Last Bridge Home (15 page)

“Yes, combined with deep hypnosis.” He stood up and walked toward the entrance. She wished the light wasn’t dim so that she could see more of him than just a shadow. Her mind had been so hazy when he’d stripped during the night, that she hadn’t even noticed his body. She had only a vague memory of tight buttocks and powerful thighs. “And you told me the group you belong to is just like the rest of us,” she said lightly. “Just ordinary small town folks.”

“Naturally increased psychic abilities are a result of mind expansion.” His tone was threaded with irony. “Needless to say, the institute was delighted, and we were immediately taught to use all our abilities. The bastards didn’t realize they’d given us the key to the cage they’d put us in.”

“All?”

He was dressing swiftly. “All. What I did for you last night was fairly simple. The monks of Tibet have been able to control their body temperatures and organic functions for centuries. Our psychic abilities were the principal reason we decided we had to escape from Said Ababa as soon as possible. We had no desire to turn into a colony of madmen.”

“Madmen?” Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

He crossed back to her. “Later.” He dropped her clothes on the quilt. “I’m in no mood to discuss the topic at the moment. It’s beginning to get light in here. I can see you, and I’m hurting already.”

“Can’t you stop it? The way you helped me last night?”

“It doesn’t work. I’ve tried it.” She could barely discern his bittersweet smile in the half-dark interior of the cave. “It seems you’re the cross I have to bear.”

“I don’t want you to hurt.” Elizabeth’s voice
was troubled as she slowly began to dress. The material of her clothing was damp and cold against her skin. “You didn’t have to stop, you know.”

“I know, but when I make love to you, I’m going to make sure it’s me you want. I know how seductive mental joining can be. I was in side your mind sharing your emotions.” His tone was halting. “I tried to make it beautiful for you.”

“You did.”

“I can make it more beautiful. When we’re together, I can make you feel my desire, my satisfaction, as well as your own. I can let you physically feel what I feel—” He stopped and laughed harshly. “Just listen to me. With one hand I’m letting you go, and with the other I’m pulling you back. I’m no Mark Ramsey, am I?”

“No.” Jon would never be the lovable idealist Mark had been, but she knew now she didn’t want him to be. Last night when they had joined, she had discovered a beauty within him that shone as brightly as any she had found in Mark. He possessed integrity, strength, and a rigid set of values. He was also aggressive, passionate, possessive, and stub born to the point of bullheadedness. No, he wasn’t like Mark any more than the dawn resembled the sunset, but both had their own inner beauty and their own place in the
scheme of things. And she knew now that Jon’s place was in her life, for as long as she lived. “No, you’re not Mark.”

He flinched as if she’d struck him.

“No, I didn’t mean—”

“You don’t have to qualify your statement. I know I have a long way to go.” He turned around and began to roll the stone away from the entrance. “But I do think we jumped a few hurdles last night. Finish getting dressed. I’ll do some reconnoitering and be right back.”

They’d jumped more than a few hurdles, Elizabeth thought as she pulled on her damp socks. They’d made a quantum leap toward a closeness she never imagined was possible. Love. She loved Jon Sandell. Freely, proudly, and with her whole heart.

She couldn’t deny that she had had apprehensions, and constantly had made comparisons between Jon and Mark. She supposed it was natural for Jon to jump to conclusions. Well, she had time to show him there would be no qualifications in her love for him, and no future comparisons to Mark.

However, she would prefer to wait until they were in a trifle more glamorous setting to stage her demonstration. She seemed destined al ways to appear at her worst when she was with Jon. First, she had been pregnant and was bulky and unwieldy with Andrew, and now she
looked straggly and as stringy-haired as a veritable scarecrow.

“There’s no sign of Bardot’s men in the woods,” Jon said from the entrance of the cave. “They’re probably watching the road and the cottage, but if we skirt around the bluff and through the woods, we should make it.”

“Make it to where?” Elizabeth rose to her feet and quickly began to fold the quilts. “You have a destination in mind, I hope?”

“Serena Spaulding’s cottage. She’s your good friend, and the one time I met her, she impressed me as being someone who wasn’t afraid to take chances.”

