The Truth of the Body (Templer Series) (6 page)

“Looking for me? Are you interested in one of my sculptures?” I glance, slightly puzzled, between her and Ray.

“Um..no, actually. I’m Amanda Grant. Logan’s sister. And I would like to speak with you privately if I can.”

A breath catches in my throat, as my head begins to spin. Nausea rises, watering my mouth. I part my lips to speak as I sink into darkness, collapsing onto the floor.

***

I take another sip of my water as I watch her pour cream into her coffee. After I fainted, and had managed to pull myself together, I agreed to go with her for a chat over coffee.

She smiles again with kind eyes. “I’m sorry for startling you. Maybe I should have written to you instead.”

“I’m sorry for fainting.” I reply, flushing. “I thought you were about to deliver some awful news. I feel foolish now.”

“Please don’t. It was my fault entirely. Now can I tell you why I am here?” She leans forward a little, seeking assurance.

“
Of course. But he is ok, isn’t he?”

She smiles wide. “Yes, he is fine. But he will be so angry with me if he knows I am here talking to you, so I must ask you if you will keep this visit to yourself?” She searches again for further reassurance. I nod my agreement, although inwardly, I’m not entirely sure if I am doing the right thing agreeing to anything.

She takes a long pause before continuing. “I’m going to get straight to the point. Are you in love with my brother?”

I choke back a mouthful of water, staring at her wide eyed. “Gosh, you really did get to the point!”

“Yes, sorry. I take after Logan, I suppose. So are you in love with him?”

“I-I don’t understand. Why would I tell you? Why are you here?” I lean back, pressing my back hard into the chair, suddenly feeling very exposed.

“I get it. I would feel the same if some stranger turned up asking me the same questions. Simply……I think my brother is in love with you.” She rolls out the fact as though she was listing off her shopping.

My eyes grow wider. I’m aware
I am also open mouthed. Very attractive, I’m sure. “How….what…..did he tell you this?” I splutter, still taking in the information.

“Logan?” She laughs loudly. “No, he didn’t tell me. He didn’t have to. He never talks about women.
No need to. He doesn’t have relationships. Does not want a woman waiting for him and all that rubbish he fills his head with. Until you, that is.”

“You
have lost me…..” I shake my head, confused.

“He rings home about once or twice a month. The last few calls when he has spoken to my partner, Geoff, he has ‘complained’ about this woman who is a pain in his ass, and who keeps getting under his skin. Yet while he is moaning about you, he lets it slip about
how incredibly beautiful you are. When he said that you were writing to one of his men, and that he wanted to tear the guys head right off from his shoulders….well, it was obvious.” She laughs, her eyes full of love for her brother.

I shrug weakly. “I don’t see how you believing he loves me changes anything. He’s made it very clear that he doesn’t want anything from me, or to see me again. How I feel about him is….well….”

She leans forward suddenly. “Oh, so you
are
in love with him?”

“Maybe I am” I retort defiantly. “But it still does
not change anything. Christ, you sound like Mia!”

“Mia?”

“My brother’s fiancé. Since she overcame all her insecurities to find love with my brother, she is convinced she is an expert now. It is infuriating. She dragged me to Afghanistan to prove to me that Logan had feelings for me. All the result of that effort was for me to return home more hurt and confused than before. So I don’t need your involvement either!” A sob retches in my throat as I spit out my irritation.

I stumble to my feet making to leave. Amanda swiftly pulls at my wrist urging me to sit back down. “Maybe you
are right. Maybe you are not the right woman for my brother after all.” She sighs, although the gentle smirk that plays on her lips does not escape my notice.

“You don’t even know me!” I spit out.

“Well, I know you don’t wear big girly pants” She laughs.

“What?” I throw her a puzzled grimace.

“Because if you did….you would pull them up, stop moping, and fight for my brother. He is only doing what he thinks is the right thing to do. My brother is a fool. But are you?” She pokes a finger into the back of my hand.

I look at her for a long moment, considering what she has just said. I take several deep breaths before speaking. “
I do have big girly pants. Now will you help me?” And with that, we laugh together.

Chapter Twelve

Now before you go there, let me stop you. I am not a stalker. I am fighting for someone I love. And I have his family’s full support.

So that is why I am here today. 40 Commando have finished their tour in Afghanistan and are due to parade through the town of Taunton in Somerset, the home of their main base. My stomach is in my throat with excitement, pride and anxiety. I am gripping my flag so tightly my fingers have set rigidly around the thin white pole. Amanda and Geoff have travelled down from Scotland to show their support and pride for Logan. She gives me a gentle squeeze around my shoulders as we begin to hear the Band of the Her Majesty's Royal Marines, from Lympstone, Devon marching towards us.

Very soon we see the first sight of the full blue dress uniforms of the units as they march up Station Road before they come to a stop at the town centre war memorial. All around me people are cheering, whistling and crying
, their voices and hearts bursting with pride for our troops. I see Aiden first but he does not see me. His vision is fixed directly ahead, marching faultlessly with his unit. I jump up and down trying to catch a glimpse of Logan and then as I almost give up and there he is, looking more handsome and tall than I have ever saw him. Emotions overtake me as I find myself bursting into sobs. I see Amanda and her body is shaking with tears splashing off her cheeks. We hug each other tight.

