Love of a Marine (The Wounded Warriors Series Book 2) (19 page)

“What about Misty? Why would they say those things if there was nothing to it?”

“That was many years ago. Dwayne told me Cluny and Misty were very close in Iraq. They looked after each other. They might have slept together back then. She was his superior officer and very much to herself as far as the men in the unit were concerned. Cluny was the only Marine she ever allowed to get close, and to this day he has never said a single word about their relationship. Dwayne said it drove the men crazy that he wouldn’t dish on her, or why he was able to get close while she held every other man at arm’s length.”

Lingering doubt and fear persisted. “But, do you suppose they’re still—?”

“No, I do not. When they came home from their deployment they went their separate ways. They have a special bond, as soldiers often do who’ve served in war together. Don’t listen to rumors. Ask Cluny. He won’t lie to you.”

“Hearing those things, it really hurt because I’m falling in love with him.” She covered her face with her hands and rocked back and forth. “It’s just…it’s been so long since I’ve had feelings for a man. I have a child, I have responsibilities, and I can’t behave like a moonstruck teenager.”

Marla chuckled. “Oh, honey, don’t find trouble where there isn’t any. I can give you that advice because that’s what I always did before I met Dwayne. Just relax and try to have a good time tonight.” She stood and tugged Graciella to her feet. “If we stay here much longer we’ll miss the sing-off.”

“Sing-off?”

“Let’s go, you’ll see. It’s so much fun. Even the kids participate. Why don’t you splash some cold water on your face first?”

“Yes, my eyes are probably red from crying.”

Marla waited for her then checked the baby monitor, led the way from the bedroom, and quietly closed the door.

Cluny spotted her when they walked out onto the covered patio. He stood and flashed a happy grin, pointed to an empty chair, and motioned for her to join him. “Where you been, baby?” He kissed her cheek. “You almost missed the fun.”

She forced a smile. “I was talking to Marla while she put the baby down. What fun?”

He remained standing, then to her surprise began to belt out the Marine hymn. As soon as the words, “From the halls of Montezuma” left his lips about half the men joined him in a raucous version of the familiar song and finished it with a deafening “Ooh Rah!” amid good-natured hoots and catcalls. Cluny waved his hands and sang, “Off we go into the wild blue yonder,” and other men joined in, singing louder than the Marines. When they finished, laughter and applause filled the yard. Neighbors must have heard them from blocks around.

Chief bellowed, “Listen up you jarheads and flyboys!” He stood with Santos in front of him and a single other man. He sang, “Anchors away my boys, anchors away.” Santos sang along in his reedy boy’s voice and the other partiers joined in. Before they’d finished the final note, the last few men in the crowd began, “Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail,” and were soon joined by the rest of the company.

Cluny leaned close to her ear and shouted, “In official circles the Army song is always done first, but every year I get the jump on them.” He laughed and clapped with the rest.

She smiled in spite of her bruised feelings. “This is wonderful, Cluny. Except for Chief, I thought every man here was a Marine.”

“The only service we don’t have tonight is Coast Guard. Last year there were a couple of Born Readys here, but nobody knew the lyrics to sing along with them. They don’t get no respect.” He grinned. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to cut into one of those steaks Dempsey barbecued. Let’s grab a plate while the parents in the group get their kids settled. Santos and Amber can take care of themselves.”

Her mood lifting, she followed him to the buffet table. Misty handed plates and wrapped silverware to them, then the others lining up behind. Graciella studied the attractive woman. Devoid of makeup, she looked too young to have been a combat veteran. Misty was friendly but guarded. She joked with the guys, said things like, “Move along soldier,” with a smile, but always seemed to have an invisible barrier between herself and others. Graciella
would
ask Cluny about her, but not tonight.

The water balloon batting contest started before everyone had finished eating. Cluny leaned in and said, “You don’t want to get too close to that corner of the yard, unless you want to get your sexy new dress wet. Just watch, you’ll see what I mean.” He stood. “Got to take my turn behind the plate.”

She admired his graceful, masculine walk as he strolled to the jerry-rigged batting cage, gathering kids as he went like the Pied Piper. Marla sat down beside her, bouncing Declan on her shoulder. Graciella held out her arms. “May I hold him?”

