After an hour’s sleep, Barbara woke with a pounding headache. She threw the covers off, put on slippers, and walked into Peter’s room, where she sat down in the chair by his bedside. She gazed at the monitors to make sure everything was as it should be as she took his hand.
His eyes fluttered open, closed, then opened again.
“Hey, Peter. It’s Barbara. Can you hear me?”
He looked around wildly, trying to orientate himself. She put a soothing hand on his arm.
The Value of Valor
“It’s okay, big guy. Everybody’s safe. Lie still. You’re in a hospital—
you got yourself shot saving me. You’ve got a few tubes sticking out of you, so don’t try anything cute, okay? We’ll be able to take the tube down your throat out in a couple of hours, then you’ll be able to talk.
Blink if you’re understanding me.”
Peter blinked once.
“Good. See, you can follow instructions, after all.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“And you’re obviously not completely out of it, either, which is good, because I want to say something, and I want to be sure you understand me when I do. I know how you think, Peter Enright, and I’m guessing that you’ve been beating yourself up for my being taken hostage.”
She touched the side of his face, watching as a tear trickled out of his eye. “You were not responsible for what happened to me, Grayson was.
Period. End of story. So stop punishing yourself. It’s over, I’m fine, and I love you.”
She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead.
Kate and Jay appeared in the doorway. “Is he awake?”
Barbara nodded. “Hey, hotshot,” she said to Peter. “There are a couple of people here to see you.”
Barbara stepped aside so Kate and Jay could get in his line of sight.
They each took one side of the bed and one hand.
“You know, Technowiz, there are easier ways to get breakfast in bed.” Kate squeezed his hand, her face growing serious. “I-I don’t know what to say or how to thank you—for everything. You know I love you, right? Just don’t expect me to cook for you.” She winked at him.
“You know, I think I kind of like it when you can’t speak,” Jay said.
“We can say whatever we want—all kinds of mushy stuff—and all you can do is roll your eyes.” She laughed as he did just that.
“By the way, buddy,” Kate added, “you’ll be happy to know that the president—the
real
president was here earlier this morning to check up on you. He says he’ll come by again later.”
Peter’s eye’s opened wider.
“Yeah,” Kate said, her voice catching. “We did it, Peter. If you’re really nice to me, I’ll tell you how it came about—later—after you’ve had a chance to rest.” Kate turned her head to see Barbara. “You too, Doc.”
“As for me,” Kate fixed Jay with a smoldering gaze. “I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
Kate unlocked the door to the condo and stepped inside, surprised and touched to find Fred waiting for her, his whole body wiggling madly.
Lynn Ames
“Fred! How’s my guy?” Kate dropped to her knees and gave the dog a big hug, which he returned enthusiastically. “How’d you get here, buddy?” she asked, as he moved on to greet Jay.
Kate looked over to see a note on the table in the foyer.
Dear Kate and Jay:
We wanted to be sure you had the best welcome home ever. We hope
you don’t mind that we took the liberty of having your place cleaned—
presumably, it is now just the way you left it.
And what would a welcome home be without a welcoming committee?
Fred couldn’t wait to see you.
Enjoy your homecoming, Charlie and Mimi
“That is so sweet,” Jay said, as she moved through the condo to their room.
“Yes, it is,” Kate agreed. For the past few months, this place had held so much pain for her. It would be nice to reclaim their home and fill it with joy again.
“I’m so glad theirs is a happy ending.” Jay said. “The first lady was so distraught. I felt awful for her.”
“They do make a lovely couple,” Kate said.
She followed Jay into the bedroom and was watching her from behind as she stood at the master bathroom sink. Unable to resist any longer, Kate moved behind Jay, her hands brushing over the denim fabric covering Jay’s ass.
“Mmm.” Jay backed into Kate’s grasp.
Pulling Jay against her, Kate lifted Jay’s shirt, running her hands across her ribs and over her abdomen.
Kate watched in the mirror as Jay threw her head back in ecstasy when she caressed her breasts, freeing them from her bra, cradling their sensual weight, running fingers and palms over sensitive nipples.
When she unbuttoned and unzipped Jay’s jeans, exposing a V of lace panties, Kate felt her own center grow hot. She grazed her fingertips over the silk, dipping down to brush a careless finger over Jay’s clitoris.
