Last Bridge Home by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page A

senses. She mustn’t get upset, she told herself, just breathe deeply.
    “Beth.” Jon was standing beside her, his gaze fixed warily on her face. “What’s wrong?”
    She laughed shakily. “Nothing at all. What could possibly be wrong? I’m involved with ruthless government agents, and I have an idea you two could be just as ruthless. I’m drowning in intrigue and secrets, and I don’t understand a damn thing.”
    “You’ll understand everything soon. I promise”.
    “You’ve said that before.” She whirled to face him. “When?”
    He hesitated. “After the child is born. Does that satisfy you?”
    “No, it doesn’t, but it will have to do. I’ll be darned if I’ll let myself suffer a case of nervesthat might endanger my son.” She riffled through the clothes until she found a loose velour caftan in a soft rose shade and pulled it from the hanger. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to shower and change.” She moved swiftly toward the door Gunner had indicated. “I’ll be downstairs in thirty minutes, and An drew and I would appreciate something to eat.”
    As the door closed firmly behind her Gunner looked inquiringly at Jon. “Andrew?”
    “The baby.”
    “Oh.” Gunner’s thoughtful gaze returned to the door. “She’s taking all this very well considering the circumstances. She’s very strong.”
    “Stronger than she knows,” Jon said. “Her life hasn’t been easy, but she’s never really been tested.” He turned wearily toward the door. “She will be soon.”

“M AY I HELP?”
    Gunner smiled as he looked up from the on ions he was sautéing at the stove. “Don’t you dare. There’s a certain slapdash pizzazz to the art of cooking that suits my temperament admirably. I enjoy the hell out of it.” His deep blue eyes studied her critically. “You look more relaxed. The shower must have done you a lot of good.”
    She wrinkled her nose at him. “You mean besides making me more socially acceptable? It did help. I love the feel of warm water pouring over me. Where’s Jon?”
    “Outside on the deck.” His gaze returned to the frying pan. “Dinner will be ready in abouttwenty minutes. I hope Andrew likes steak and onions.”
    “We’re both crazy about them. Are you sure I can’t do anything?”
    Gunner shook his head. “Go into the living room and put your feet up in front of the fire. I want you nice and serene when Jon sees you next. He ripped me apart verbally for my unorthodox appearance on the scene. He thought I frightened you.”
    “You did. I was sure you were going to break your neck.”
    “There was the slightest possibility I wasn’t in complete control,” he admitted with a grin. “Next time I’ll do better. I didn’t mean to worry you. I had this vision of flying down the mountain like an eagle and impressing you with my daring.”
    “Well, you certainly succeeded,” she said, smiling. “Though I don’t know why you would go to the trouble.”
    “Why shouldn’t I want to impress you? You’re Jon’s lady and he—” He broke off and was silent for a moment, avoiding her shocked gaze. “I have an idea I’m in for another tongue-lashing from my honorable commandant. For get I said that, will you?”
    “I’m not Jon Sandell’s … lady. You must have misunderstood something he said,” shesaid haltingly. “1 was married to his cousin, Mark.”
    He glanced up, and a brilliant smile lit up his tanned face. “You’re right. I probably misunderstood. Now, run along and rest.”
    He was trying to distract her and make her forget his incredible verbal slip. Elizabeth was sure that behind Gunner’s boisterous, careless charm lay a man who made very few mistakes. However, the alternative was that Jon Sandell had indicated he thought of her in terms of… She couldn’t complete the thought, as hot color flushed her cheeks and stung through her veins. It couldn’t be true. He was Mark’s cousin, for goodness’ sake. Yet there had been a thread of