“Oh, you know Serena, all right. She’d punch the devil in the nose and then sue him for damages to her bruised knuckles.” Elizabeth frowned as she came to stand beside him outside the cave. “But I don’t want her bruising those knuckles on my behalf. Bardot can be a very nasty customer.”

“The only chance I’ll ask her to take is to lend us her car and give you some dry clothes,” Jon said soothingly.

“Won’t Bardot’s men be watching her cottage? His investigations must have turned up the fact that she’s my best friend.”

“We’ll find a way to get into her place un seen. I don’t like involving her in this mess any more than you do, but we need transportation.
We have to rendezvous with Gunner tomorrow morning in Rochester.”

“That’s over two hundred miles.”

“Hence the need for wheels. I know you don’t want your friend in danger, and I promise she’ll be safe. Trust me.”

The frown vanished and a smile lit her face. “I do.”

He took half a step forward and then stopped. “Thank God.” His words were as fervent as a prayer. “It’s been one hell of a rocky road.”

“The most interesting ones usually are,” she said lightly. “And you have to admit I’ve had some Herculean obstacles to overcome. I just want to know one thing. You don’t plan to pull any other surprises out of your hat, do you?”

He frowned thoughtfully. “I don’t think so.”

“Good.” She grinned up at him. “You don’t know how relieved I am. So far I’ve been able to assimilate information on foreign intrigue, hypnosis, and telepathy. Just don’t throw any thing else at me. Deal?”

Something flickered in his face. “Beth, I…” He stopped and then smiled back at her. “Deal.”

“Why do I suspect that you have reservations?” she asked warily.

“Now who’s practicing telepathy?” He took her arm and began propelling her along the rough trail that bordered the bluff. “Let’s
hurry. I want you to get some shoes. I hope Serena wears the same size.”

Serena’s shoes were all far too narrow, but after searching through her brother’s closet, she managed to come up with some moccasins that fitted Elizabeth fairly well, once the toes were stuffed with tissue.

“Are you sure Dane won’t mind?” Elizabeth asked. “Will you at least let me pay for them, Serena?”

Serena made a face as she turned away from the closet. “Don’t be ridiculous. Dane never wore half these clothes anyway. They’re all far too primitive for his sophisticated tastes. And you know how seldom Dane honors me with his presence these days.”

Elizabeth nodded slowly. Charming as Dane Spaulding undoubtedly was, no one could call him stable or a homebody. “Where is he now?”

“Monte Carlo. Someone told him there was a song written about the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo, and he’s vowed to add a few new verses to the chorus.” Serena pulled a suitcase out of the closet. “So much for the peaceful life. I’ll probably have to mortgage my home and fly to his rescue.”

“You’d enjoy every minute of it. You’re as
much of a wanderer as he is. I never under stood how the two of you could own this lovely cottage and spend so little time in it. Don’t you miss having a sense of permanence in your life?”

“Home is just a place to come back to rest, and permanence is boring as hell.” Serena’s violet eyes twinkled. “We’re not all like you, Elizabeth. For some of us, what’s down the road is more important than the ivy-covered cottage beside it.” She slung the suitcase on the bed and unfastened it. “How long are you going to be gone? Will you need evening clothes?”

“No, we’ll only be gone a few days.” Elizabeth smiled. “And jeans will be far more practical than sequins and beads. This is definitely not a jaunt to Monte Carlo.”

“Well, sequins and beads can be very morale-raising on occasion. Take it from one who knows. Now go back downstairs and keep that luscious man company while I pack this bag. I don’t want you hemming and hawing over everything I throw in it.” Serena held up her hand as Elizabeth started to protest. “You are
not
imposing. I finished the last of my sketches for the spring show, bundled them up, and sent them off to New York last weekend. I’m bored as the devil, and your little intrigue has brightened my day considerably.” She threw
open the lid of the suitcase. “I don’t suppose you’d like to tell me what this is all about? Dogs with gunshot wounds, grim-looking types knocking on my door in the middle of the night, and now you two appearing mysteriously in my kitchen at the break of dawn. You have to admit it’s enough to pique a woman’s curiosity.”

Grim-looking types. “Someone was here last night?”

Serena nodded. “The same man who was here after you dropped Sam off last month. Pale blue eyes.” She puffed out her cheeks. “And jowls.”

“Bardot. What did you tell him?”

