Page 86 of A Wife's Duty

Cameron brought the session to an end, covered the ink, checked the other piece, and then told her how to take care of it. She would have another appointment tomorrow.

Another day of not knowing what was going on with Boone.

Frank didn’t take her home right away, and instead found a small park where there were a lot of families, along with an ice cream truck. He stepped out, got them both an ice cream, came back and handed her one. She looked in the back to see Betty asleep.

“She’s going to give birth soon,” Frank said.

Lucia nodded. “Yeah, I always thought Boone would be here, seeing as he knew what to do.” She pressed her lips together.

“You know, it is okay to cry,” Frank said.

“I don’t want to.”

“Lucia, I like to think I have come to know you quite well. The Lucia I know would want to cry right about now. Not because it made her feel weak, but because she was missing the man she loved.”

She turned to look at him and hated that her eyes filled with tears. “Why did you have to say that?”

“Someone had to say it, Lucia. You think we don’t see it. You’re in love with him, and we all see it.”

She sniffled and looked down at her ice cream, which was nearly melting. She quickly took a lick, trying to get herself back in order.

“Does he see it?” Lucia asked.

“Boone probably does. That man doesn’t miss a trick.”

Lucia took a deep breath and turned toward him. “But he doesn’t love me.”

“I didn’t say that,” Frank said. “Boone has always been a hard guy to read. He doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, never has. He’s a guy that gets things done, however, when it comes to you, I would say—and I would bet my wife and kids on it—that he loves you.”

“You shouldn’t be so careless.”

Frank laughed. “I’m not being careless. I’ve known Boone long enough to know he doesn’t go out of his way for someone unless he cares. He needed to make you safe. The man is not known for causing scenes. He doesn’t go out of his way to make waves. Boone is and always will be a man that solves problems. However, with you, to get to you, to have you, he had to change tactics. He made a lot of waves, caused a lot of issues, so he could claim you.”

Lucia didn’t want to get her hopes up.

“And knowing Boone the way I do, I have a feeling when he is done doing what he has to do, when he gets back, he is going to give you a choice. Our boy is a man who is always offering choices. Then it will be up to you.”

Lucia felt that little spark. Did he love her? Had he really changed his course to protect her? She was with him now. She was not on his kill list.

Forcing a smile to her lips, she thanked Frank.

“Don’t thank me. It’s the truth, now eat your ice cream.”

Lucia licked her ice cream, and in a strange way, talking to Frank had been easier.

“Are you going to tell me how you and Boone met?” Lucia asked.

“Yep. I won’t give you details. Consider me an ex-solider, a war zone, left for dead. Boone found me, rescued me, and we’ve been friends ever since. Most of us that work for him are ex-military. He earned our trust and respect out in the field. That man has saved a lot of people. Not going to lie, he’s killed a lot of people as well. But, all in all, he’s a pretty good guy. I would not want to make an enemy of him.”

Lucia laughed.

They finished their ice cream and Frank drove them home. When they got home, Lucia went to Betty, and she noticed her dog was panting and there was something about her that didn’t seem right.

“Frank, something is wrong with Betty,” Lucia said.

He opened the other passenger door. “Okay, our fat girl is about to give birth. Let’s get her to her bed.”

Lucia felt her heart racing. She had hoped Boone would make it before then.

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