Swept Away (14 page)

“Wake up, sleepy head,” she said, kissing him as he slept.

Tucker stretched out on the small couch, his neck stiff from using the armrest as a pillow.

“You should go lay in my bed. I can’t believe you slept on the couch.”

“You were beat. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Josie blushed; her gaze dropped. “I freaked out on you, didn’t I?”

Wrapping a hand around her slender neck, he gave it a gentle squeeze. “You were scared. I understand.”

Biting her lip, she touched the welts on his cheek. “I did that?”

He took her hand and kissed it. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s just…storms scare me.”

He nodded slowly, pulling her toward him until her forehead rested on his. “It was more than the storm, Josie. You can trust me, you know that.  Whatever happened…it might help to talk about it.”

Her eyes were glassy, but she smiled. “No, it doesn’t. Trust me on that.”

Brushing his thumb across her cheek, he shook his head. “I want to help.”

Her hands gripped his shoulders. She took a deep breath before saying, “You are. I swear. I just have a fear of storms.”

“Josie…”

“Shhh,” she said crawling onto the couch beside him, pressing her body into his. “Right now, I just need you to love me.”

“Of course I love you.”

“Then shut up and hold me…and just…let me be perfect a while longer.” Her words were quiet, her eyes shining with the tears that were poised to fall.

“You’re always perfect to me. No matter what. Trust me. You can tell me anything. Nothing will change how I feel about you.”
What if she’s Maddy? Can I love her then?
The thoughts seeped into his head uninvited. Crazy thoughts based on nothing more than a coincidence. Or two.

Wrapping her leg around his hip, she drew her body tighter to his. “I’ll tell you everything. One day. But not today. Today, I need you to stop asking questions, stop thinking about what’s wrong with me, and just take your damn pants off. Damn it, soldier, can’t you take a hint?” her question was asked with a small laugh, but her fingers digging into his flesh belied the humor.

He pulled her closer to him, relishing the feel of her warm body molded to his.

Nibbling from his throat up to his lips, Josie teased him. Her hands made their way under his shirt, shoving the fabric up.  Tanned skin exposed, she moved from his neck toward his abdomen. His breath was sharp. He wanted her more than ever. Wanted to strip her naked and bury himself so deep they could never be torn apart, but once again, Maddy was in his head.

“Josie, last night, you said a name—Toby.”

Her cheeks flushed red. “I did?” She closed her eyes a moment, then opened them and said, “Can we please not talk about this?”

“Josie—“

“You promised. You said you didn’t need to know anything to love me. You said that.”

She was right, he did make that promise. But that was before…

“You’re scaring me, Tucker.” Her hands dug into his shoulders where she clung to him. He’d begged her to trust him. Assured her she was safe with him. What were his choices? In his mind, he only had one--he would keep his promises. Even if it meant taking the wide road to hell.

He rolled her over, pressing her body against the couch. They tugged and pulled at clothes, stripping them off and tossing them. With her arms wrapped over his shoulders, her nails dug into his flesh.  Her legs tightened across his hips as her body arched into his, begging him to hurry. Burying his face in the hollow of her throat, he joined her. Her body matched his in such perfect rhythm, he wasn’t certain he was even breathing until her body tightened against his, and she called his name in surrender.

Spent and gasping for air, she snuggled closer, settling her cheek against his chest where his heart pounded. Planting a kiss on top of her head, he held her close.

A sharp knock on her door made them both jump. “Josie? You up?”

“It’s Murray,” she whispered.

Tucker almost knocked over the coffee table getting up and dressing so fast. He handed Josie her underwear and pants, and she did her best to untwist the fabric as she hopped toward the door. “Just a minute. I’m, I…just got up.”

Tucker slipped from the living room into the bedroom and hid behind the curtain.

He heard her open the door. Murray said, “I need to go out of town for a bit. I wanted to know if you’d keep an eye on Hetty for me.”

Josie sounded winded. “Of course. Why do you need to leave?”

“Nothing for you to worry yourself over. Just need to go to the mainland for a few classes on repairing newfangled motors. Computer chips in them and what not that I can’t learn online. Forgot I’d even signed up for the damned thing. Good thing I hired Tucker for the season. Speaking of that devil, have you seen him?”

Josie paused. When she finally spoke, her sputters failed to make a coherent sentence. Murray sighed. “Come on out, Tucker. I need to talk to you.”

Tucker came out from the bedroom. He expected Murray to attack him. Instead, Murray motioned him outside.

The morning sun and humidity were oppressive. After last night’s storm, the air was so thick, it was almost tough to breathe.