Many spectators shed tears as the Mayor of Taunton Deane, pays tribute to the fallen men.
"It is wonderful to see so many people here today supporting the 40 Commando. The Royal Marines deserve our thanks for their service to our country. We pay tribute to your colleagues who did not return home”

We all join together i
n song as the Chaplain of the 40 Commando leads us through
I Vow to Thee, My Country
.

There are further speeches from the
Commanding Officers reflecting on the fallen and the pride of all the serving men and women. As the parade and ceremonies draw to a close, the crowds raise final cheers, all clapping their hands in a deafening roar of pride. The families of those parading today rush forward into the arms of their loved ones.

***

Amanda gushes forward pulling me behind her. She throws herself at her brother who sweeps her up into his arms embarrassed and flushed at her very public display of
affection. Almost instantaneously, he drops her to her feet as his gaze reaches mine.  He throws a furious glare to Amanda then back towards me.
Pull up your big girly pants, Amber……

“What the fuck?” He shouts. “Why are you here, Amber?”

Amanda opens her mouth to defend me but I pull her away, holding my hand to her mouth. I front up to him, my chin tilted defiantly. “I came for you, Marine Man. And I’m not going away any time soon….and….”

“Did I
ask
you to fucking come?” He bellows at me. I stand my ground, not flinching. I put my hands on my hips to emphasise my point.

I make to speak again before I am thrust sideways. “Don’t you dare fucking speak to her like that!” Aiden roars at his
Commanding Officer.

Logan strides towards Aiden, his face thunderous. I gasp in horror as he towers over Aiden, inches from his face. “Watch your fucking position, Marine! Now back away now, Corporal or by God, you will fucking regret you ever spoke to me like that!”
Logan growls.

“Aiden…..walk away. Please!” I shout, tugging at his arm. He jerks away from me, storming away.

Logan scrapes a hand down his face. His chest heaves and rises sharply. Amanda puts a gentle hand on his chest but he sharply brushes her away. I gesture to her to give us some space for a few moments. Geoff pulls her away to stand a few metres back. I repeat her action by putting my hand on his chest. He doesn’t brush it away, instead looking down at it.  I hold it there calmly before speaking.

“As I said…..I came to welcome you home, Logan. And you can fight your feelings as much as you want. And you can push me away time and time again. But I will keep bouncing back. You met your match, Major Logan Grant. Me and my big girly pants!”

He shoots me a furious glare before suddenly bursting out into a thunderous roar of laughter.

“What?
What the fuck are big girly pants?” He shakes his head, laughter still shaking through his body.

I lean up, swing his cap from his head and wrap my arms around his neck. He face quickly becomes serious. I smile up at him, before reaching to kiss him passionately. He pulls me in tighter against him, matching my kiss in eagerness.

I gently pull out of his arms, place his cap back upon his head, and start to walk away. After a few strides, I turn to see him looking puzzled. I gesture to Amanda and Geoff. “Now is family time, Marine Man, so I will leave you to them. But do not you think I’m going to be doing all the chasing!” I wink as I see a wide smile form on his face.

“I said you were bad news” He shouts after me as I disappear into the throng of the crowds.

Chapter Thirteen

My phone pings a new text message. I snatch up my phone buried underneath my art supplies. I smile as I note it is from Logan. I held my nerve for two weeks after the parade and there was still no contact from him. But then a couple of days ago, the first sign came in a brief text message.
A simple hello.
I want to ring or visit him but I am showing patience I never knew I had.

I thumb open the message.

Logan
: Hi x

Me
: Back at you x

Logan
: How is your day? x

Me
: My new piece is crap. I just tossed it. How about you? x

Logan
: That’s not good. I just put in for my discharge today. x

Me
: I don’t know what that means. Discharge? x

Logan
: Time to leave the Forces. I have served my time. x

Me
: Wow. That’s a huge decision. x

Logan
: Yes, but I thought it through. It is the right time for me. X

Me
: Do you know what you want to do, afterwards? X

Logan
: Not entirely sure. I’m meeting an old buddy, Mark, from way back. He is a chauffeur/security guy. He is going to give me some leads. I think security or bodyguard, that type of thing would suit me. X

Me
: Well, you have got the body for it ;-) x

Logan
: You are bad x

Me
: But in a very, very good way x

Logan
: You are making me hard. X

Me
: Do you need some assistance? X

Logan
: You need spanking x

Me
: Oh promises, promises x

Logan
: Mark, my buddy has turned up. And my cock is hard. I have got to go. You are such bad news. Later x

Me
: Later xx

***

Drew is sat behind his desk, shaking his head at his chauffeur, Mark Thompson. Or just Thompson as he prefers to be known. “Thompson, I already said it was cool. Clark will manage perfectly fine while you are away. Jesus, man, it is two days. I don’t plan to do any major trips. And Tilly isn’t going anywhere that I know of. So go…..meet up with your
Forces mate. Christ, get pissed, whatever. But go!”

Jake walks into the office as Thompson makes his exit. “What
is up with him?” He laughs.

“He
is finally taking two days off. Would you believe it? He thinks he is the only one who can drive and look after us. I told him Clark will be fine.” Drew shakes his head for the second time.

“But you do
not trust Clark like you do Thompson.” Jake snorts.

“Yeah, but don’t ever let Thompson hear us say that. The poor guy will never take any time off!” Drew throws his hands in the air, laughing aloud.

***

Mark takes another swig of his beer, eyeing his old Forces buddy over the rim of the glass. Logan Grant has not changed in four years. Well, maybe packed on some more muscles. He always was a brawny bastard. Hard as fucking nails but fair and true to his men.