Quite the Catch (13 page)

His
feet ached to dance too, and when he opened his mouth, Joshua joined the song. His
tongue wrapped around the guttural Cherokee words with ease and he understood
the old tongue now, even this archaic version. Peace filled his heart and he
wanted to stay here where there was
no pain nor
effort. He savored it and let the comfort seep into his troubled soul.

One
dance ended and the dancers halted. He met their curious gaze.

“Can
I join the dance?” he asked.

Grandfather
shook his head. “It’s up to you, son. But if you do, there’s no return. We
dance not in your world but in the Night Land. The spirits say your time is not
finished, but if you dance, you will cut short your existence. The choice rests
within your heart.”

Joshua
took one step toward them, eager to reunite with his family and to secure the
overwhelming peace. Then he thought of Tina and hesitated. Her face filled his
mind and his heart skipped several beats as he remembered the sound of her
voice, the touch of her hands.

His
grandfather nodded as if he knew Joshua’s thoughts. “We are your past, she is
your future,” he said. “One day both will be one, but this is not that day.”

“I
have to choose?”

“Yes,
life or death, light or darkness, love or peace…it is up to you.”

There
was no choice, he realized. He needed Tina and she needed him. A sound crept
into his dream or vision, whatever this was, and he listened. Sweet, poignant,
and desperate, it touched him deep within, until tears trailed down his face. He
recognized her voice and hearkened to it.

“I
choose my woman,” he said.

“You
are wise, my grandson. When it is time, we will be here to welcome you.”

He
bowed his head with respect and reverence. Some force tugged at him and pulled
Joshua into a tunnel of light. He hurtled through space and perhaps time at
incredible speed. Images and sounds surrounded him, all familiar. Although he
tried to focus, he couldn’t pause long enough, but snatches of conversations
flew through his ears.

Without
warning, he slammed down hard and on impact the pain returned. So did emotion
and memory. He could hear Tina’s voice and after a few moments, he tuned into
and understood her words.

“Joshua,
sweetheart, I love you. Open your eyes so I can tell you, please,” she said.

“I
never expected it to happen but it has and I love you. Don’t die on me. You
can’t.”

In
a burst of clarity, he understood how badly he’d been injured and became aware
of his damaged body. Although he had not yet opened his eyes, he could read the
monitors beside the bed. His pulse rate barely registered and his respiration
was low. While he had visited the Night Land and his ancestors, his body had
gone into a near-death state and he had the power to reverse it. Without being
told, he knew he had lost a significant amount of blood and suffered internal injuries,
but he held tight to the power within and willed healing to begin.

Minutes
became hours and his awareness increased. At some point, although he had not
yet summoned the strength to open his eyes or respond, he heard Tina say, “His
vitals are stronger. Can you tell me if he’s improving?”

An
unfamiliar male voice answered, “He seems to be and I’m optimistic but
cautious. You’re a nurse, right? So you know I can’t offer false hopes. Within
twelve hours, if there is improvement, we’ll know.”

Each
detail became clearer as the time passed. Joshua knew he lay on crisp sheets
and could tell that the bed had been positioned, until he half sat upright. He
wasn’t prone. He heard the soft beeps from the monitors and Tina’s ragged
breath, sometimes punctuated with soft moans. After
awhile
,
he knew light from dark and realized morning had come. He didn’t know how many
dawns had passed since he’d been shot but this one signaled a new day.

Joshua
concentrated and managed to open his eyes. He gazed around the room until he
located Tina, slumped in a chair beside his hospital bed, her hand wrapped
around his.

Dredging
his voice up from his throat proved harder than he’d thought. “Tina,” he said.
I sound worse than a croaking bullfrog
,
he thought.

Her
head popped up and she gasped. “Joshua!”

“Who else?”

“Oh,
Joshua,” she said. Then she began to weep, soft tears above a shimmering smile.
“You almost died. I could have lost you!”

“I
know,” he told her. “But I’m here and I love you, too.”

Tina
laughed,
the sound brighter than a fresh-minted penny
and sweeter than any candy. “I love you so much,” she said. “You must have
heard me!”

“You
called me home,” he said.

She
kissed him, her lips lighter than a breeze, and he smiled.

Chapter Thirteen

He
spent twenty days in the hospital recovering from both the gunshot wound and
the lingering effects of his leap from the bridge into the river. Tina stayed
by his side, seldom sleeping, never leaving the facility for the first few days
until he insisted. After that, she visited each day but she took time to rest
and to reorganize her life. By the time Joshua was released, she had resigned
her job in Dallas, sublet her apartment to another nurse, and retrieved her
personal items. She listed Gramps’ place with a local realtor and moved her
possessions to Joshua’s house.

With
her cousin Charley’s help and a few contractors, the broken windows and walls
were repaired. By the time she brought Joshua home, no one would ever know a
shootout or standoff had taken place in the quiet house. Law enforcement
officials had investigated and decided Joshua was a hero. To celebrate and make
the place
more homey
, she had planted more flowers and
bought bright curtains to hang at the windows. Digging into her savings, Tina
replaced the oldest furniture too and filled the kitchen cabinets with her
favorite
Fiestaware
dishes. She brought her cast iron
cookware and went on a grocery shopping spree.

Joshua
stepped out of the truck onto the grass and grinned. “The place looks pretty
good.”

Tina
rushed around the truck to take his arm and offer support. “It’s home sweet
home,
darlin
’. Are you glad to be here?”

“Hell,
yes,” he said and wrapped one arm around her waist. “I could be six feet under
or in a fucking wheelchair.”

Tears
welled up when he mentioned he could have died. He had come close and she would
never forget it. “Are you okay to walk to the house?”