“Sure.” She handed her a small receiving blanket. “Put this over your shoulder. He just ate like a starved piglet.” She stood and put the infant in her arms. “I’ll be right back; I’m going to get a Coke. Want anything?”

“No. Take your time.” Graciella hugged the warm little body to her shoulder and kissed one of his fat hands then rubbed his back. In a few seconds he let fly a massive burp and kicked his legs. “My goodness, you don’t seem big enough to make a sound like that.” She held him so she could examine his features, and he rewarded her with a sappy grin. “Proud of yourself, are you?”

Misty Beachy took the seat Cluny had vacated. She let out a sigh. “Wow, I’m famished. They must have had to bring a U-haul truckload of meat for this crowd.”

She set the plate on her knees and sliced the huge steak on her plate. “Umm, oh, this is so good. Dempsey cooks a mean steak.”

Graciella saw Marla approach then stop, raise her eyebrows, and tilt her head as if to say now’s-your-chance.

Misty grinned around a bite of steak, chewed and swallowed. “Ever get the idea you and I were invited here as babysitters and serving wenches?”

Graciella returned her smile. “Now that you mention it.” She put Declan on his back on her knees and patty-caked his fat little feet together. “What do you think, shorty?”

“That kid looks like he’ll be bigger than his dad some day. Dempsey’s the
short
one of the three brothers.”

She cocked her head. “Short one?”

“You met his brother Dylan over there, and his brother Donovan is taller than both of them. I’m sorry Donovan didn’t make it today. I haven’t seen him in over four years. He’s a lifer.”

Graciella gasped. “He’s in prison!”

“Oh, no, sorry, he’s a career non-commissioned officer in the Marines. He’s stationed in Hawaii.” Her shoulders bounced when she laughed. “I’ve been around the military so much I forget everybody else isn’t familiar with the jargon.”

Here goes.
“So, you’ve known Cluny for a long time?”

“Yeah, we served together in Iraq. We rotated out the same year.”

Not much information there.
“Um, you’ve stayed in touch.”

“Not as much as we used to, but yeah, we’re pretty tight.”

Pretty tight?
“Oh, so…”

“OK, I’ll make it easy on you because I can see where this is going, OK? I love Mac. He’s the best friend I’ve ever had, male or female.” She met Graciella’s gaze. “Friend. Without benefits. That’s it. Anybody who would ever hurt Mac will have me to answer to.” She jabbed a bite of steak into her mouth, her expression black, she blew a breath from her nose and chewed.

Too stunned to speak, Graciella stared at the happy baby in her lap and swallowed.

“Sorry,” Misty mumbled. “I didn’t mean it to come out like that.”

“That’s OK. I get it.”

“No. My dad says I lack people skills. The only thing I was ever good at is giving orders to soldiers and training dogs.”

“Misty, it’s OK.” Graciella put the baby on her shoulder and stood. “Really.”

“What’s OK?” Cluny came up behind Misty, grabbed her around the shoulders and smacked a resounding kiss on her cheek.

“Mac! You got me all wet, you big jerk.”

“That was my intention, Master Sergeant Beachy, ma’am.” He let go but not before growling into her neck. “What’s OK?”

Beachy extricated herself and shoved him on the chest. “None of your business. Beat it!”

He held his hands up and backed away. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll return when it’s safer.” He chuckled and walked away.

Misty huffed then began to laugh. “See what I mean?”

Graciella nodded. “Uh-huh, I do.”

Marla approached them. “Holy hail, are we going to have fisticuffs here?”

Misty straightened her soggy T-shirt. “Nope. Just putting that big clown in his place. Right, Jefferson?”

“Right, Beachy.” Graciella didn’t try to stop the big grin growing on her face.

Misty picked up her empty plate. “I’m going to put my shirt and shorts in your dryer if that’s OK. He must have taken a few direct hits with the water balloons.”

“Go right ahead,” Marla answered. “There’s a bathrobe on the back of my bedroom door if the fireworks start before they get dry.”

“Thanks.” The petite blond walked away.

Marla bounced the baby on her shoulder. “So? How’d it go?”

“Good question. I’m still processing it. She’s an interesting person.”

Cluny returned, still wearing a sappy smile. “Can I have a hug?”

Graciella gave him a warning look. “Don’t even think about it.”

“Come on, McPherson, I’ll get you a dry shirt.” Marla handed the baby back to Graciella. “Give him to his daddy. It’s his turn.”

