Page 3 of Tied to Hope
She gazed up at Rytsar, the tears threatening to start again. “How can I ever thank you.”
“Your beautiful smile is the only thanks I will ever need,” he answered.
Brie pressed herself against him, confessing, “I can’t quite believe you’re back.”
His intense gaze held her captive, causing her heart to skip a beat as she stared deep into those blue eyes. She could see that what had happened while he was gone still haunted him, and that he, too, was struggling to believe this was real.
“We’re together now. All of us,” Brie said, holding her hand out to Sir. “Nothing can break us apart.”
The world seemed to stop for a moment as they stood together in silence.
Rytsar finally broke it by stating, “Titov, where’s the vodka?”
“The kitchen.”
As they made their way into the kitchen, Sir explained to Brie, “Obviously, there is some work to be done in here. While I like the full-sized countertops, I want to replace them with marble.”
Brie broke away from him for a moment to run her hands over the extensive counters. “You could feed an army with this much kitchen.”
“Among other things,” Sir answered her with a private smile.
Brie glanced at the countertops again imagining all the things he had planned and grinned, moving back into his embrace. “I can’t wait to officially christen the new counters.”
“I bet you can’t,” Rytsar murmured as he looked knowingly at Sir. “Go ahead,radost moya, open the fridge.”
Brie walked over and opened the large stainless steel double-door refrigerator to find a bottle of vodka, four shot glasses, and a jar of pickles inside.
She laughed, taking out the bottle of vodka and handing it to Rytsar. “Would you be kind enough to open it?”
He handed it to Titov. “My friend should do the honors. He is the one who supplied the housewarming gift.”
Brie smiled warmly at Titov. “Aww…that’s so sweet of you.”
Titov cleared his throat, stating, “I understand the importance of vodka in celebrating a welcome home.”
Once he opened the bottle, Titov went to pour the first glass, but Brie stopped him.
“No, please. Allow me.”
She set the four chilled glasses out, making sure each was a generous pour to express the amount of joy she felt. While she was pouring, Rytsar opened the jar of pickles and held it out so Sir and Titov could each take one.
Brie went to give Sir the first shot to honor him as her Master, but he nodded to Titov instead.
With a grateful smile, Brie gave Titov the first shot glass and silently mouthed the words “thank you” as she handed it to him.
Once everyone had a shot in his or her hand, Sir made the toast. “To this man of valor. May fate reward you many times over.”
Titov shook his head at being hailed as a hero but then downed his shot along with everyone else.
Rytsar handed Brie his pickle after she had swallowed the fiery liquid. “Take a bite,” he commanded.
She looked at him tenderly as she bit down on the salty, dill goodness.
All of this seems like a dream…
Brie got another round ready for the men, choosing not to partake herself because of the baby.
After a healthy second shot and a hearty shout of “Za zdarov’ye!” by all, Rytsar stated, “Your Master must show us around this new beach house.”
