Free Wings of the Morning (Kensington Chronicles) by Lori Wick Page A

but Jen is very protective of Smokey, and
    you did handle that poorly."
    "Poorly?" Buck put in, censure filling his voice. "You were
    livid, and I can't understand why."
    Dallas shook his head in disbelief. "I feel like such a fool.
    Do you really mean to tell me she's Smoke?"
    "One and the same," Tate told him. "I know it's hard to
    believe, but Smokey's not at her best in social settings. I assure
    you, she's quite different when dealing with business matters."
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    "I'll apologize to her," Dallas said immediately. "Tonight,
    if you'd like." Dallas stood, willing to seek her out on the spot.
    "No, I think tomorrow will be soon enough. Jen's with her
    now, and I suspect we all should sleep on it." late rose to leave,
    but Buck stopped him,
    "There's more, isn't there, Tate? You looked almost frightened
    when Jen was upset. Can you tell us why?"
    Tate hesitated for only an instant, hating to tell their
    wonderful news on such a sober note. "She's expecting, and
    although I've no reason to think she'll have problems, I'm not
    going to court disaster."
    "When?" was all Dallas could say.
    "Next summer," Tate answered and this time he did leave
    the room.
    Jenny knocked on Smokey's door, but there was no immediate
    answer.
    "Smokey," she called softly after a second knock. "May I
    please come in?"
    "I'm going to bed, Jen." Smokey's voice was barely audible,
    and Jenny knew she would never sleep unless she
    talked with her. She eased the door open carefully and closed
    it with a soft click.
    Smokey, still fully dressed, was on the window seat, the
    light from the full moon illuminating the tracks of tears on her
    face. Jenny came and sat across from her, not touching her or
    talking, but waiting and praying.
    "He made me feel ashamed," she finally said, her voice
    quivering with emotion. "I saw him on that dock in London,
    but I never do anything to bring attention to myself while in
    port. We'd met so briefly that I thought it was best to walk on
    by. I never dreamed that he had noticed me. Now I feel like a
    liar and a cheat. I'm also angry because he's made me feel
    ashamed of the way I make my living."
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    Jenny's arms came around Smokey then, and the small
    woman, though older, sobbed in her friend's arms.
    "Dolly is a Wonderful man, Smokey," Jenny began. "And
    he's probably sorry right now for the way he acted I was
    furious with him, but now that I've taken a few minutes to
    calm down, I can see that he reacted out of shock. That doesn't
    excuse him, but it might help you to see that it was nothing
    personal."
    "I guess you're right."
    "In fact, he probably greatly admires you. Buck was telling
    me before you came down for supper that your reputation is
    incredible."
    Smokey shrugged and used her handkerchief on her face
    "Like my father used to say, there's no magic in it, just a lot of
    hard work"
    "It also must help to have the fastest ship on the ocean."
    Jenny's voice was very droll, and they both giggled.
    Tate came for Jenny then, urging her to bed and sleep.
    Jenny made sure Smokey was all right before she left. She also
    refused to budge until Smokey promised to stay one day
    longer than she had planned Smokey agreed, albeit reluctantly.
    As Smokey fell asleep, she knew she would have to see
    Dallas again before leaving. It was not a comforting thought,
    but she told herself she would survive it. Of their own volition,
    tears started up again before she slept, this time because she
    wanted to talk with Darsey.
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    "you're an awfully hard lady to track down."
    Dallas' deep voice so frightened Smokey that she started
    violently, and Dallas found himself apologizing over that
    before he could voice what he had come to say.
    "I didn't mean to sneak up on you."
    "It's all right."
    They fell silent for a few minutes, each with his or her own
    thoughts, eyes out to sea.
    Dallas had found Smokey in a craggy spot right above the
    beach. He had gone bright and early that morning to apologize,
    but Jenny had told him Smokey