Have Husband, Need Honeymoon (16 page)

“Talking won’t bring Josh back. Ali.” He pulled away and headed to the car. “I think we’d better go.”

“I’m not giving up on you, Brady Broussard,” Alison called after him. “And you’d better not give up, either.”

* * *

When Alison arrived home, she was so tense she couldn’t sleep. One moment she convinced herself she and Brady would work things out; the next she sensed a feeling of hopelessness and defeat in Brady she’d never imagined seeing.

Maybe time would turn his attitude around.

Except time was running out – their divorce would be final in a few days. She had a feeling if she didn’t reach him before then, she’d lose him forever.

She skimmed through some of Brady’s letters until she found one of the last ones he’d written her.

Dear Alison,

I’m starting my third year now and you’ve heard me talk about my friend Josh, the guy from
Missouri
. We have this competition thing going between us – you know how guys are. He played quarterback in high school, too, so we horse around with the ball on the weekends. And we’re always trying to best each other in flight training. Maybe if I get some leave time soon, he can come home and meet you.

Then again, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you, I want you just to myself. Lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about you. I hope you’re liking school. (Not too much, though, at least not any of the guys.)

Sometimes I worry you’ll fall for some other man, and I don’t think I could stand it.

Every night I close my eyes and I see you standing at our spot down by the lake. Your sweet face is smiling at me, and I hear you whispering my name when I pull you into my arms. I can’t wait to run my hands through your long dark hair (you didn’t cut it, did you?) ‘cause it felt like silk, and your naked body felt like heaven.

I wonder if you still remember what it felt like to kiss me, to have me touch you all over, to have me deep inside you. I can’t wait to refresh your memory. God, I get hard just thinking about making love to you, Ali.

I’m going to put in for leave soon. I have to see you, even if it’s just for a short weekend.

Love always,

your
Brady

* * *

The next day Brady rose feeling slightly optimistic. Instead of the nightmare, he’d dreamed he was lying on a blanket beside the lake making love to Alison, her legs twined around him, her eyes staring into his, his body pumping into hers. They’d whispered promises of love and forever, and had even talked of having a family together.

He inhaled the fresh morning air as he stepped onto the balcony, settled himself in a patio chair with his coffee and his old flight manuals. His leg wasn’t hurting as much, and although he physically still ached from wanting Alison, he felt a sense of euphoria from almost making love to her. At least he had given her pleasure.

Maybe he’d get over this post-traumatic stress syndrome and be able to fly again. Then he’d be the man Alison deserved.

Grateful his mother had left for an early breakfast with her church women’s group, he studied the flight manuals, and decided to call Frost and set up a time to let him take him up in one of the Cessnas. It was a baby step toward flying, but Brady didn’t trust himself to take the plane up by himself.

Still, it was a start.

Alison believed in him. She’d said she wasn’t giving up on him; maybe he shouldn’t give up yet, either.

He gathered the books and put them in his room, pausing when he saw the invitation he’d misprinted with his and Alison’s names on it. Smiling to himself, he stuffed it in one of his manuals, then set out for his morning walk, heading toward the gym.

When he entered the pool area, Alison was finishing her laps. He inhaled the scent of chlorine and told himself he should have gone to the weight room first, but he hadn’t been able to stop himself. He had to see her again.

She stopped swimming, turned on her back and floated to the side, then leaned against the edge, propped her arms on the tile and smiled at him as if she’d known he would come. Water glistened off her dark eyelashes and beaded her skin, giving it a translucent glow. Her white bathing suit dipped precariously low, hinting at the cleavage beneath and the womanly curves that filled it out.

She crooked a finger and whispered, “I’ve been waiting for you.”

Unable to control himself, he walked toward her. His dream the night before echoed in his mind, and hunger exploded in his veins. She looked breathtaking, her nipples beading beneath the thin suit, her lips so rosy and kissable he had to taste her.

He knelt at the water’s edge, reached out and cupped her chin in his hand and lowered his head. She arched her back and rose to meet him, her lips like wine to his thirst. He drank and sipped while she threaded her fingers in his hair.

