Page 73 of Ace

“True.”

“Maybe I can start a fire.”

“You burn fires in this thing”

“Yes, everyone does.” She shrugged. “It’s not the best thing for our lungs.”

“Maybe closer to the door?”

“I could try that.” She got out her coals and the banana leaves in the corner. “We just set it up on here.”

He watched her start a fire like she’d been living in this hut her whole life. “You really love this, don’t you?”

“I don’t love living in a hut, no, but I get used to it, and when I was back in my own bed, I missed the sounds of the islanders telling each other good night. I missed the children waking me up in the morning. I missed the fresh fish.” She closed her eyes. “I missed a lot of things.”

As he studied her, he didn’t know what else to say. “I can see why. They’re wonderful people. Rosamie, all of them, welcoming everyone up here like this.”

“They really are.” She got the fire going, and they moved as close to it as they could. Soon it warmed them, and Dex hoped that it would dry out their clothes. Gi looked like she was about to fall over. “Come here.” He scooted over and lay down. “I’ll hold you close.” He put her up closer to the fire, facing it, and he lined the other side of her body with his. She rested her head on his arm. Even though he didn’t think he would sleep yet for many hours, she fell asleep almost immediately.

As this precious woman lay in his arms, trusting him with everything, he knew he really was hers. And he wanted her in his life forever. Did they have things to work out? Sure. But he wanted to work with her. They could find a solution. She was fantastic on his team. He was able to help her on this island. There had to be a way.

Eventually he must have fallen asleep because the roosters calling in the morning woke him. His eyes were heavy and thick. He blinked about ten times before he could see properly. Gianna was still molded to him. She had turned to face him. His arm was over her back. He cradled her as close as he could. The soft puffs of air on his neck from her breathing made him smile. And he further solidified his desire to be with her as much as possible. He wanted to marry this woman. He was finished having her be a separate part of his life.

After a minute, she shifted and her breathing changed.

“Good morning, sunshine.” He grinned, knowing that is what her mother always said. It had driven her crazy all through high school.

“Very funny.”

“Ah, the sleeping beauty awakes.”

She tried to sit but then moaned. “Oh boy. It’s gonna take me a minute.”

“And probably some painkiller. What hurts?”

“Everything.” She lifted her lashes to look up into his face. “But this is nice.”

“I would live in this hut if I had this view every morning.”

Her grin grew. “That’s the best news of my day.”

“But.”

“There’s always a but.”

“We have to get out of here.”

“I know.”

“I mean. We can go to any other island in the world that isn’t about to be bombed. We can live there for a month if you want.”

She rolled over so that her face was inches from his own. “Just what are you saying, Ace?”

“I’m not saying anything…yet. But you can expect I will.” He lifted his head and kissed her lips.

Chapter 26

Gianna said goodbye to everyone, telling them that, as soon as it was possible, she’d have aid dropped in regular shipments. She sure hoped it would be sooner than later. “You guys stay tight up here. Stay together. If it gets really bad, you can always hide in the forest.”

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