Chapter 10
Poirot returned the next day, full of triumph. He regaled Hastings and Angelique with the details; she listened, enthralled. It made Hastings smile to see her enjoying herself. He missed being alone with her. She had no expectations of him, never wanted anything from him. He thought the world of Poirot, of course he did, but he could never fill the cracks in his heart. The war had taken it's toll on him, he knew this. So he understood nightmares. He understood how it felt knowing that you had a target on your back. He wasn't sure when it had happened; the transition from the need to save her and shield her from danger, to being so desperately in love with her.
Miss Lemon beckoned him inside her little office and shut the door. "She's a sweet girl, Captain Hastings. I've seen you looking at her." She looked at him over the rim of her glasses, with the air of a lioness protecting her cub.
"Miss Lemon, I can assure you I've been a perfect gentleman."
"If I thought otherwise, Captain, you wouldn't be standing here. I know it's not my place, and if it was any other girl, it would be none of my business, but…
Hastings kissed her on the cheek. "I'll take the best care of her, I promise. I'd move mountains for her if she asked me. Hell, she doesn't even need to ask."
A noise behind caused them to turn. Poirot and Angelique were standing at the little window. She was staring at them, Poirot behind her, with a knowing smile on his face. Given that everything now seemed out in the open, Hastings rounded the corner into the living room and seized his heart's desire.
"Arthur, do you mean it?"
"Every damn word. I love you. If you'll have me, I'll keep you safe forever. I'll buy you roses every day and 'll chase your nightmares away every night."
"And that about your nightmares? Will you let me chase them? Can we keep each other safe?"
Hastings smiled, and captured her in a gentle kiss. "Everyone needs saving sometimes."