Read Online Deadly Expectations by Elizabeth Munro - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Elizabeth Munro
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light. After spending my first few rough days stuck in Paul’s room it wasn’t my first choice of places to go if I wasn’t tired.
Paul and I had a couple of armless chairs and a blanket on our legs to fend off the draft from the old window. The heat from the wood stove in the common room called it a draw with the cold from the window about half way down the table so the blanket was necessary.
I heard something in the hall as Paul took a breath to speak and I quickly put my fingers on his lips to stop him.
“Captain?” A voice from the kitchen door. Paul went to whisper with him for a few minutes then he came back to me.
“I have a few men who just got in … wasn’t expecting them for a couple of days and I need to get them settled. I’ll be back in a while.”
I tried to hide a yawn. “Are you bringing them here? Do you want me to get out of sight for a while?”
“Yes, late dinner, they’ve been travelling most of the day … and not unless you want to.”
It was only about twenty minutes before I could hear Paul and the newcomers stomping the snow off their boots on the porch. I’d hoped to make myself scarce before they showed up and meet them in the morning. I stopped at the other side of the foyer, about ten feet from the door.
“Ah, I’m glad you’re still here.” Paul said to me as they hung their coats. He introduced the first two and sent them along to the kitchen. The third was a younger blonde version of Paul.
“Anna. I’d like you to meet my second in command. Lieutenant Richards.”
“Joshua,” he said to me. “Paul says I’m going to be an uncle. Congratulations to you both.”
Uncle … that explained why he looked so much like Paul. I looked at Paul over Joshua’s shoulder. He was trying to keep his grin under control. I put out my hand for him and he shook it. “Nice to meet you, Joshua … and thank you,” I said. “Come on, there’s a stack of chicken in the fridge.”
After only a couple of steps Joshua whispered to Paul. “Score big brother. You finally tied down one of those models you’ve been chasing.”
The last thing I wanted was to end up with that label … or stereotype. I stopped dead and spun on my heel, put my hands behind my back and stared Joshua down until his grin fell. I tilted my head and looked at Paul again over his shoulder. He was struggling to keep a straight face. I turned my attention back to Joshua.
“Lieutenant Richards … let’s try this again.” I said and held out my hand. He reached out slowly and took it.
“Lieutenant-Commander Creed, Canadian Forces.” I pronounced it lef -tenant then I paused. Joshua was starting to lose a bit of the cold air pinkness from his cheeks. I let go of his hand and made a fist, putting it in my palm. “If I hear any more trash like that come past your lips we’re going to go behind the house to compare service records. You won’t piss right for a month … clear?”
“Clear. Yes Ma’am,” he stammered.
“Very well,” I said and stepped out of his way gesturing to the kitchen.
After he was past me Paul whispered. “Isn’t it against the law to impersonate a naval officer?”
Joshua stopped.
“Only if you’re wearing the uniform … I think.” I whispered back as we burst out laughing.
Joshua turned around.
“I like her,” he said and headed off to the kitchen.
Paul was still laughing quietly.
“About time I met your brother,” I told him.
“He was called out a while ago … he’ll spend a week or so here then spend some time with our folks before he comes back.”
I thought a moment. “Do your folks know about me … that they’ll be grandparents?”
“Does your father?” Paul countered.
“I don’t know if my father would shoot you or be relieved that my wandering days could be over.”
“Mine would be in the relieved category … you have no
Paul and I had a couple of armless chairs and a blanket on our legs to fend off the draft from the old window. The heat from the wood stove in the common room called it a draw with the cold from the window about half way down the table so the blanket was necessary.
I heard something in the hall as Paul took a breath to speak and I quickly put my fingers on his lips to stop him.
“Captain?” A voice from the kitchen door. Paul went to whisper with him for a few minutes then he came back to me.
“I have a few men who just got in … wasn’t expecting them for a couple of days and I need to get them settled. I’ll be back in a while.”
I tried to hide a yawn. “Are you bringing them here? Do you want me to get out of sight for a while?”
“Yes, late dinner, they’ve been travelling most of the day … and not unless you want to.”
It was only about twenty minutes before I could hear Paul and the newcomers stomping the snow off their boots on the porch. I’d hoped to make myself scarce before they showed up and meet them in the morning. I stopped at the other side of the foyer, about ten feet from the door.
“Ah, I’m glad you’re still here.” Paul said to me as they hung their coats. He introduced the first two and sent them along to the kitchen. The third was a younger blonde version of Paul.
“Anna. I’d like you to meet my second in command. Lieutenant Richards.”
“Joshua,” he said to me. “Paul says I’m going to be an uncle. Congratulations to you both.”
Uncle … that explained why he looked so much like Paul. I looked at Paul over Joshua’s shoulder. He was trying to keep his grin under control. I put out my hand for him and he shook it. “Nice to meet you, Joshua … and thank you,” I said. “Come on, there’s a stack of chicken in the fridge.”
After only a couple of steps Joshua whispered to Paul. “Score big brother. You finally tied down one of those models you’ve been chasing.”
The last thing I wanted was to end up with that label … or stereotype. I stopped dead and spun on my heel, put my hands behind my back and stared Joshua down until his grin fell. I tilted my head and looked at Paul again over his shoulder. He was struggling to keep a straight face. I turned my attention back to Joshua.
“Lieutenant Richards … let’s try this again.” I said and held out my hand. He reached out slowly and took it.
“Lieutenant-Commander Creed, Canadian Forces.” I pronounced it lef -tenant then I paused. Joshua was starting to lose a bit of the cold air pinkness from his cheeks. I let go of his hand and made a fist, putting it in my palm. “If I hear any more trash like that come past your lips we’re going to go behind the house to compare service records. You won’t piss right for a month … clear?”
“Clear. Yes Ma’am,” he stammered.
“Very well,” I said and stepped out of his way gesturing to the kitchen.
After he was past me Paul whispered. “Isn’t it against the law to impersonate a naval officer?”
Joshua stopped.
“Only if you’re wearing the uniform … I think.” I whispered back as we burst out laughing.
Joshua turned around.
“I like her,” he said and headed off to the kitchen.
Paul was still laughing quietly.
“About time I met your brother,” I told him.
“He was called out a while ago … he’ll spend a week or so here then spend some time with our folks before he comes back.”
I thought a moment. “Do your folks know about me … that they’ll be grandparents?”
“Does your father?” Paul countered.
“I don’t know if my father would shoot you or be relieved that my wandering days could be over.”
“Mine would be in the relieved category … you have no
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