Ambrose took a breath and resisted the urge to say, “Charge ahead, excelsior!”
Barbara studied his expression.
He exhaled. “If Robin really is being held prisoner there, I want to rescue him. But it’s very risky for you to come with. If Caten sees us together, he’ll know we aren’t just random travelling companions. He’ll know that you are important to me. He’ll do things to you just to spite me.”
“That may be so, but—” A determined glint sparked in her eyes. “—I am not staying behind. I will not have you disappear on me for another six months.”
To be separated from Barbara after having achieved this wonderful, new intimacy with her, after having married her…to lose her and not know if I would see her ever again…
“I don’t want to lose you again, Ambrose. Because it’s possible this would be the last time.”
He unbuckled his seat belt and hugged her.
She hugged him in return.
…it would be the most painful loss. It would haunt me. It would drive me insane.
“So.” He kissed the side of her head. “What should we do?”
“What else can we do? Ambrose.” She pulled out of his embrace. “If Mark Caten has Robin locked up—-“
“I know. I don’t want to even think of him being held prisoner by Caten. I love Robin like he’s my kid brother.”
“I know you do.”
“I don’t want anything bad to happen to him.”
“Neither do I.”
This. This is the woman I love. Her, with her kind heart, I love with all of my heart.
“Barbara, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
I would run through any gauntlet to save her.
Barbara kissed him. “Mmm. But you’re forgetting one important thing, kitten: I won’t be alone. I will have you with me.” She ran her hands through his hair. “And we will give each other the strength and courage we need to face any enemy.”
“I love you.” The words left his throat and his mouth so quickly, so easily. It was like a breath.
“I love you too, my Ambrose.”
Ambrose shifted in his seat and kissed her in a luxuriant, loving kiss. He opened his mind to her so she could enter it and see any memory, any thought, any feeling she wanted to see.
He sensed her in his mind. He sensed her uncertainty. It was like she was standing in the doorway of a file room, debating about whether or not she should go in.
He projected his love and trust to her. He sensed her love in return, just seconds before she backed out of that doorway and out of his mind.
She ended the kiss.
He opened his eyes.
“Maybe some other time, my fluffy gray kitten.” She spread her hands on his chest. “After all, Henspence isn’t exactly around the corner and I am hoping that we’ll somehow make it to the airport on time.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
The light turned green.
Barbara smiled. “Very sure.” She drove through the intersection.
ambroseandelsie 