When I pulled the truck into the driveway of the lake house, I saw Gran sitting on the deck, drinking iced tea and reading a book. She put it down as Granddad and I got out.
“Susanna’s inside, resting,” Gran said before I even had the chance to ask.
I bent down to kiss her soft, soft cheek. “Thanks for taking care of her today.”
“My pleasure.” She caressed my hand. “You make me proud, Mark.”
I nodded but didn’t speak.
Granddad lowered himself into another deck chair and groaned. “I’m glad that’s behind me. It was too damned hot out there.”
“Oh, stop grumbling. You loved it and you know it,” Gran laughed.
I shut the front door on the two of them, my eyes hastily scanning the room. But I didn’t have to look far. Susanna was sitting sideways on the couch, eyes closed, lips parted. She looked small, pale, and helpless. I felt this enormous surge of love—really, more like a tidal wave.
Easing onto the couch beside her, I reached for her hand where it lay on a cushion.
Instantly, her eyes popped open. A dreamy smile curved her lips.
“Hello,” she said in a low, husky, almost-normal voice.
“How do you feel?”
“Lovely.”
“Good.” I hesitated. “Did Gran mention taking you to see a doctor? I’ll be with you.”
“Yes.” Susanna stretched and then shifted closer to me. “Did you win?”
“No, but I didn’t embarrass myself, either.”
The course hadn’t been all that difficult, but there were too many good racers and my body had been too banged up for me to do any better than top twenty in my age division. Keefe came in first, of course, and went out of his way to rub it in, except his victory dance hadn’t bothered me the way he intended. Top twenty was great—amazing, even— after what I’d been through. My amusement pissed him off, and he’d stalked off, mumbling.
Susanna searched my face. “I am sorry to hear this. Are you upset?”
I answered with a kiss—a good, hard, hungry kiss. “Not a bit,” I said against her lips.
She smiled and drew back, her gaze darting to the door. “Mark, truly, Norah and Charlie might come in.”
“All right, it’s time you had a lesson in twenty-first century relationships.” I scooped her into my arms and hauled her onto my lap, settling her in a way that was comfortable for us both, at least for now.
“First fact: I can get away with much more questionable stuff around my grandparents than I can around my parents.”
She laughed. “Is it proper for me to sit on your lap?”
“It’s fine. Holding hands, hugging, some low-intensity kissing—all good.”
“And your parents?”
“I think, with them, we’ll have to draw the line at holding hands. Especially with my mom.”
“Mark,” she said, then stopped. Her brow creased, like she was thinking hard. She studied our clasped hands, resting on her knee. “I am not accustomed to such open displays of affection. I do not know how comfortable I shall be.”
“Hey, don’t ever worry about that. We’re a team. It has to be right for both of us.”
She relaxed against my chest. “I don’t want you to be disappointed in how long it takes me to adjust.”
“Never.” I pressed my lips to her hair. It still smelled like roses. “How about this? I’ll be in charge of possibilities, and you’ll be in charge of limits.”
“Limits and possibilities. A fair division of labor.” She smiled against my shirt. “Mark, I am so grateful—”
“Don’t.” I wrapped her small body more tightly into my arms. Holy shit. When we were together, I felt strong and invincible, like we could do anything. “I love you, Susanna. You’re here and you’re safe and the rest of it is behind us. Okay?”
“Okay.” She sighed happily. “I love you.”
Outside, chairs squeaked. I could see the shadows of my grandparents shift as they stood. It was time to leave for the free clinic. But for one moment longer, it was enough to be alone—just the two of us.
“I am sorry about your race.” She nuzzled her cheek against me. “I wish you had won.”
“I did,” I said with a smile, “and it’s the best win ever.”