Page 59 of Suzanna's Surrender
“Uh-huh.”
Alex was already scrambling to look. “Can I see?”
Holt tensed automatically then forced himself to relax. “Sure.”
As Alex pushed up the shirt, both children’s eyes widened. It wasn’t like the neat little scar they had both admired on his leg. This was long and jagged and mean, slashing from the waist so high up on his back they couldn’t push the shirt up enough to see the end of it.
“Gee,” was all Alex could think to say. He swallowed then gamely touched a finger to the scar. “Did you get in a big fight?”
“Not exactly.” He remembered the pain, the incredible flash of white heat. “One of the bad guys got me,” he said, and hoped it would satisfy. When he felt Jenny’s little mouth lower to his back, he went very still.
“Does it feel better now?” she asked.
“Yeah.” He had to let out a long breath to steady his voice. “Thanks.” Turning over, he sat up to brush a hand through her hair.
Suzanna stood a few feet away, watching them with her heart in her throat. She’d seen the battle from the kitchen doorway. It had touched her to see how easily Holt had joined in the game with her children. She’d been smiling when she’d started out to join them—then she had watched Jenny and Alex examining the scar on Holt’s back and Jenny’s kiss to make it better. She had seen the look of ragged emotion on Holt’s face when he’d turned to sweep his hand over her little girl’s hair.
Now the three of them were on the grass, Jenny cuddled on his lap, Alex’s arm slung affectionately around his shoulder. She took a moment to make certain her eyes were dry before she continued toward them.
“Is the war over?” she asked, and three pair of eyes lifted.
“He won,” Alex told her.
“It doesn’t look as though it was an easy victory.” She scooped Jenny up when the girl lifted her arms. “You’re all wet.”
“He blasted us—but I got him first.”
“That’s my girl.”
“And he’s ticklish,” Jenny confided. “Realticklish.”
“Is that so?” Suzanna sent Holt a slow smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. Now you two scat. I noticed nobody put away the game you were playing.”
“But, Mom—” Alex had his excuses ready, but she stopped them with a look.
“If you don’t clean it up, I will,” she said mildly. “But then I’ll have your share of strawberry shortcake tonight.”
That was a tough one. Alex agonized over it for a minute then caved in. “I’ll do it. Then I get Jenny’s share.”
“Do not.” Jenny sprinted toward the house with her brother giving chase.
“Very smooth, Mom,” Holt commented as he rose.
“I know their weaknesses.” She put her arms around him, surprising and pleasing him. It was very rare for her to make the first move. “You’re all wet, too.”
“Sniper fire, but I picked them off like flies.” Bringing her closer, he rested his cheek on her hair. “They’re terrific kids, Suzanna. I’m, ah...” He didn’t know how to tell her he’d fallen in love with them, any more than he knew how to tell her he’d fallen in love with their mother. “I’m getting you wet.” Feeling awkward, he drew away.
Smiling, she touched a hand to his cheek. “Want to take a walk?”
He thought of the list in his pocket. It could wait an hour, he decided, and took her hand.
He’d known she would head to the cliffs. It seemed right that they would walk there as the shadows lengthened and the air cooled toward evening. She talked a little of the job she’d finished that day, he of the hull he’d repaired. But their minds weren’t on work.
“Holt.” She looked out to sea, her hand in his. “Will you tell me why you resigned from the force?” She felt his fingers stiffen, but she didn’t turn.
“It’s done,” he said flatly. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“The scar on your back—”