On the porch, Murray reached around him and closed Josie’s door. Turning his back to her window, he said quietly, “I have to leave town for a bit. Something’s come up I need to deal with.”

“Okay. Do you have a list of work for me?”

“No, I’m not worried about that. I should only be gone a week. Go ahead and deliver what’s done, keep one eye on the renters, and check in on Hetty every now and again. She gets to worrying, and it can’t be healthy for her.”

“Certainly.”

“And I was going to suggest you stick close to Josie, but seems you got that covered.”

“Sir, I—”

“I don’t have time for bullshit, boy. I’m not blind. We’ll talk when I get back. For now, I don’t want her here alone or running about town. Keep her here. Keep her safe. And don’t rent out any more of the cottages. Anyone calls, they’re all booked. Can you do that?”

“What the hell’s going on?”

“I’ll explain it all later. Can you do what I asked?”

“Of course. Did something happen? You seem awfully uptight for a guy going to engine classes.”

Murray sighed. “I can’t get into it now. I have to go. Let’s just say, Josie made enemies, and they may be looking for her. I need to find out what they know. I don’t think they know where she is, but if they do, she’s not safe.”

“Holy shit.” Tucker took a breath. His heart pounded.

“You know how to use a gun, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I put one in your cottage. I stopped by your place first. Don’t let Josie know about the gun. I don’t want her upset. She lives with trouble; she doesn’t need more.”

“What the—“

“Save it. I’ve got to go. Do what I asked, you hear?”

Tucker nodded. Murray gave him a solemn look, glanced at Josie’s window, then turned and left. Tucker returned to a nervous Josie. She was shaky, chewing on her lip. “Why did he take you outside and close the door?”

Tucker grinned as he pulled her into him. “I obviously ravished his niece. A
what are my intentions
talk was in order.”

Josie let out a sigh, her shoulders relaxing with relief as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “What are your intentions?”

“I told Murray they were all noble and good. But I lied.”

Tucker delivered the finished appliances and motors. When he asked Josie to forget her work and tag along, she happily agreed. When they returned, he helped her clean up the cottages, and then they went to check on Hetty.

“I’m fine,” Hetty grumbled. “I don’t know why the old fool thinks I need to be checked up on.”

“It’s not a check-up, Ms. Hetty. It’s a check in. I wanted to let you know I got everything delivered. Here’s the stack of invoices.” He handed her the papers. “I also picked up three more jobs from people who stopped us while we were delivering. I explained to them Murray was out of town for a bit, but they said they were in no hurry.”

“That’s fine. What’d you get? I’ll log it in.”

“A lawn mower, a microwave, and a clock. I wasn’t sure if Murray did clocks, but Mrs. Jones was so adamant; I took her word for it.”

Hetty shook her head, and the fat waddle under her neck jiggled. “Clarisse and that old clock. Yes, Murray can fix it. It was her grandfather’s, so it means a lot to her, but she over winds the damn thing. Murray tells her every time. She never listens.”  Hetty shifted on her cane. “I suppose you two ought to be getting on to the beach. You can come by later for dinner.”

Tucker looked to Josie. She nodded. “Yes, ma’am,” he said.

The metal screen door banged as Hetty disappeared into her house.

Tucker turned to Josie and said, “Come on, I’ll make you lunch, and then we’ll hit the beach.” He offered her his hand and led her to his cottage. Murray’s words of caution on top of last night’s panic attack made him feel like he had a boulder in his gut. No matter how hard he tried to shake off the heavy feeling, it stuck with him. He squeezed her hand a bit tighter, pulling her a bit closer. She responded by bumping her shoulder into him and flashing him a smile that made him want to cry. Or kill whoever would hurt her. “So, what’s for lunch?”

“It’s a surprise,” he said leading her up the steps and into his cabin.

Putting the frying pan on the burner, he turned up the heat and then opened the bologna package. Josie leaned against the counter. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“Frying some bologna,” he said, laughing at her look of curiosity. “I told you you’d be surprised.” He grinned. “I take it you’ve never had fried bologna?”

Josie shook her head. “My mother never allowed bologna in the house.”

“No bologna? No alcohol? No violent movies. Damn, you were sheltered.”

Josie stuffed her hands in her pockets as she shrugged. “No. Just a lot of rules.”

“I have very few rules,” he said with a wink. “So, you’re in for a real treat.”

Josie’s grin was barely a grimace. The smell of cooked lunchmeat filled the tiny space. Tucker was about to ask her about the rules when she covered her mouth with the back of her hand and ran outside.

