Epilogue

Royce was whistling a catchy tune when he pulled into the driveway and turned off the engine. The station wagon was parked alongside of his black Porsche, a baby seat strapped in the rear seat.

Andy was fast outgrowing the padded chair, which worked out well since Jenny would soon be needing it. His three-month-old daughter was growing like a weed.

Pushing a tricycle out of the way, Royce opened the front door and hung his hat and jacket on the brass coatrack. “I’m home.”

Four-year-old Andy let out a cry of glee and came tearing around the corner at top speed. Royce swept his son high above his head and hugged him close.

“How’s Daddy’s little man? Did you help your mother today by being a good boy?”

“Aye, aye, sir.” Andrew Royce Nyland saluted sharply, then squirmed, wanting back down. The minute his feet hit the floor, Andy was back to whatever it was that had captured his attention in the first place.

“Royce,” Catherine greeted, coming into the entryway, holding their daughter. A smile came automatically to his lips. It never ceased to amaze him, after all these years, all this time, how his heart quickened at the sight of her. She was in a blue business suit with a fancy silk blouse, and Royce vaguely remembered her telling him she’d had to go into the office later than usual. He was proud of the way Catherine had found a position in a prestigious law firm. Proud of her for showing him it was possible to mix a career with a family. She worked three days a week now, but when the time was right, she would eventually take on a forty-hour week. Frankly, Royce felt his wife had something of an advantage over other attorneys. She was so damn beautiful and intelligent he couldn’t see a jury in the land disagreeing with her.

“Oh, Royce, I’m glad you’re home.” Catherine paused to give him a quick but satisfying kiss, handing him Jenny. No sooner was his daughter in his arms, when Catherine was reaching for her coat.

“Where are you headed?”

She turned around and chastised him with a smile. “I told you about the Navy wives meeting this evening, don’t you remember?”

“Oh, right.” Royce recalled nothing of the sort. He had trouble keeping track of his own schedule, let alone everyone else’s.

“Kelly will be home within a half hour,” Catherine informed him. “And she’s bringing a young man home with her.”

“A boy?”

“Royce, she’s almost sixteen. This is important to her, so don’t make a fuss. All she asks is that you give her a little privacy.”

“Hey,” he grumbled, reaching for his wife. “How does she rate? If anyone deserves a little privacy, it’s us.” He kissed her along the side of the neck, savoring her special fragrance. “What time are you going to be home?”

“Not late,” she promised, rubbing her mouth over his lips in a slow, erotic exercise. “I promise.”

Royce reluctantly released her. “Good, because I’ve got plans for tonight.”

“You’ve got plans for every night,” she teased, “which is a good thing because if you didn’t, I would have.” She grabbed her purse, started for the front door and turned back around.

“Forget something?”

“Yes.” She patted Jenny’s sleeping brow and then raised her mouth to his. The kiss was one for the record books. Teasing. Coaxing.

Royce felt his knees grow weak, and if it hadn’t been for Jenny, he would have wrapped his arms around Catherine and hauled her up the stairs right then and there.

Catherine sighed and hesitantly broke away from him.

“What was that for?” he asked breathlessly.

“Just so you’d know how much I love you. How grateful I am that you were patient enough to allow me to come to my own decisions. About the Navy. About my joining the law firm. About having Jenny.”

“I sincerely hope you intend on thanking me again later.”

“You know I do.” She grinned and started for the door. Royce turned toward the kitchen, whistling contentedly.

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