms running, but when he only laughed at me, I used his contacts, I followed him into a dozen hot spots to get stories."

"He brought you up like a ragtag gypsy."

"He did what he could."

"To make you a criminal like him. You don't owe him, Ronnie."

Evan, who had never believed in sentiment or obligation, would have been the first to agree with him, she thought sadly. But she had never been like Evan, and loving Gabe had made her willing to admit to herself how desperately she had wanted to know and love her father. This might be her last chance. "I don't know if I owe him anything for being my father, but I owe him for Said Ababa," she said unevenly. "He helped me save you. I have to see him, Gabe. I can't lethim die alone." She stepped back out of his arms and turned to Dan. "Will you take me or do I go on my own?"

"We'll take you," Gabe said. "Go in and pack a bag for us while I talk to Dan about arrangements for the trip."

"What arrangements?"

"You don't have a passport. We'll have to enter Tamrovia illegally."

"That will be a first for you." She wearily shook her head. "This is my problem. I shouldn't involve you in all this."

"You couldn't keep me out of it." He pushed her gendy toward the door. "Try to hurry. The sooner we get there, the better off we'll be."

The helicopter landed in a field a few miles outside Belsen, where a car and driver were waiting to take them to the hospital in the city.

"I'm making you a criminal too," Ronnie said as she watched the scenery flash by the window.

"I doubt if they'll deport me for helping my wife get to her dying father." Gabe's hand closed on hers. "Lord, your muscles are stiff as boards."

"I need to get there."

"I know it's seemed like a long trip, but we'realmost there. It should take about fifteen minutes to get to the hospital."