Tucker turned off the skillet and followed her. “You all right?”

She plopped herself down on the steps, her head in her hands. “I’m fine. The smell got to me. Made me feel a bit nauseated.”

Tucker sat beside her, taking her hand in his. “I’m sorry.”

Josie laughed weakly. “It’s hardly your fault.”

He kissed her cheek. “You relax here a second; I’ll find you something less revolting.”

She laughed. “No, I’m fine.”

“Sit. No arguments,” he said as he headed into the cottage.

He returned with his fried sandwich, a cold turkey sandwich for her, chips, and colas. Josie took the food with a smile. They ate and then headed for the shore.

They spent the afternoon at the beach. The surf was mild to the point of boring. Sprawled in the sun, Tucker’s thoughts turned to the many, many ways a girl like Josie could be scarred. Rape was the obvious answer. Then he thought of Murray’s warning. He’d said
people
were after her. Not a guy. Not an ex. People. There were people after her.

Rolling onto his side, he opened his eyes. He couldn’t allow his imagination to wander—there were too many scenarios running through his head, and none of them were good. Instead, he concentrated on right now. She was here, safe and happy, lying so close he could feel the heat from her skin. Smell her honeysuckle scent as the sun bore down on her. It was that same intimate scent that filled the room when her body was warmed and ready for him.

Reaching out, he swept tendrils of hair off her neck. She rolled her face toward him. Her eyes were closed against the sun, long lashes brushing against the faint freckles on her cheeks. The wind blew in soft gusts. Leaning over, he nipped her ear lobe.

“Mmm, Tucker.”

Sliding her hair to the side, he kissed her neck, moving slowly down to her back.

A satisfied moan escaped her. Tucker smiled. Running a hand down the curve of her hips, he said, “Come on.” 

She shook her head lazily. “I was enjoying that.”

“A little too much.”

Supporting herself on her elbows, she looked up at him as he stood. “You’re a tease, Tucker Boone.”

“I have to keep you dangling on the hook a little bit. I don’t want you to take me for granted. Now, come on, let’s hit the water.”

Standing, she stretched, yawning and groaning. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her along, though she was slow, stopping at the breaker line claiming she needed a minute to adjust to the water.

Tucker didn’t. He dove in and swam out farther than he normally would. Josie waded hip deep into the placid water close to shore. She yelled to him. “Where are you going?”

Swimming back to her, he said, “Just burning off some energy.”

“That’s too far. You’ll get eaten by a shark.” Josie lectured as she slowly ran her hands over water so smooth it mirrored the sun's rays, making her look like she was glowing. Drops of water clung to her breasts and shimmered in the sun. Her breasts looked fuller. Much suppler now than that first day on the beach.

A memory from Iraq flashed in his head. One of the Army MP's had sat with them during mess. She was in a seriously pissy mood. When they asked her why, she admitted she was afraid she was pregnant. She'd said her tits were bigger. Ash had told her that was a double win, bigger tits and a ticket home. She almost bit Ash’s head off. She hadn't wanted a ticket home. Especially not to a husband she hadn't seen in four months. 

There was a collective, “oh” among the group, then Ash, being the dumb ass bastard he was, asked her if she knew any Haji's that did abortions. When she seemed to consider his suggestion, Ash dug himself in deeper by offering her a spiritual lesson in the evils of abortion. The more Tucker thought about it, he was surprised Ash lived long enough to take an enemy bullet.

Cold water to the face brought Tucker back to reality. Shocked he looked to Josie, and she laughed and splashed him again. “You're ignoring me,” she said. “I’m trying to keep you from being shark bait, and you're a hundred miles away. Is something wrong?”

“Of course not. Come on, let's head back,” he said. Keeping a hand at the small of her back, he walked her silently back to their towels. He was trying to think of the best way to approach this new worry in light of all the changes of the last twenty-four hours. It felt like things were unraveling. He had to make wise choices, like he was playing an extremely tricky, high-stakes hand of cards. Sending his mother her picture was a mistake. He felt it in his gut. He should have trusted they were meant to be together. No matter what. Even if she wasn’t really Josie McCoy.

“You okay?” she asked slowly as she moved toward the shore.

On the beach, she dried without looking at him. Tucker didn’t look at her either. He stared out across the waveless sea, planning his best approach.

“I thought you wanted to leave?” she asked.

“Sit a minute.”

She sat, hugging the towel to her chest like a child would grip a teddy bear. He hated himself for worrying her. Taking her hand, he gave it a squeeze and pulled her closer to him. “I was wondering, when was your last period?”

