Page 47 of Landen

“I stopped atthe market and picked up the items I needed to prepare the meal.”She was so determinedly cheerful and had resolved while on her waythat she would not go into despair that she failed to notice thestrained expression on his handsome face when he opened the door tolet her in.

“I decidedagainst chicken and picked up shrimp instead.” She dumped thebag on top of the counter when she realized he had not spoken orgreeted her. “What’s wrong?”

“My father hada heart attack.”

“Oh.” Sheknew she was supposed to say more, but the words seemed lodged in herthroat.

“They wanted meto leave tonight, but I told them I would leave in the morning. Firstthing.” He came toward her, and she stepped out of his reach.

“I should getstarted on the meal.”

“Stop,”he said tersely. “We have to talk-”

“No.” Sheshook her head firmly. “You are leaving in the morning - howearly?”

“The planeleaves at six.”

“I see. Ishould leave tonight-”

“No.”Bridging the space between them, he clamped his hands on hershoulders. “This does not change anything-”

“How can yousay that?” She cried. “It changes everything. Your fatherhad a heart attack, and you are going to have to step in and do yourjob. You cannot leave, Landen, and I have no authority to ask you tostay now.”

“I will beback,” he promised hoarsely, his heart breaking into tinypieces.

“Please don’tinsult me by making promises you cannot keep. It was wonderful whileit lasted-”

“Don’t!”He shook her hard. “This is not goodbye. This is a situation wehad not foreseen. I will go home, and as soon as the danger is over,I will come back for you.”

“No! Damn you!You are making this harder than it needs to be.” Firming herlips, she tore herself away from him and put the counter betweenthem. “I will start the meal, and you will go and set thetable.”

“Tessa-”

“Please.”She whispered. “I cannot bear anything else. Just go.”

He stood therefor a minute before turning on his heels.

She waited until hehad exited the room before allowing herself to break down, but shecould only do so for a few minutes. She had a meal to prepare—theirlast meal together.

*****

The conversation wasstilted, and for the first time since they had met, they had nothingto say to each other. They tried to force the meal down, and he triedteasing her about her culinary skills, which did not bring thedesired result. After almost half an hour, they gave up and dumpedthe barely eaten meal into the trash can. They did the dishes.

She went upstairsbefore him and took a shower, dragging on the black silk robe. Thenshe went to pack for the two of them. Picking up a lime green cottonshirt, she pressed it to her face and inhaled the scent of hisexpensive cologne.

Taking a deep breath,she folded the shirt carefully and put it with her things. It wassomething to remind her of him as if she needed anything at all.

She would rememberhis lazy smile, the whiteness of his teeth, the way his jade-greeneyes darkened whenever they made love, and most of all, the feel ofhim deep inside her. She would never forget his kisses. Never. Asound just inside the doorway had her turning around.

“I don’twant to go.” His voice was husky, his eyes feverishly bright ashe stared at her.

“Well, you haveto.” She forced her tone to remain brisk. “I packed foryou-”

“You didn’thave to.”

“It gave mesomething to do.”

She watched as hestrode over to stand in front of her.

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