Free Swept Away by Elizabeth Seckman Page B

nearly touching her chest to his. Tugging on his hand, she pulled him along with her, explaining as she walked slowly back toward the cabins. “Most graves are blessed. They’re sacred ground, so it’s a peaceful place. No interference. I can think best there.”
    He wanted to pretend that wasn’t a weird answer. Tension moved up his spine, causing every snap and rustle in the dense foliage to be amplified. When they arrived at their cottages, Josie kept hold of his hand as she turned toward him. “I wish you weren’t troubled. You were so happy today.”
    His laugh was dry. “I’m not troubled. I just saw you walking and I…”
    “Well, I couldn’t sleep. And I suspect you don’t sleep very well either. We may as well be up together, right?” She smiled and led him to her place. Inside, the hum of the air conditioner was the only sound. Soft hands moved up his arms to rest on his shoulders.  He caught her by the hips, his fingers inching their way around her waist until he had her wrapped in his arms. Then leaning down, he kissed her. She pulled back ever so slightly as if she’d never been kissed. Tucker wasn’t ready to let her go, not when he’d finally made it this close. Moving his hands from her waist to her cheeks, he held her, tilting her head, allowing his lips to explore hers. At first he worried he’d gone too far as her breath caught in her throat, but then with a sweet sigh, she relaxed against him. 
    Taking a step back, she pressed her hands to her reddening cheeks.  “Wow.”
    Tucker smiled.
    Josie slid her hands to his upper arms, squeezing the heavy muscles as they roamed. “Now, will you tell me what happened to your friend?”
    The warmth of her next to him made him feel calmer, and as if reading his mind, she stepped even closer, wrapping her arms tight around him.
    He closed his eyes, breathing in the sweet smell of her. “It was a Monday morning…typical day at the office…” His chuckle was brittle. She gave him a patient look.
    Taking a deep breath, he explained, “Our platoon was on a transport, you know one of those Humvees with an open top?” Josie nodded. “Anyhow, we were riding along this narrow city street. We thought the area was cleared, so we were kind of relaxing, joking around. Suddenly Ash jumps up. I thought he was goofing off, but then I heard the pop.” Tucker held her tighter. “A bullet doesn’t really go bang, it makes a pop. I heard it- pop, pop…a shooter in a window.” Tucker took a deep breath. “Ash had his arms up, covering me, and that’s where the bullet got him…right through his raised arm into his damned heart.” Tucker was quiet a minute. His voice cracked, so he cleared it. “There is one weakness in the vest where the plates dip under the arm pit. What were the son-of-a-bitchen odds that shooter hit that exact spot?”
    Josie shook her head as she hugged him tighter.
    “I often wonder if it was a fair trade. That bullet was meant for me. If he hadn’t gotten in the way, he’d be alive. He had a kid. A little boy who will never know his dad. For what?”
    Josie pressed her cheek to his chest. After a long silence, she said quietly, “For you. Personally, I’m glad it’s you right here right now.”
    He relaxed his body into hers. Buried his face in her hair.
    She kissed his cheek and pressed her hand to his heart. “None of it is your fault. Not your friend, not Holly. You have to let it all go.”
    Tucker tried to remember what he’d told her about Holly. He was pretty sure he’d not said anything. As he was about to ask her what the hell she was talking about, she moved her hands down his arms and led him to her room.

Chapter 10
    Waking him with a light kiss, Josie stood above him, smiling down at him. Tucker stretched and tried to snuggle deeper into the soft sweet sheets and pillows that were more like fluffy clouds than the thin bags of polyester he used.
    “You better get up. I don’t want Murray to know you slept