16 Lighthouse Road - By Debbie Macomber Page 0,110

him stiffly.

"Maybe. I'm not here to judge. I know how Justine feels about you, Gunderson. She's got the hots for you."

"Don't do this," she pleaded.

Seth frowned, his face darkening.

"You aren't any better at hiding your feelings than she is," Warren continued. "Well, more power to you."

"Justine's already agreed to marry you," Seth reminded him.

"True, but we both know she's more woman than an old guy like me can handle."

"Oh, God." Never in all her life had Justine been so humiliated, so embarrassed. She tried to leave the booth, but with Warren on one side and Seth on the other, she couldn't escape.

Seth leapt out of the booth as if it'd suddenly caught fire. "I've heard enough of this conversation to know I'm unwilling to listen to any more."

"Don't be hasty," Warren said with a congenial laugh. "I'm just trying to show you both how open-minded I am. If you want Justine, you can have her with my blessing."

Seth's earlier look of contempt didn't compare to the one he cast Justine now. Contempt...and pity.

"I'm afraid you're mistaken," he said, slamming down his beer. "I have no interest in Justine." Then he walked out of the lounge, not sparing her so much as a backward glance.
Chapter Nineteen
Cecilia felt the joy, anticipation and excitement as Navy wives and families crowded the pier, awaiting their husbands and fathers. She had truly become one of those wives. She stood with Cathy, who was obviously pregnant now. They held on to each other, fearful of being separated in the large group. In some ways, Cathy was like the sister she'd never had. She hoped that the bond they'd built in the past months would continue for a lifetime. Her friend had taught her so much about courage and hope. Lessons Cecilia had carried with her ever since the accident on the John F. Reynolds.

"I think I see Andrew," Cathy shouted.

Andrew Lackey stepped off the gangplank and peered expectantly around. Cathy shrieked and ran toward him, arms flung wide. Andrew caught her around the waist and half lifted her from the ground. As they kissed, Cathy threw her arms around her husband's neck.

Feeling a bit awkward watching them, Cecilia looked away, hoping to catch sight of Ian. Her heart sank; he wasn't anywhere to be seen. Glancing back at her friend, Cecilia felt tears in her eyes as Andrew flattened his hand against Cathy's belly. Standing where she was, Cecilia could feel his relief and his sheer happiness that this pregnancy was secure. The most dangerous months had passed, and although there were no guarantees, a miscarriage was far less likely now. The doctors were pleased with the way the pregnancy was progressing.

Then all at once Cecilia saw Ian. He paused at the top of the gangplank and scanned the crowd, searching for her.

"Ian!" she shouted and her arms shot into the air to attract his attention. "Here! I'm here." She took off running toward her husband, ducking and weaving through the crowd, and literally flew into his embrace.

Cecilia had thought she was ready for this moment, but nothing could have prepared her for the wild burst of happiness. When Ian returned shortly after Allison's burial, she hadn't come to the base to meet him. At the time, she couldn't. She just couldn't. But everything had changed, and now Ian was home and they were beginning a new life together.

"Oh, honey." Her husband's hands were in her hair and they kissed frantically, straining against each other, eager to give and receive, holding back nothing.

"Welcome home." As long as her arms were around his neck, she didn't care if her feet dangled inches off the ground. "How are your ribs?" she asked, afraid all this hugging might hurt him.

"They burn like hell, but I'd rather put up with the pain than not hold you." He kissed her again. The passion between them was back, the way it had been at the start.

Tears welled in Cecilia's eyes. She hadn't expected to cry, but it felt so...so good to be with Ian. The months he'd been at sea had been a time of healing for them both.

"I love you so much," she whispered over and over.

"I love you, too."

Ian had proved it in more ways than she could count. She was grateful for his patience and his refusal to give up on her or their marriage. If it hadn't been for his repeated attempts to resolve their differences, she was sure they would've been divorced by now. Neither Ian nor