Funny.
She’d been thinking about that lately too. Her work on the Herald had reminded her how much she enjoyed journalism.
“I want to do that too, but I’m in no hurry. I can wait until our life is a bit more normal.”
“No.” He gave an emphatic shake of his head. “We’re not going to push this off. I did some research, and the University of Oregon has a journalism program at the Eugene campus. There are also a bunch of colleges that offer online programs. I want you to enroll somewhere this fall. You gave up enough when you married me. I don’t want your degree to be one more item on that list.”
Her throat tightened, and once again her vision blurred. “You’re wrong.” She took his hand and twined her fingers through his. “I didn’t give up anything. I re-prioritized and traded up.”
His eyes began to glisten. “Thank you for that. But I got the best end of the deal.” He squeezed her fingers and swept a hand over the file. “There are some outstanding programs in there. Please promise me you’ll pick one and do this. I know you already have a job at the Herald, but the credential of a degree will open doors in the future if you want to explore other options in journalism.”
There had been times she’d wondered if he realized how hard it had been for her to walk away from college at the end of her junior year, leaving that dream in limbo to marry him.
Now she knew.
He’d understood far better than she’d given him credit for.
“I promise. And thank you. This is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received.”
“I’m glad to hear that—but there’s more to come. Can you be ready to go in half an hour?”
“I can do better than that. How does twenty minutes sound?”
“Perfect.”
He started to lean forward . . . like he was going to kiss her. Jerked upright. Stood and backed toward the door. “I’ll, uh, load all the goodies into the car.”
With that, he spun around and disappeared.
Fast.
Like he didn’t trust himself to keep his hands to himself if he stayed around.
Rachel swung her legs off the bed. Fingered the rose petals and inhaled the sweet perfume. Smoothed a hand over the file folder in her lap amidst the silver paper.
He’d suggested they rebuild their relationship slowly—but he’d left the timing on their full reconciliation to her.
Yet after the birthday he’d given her so far—and a romantic picnic yet to come—she had a feeling taking this slow and easy wasn’t going to be easy at all.
And maybe she didn’t have to try too hard to do that.
Maybe it was time to listen to her heart.
24
Chirp. Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.
As the familiar ringtone penetrated his sleep-fogged brain, Ben jerked awake. Groped for the cell on his nightstand. Pressed it against his ear after peering at the screen.
“Lexie. Hi.”
A beat passed.
“I think I’m the one who should apologize this go-round. I just checked my watch. Sorry for the early call.”
He tried to focus on the digital display of the clock next to the bed. Two minutes after seven.
Yeah, that was kind of early for his post-military life.
“No problem. I needed to get up.” Not a lie. He owed Marci a call. “What’s going on?”
“One of my patrol officers spotted your friend in the parking lot at the Gull last night about eleven. She changed rental cars.”
No wonder Nicole had been under the radar.
“What’s she driving now?”
“A silver Chevy Impala with dark-tinted windows.”
“Where is she?”
“Car’s still at the motel.”
“Okay. I’ll keep an eye out for her. Thanks for the update.”
“Not a problem—but sorry to wake you.”
“My alarm was about to go off anyway. Will you let me know if there are any new developments?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks.”
Ben set the cell back on the nightstand and stood. No sense trying to eke out another few minutes of shut-eye. He was wide awake.
Twenty minutes later, after downing a large glass of OJ and finishing off a bowl of cereal, he punched in Marci’s number.
“Good morning.” She sounded wide awake and cheery.
“Morning.” He leaned back against the kitchen counter and gave her the bad news about Nicole.
“Oh, shoot.” She blew out a lungful of air. “I was looking forward to seeing you this morning.”
“Likewise. I wish I could swing by and give you a lift, but I’d like to find out what she intends to do next before I risk letting her see us together.”
“She already suspects we’re involved.”
“Based on whatever her PI passed on. She hasn’t spotted any evidence herself as far as I know—and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Silence.
“Marci?”
“Yeah. I’m here.” Another sigh. “Letting her run the show isn’t sitting well, Ben.”
“With me, either. If there was any legal recourse, I’d take it. But she can’t keep this up forever—and we have a lifetime ahead of us. We can afford to wait her out.”
More silence.
A niggle of unease snaked through him.
The woman he was falling for had many fine qualities—but her emotions did have a tendency to get the better of her.
“Marci?”
“I’m here.”
“Let’s be patient, okay?”
“I’m trying. So what are you going to do today?”
He frowned.
Her abrupt change of subject didn’t leave him feeling warm and fuzzy.
“I have a stack of paperwork to fill out for the two jobs here, and I want to get the Oregon licensing process started. I also need to contact a few references—and call the practice in Ohio to let the partners know I’ve changed my mind about joining them.”
“You’ll be busy.” Her voice warmed. “But it’s a good busy—from my perspective.”
“From mine too. Hope Harbor always felt like home. Now it really will be.” He strolled over to