“Open your eyes, sweetheart,” Kate commanded. “I want you to watch me love you.”
Jay tried her best to obey, as her body was bombarded with sensation.
Kate grabbed the bottom of the shirt with both hands and pulled upward, tossing it and the already undone bra aside when they cleared Jay’s head. She filled her hands with Jay’s breasts, moaning at their softness.
Jay, watching Kate’s hands in the mirror as they loved her, bit her lip to keep from coming too soon. “You’re making me crazy.”
The Value of Valor
“That’s the general idea.” Kate bit the exposed side of Jay’s neck, making her shiver.
“Make love to me. Touch me, Kate. I won’t be able to hold back much longer.”
Kate reached one hand inside the opening of Jay’s jeans, flirting with her, watching in the mirror as her eyes went black with need. Finally, she slipped underneath the barrier of Jay’s panties, her fingers finding the wetness there. She squeezed Jay’s clitoris once, then again, before sliding her fingers inside, feeling Jay’s walls close around her, watching as Jay’s chest began to rise and fall in a rapid rhythm, her breasts swaying.
She pulled Jay’s back flush against her chest so Jay could feel the hardness of her nipples as she continued to stroke Jay.
Capturing Kate’s eyes in the mirror, Jay ran her tongue slowly across her lips, reached behind her, unzipped Kate’s jeans, and dipped her fingers inside.
They watched each other in the mirror as they exploded together, their bodies moving as one.
“I love you, Jay.”
“I love you, Kate.”
“Welcome home, love.”
Lynn Ames
EPILOGUE
ay was unaccountably nervous. “I can’t believe the president is J doing this.”
“He asked me to report, Jay,” Peter said. “I was only following the president’s orders.”
“With everything else he had going on, I guess I can’t comprehend that he was worried about my situation.”
“Why not?” Kate asked. “You know how he feels about you; it’s only natural that he would want to personally thank those who saved your life.”
“But to bring them all here to the White House for a private audience…I’m sorry, it just makes me blow a circuit. You should’ve heard Terri’s voice on the phone. She was so excited.”
Kate wrapped her arm around Jay’s shoulder. Ever since learning that the president had called Terri to extend the invitation, Jay had been walking around on cloud nine.
Jay, Kate, and Peter all looked up as the door to the East Room opened to admit a group of people.
Jay spotted Terri in the crowd, ran to her, and enveloped her in a heartfelt hug. “It’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you.”
Terri closed her eyes as tears threatened. “I can’t tell you what it means to me to see you happy. And to be here in the White House…I never dreamed…” Terri looked over Jay’s shoulder at the stunning, tall woman who watched with pride and affection. In her, Terri sensed warmth, strength, vitality, and loyalty. “You must be Kate. I don’t know how to begin to apologize…” She swallowed hard but looked Kate directly in the eye.
“Nonsense. I’ve heard so much about you, it’s a great honor to finally meet you.” Kate drew Terri into a warm embrace. “I don’t know how to thank you for everything you did for Jay.” She felt the sudden prick of tears on her lashes.
“Jay is like a daughter to me, and now so are you.” Terri closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again. The strong spiritual, emotional, and physical bonds between these two were overpowering.
“What is it?”
The Value of Valor
Terri smiled broadly—she could feel Jay’s joy. “When you came to us, Jay, you were only half a person. Not only because you lacked your memory. You were missing something much more elemental. Kate is the other half of your soul. You were meant for each other, it is very clear to me.”
Kate decided she liked this woman a lot. It was easy to see why Jay felt such affection for her.
“Where’s Trystan? I want her to meet Kate.”
Terri’s eyes grew more remote, a fact not lost on Kate. Terri sighed.
“In a very short time, you managed to capture both our hearts, Jay. I think, perhaps, I am having a little easier time sharing you with the outside world than Trystan is. Give her time, she’ll come around.”
Jay sighed unhappily. “She’s not here?”
“No, she is. I’m just warning you not to expect too much from her too soon. She’s having a bit of a hard time.”
Jay frowned, searching the crowd for Trystan. She spotted her standing alone in the back. “Excuse me for a second?”
“Of course. Kate and I will just be getting acquainted,” Terri said.