“The same thing I told him the last time. That I didn’t give a damn who he was, and if he took a step inside my house I’d shoot his kneecaps off.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I can see how that would discourage him. What would you have done if he’d called your bluff?”

Serena’s eyes widened in surprise. “What bluff? I was already planning what to wear in court. Something white and innocent, I thought. Brunettes usually can pull off the Madonna look.” She lifted a dark, beautifully arched eyebrow. “You’re not going to confide in me?”

“I can’t. It’s not that I don’t want to tell
you.” Elizabeth’s expression was distressed. “There are other people involved.”

“Don’t get upset. I just thought I’d ask. I know you wouldn’t do anything wrong, and what are friends for if not to shoot the knee caps off nasty types like Bardot? Now shoo, I’ll be down in a few minutes.” She turned to the mahogany chest of drawers beside the closet. “Pack yourselves a lunch for the road. There are cold cuts and Brie cheese in the refrigerator.”

“Serena, you know I’ll never be able to thank you.”

“Then don’t try.” Serena’s smile lit her beautiful face with warmth. “It will be less awkward for both of us. Do I get to keep Sam for a few more days? I’ve gotten accustomed to having the rascal around the house. He’s company when Dane’s away.”

Elizabeth nodded. “We’ll pick him up as soon as we come home. There has to be some quick way of straightening out this mess.”

“I hope so. I’m looking forward to seeing young Master Andrew in the flesh.”

“He’s perfect,” Elizabeth said softly. “And absolutely wonderful.”

“I’m sure he is.” Serena smiled gently. “You couldn’t have a baby that wasn’t wonderful. Just remember you said I could be his god mother. I’m holding you to that promise, no
matter what. I’ve done all kinds of research on the duties and privileges involved in being a godmother.”

“Research? You and Jon will obviously get along splendidly. He’s a great one for research too. If you’re lucky, he might even decide to make you a stained-glass window for your living room.”

“Stained glass?” Serena asked, puzzled.

“Never mind.” Elizabeth turned to the door. “And you’ll definitely be Andrew’s godmother. I wouldn’t think of asking anyone else.”

Jon was sitting at the kitchen table nursing the cup of coffee Serena had given him before she had taken Elizabeth upstairs. He also had benefited from Dane’s wardrobe and had changed into boots, a pair of jeans, and a pale blue oxford-cloth shirt that had made his skin appear even more golden in contrast. He glanced up when Elizabeth walked into the room. “Okay?”

She nodded. “Serena is literally giving us the shirt off her back, and she’d probably sign the car over to us if we let her.”

“I thought she would.” He took a sip of coffee. “You’re right, she’s exceptionally attractive. She reminds me of Elizabeth Taylor in her younger days. She looks more like a model than a dress designer. Is she successful?”

“Fantastically so. If Serena were willing to
settle down she could have her own fashion house, but she says it’s too much responsibility and prefers to work for someone else. She was the designer who created the harem fashion fad last season.” She suddenly frowned. “Bardot was here last night. Are you sure he won’t cause Serena any trouble? What if he’s watching the cottage when we drive off?”

“We’re not going to drive off. We’ll hike a few miles through the woods and then cut over to the road. Serena can meet us with the car and then walk back to the cottage.”

“What if Bardot finds out she helped us?”

“He’ll be so busy trying to locate us, he won’t have time to harass her. Don’t worry, I’ll call and have a man sent to watch out for her as soon as we leave for Rochester.”

Her eyes widened. “There are other Garvanians in the area? I don’t know why, but I just assumed you and Gunner were the only ones.”

He shook his head. “Andrew is very important to us. The moment we realized you were pregnant, we formed a network to protect him.”

“He’s very important to me too.” They’d formed a network to protect her baby An drew? Protect him from what dangers? The entire concept was incredible and frightening. “Surely we can settle this without making a
major production out of it. Not everyone in the government is like Bardot,”

“I realize that.” He pushed back his chair and stood up. “Suppose we talk about it later. It’s time we were on our way.”

“You’re being very evasive.”

“Yes, I am. I want you to think about the problem before we discuss it.”

She smiled shakily. “I don’t like the sound of that. Are you keeping me in the dark again?”

He shook his head. “I won’t deny I have a plan, but I won’t do anything without your consent. It’s too important a decision to be forced.”