“Why don’t you come in?” she finally whispered when he broke the kiss to tease her ear with his tongue.

For once, he couldn’t deny her. He’d been standing in the doorway watching her swim for weeks, each time aching to get in the water with her, to hold her and feel her come apart in his arms. He’d be leaving soon. He wanted the memory to take with him. And the place was deserted, as usual.

In one quick movement, he shrugged off his shoes and socks, tossed his shirt on a nearby chair and climbed in the water. Her gaze fastened on his chest, and he squared his shoulders, feeling heady and masculine and so in love he thought he might burst.

Brady felt staggered by that sudden realization. He did still love her, he silently admitted – no matter how much he’d tried to forget her, how many times he’d told himself he didn’t deserve her. He couldn’t deny his feelings any longer – at least not to himself.

She reached up and traced a finger along his collarbone, down his shoulder, around his nipple and he sucked in a sharp breath, wanting to take her right there in the water. A slow smile curved her lips and he grabbed her hands.

“You have a little bit of devil in your eyes this morning,” he murmured.

“Maybe there’s some unfinished business I’ve been thinking about.”

Her soft, sultry voice only fueled his pounding heartbeat. He dragged her to him and slid his arms around her, cupping her buttocks and pulling her against him as he lowered his mouth over hers.

A loud cough reverberated behind him and he stiffened, silently waiting while Alison dropped her head against his chest and giggled.

“I gather we’re not alone anymore,” he said gruffly.

She nodded. “It’s the senior citizens aerobics class. That’s one reason I come so early to swim, so I can be out before they start.”

Brady chuckled. “Guess I’d better go take a cold shower.”

She brought his hand to her mouth and kissed his fingertips. “We’ll finish this later, Brady. That’s a promise.”

* * *

“Only four more days and I’ll be Mrs. Joe Rucker,” Vivica exclaimed. “I’m so excited, Ali.”

Alison smiled, secretly hoping in that four days she and Brady would work things out between them and she would still be Mrs. Brady Broussard. “I’m so happy for you, Vivi.”

“Is there anything I need to do?”

Alison went down the checklist. “Videographer, taken care of. Catering set. Flowers on order. Hannah’s agreed to keep the bride’s book at the reception. The photographer will meet you there to take prewedding photos at five.”

“What about your bridesmaid dress?”

“I tried it on this morning. It fits perfectly.”

Vivica sighed. “And the musician?”

“Claire Follet is playing the piano.” Alison looked up from the list. “How about the license and the wedding rings? Have you and Joe taken care of those?”

Vivica nodded. “Yep, got the license. And we picked out this gorgeous set of his-and-her matching bands. They’re gold with a tiny hint of black etching.”

“Sounds perfect, Vivi.”

“I just hope the weather holds out,” Vivica said. “I’d hate to have to move the reception inside.”

“It’s supposed to be clear,” Alison said, although everyone in town knew they desperately needed rain. “But I’ve already checked out the reception hall downstairs and have extra decorations on hand in case we need them.”

“Thanks, Ali, you’ve been a godsend.”

Alison tapped her pen on the list. “Is Reverend Barnes going to perform the service?”

“Yes. He actually christened me and Brady.”

Alison smiled at the image. Would he christen her and Brady’s baby someday?

“Speaking of my brother, how are things going?”

Alison shrugged. “A little better, I guess.”

Vivica squealed. “I just knew it. This morning I dropped by the house looking for Brady and I saw his old flight manuals on the desk. I accidentally knocked one off and this fell out.” She lay a white wedding invitation on the table.

Alison gasped as she read the wording.

Mrs. Inez Broussard requests the honor of your presence at the wedding of her

son
, Brady Broussard,

to

Alison Leigh Hartwell.

Her heart raced. Brady had written up an invitation as if they were getting married?

Then she read the time and date and realized it was the same time as Vivica’s wedding. “I don’t understand.”

“I didn’t, either, not at first,” Vivica said. “Brady must be planning to surprise you. Maybe he wants you two to renew your vows at the church with us.”