“Actually, I’d like to introduce you to someone I believe you may have already met.” Kate smiled slyly, reaching behind her and tugging on Peter’s sleeve.
“Terri Lightfoot, I’d like you to meet a very dear friend of Jay’s and mine, Peter Enright.”
Peter smiled engagingly and bowed. “Dr. Lightfoot.” His eyes were twinkling as he watched a blush color her cheeks.
“I’m sorry about that,” Terri murmured. “We didn’t know.”
Peter put a hand on her arm. “I’m glad you were so protective of Jay and not in the least offended.”
Terri watched Kate’s eyes as they tracked Jay across the room. They showed caring, concern, love, and not a hint of jealousy. She nodded, pleased.
“Hi,” Trystan said awkwardly, not making any motion to hug Jay.
“Hey. I’m glad you’re here.” Jay followed Trystan’s gaze to where Kate stood talking with Terri and Peter. “I miss you, Trystan.”
For a fleeting instant, the pain was clear in Trystan’s eyes. Just as quickly, it was gone. “I see you’ve found your life again, Jay,” she said, motioning to Kate. “She’s very beautiful. I’m happy for you.”
“Can I at least introduce you to Kate?”
“Sure.” Trystan closed her eyes, willing the tears not to fall.
Jay motioned to Kate to join them. “Trystan Lightfoot, this is my partner, Katherine Kyle. Kate.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Lynn Ames
“I’m glad Jay found her way home to you. She’s very special, but I’m sure you know that.”
“Yes, she is, and I do.” Kate looked at Jay and smiled. “I know Jay misses you, and I’d love a chance to get to know you. You have an open invitation to come visit any time.”
“Thanks. That’s very generous of you. I’ll keep it in mind. It was good to meet you, Kate, and good to see you again, Jay. Take good care of each other.” Trystan strode quickly away, losing herself in the crowd.
Jay started to go after her, but Kate caught her by the arm. “Let her go, honey.”
“She’s upset.”
“Yes, she is. You can’t fix that—only time can take care of those kinds of wounds.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States.”
President Hyland entered, looking thoroughly regal and handsome.
He smiled broadly when he spotted Kate and Jay. “I’m so glad you could all be here today.”
Everybody scrambled to find a seat.
“I have to tell you a secret. Jamison Parker—Jay—or Alexa, as I understand you came to know her,” he winked, “is one of my favorite people in the entire universe.”
Jay blushed.
“When I heard the story of how the four young men, Tommy, Jeff, Jason, and Kenny risked their lives to pull Jay from the wreckage, I was impressed. When I learned that they were barely out of their teens, well, I was even more impressed.
“To you, the members of the Elder Council, who could have turned Jay away to avoid danger but chose not to, you have my eternal gratitude.
“Dr. Terri Lightfoot—your care for Jay’s physical and emotional well-being proves you a healer and doctor of medicine beyond compare.
“Trystan Lightfoot—I understand your friendship was invaluable to Jay as she struggled to find her way.
“As president of the United States—more importantly as Jay’s friend—I thank you and the people of the Navajo nation from the bottom of my heart.” He motioned to Jay. “Jay, would you come up here, please?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’d love it if you would introduce me to each of these wonderful individuals.”
Jay introduced the president one by one to those assembled, calling them up to shake his hand. He gave each a small token of thanks to commemorate their heroism.
The Value of Valor
When he got to Terri, he broke protocol and gave her a hug. “I understand you view Jay as a daughter,” he said in her ear. “I think you chose well.”
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Terri said, bursting with pride. “Jay is a wonderful woman. To be able to help her find her way home was as much a gift to me as it was to her.”
“I can see why she feels the way she does about you. Thank you for coming.” To the group, the president said, “I’m so glad to hear you all will be joining us in the Rose Garden in just a little while for a very special ceremony honoring some other heroes. I’ll look forward to seeing you there.”
Terri hugged Jay from behind. “He is the nicest man and so handsome.”
“Yes, he is, isn’t he?”
“If I had known I was saving someone so important, well…”
They both burst out laughing.
“How long will you be staying?” Jay asked.
“Just long enough for the ceremony, I’m afraid. Mr. Standislau was very generous in flying us all out here. We are to meet with Patricia Stanton in half an hour.”