The raucous screech of a magpie split the air, startling Van. He broke the kiss, and his arms sprang apart. What had he done? He licked his lips, Cora’s sweet taste lingering on his mouth.
Cora’s eyes flew open, and she stared at him for a long moment before rolling off his chest onto her knees. Pink to the roots of her golden-blonde hair, she ducked her head and struggled to rise.
He climbed to his feet then bent and helped her stand. Would she slap him as he deserved for taking liberties? He hadn’t meant to kiss her, but the glow in her gaze combined with the proximity of her soft-looking lips overrode his common sense. He’d taken advantage of her closeness and probably ruined any chance of continuing their tenuous friendship.
Still avoiding his eyes, she brushed dirt and grass from her clothes.
Clearing his throat, he bent and picked up his fedora that had flown from his head during the fall. “I’m sorry. You have every right to be upset. I don’t know what came over me. It won’t happen again. Please forgive me. I don’t want to lose our relationship…friendship. I plead insanity, and you can’t very well blame a crazy person, can you?”
A snicker, then a chuckle. She lifted her head and nodded. “With all that rambling, you’re proving your case of madness. All is forgiven, but I’ll probably remind you about the incident at inopportune moments to keep you on your toes.”
“As you should, but I’m not looking forward to them.”
“Excellent.” Her eyes danced, and she smirked. “Gotta stay ahead of you.”
“Now that I’m back in your good graces, what do you think we should do about the bench? Where should we report the damage? I hate to leave it crumpled.”
“I don’t suppose there’s a Broken Bench Department. The countless number of bureaucratic agencies is mind-boggling.”
Van snorted a laugh at her impish expression. “Good thought, but I doubt it.”
He checked his watch in the waning light. “It’s getting late. The Air Raid Precaution wardens will be patrolling soon and wonder while we’re still out and about with no destination in mind. Let’s leave the bench till morning then see if one of the secretaries knows how to take care of the situation.”
“Brilliant. Those gals have solved more than one touchy problem for me.”
“Really? Care to share?”
“Nope.” She slung her pocketbook strap over her shoulder. “Despite you unceremoniously pitching me onto the ground, I’ve had a lovely time. We got off to a rocky start, but I now I can’t imagine reporting the war with anyone else.”
His chest swelled, and he mentally rolled his eyes at his schoolboy reaction. “Same here, but no need to say goodbye. I’m going to walk you to your boardinghouse. Darkness will be full-on before you get home. I’d feel better if you had an escort.”
“So my safety is all about how you feel, and not my actual security.” Hands on hips, she stood with her head cocked, a mock frown creasing her forehead.
“Something like that.”
Cora burst out laughing, and he joined her, the earlier awkwardness dissipating. She was a good sport. He’d nearly blown it, but their kiss obviously didn’t mean anything to her, so she was able to cast the moment aside. Was he relieved or disappointed?
“Get a move on, folks. The park is closing.” A stooped man wearing a tin hat and ARP band around his upper arm, approached. “And have a care. It’s a new moon tonight, meaning pitch darkness after the sun finishes setting.”
“Yes, sir.” Van held out his arm, crooked at the elbow. The man’s words gave him an excuse to tuck Cora close to his side. She didn’t need to know the real reason.
She slipped her fingers into the bend of his arm, and he patted her hand. “Shall we away, Miss Strealer.”
“I can find my way home on my own, Van, although I appreciate your offer.”
“I don’t mind escorting you. Like the man said, it’s going to be difficult to see.” He frowned. After their frivolity, why was she turning down his offer?
“Yes, but I’ll be fine. There were few streetlamps in New Hampshire. I made my own way home on plenty of inky-black nights. London is no different.”
“Not to intrude, miss, but I’d say the number of ruffians in our fair city is higher than that in your rural state.”
Her head whipped around toward the warden. “What do you know of my home?”
“My sister lives in Maine, and I was fortunate to visit her many years ago before the war. We took a trip to the White Mountains. The scenery was beautiful, but remote.”
Cora squeezed Van’s arm. “Did you hear that? He’s been to America, to New Hampshire.” She leaned toward the man. “I wish we could stay and reminisce, but you have a job to do. My heart is a little lighter for having met you, sir.”
The warden executed a deep bow. “Glad to have brightened your evening, miss.” He touched his helmet. “G’night.”
Van waved with his free hand. “I agree with our new friend about the ruffians. Please let me walk you home.”
A deep sigh sounded. “Okay, but I don’t have to like it…well, not the actual walk, but the fact I need a man with me. Frustrating, you know?”
“Yes, tough to feel invincible when you have to fear for your safety from unscrupulous men.” He let sarcasm coat his words.
She slapped his shoulder and chortled. “Exactly. At least you understand.” Another sigh. “But the fact of the matter is eventually you’re not going to be there, to keep me safe, to take care of me. Whether it’s after the war or the end of this assignment. Don’t you see? I can only lean on myself. What we insinuated to Myrtle isn’t true. We aren’t romantically involved, so time will move on, and we will too.”
His breath hitched, and a rock settled in his stomach. Cora was right. Even if they remained friends, sooner or later, they’d go their separate ways. The future suddenly looked bleaker.