Maeve shakes her head. “No, but I also need to find a store and get that boy something awesome as a coming home gift.” Chuckling, I take my phone from her and lay it on my bag.
“We’ll go to the store in the morning. They’re going to let me fly home with you instead of going in the C130 with them.”
She raises her eyebrows. “You’d rather fly with me than with your friends?”
I look at her like she’s crazy. “Fly with a bunch of smelly, salty men, or sit next to you? Is that a real question?”
I strip off my clothes and she eyes me warily. “This house is filled with women.”
“Don’t see how that’s my problem, ma’am. You’re the only woman I want.”
She nods and gets into the hot tub, hissing when one foot is submerged. Her bikini is modest, looking more like a gym outfit, but there’s no hiding her perfect curves. I pull her back against my front and press a kiss onto her bare shoulder. “Jesus, I’ve been so worried. That’s the wrong word. This whole scenario terrified me, Maeve. I want to marry you, and I want to marry you yesterday. Can we please get to the good stuff now?”
She spins in my arms and pulls me so I’m standing on the ledge in the hot tub with her. I left my boxer briefs on and I pull her into the steam, cradling her in my arms. “This is good stuff,” she says. “Every second together is the good stuff.”
I exhale, letting my muscles relax. “You saw Autumn Glass,” I say, testing the name. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, better than I thought I’d be. She was nothing like I expected but also exactly how I thought she’d be. I got closure and a bit more understanding. I do need to dig a little deeper into my paternal side. For her sake.” She launches into the story and tells me about living on the streets as a baby with Autumn. I can tell by the way she gives details she feels bad for Autumn and her plight. I hold her as she speaks and her voice lulls me into nirvana—a place I never want to leave.
“And that’s where we are now.” Maeve takes an exaggerated breath. “Rena said you spoke to her.”
I kiss her ear because it’s in my line of vision. “I did. I got ahold of her when I thought I might be able to talk her out of her plan. When I realized she was out of her mind, I gave it all over to the cops and together we coordinated the sting. It nearly killed me not being able to be the one to save you.”
“I almost shot her. I heard your voice when I was checking the gun.”
“Wait, are you saying you were actually paying attention in gun class?”
She swats me playfully and water splashes my cheek. “I always listen to you. I’m just glad I didn’t have to, you know, well shoot. She was drugged up. Did coke right in front of me. Took my engagement ring and put it on.” Her body visibly shudders. This is honestly the best thing for her right now. “Even now, I know she wishes she could have stayed with you. She wanted my life. What was she like… before?”
This would be weird, talking about an ex in detail, but this is her sister, and she wants to find something redeeming about the woman. Maeve leans her head on my shoulder, and she listens as I only hit the highlights. Rena’s quirks. How she was a child and a teenager. I let her fall in love with her alongside me. “It wasn’t until I left that she changed. Before then, it was good. They say war changes people, and for us, it did. It just changed her instead of me.”
She turns in my arms, and doe eyes meet mine. There’s a film of perspiration on her flushed skin. “War didn’t change you at all?”
“Only the parts and pieces I control. Sure, war gives me perspective, and a better understanding of how fragile life truly is, but the scary stuff? The cruel, jagged memories that change the good things about a person’s heart, those don’t get a chance to settle.”
“How? Why doesn’t it stay with you?”
“I have Turner. And now you. Love fixes a lot of things.” At my words, Maeve stands, her skin red with water and messy, half wet hair hanging around her face.
“My whole life I’ve tried everything to fix myself. It never occurred to me that I was capable of fixing someone else.”
The water rushes as I move to pull her to stand between my legs. “You’re my piece of heaven, and nothing will ever change that.” Laying her hands on my shoulders, she leans in and kisses me passionately, body swaying into my chest. The surround speakers crackle, and music begins playing. Maeve’s head whips up to the opposite side of the deck.
Ramona gives a little wave, and tiptoe-runs back out of the pool room, closing the glass doors as she goes. “A little mood music. So nice of her,” I exclaim, wiping water from my chin and upper lip.
“I hate this song and she knows it.”
At that, I let out a true laugh that echoes off the wooden ceiling and vast space. “Let’s change that.” With bent arms, I pull myself out of the water and extend a hand down to her. Shaking her head, she takes my hand, and I pull her into my arms and sway her to the beat of the music. My thumb catches on the diamond ring and my heart swells, and this song feels like my favorite, because the body pressing against mine right now is my favorite. “See, it’s not that bad, now is it?”
Her cheek is pressed on my bare chest, and her arms are circled around me in a big bear hug. “It’s not,” she says, her feet tripping on mine. “This feels like home.”
“I meant the song,” I tease.
“Still hate it,” she deadpans.
I laugh again, and she joins in, glancing up at me. “There’s a bedroom over there. It’s not my bedroom, but it’s also not anyone else’s either. No one wanted the room that smelled like chlorine. If you know, want to go try to make this song my favorite song.”
I tap my chin as her gaze turns precocious. “Was that a challenge?”