Forged in Honor (1995) (57 page)

"You didn't tell them I was coming in, did your'

"Are you kiddin'? I wouldn't have called 'em if you'd begged. They woulda made me bring 'em and I know they woulda killed that spook who just met ya. I did tell 'em about Jacob like you asked, but told 'em I didn't know when you'd be home. Oh, the lady colonel knows, though. I heard the spooks talkin' about it before you got in. I guess she's been workin' real close with them on this and done real good. She's been moved to the Company as their liaison with the military."

Josh looked at Jacob, who was staring at Kelly openmouthed. "Did you understand some of his English?" Josh asked in Shan.

Jacob's eyes widened in disbelief. "He is speaking English?"

Josh smiled and translated for Kelly, who laughed and took Jacob's hand. "Wait until you meet my boys. They are your age. Tomorrow we are coming over to visit, and we ..."

Josh smiled as he listened to Kelly, but he suddenly felt a strange tugging sensation. Then he heard her calling to him.

Slowly he turned to look out the window at the distant, glistening waters of the Potomac. "I've missed you, too," he said in a silent whisper.

The car eased to the curb and came to a stop. Josh winced as he lifted his arm from around the sleeping boy.

Kelly whispered, "Let me carry him to the boat. Looks like your shoulder is still pretty sore."

The driver opened the door for Josh and then Kelly, who got out holding Jacob in his arms. "Been a long day for this little guy, Hawk."

Josh took a deep breath with his eyes closed. "Ya smell that, Kelly?"

"Yeah, it smell like fish."

"No, it smells like home," Josh whispered.

Kelly followed Josh into the dark boat cabin and laid Jacob on the couch. He turned to his friend and whispered, "Whatever ya do, don't tell Stef I picked you up. Tell her ya took a cab or somethin', okay? I don't want her bitchin' at me for a month of Sundays."

Josh embraced the detective with his right arm and pulled him to his chest. "It's a deal, buddy. And Kelly, thanks for being there tonight. I really needed to see a friendly face."

Kelly patted Josh's back. "Welcome home. Mary, the boys, and I will be over tomorrow. Get some sleep."

Stefne awoke when he kissed her on the forehead. Her eyes focused and widened, but before she could say anything Joshua put his finger to her lips. "Shhhh. Be very quiet.

Jacob is asleep on the couch. How's my girl?"

Stefne rose up and hugged him, then pushed him back, whispering harshly, "Why didn't you call and tell me you were coming home? Are you all right?"

Josh took her hand, pulled her up from the bed, and led her through the cabin door and out to the cockpit.

Minutes later, after he had explained most of it, Stefne relaxed and sat back, resting her head on his chest. "Dad, promise me you won't leave again."

"I double promise, hon. How's Meg doing?"

Stefne cuddled closer. "She's still having a hard time walking with the cast, but it doesn't slow her down that much.

She got you a couple of 8-track tapes at the flea market last week--Conway Twitty's greatest hits and a Roy Orbison tape." She sat up and looked into his eyes. "Dad, Glenn came by every night to check on me and Meg. She was worried sick about you. She loves you, Dad. You know that, don't you?"

Josh patted his daughter's shoulder and looked out at the shimmering waters of the channel. "She loves the army too, hon."

Stefne was about to speak when she heard the pier planks creaking. She saw who was walking down the lighted pier and got up. "I'd better check on Jacob. 'Night, Dad." She gave Josh a kiss on the cheek and disappeared into the dark cabin.

"Permission to come aboard, Skipper?" Glenn said softly.

Josh steeled himself and stepped closer, offering her a hand up. "I've been waiting for you."

Glenn felt a chill at his touch and the sight of his face in the moonlight. His eyes pinned her and kept her from embracing him. She tried to fight them but they held her in place.

"What did they tell you?" he asked as he led her to the cushioned seats.

"Everything. I'm so sorry about Stephen and Xu Kang. I know they-"

Josh shook his head and tried to smile. "Don't be sorry.

