Chapter 18
"I'm only trying to protect you, Harriett. I don't want to see you rushed into anything."
"He's not rushing me into anything, AJ. In fact I was the one that asked for another goodnight kiss at the door."
"Are you sure about this, Harriett?"
She walked up to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and laid her head on his chest. "Do you remember what this feels like, AJ? You must be stronger than I am because I know that Thea has been gone four years and Buddy's been gone for less than a year, but I need this. I need to feel my arms around someone and their arms around me. I need that connection to another human being."
AJ wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug and said, "I do remember what it feels like Harriett and I go to sleep every night wishing that Thea was next to me and in my arms. I don't know that I'm stronger than you, in fact the truth is I'm not as courageous as you. I'm afraid to look for and love someone for fear of losing them again. You are braver than I if you can give your heart again."
She looked up into his face and saw a tear on his cheek, gently wiping it away with her thumb she kissed his cheek and said, "There is no one braver in the world than you. You will love again, I know it. There's someone special out there for you just waiting for you to open your arms and heart again."
Kissing her cheek in return, "No, Harriett, I'll too old to risk my heart again and I have Allison to consider."
"You don't think that I consider all four of my children in everything I do AJ Chegwidden? Vic is wonderful to them and will be a good father to them."
"You're already thinking about marriage, Harriett?"
Stunned at what she had said Harriett replied, "I wouldn't be thinking of getting involved with him without thinking of marriage. As a mother of four I just couldn't do that. I am not the love affair kind of woman."
"I'm pleased you're thinking ahead, Harriett and not taking this lightly. Just make very sure of your feelings before you make a decision."
"I promise that I will."
"I better get my daughter and be heading home."
Harriett followed him upstairs and checked on the children while he scooped the sleeping Allison up in his arms and headed for the door. "See you Monday Harriett." She smiled and waved at him as she tucked the cover around James.
Victor arrived shortly after breakfast, played with the children for awhile and then headed to the garage to get the tools out he would need to began preparing the back yard for the garden that Harriett would soon be planting. He hadn't been working very long as Harriett started preparations for lunch. The doorbell rang, she went to answer it and found Lieutenant JG Roberts standing there. "Mikey...Mike!" Harriett exclaimed and hugged him.
Mike laughed and said, "Its ok if you call me Mikey, Harriett, but you're the only one that still does."
"I will try and remember that you're all grown up now and deserve a grown up name," she smiled and said. "Won't you come in? I was just about to make lunch and of course you'll have to stay."
"I came to see the rug-rats, but if you insist I'll stay for lunch."
He followed her through the house and into the backyard where he found the children playing and Victor Galindez tilling up the ground. Harriett bent over to pick up Victor's shirt that he had removed because of the hot and heavy work. In her faded snug jeans she presented an alluring picture from the back that Victor could not help admire.
The tallest of the children only coming to Mike's waist did not block his view of Victor's gaze caressing his sister-in-law's ass. His eyes traveled back and forth between the two of them as Harriett walk over and handed Victor his shirt. Taking his shirt from Harriett after thanking her he walked over to greet Mike. "I haven't seen you since your last promotion, congratulations."
Giving him a dubious glance Mike slowly reached out to shake the hand that Victor extended and said, "Thank you, Harriett had told me that you left the Marines to become a double ought spy."
"Well, they haven't given me my number yet, but I live in hope."
To be continued….