“But he wouldn’t want to impose on your day. And he’d ask you first.”

“Like I would care!” Vivica hugged her. “Brady knows I adore you and I want the two of you to stay together. Maybe he figures it’ll be a good wedding present for me.”

Alison’s finger trembled as she traced the wording. Could it be true – could Brady be coming around? Could he be planning to ask her to renew their vows instead of finalize the divorce?

* * *

Brady stepped from the shower, dried off, pulled on jeans and a polo shirt, then towel-dried his hair. His short military cut had grown slightly in the last month. He’d have to get it trimmed. He could hardly believe the month was almost over, that he’d be leaving Sugar Hill again.

And Alison.

All day he’d felt euphoric from their interlude in the pool. He’d thought about it while he’d worked at the print shop, during his session with Vivica, then afterward when he’d phoned George Frost and set up a time to go by the airport. George was going to take him up first thing in the morning. Brady grabbed the flight manual, stunned when he realized the invitation was missing. Before he could search for it, the doorbell rang and he heard his mother answer it. He was surprised to hear Alison’s voice, then his mother’s.

“Well, hello there, Alison. How’s everything going?”

“Fine, Mrs. Broussard. You can relax, everything’s set for the wedding.”

Disappointment mushroomed in his stomach. So, she’d come by to discuss wedding plans, not to see him.

“Is Brady here?”

He jerked his head toward the door. She did want to see him!

“Yes, I’ll go get him.”

“I’m right here, Mom.” Brady walked into the den, buttoning the last button on his shirt. “Hi, Alison.”

A beatific smile warmed her face. “Hi.” His mother glanced from Alison to him, confusion wrinkling her brow.

“Did you need to talk to me about the wedding plans?” he asked.

“Oh, yes,” Alison said, mischief lighting her eyes. “We need to go for a final fitting for your tux.”

He nodded and kissed his mother’s cheek. “I’ll be back later.”

“Shall I hold dinner?”

“Actually, I thought Brady and I might grab something while we’re out,” Alison said. “That is, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not, you kids enjoy yourselves. I’m going to work on Vivica’s wedding gift. I’m cross-stitching a sampler with her wedding date on it.”

“That sounds lovely,” Alison said.

Brady gestured toward the door and they walked outside. The weather was hot and dry, as it had been most of the summer, the barest hint of a breeze bringing the scent of his mother’s roses from the porch trellis.

“Are we really going for a tux fitting?” Brady asked as he climbed into Alison’s Jeep.

Alison took him by the collar and pulled him toward her, then kissed him soundly. “No, I’m kidnapping you for the night, and we’re going to finish what we started this morning.”

* * *

Alison had thought of nothing all day but being in Brady’s arms. After seeing that wedding invitation, she’d found her hopes for their future escalating hourly. She wanted to tell him she knew his secret, that she’d seen the invitation, but she bit back the words, not wanting to spoil the surprise.

In four days they would renew their vows.

Tonight, they would renew their passion.

And even if Brady didn’t come around right after they made love, their joining might give her more time, especially if what Vivica had told her about the technicality during the waiting period was true. Vivica wasn’t sure, but she thought if they slept together, the thirty days started over.

Tingling with heady thoughts, Alison put in a Sting CD, one she knew was Brady’s favorite, and drove toward the lake. With the sides to the Wrangler removed, the wind blew her hair around her face, teasing her with Brady’s masculine scent as well.

He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You look beautiful tonight, Ali.”

It’s because I’m so happy
. “You look pretty handsome yourself.”

He smiled – a real smile, for the first time since he’d returned. The sight did strange things to her insides and made her foot heavy on the gas pedal. Within minutes, they’d spread a blanket in a secluded area by the lake in the heart of a thicket of trees. They lay on the blanket and talked while dusk settled and darkness descended upon them. The moon spilled light on the grass and water, dappling rays across Brady’s face, reminding her of all the times they’d been here together.

She set out a picnic of wine, shrimp salad, steak kabobs, and doughnuts for dessert.