They died fighting for what was right. Things are going to be okay. Jacob and I will be fine."

"What about us, Josh? It's changed, hasn't it?"

He turned and looked at the channel reflectively. "I almost stayed, Glenn-they wanted me to, but I couldn't. This is my home. To leave it would be to let it go forever, and I couldn't do that." He turned slowly and gazed into her liquid eyes.

"This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but I won't ask you to give up what you have and start your life over with Jacob and me. You don't need my world. Stay in your world, Glenn; there's so much more to do, and you can make a difference because you care."

She held his gaze for a moment before lowering her head.

"Josh, I have to tell you. I submitted my retirement papers this afternoon."

"You what?" he said. shocked.

"I put my papers in for retirement. They would have recognized Swei's government, Josh. You and the others changed that, but they would have done it. I can't change anything, except my own life." Glenn lifted her chin and took a deep breath. "You've found another world, Josh, here on this river. Maybe I can find one somewhere, too."

She stepped forward and kissed his cheek tenderly. "Goodbye, Hawkins--take care of your world--I'm going to miss it." She turned around and strode for the pier, trying to hold back her tears.

Joshua took two big steps and grabbed her shoulder. "Hold it." He turned her around, lifted her arm, and reached for her wrist. "The first thing ya gotta do in Hawkins's world is forget this watch." He took it off and put it in her hand. "Glenn, I love you and want you with me. But it's just not me now.

Jacob is my son until he grows old enough to go back and take his rightful place. It's your decision, but I love you and want you more than anything in the world."

Glenn smiled through her tears and drew back her arm.

The watch arced upward and sailed through the darkness toward the shimmering water.

.

1 September.

"And where do you think you're going, young man?"

"Aw, come on, Aunt Stef, today is the day," Jacob pleaded with his best puppy-dog look.

"No way, Jose! You're going with me and Bob to buy school clothes, remember?"

"I am not Jose. I am Jacob, and today is the day."

"Can it, Bud. You've been hunting every day for a month.

Get your little butt outta the boat."

Jacob turned to look at Josh for support. "Uncle Joshuaaaa, do I have to?"

Josh shrugged. "Sony, partner, you promised her and Aunt Glenn you'd go."

Jacob stood and switched to Shan as he placed his hands on his hips. "By the gods! Women will never understand the hunt!"

Josh laughed and leaned forward to pat his back. "And thank the gods for it. Go on. You'll be back in a couple of hours. Kelly and the boys are coming over to go fishing."

Jacob reluctantly took Stefne's offered hand and jumped up to the rail. As soon as his feet were firmly planted, she took his arm and marched him toward the stern.

Bob still stood on the bow looking forlorn. "Sorry, boss. I wish I could go with you, but-"

"Bob, it's a sale and we have to get there early!" Stefne barked. "Help Dad get the big trap out, and let's go!"

Josh shook his head. "And just think-in a month you're marrying her."

Bob winked. "Yeah ... lucky me, huh?" He began to climb down to the bass boat, but Josh waved him back.

"Naw, I don't want to go out alone. I'll just stay here and work on the boat. Give me a hand, will ya?"

Bob pulled Josh up and patted his back in condolence.

"We'll get him next week."

Josh walked to the stern and sat down by Glenn, who handed him a beer. They watched in silence as Stefne and Bob marched Jacob up the pier.

Glenn finally broke her gaze from the small boy and put her arm around Josh's shoulders. "You all haven't had much luck catching the King, have you?"

Josh looked over his shoulder toward the river. "Don't tell anybody, but I fixed the trap so we'll never catch him."

"Why?" she asked, surprised.

Josh stared out over the water. "That's his Ri. He's the Protector-it just wouldn't be the same without him."

Glenn stood up and took his hand in both of hers. She ran her fingers over the silver band and said, "I love us, Josh. I love our family and our world. You couldn't make anybody any happier than I am."

Josh hugged her to his chest and looked up at the cloudless blue sky, knowing she was wrong. He knew Mya, Stephen, and Xu Kang were up there smiling.