“Be right back.” Cluny winked and followed Marla into the house.

Dwayne saw her coming. He took his son, held him high overhead then kissed his rosy little cheeks. “How’s it goin’, slugger?” He turned around so she could deposit the baby into the empty carrier he’d been wearing all day.

“All buckled up,” Graciella said and patted Declan’s chubby baby knees.

Dwayne touched her arm. “Graciella. I don’t want to alarm you, but stay close to Cluny during the fireworks. I’ll keep an eye on him too. He’ll never admit it, but I know the explosions get to him.”

“You’re having fireworks here?”

“No, but we’re high enough we can see them from the high school football field. They’re pretty spectacular. Don’t worry. He’ll be fine.” He patted her arm and was about to leave when Amber and Santos ran up to him.

“Daddy, look. I didn’t get wet.”

“How’d you manage that, squirt?”

“I missed on purpose and let Uncle Cluny catch all the pitches they threw at me. He got drownded.” She grinned.

“Drowned,” Santos corrected.

She scowled at him. “Yeah. That.” She looked up at her tall father. “When are we having ice cream?”

“After the fireworks. Would you excuse me and Santos for a minute?” He made little shooing motions with his fingers. Puzzled, Amber backed away. Dwayne leaned low next to Santos’s ear so his daughter couldn’t overhear. “A piece of advice, pal. If you want the relationship to last, don’t correct your girlfriend’s use of the language.” He patted the boy’s head and walked away.

Graciella smiled. “Mr. Dempsey will make a great father-in-law. Now do me a favor and go wash up. You’ve got mustard on your cheeks and your hands probably have enough germs to infect an entire city.” She pointed to the house. “That way. Now.”

He emitted a long-suffering sigh. “OK.”

“I better go too,” Amber said, and followed him. “What did my daddy say, Santos?”

“Nuthin.”

Some of the men gathered up trash and set the chairs in rows facing the back fence. Moms corralled their children. A few with the smallest went to Dwayne and Marla to say their goodbyes. Graciella was about to go see if she could do anything to help with the cleanup when Cluny returned and pulled her aside.

“Come in the garage. I want to show you something.”

“What?”

“You’ll see.” He took her hand then led her around the side to the back of the freestanding garage, next to the house. Opening the side door, he tugged her inside.

“It’s too dark to see anything in here. Where’s the light switch?”

“We don’t need light for this.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I’ve been dying to do this for hours.” He kissed her again. This time hugging her tight to his body, he gathered up the hem of her skirt, lifted it, and then he pressed a big hand to her panty-clad bottom. “God, you make me crazy.”

She struggled in his arms. “Cluny, you
are
crazy.” And he was making her crazy.

“Do you want me to stop?” His heavy breath warmed her ear.

“No, but…” The words died in her mouth as he kissed her deeper and with more passion. Instead of resisting, she hiked herself up and put her legs around his hips. His sexy, shaky groan turned her insides molten. She grabbed his neck, then a handful of his hair, and kissed him back with all she had in her.

He moved his lips from hers. “I want—”

She silenced him with a kiss. Their tongues fought for dominance in a figurative match between fencing masters. She could barely breathe, every cell of her body humming with a level of desire she’d never experienced. She emitted a mewling moan when his callused hand slipped inside the waistband of her panties and squeezed bare flesh. She wanted more.

Gasping, he said, “We should stop.”

“Yes. Don’t stop.”

“Ow!”

“What’s the matter?”

“You’re pulling my hair out.”

She released him immediately. “Sorry.” She dropped her forehead on his shoulder and gasped. “You’re right, we need to stop. They’ll be wondering where we are.” The last thing she wanted was for him to stop what he was doing.

He squeezed her bare bottom and pulled her tight against his body. “I’m coming home with you tonight.”

“I want you to.”

“Jesus, do you have any idea what you do to me?” He reached back and unlocked her legs then slid them down. “Go back to the party. I need a minute.”

She took a deep breath and ran her hands over her hair. “I need a minute too.”

“OK.” He sucked in some air and began to chuckle.

The outlines of his face and the whites of his eyes were visible in the small amount of light coming through the windows. Before she knew it they were both laughing. She reached up and put her hand over his lips. “Shush, somebody will hear us. Be quiet, be—” unable to finish the sentence, she collapsed against him, weak with laughter.