Josie gave him a weird look. “You don't seriously think? But we used—”

“I know, but things happen. Things fail.”

Her eyes were wide. “Are you mad at me? Is that why you’ve been acting so weird?”

Tucker scowled. “I haven’t been acting weird.”

“If you say so,” Josie mumbled. Sucking in her lower lip, she chewed on it. “I don't remember when my last one was. I don't keep track.”

Scooting closer, he lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips. “Have you had one since I got here?”

Josie looked at him wide eyed. “No, but do you really think it’s possible? I mean, I can't be. I would know.”

“I’ve been here almost two months.”

“Really? Are you mad at me?”

Kissing her forehead, he asked, “Why would I be mad?”

She shrugged. “Isn’t that what guys are supposed to do in this situation?”

“If we’re in a
situation
, it’s
our situation
, and no, it doesn’t worry me. As long as you’re all right.”

“I’m fine. Though, I won’t lie. I’m stunned. I never even considered it. Shouldn’t I have guessed before you? It’s my body.”

“And a sweet body it is.”

His comment got him an eye roll from Josie, who now seemed more obsessed with pregnancy than flirting. “We need to get a test,” she said as she started packing up her stuff.

Tucker helped her pack. “Is there a drugstore on the island?”

“On Ocracoke, we have Ella’s.”

“No, we’ll look farther north. There has to be one on one of these islands.”

She nodded. Her hands shook as she packed their things in her bag.

“You okay?”

“I’m afraid you're going to hate me.”

Tucker took the bag she was haphazardly stuffing and dropped it on the ground. He pulled her to him. “Why in the hell would I hate you? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”

She nodded, her eyes bright with unshed tears. He kissed her. Cradling her face in his hands, he said, “I love you. Nothing will ever change that.”

She tried to smile, but the effort seemed to be exhausting. Her movements were slow and distracted. Tucker helped her pack the bag, and then they headed back.

Tucker checked his phone. The closest pharmacy was a ferry ride away. Not bothering to change, they drove up the island. There was a short line for the ferry, so they waited with the engine running. Tucker took her hand and held it. “It’s going to be all right.”

She nodded, though she didn’t look at all convinced. Tucker wanted to hug her, but a car behind him honked alerting him that his line was moving, and it was their turn to load onto the boat.

As the ferry attendants chocked the tires, Tucker and Josie got out and made their way to the side of the boat. Wrapping an arm over her shoulder, he held her. She rested her head on his chest. Neither spoke. They sat and watched the sea gulls dive and dip into the water. The ferry gave a blast to its horn and a puff of diesel sent the boat on its way.

A few minutes on the rocking boat with the thick smell of diesel clinging to the air was all it took for Josie to shove past Tucker and bolt to the single-stall bathroom. She didn’t get the heavy iron door latched. Tucker opened it a crack. “You okay?”

He could hear her heaving. Just saying the word pregnancy used to be enough to make him quake in his combat boots. He might have completely lost his mind, but as he considered all the nausea, the swollen breasts, and now, the motion sickness—all signs she was pregnant. That gave him hope. They would have a baby. Be a family. He should be scared to death, but he wasn’t. The more he considered the scenario, the better he liked the idea. Sure, they were young, but it wasn’t like they were teenagers. And no, he hadn’t known her long, but he could no longer imagine life without her. This could be a good thing. As long as Josie was all right with it.

She stood. Her legs were shaky, and she grabbed at the walls of the bathroom. Tucker wrapped an arm around her waist and escorted her out, leading her up a flight of narrow metal steps to a seat in the air-conditioned viewing cabin. He bought her a soda and sat beside her. She took it with an embarrassed smile. His return smile was the easiest, most genuine facial movement he’d made in years.

“This makes you happy?” she asked.

“The more I think about it, yeah, it makes me happy.”

Leaning against him, she closed her eyes. He kissed the top of her head and made them comfortable for the rest of the trip.

When they arrived at Hatteras, they found the first drug store, and she suggested he make the purchase, since he didn’t seem to be suffering any embarrassment. Tucker agreed. There was zero shame on his part. He pushed through the glass door head held high and bought a double pack. When he returned to the car, he handed the bag to Josie. She looked inside and said, “I’m scared.”

Brushing fingers across her cheek, he said, “Don’t be scared. We’ll work it out. No matter what.”

She nodded.

As they drove back to the ferry, Josie said, “I don’t have insurance. And you know, Murray will probably kill us.”

“I’ll marry you, so that should please Murray. And don’t worry about the costs.”