32

November 6, 1919

The Lodge

Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Chambers disembarked from the Maiden with as little help as possible. The minute Geoff’s wooden legs and walking stick thumped the ground, Riley trotted down the gangway and raced toward the newly planked wrap-around porch. The dog’s tail created a windstorm all its own.

“Oh, no. We should have left him in Juneau,” Geoff said.

She gave her husband a quick kiss on the cheek. “Riley or Tubby?”

“Both. How hard is it to steer a ship?” He hugged her waist with his free arm. “Turn around and wave, would you? Tubby’s glare is like two daggers being thrust into my back.”

“You’re imagining things. Tubby walked me down the aisle and gave me to you. He shed a tear during the nuptials.”

“Come on, just one excited wave. I want the captain to warm to the idea of me being your husband.”

Josephine turned on her heels and waved giddily at Tubby, blowing him a kiss.

“Ah, relief.” Geoff slouched briefly. “I love you, Jo.”

Laughing, and with a glance to make sure Tubby was busy onboard the ship, she kissed Geoff. On. The. Lips. “I love you, too.”

“You’re making me weak in the knees.”

“You don’t have any knees.”

“Exactly.” Geoff grinned. “You weaken the invisible.”

After they both had entered the lodge and latched the door, a scratching noise rattled the wood.

Should she ignore it?

“You might as well let our pet inside.” Geoff’s smile illuminated the lodge. “We won’t be waiting on him later when he gets thirsty.” He arched his eyebrows. “And look what needing a drink of water brought me.”

She wrapped her arms around her husband and gave him an award-winning kiss. Not a Gregory kiss, but a Geoff kiss. An outstanding kiss for her outstanding veteran and her most outstanding companion.