“Careful, buddy. Somebody might think you’re in love with me.”
Cluny chuckled and plopped down on the wooden bench. “Not likely, Gunny, I go for the petite, soft, curvy fem-in-nine type. The he-she muscle girls are a real turnoff.”
Dwayne groaned, poured water on his head, and rubbed his belly and knees. “I hear you.”
They ate a massive breakfast at Denny’s then parted company. He went downtown to shop for a gift for Marla. After an hour, he was ready to give up when he spotted the perfect thing in the window of a jewelry and accessories shop. He had the sales clerk gift wrap it in a large box, and then for good measure he grabbed a bouquet of irises from a street vendor.
He had plans for the evening. Big plans.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Marla shook the weightless box. “You brought me an empty box? What are you up to Dempsey?” She gave him a sly look and puckered her lips.
“Open it, Danaher.” He sat back, took Skip from her lap, and grinned. “Come over here, Corporal Danaher. I’ll rub your fat belly.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“Good. You shouldn’t. I always have some sneaky ulterior motive, don’t I?”
She pulled the ribbon. “I can only hope.” Digging through mountains of crumpled tissue paper, she was about to concede he was joking when her hand touched a small package. She lifted it from the box. “What is this?”
“I don’t remember. You’ll have to open it to find out.”
Her heart thumped. “Will it explode?” She shook it.
“Nope. I never got trained in explosives. Guaranteed not to explode.”
Marla slid off the ribbon, ripped through the paper, and squealed with delight, “I love it! It’s perfect!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.
She sat back and grinned. “Look, Skippy, Dwayne bought you a present.” She held the sparkly dog collar in front of his tiny pointy face. “It’s covered with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. You’ll be the fanciest dog in Spring Grove.”
She grinned at Dwayne. His face was full of pleasure at her reaction. “Put it on him. See if he likes it.”
He unbuckled the narrow leather collar and fastened on the bejeweled one. “This is far too fancy for a Corporal.”
Marla kissed Dwayne again and giggled. “He needs another advance in rank, wouldn’t you say?” A warm swell of love for Dwayne filled her chest. She studied his profile and thought he was the handsomest man she’d ever known. She traced his forehead and nose with her fingertip.
He caught her finger in his mouth and growled. She squeaked and yanked back her hand.
He snapped off a salute to Skipper. “I think Master Sergeant will do for now. Soon as he learns how to man a Bushmaster on an M-3 Bradley, he’ll qualify for Gunnery Sergeant.”
“Dwayne.”
He faced her, a brief flash of alarm in his eyes, then he smiled. “Yeah?”
“I love you.”
“Beat it, Sergeant Mutt.” He pushed Skipper off his lap and dragged Marla over to replace him. “I love you more. Dig down to the envelope in the bottom of the box.”
Her heart soared. “There’s more?”
“Oh, yeah.” He lifted the box and held it while she reached inside.
Marla found the envelope and he tossed the box on the floor. “What’s this?”
“Open it.”
The outer envelope was unmarked. Inside she found a theatre ticket envelope for Disney Concert Hall. She lifted the flap, shrieked, “Joshua Bell!” and leaped off Dwayne’s lap. “Oh, my gosh, they’re for tonight.” She hopped with excitement. “I have to change clothes. I have to get ready. You have to wear a suit, do you have a suit? Get up, we only have three hours. It takes an hour or more to drive there. Get up!”
He stood and put his arms around her. “Go change. My suit’s in the truck. Charlene is going to baby sit.”
“When did you plan all this?” How could he possibly have known that she loved Joshua Bell? She’d longed to go to the hideous Disney hall ever since it had opened.
“Pack an overnight bag. We’re staying at a hotel downtown tonight.”
“We are?” What next? Heart racing, she ran to her bedroom and grabbed a small rolling bag. She wished she had some filmy, sexy lingerie, but she didn’t, so she threw in a change of underwear and slacks and a blouse for tomorrow.
Dwayne entered the bedroom with a suit bag over his shoulder and carried a prosthesis with a dress shoe attached. “Do we have time for a quickie?”
“No!” Was he crazy? Yes, he was. She loved him for it.
He chuckled. “Just checking.”
She dressed in her new Vera Wang outfit that Sil and Char had picked out for her. Short of attending a snobby wedding, she hadn’t known when she’d have the opportunity to wear it. Tonight—it was perfect for tonight.
He caressed her bottom and headed for the bathroom. “I gotta shave before I change.”
“No. Not tonight. I kinda like that dangerous look.”
She hadn’t known he could possibly look more masculine and delicious that he already did, but when he put on his dark blue pinstripe suit with a snowy white shirt and blue-green tie that matched his eyes, her heart did a little tap dance.
He did a three-sixty and grinned. “Whadaya think?”
Hand on her heart, she sighed. “I can’t say it. You already think you’re God’s gift.”
“So now you want to argue with God?” He kissed her on the ear. “You look sensational, Danaher.”
“You look sensational-er, Dempsey.”
“You ready? Let’s go out and get Charlene’s opinion.” He picked up the bags and stepped into the hall.
Charlene stood wide-eyed as they entered the living room. “Lordy lord, you better get out of here, mister. If Donovan Dempsey shows up you’re toast. He’s a jealous man. And, who is that supermodel with you?” She ran to her purse and grabbed her phone.
“Stand over there. I have to get a