His
eyes kindled fire. “Woman, I’ve been doing physical therapy for weeks now. If I
couldn’t walk a few lousy feet, they wouldn’t have cut me loose from the
hospital. Besides, I’m going to do you one better. I think I’ll just carry you
over the threshold.”

She
stilled. Despite all their declarations of love and the obvious connection, he
hadn’t mentioned the future at all. He sure hadn’t talked about marriage. Tina
hadn’t even told him yet she’d moved in, afraid he might think she pushed for
commitment. She longed for it but he had to want it too.

“That’s
just for brides,” she said. Then she held her breath, waiting.

“Oh,
yeah,” he said. “Well then, will you marry me?”

Without
hesitation, she answered. “Yes, Joshua, I will.”

“Good.
So let’s set a date.”

A
list of everything she would need to do and buy formed in her mind. She would
need a dress, a veil, a bouquet, and shoes. Sometime soon, they would have to
pick out rings. They needed to find a church or hall, contact a minister, decide
on a place for a reception, select bridesmaids and groomsmen,
choose
a maid of honor and a best man, and so much more. Wedding
cakes, invitations, something old, new, borrowed, and blue were all added to
the list. “I guess we could think about late summer or fall,” she said.

He
turned toward her and cupped her face with one hand. “I’m not waiting that
long. What’s wrong with tomorrow?”

Everything,
she stated to say, and then realized nothing. “Tomorrow’s fine if you are,” she
told him. “I guess we can buy the license, find a judge, and grab some
witnesses. I’ll call Charley and you can find someone.”

“My
brother already said he would. He’ll be here tonight.”

“How
did you know I’d agree?”

His
beautiful smile melted her heart. “I just did. Let’s go inside. I want to go to
bed.”

The
happiness around her like a magic bubble threatened to pop. “Okay, sure. Are
you tired or hurting or both?”

“Neither.”

“Then what?”

“I
want to make love to you.”

Joshua’s
words ignited her desire and it burned hot. She had craved this since their one
encounter, but there hadn’t been an opportunity with everything that had
happened. Tina’s patience had stretched beyond any boundaries she could name,
waiting. She didn’t figure he would be up to intimacy for a few more days,
maybe more, but she couldn’t refuse.

“Oh,
yes,” she moaned.

From
the moment he lowered his mouth onto hers, she was gone. Heat leapt between
them, powerful and potent. It captured Tina and consumed her. She wrapped her
arms around him and kissed back, delighted when his lips melted under her
mouth. She used her tongue to French kiss deep, and shivered with a delicious
pleasure when Joshua gave it back. Then she shifted her mouth to his neck and
nibbled with her teeth. He groaned and undid her blouse, his fingers moving
with greedy certainty onto her breasts.

A
bird trilled from a nearby tree and Tina remembered they were in the yard. If
anyone came over—her cousin, his brother or mother, a neighbor—they would be
doing the deed on the grass any minute. “Joshua,” she said. “Let’s go inside.”

He
didn’t reply until she repeated it and then he laughed. “All right, honey.”

They
cleared the front door and stripped, their clothes falling onto the hardwood
floors and rag rugs with abandon. His muscular torso robbed her breath away,
although the sight of the fresh gauze reminded her to take care. Beneath it and
around the edges, a new scar caught the light and glistened. Tina stepped out
of her jeans and shed her panties faster than a snake shedding skin.

“Come
here,” Joshua said and pulled her to him, his arms tight as a vise. He kissed
her again, this time with a forceful hunger.

Tina
glanced down and saw his cock come to attention. “I see everything’s in working
order,” she said. Then she grasped it in her hand and caressed it, her fingers
gliding up and down the shaft in a slow tease. It hardened at her touch and she
worked it until his face lit with an unbridled joy. If she did more, he’d
probably come and she wanted to stretch out the pleasure as long as possible.

Her
nipples turned to stone, ripe and full as cherries ready for picking, and her
pussy revved with wet heat. Tina’s skin became sensitive, reacting to his
slightest caress, and her blood beat fast. She could feel her pulse racing and
the tension between them building on a foundation of carnal delight.

She
went to her knees,
then
used her tongue on his cock,
tempting and licking until his moans echoed loud in her ears. “Suck me,” he
told her, and she did.

Her
mouth suckled his stick. Tina raked its length with her lips, using just enough
teeth to titillate him more. His taste filled her mouth and she reached behind
to cup his buttocks so she wouldn’t lose balance. When he had enough, he
grabbed her hands and pulled her to her feet.

“Bedroom,
now,” he told her. “Your turn is coming.”

Just
the words almost made her climax but she clung to him until they hit the bed. Their
bodies fell onto it with a bounce and she spread her legs in invitation. Joshua
nailed her, his erect cock finding home with skill and purpose. He packed her
pussy full, then moved in and out in a rhythm as old as time. Beneath him, she
writhed, the pleasure so intense she thought she might die from it. She scooted
to drive him deeper and locked her feet around his back. He whimpered and she
moaned as he hit the depths of her cunt.

Every
nerve ending in her body sang soprano, and need radiated from her pussy
outward. They fucked so hard that the bed slapped against the wall in time to
the physical music they made together. Joshua held Tina’s hands above her head
locked in his, and rode until the first wave of culmination began.

It
started small and grew, sweeping them both in wicked, intense spirals toward
the moment when they both came in a blinding rush of feverish heat and focused
sensation. Tina shut her eyes as the spasms rocked them both, the amazing
delight so strong it wiped out everything else. She didn’t think, she
was
—and gloried in it.

In
those moments, she wasn’t Tina. She had no name and neither did he. They were
man and woman, Adam and Eve, any couple, since the beginning of time. When the
final moment hit, she cried out and so did he, then they shuddered together.