Mercenary's Woman by Diana Palmer Read Free Book Online Page A

too. I lost my taste for commando
work a long
time ago. I teach tactics now. That's all I do."
    "You're not a family man," she replied bravely.
    Something changed in
his face, in his eyes, as he studied her. "I've thought about that a lot recently," he contra dicted. "About a home and children. I might
have to give up some of the contract work I do, once the kids came along. I won't allow my children anywhere near
weapons. But I can always write field manuals and train teachers in tactics and strategy and
intelligence-garnering," he added.
    she
    "You don't know that you could
settle for that," pointed out.
    "Not until I
try," he agreed. His gaze fell to her soft mouth and lingered there. "But
then, no man really wants to tie himself down. It takes a determined woman to make him want
it."
    She felt as if he
were trying to tell her something, but before she could ask him to clarify what
he'd said, Stevie was back with an armful of soft drinks and the moment was lost.
    Jess and Dallas
weren't speaking at all when the others arrived. Dallas was toying with a cup of
cold coffee, look ing
unapproachable. When Eb came in the door, Dallas went out it, without a word or a backward glance.
    "I don't need to ask how it went," Eb murmured.
    "It would be pretty pointless," Jessica said dully.
    "Mama, I learned
to do breakfalls! I wish I could show you," Stevie said, climbing into his
mother's lap and hug ging her.
    She fought tears as
she cuddled him close and kissed his sweaty forehead. "Good for you! You
listen when Eb tells you something. He's very good."
    "Stevie's a natural," Eb
chuckled. "In fact, so is your niece."
He gave Sally a slow going-over with his eyes.
    "She's a quick
learner," Jessica said. "Like I was, once."
    "I have to get
back," Eb said. "There's nothing to worry about right now," he added,
careful not to speak too bluntly in front of the child. "I have everything
in hand.
But I have told Sally to let me know if she plans to go out alone at night,
for any reason."
    "I will,"
Sally promised. She didn't want to risk her aunt's life, or Stevie's, by being too independent.

52
    MERCENARY'S WOMAN
    DIANA PALMER
    53

Eb nodded.
"We'll keep the lessons up at least three times a week," he told Sally.
"I want to move you into self-defense
pretty quickly."
    She understood why and felt uneasy. "Okay."
    "Don't
worry," he said gently. "Everything's going to be fine. I know
exactly what I'm doing."
    She managed a smile for him. "I know that."
    "Walk me to the door," he coaxed. "See you, Jess."
    "Take care,
Eb," Jessie replied, her goodbye echoed by her son's.
    On the front porch,
Eb closed the door and looked down into Sally's wide gray eyes with concern and
something more
elusive.
    "I'll have the
house watched," he promised. "But you have to be careful about even normal
things like opening the door when someone comes. Always keep the chain lock
on until you know who's out there. Another thing, you have to keep your
doors and windows locked, curtains drawn and an escape route always in
mind."
    She bit her lip
worriedly. "I've never had to deal with anything like this."
    His big, warm hands
closed over her shoulders. "I know. I'm sorry that you and Stevie have been
put in the line of fire along with Jess. But you can handle this," he said confidently.
"You're strong. You can do whatever you have to do."
    She searched his
hard, lean face, saw the deep lines and scars that the violence of his life had
carved into it, and knew that he would never lie to her. Her frown
dissolved. His confidence in her made her feel capable of anything. She smiled.
    He smiled back and
traced a lazy line from her cheek down to her soft mouth. "If Stevie
wasn't so unpredicta-
    ble, I'd kiss you," he said quietly.
"I like your mouth under
mine."
    Her caught breath was
audible. There had never been anyone who could do to her with words what he could.
    He traced her lips,
entranced. "I used to dream about that afternoon with you," he said in a sensuous tone. "I